POLICE-RELATED ACTIVITIES OF FIELD OPERATIONS central ASIA a comprehensive multi-agency mechanism to unite and co-ordinate national efforts in countering transnational threats. The Police Matters Programme, which was previously independent from all three dimensions, was incorporated into the Politico-Military Dimension in 2015. This restructuring reflected a transition from only addressing police reform to a more holistic approach in regard to security sector governance. Activities Related to General Police Development and Reform Police Development and Reform From 20 to 23 May, the Office organized a study visit for representatives from the MoI Academy, MoI Republican Training Centre, and Institute of the State Committee on National Security to the Estonian Academy of Security Sciences (EASS) in Tallinn (Estonia). The visit was organized on the basis of a decision taken during the International Police Reform Conference in 2016 and also follow-up meetings conducted with the management of the EASS on future cooperation between education institutions of law enforcement agencies (LEAs). During the visit, participants learned more on how the EASS operates, including on ways to improve the quality and the structure of the LEAs education system, taking into consideration international best practice, clear cost-benefit analysis and the advantages and disadvantages of having a single education institution for all LEAs. In July, the government approved a new law On service in law enforcement agencies of the Kyrgyz Republic. Expected to have a positive impact in the fight against corruption, the law had been prepared in close co-operation with the Office. The main changes reflected in the new legislation refer to the hiring process, according to which the staff of the MoI will be hired on a contractual basis, including a significant increase of staff salary. The amendments are expected to have a positive effect in combating corruption. With assistance provided by the Office, the MoI produced a draft 2020 to 2023 Development Strategy. In December, the draft strategy was submitted to the government for review. From 12 to 17 August, the Office organized training courses in Bishkek on patrol police tactic for staff of the MoI Academy and newly recruited staff of the MoI Patrol Police Service (PPS). The courses were led by the Deputy Director of the Department of Patrol Police in Georgia and Deputy Head of the Main Directorate of Patrol Police in Tbilisi. The PPS was established through a pilot project, which the Office supported in an effort to strengthen impact and intergovernmental co-operation in public security between Kyrgyzstan and Georgia. Anti-Corruption In the first half of 2019, the Office supported the MoI in the opening of multifunctional single-window service centres in three regional police departments, also providing the necessary ICT equipment. The centres aim in providing higher quality services through simplifying the procedures required for obtaining weapons permits, private security company licences, and bulk freight transportation while also increasing the efficiency of the administrative process. The opening of the Centres was the result of best practice gained during an Office facilitated study visit to Georgia in 2018. By the end of 2019, all seven centres had become fully operational, enabling the simplification of administrative inquiries from the public and a reduction also in the risk of exposure to corruption, stemming from multiple layers of bureaucracy. Gender Mainstreaming On 4 March, the Office supported the Kyrgyz Association of Women in the Security Sector (KAWSS), Republican Committee of Soldiers Mothers of Kyrgyzstan and Women’s Forum of Kyrgyzstan in their jointly organized National Forum “Women of Kyrgyzstan for Peace, Security and Development” in Bishkek. The forum brought together 200 representatives from parliament, Security Council, LEAs, local councils, educational institutions, civil society, and media. The forum provided a platform to discuss the participation of women in the development of the security sector, the promotion of women to managerial positions in the security sector, and to share international best practice and experience. The forum adopted a resolution, which included recommendations on women’s participation in sustainable country development, interagency co-operation, and implementation of a National Action Plan on UNSCR 1325, which was submitted to the government. From 15 to 18 July, in co-ordination with the MoI, the Office supported an awareness-raising campaign for police officers 111