telephones to register all calls; and a lack of headphones and electronic maps. In addition, the report noted a lack of adequate space for On-Call Centres. Conscious of the fact that professional and resourceful communication between KP and the media would be of benefit to the people of Kosovo, who are ultimately informed about the work and achievements of the police, the DSPS delivered two specifically designed media relation workshops for around 100 lieutenants of KP. Through a number of job specific scenarios, these one-day workshops mainly covered issues that relate to the importance of strategic communication with the media; media issues in general; as well as media laws and regulations. From 19-21 September, the DSPS, in co-operation with KP, hosted a conference on “Enhanced Information of the People about Security Related Issues through the Media”. The conference was specifically designed to facilitate a discussion among the representatives of KP, PIK, KAPS and the members of print, electronic and Internet-based media, on the current status of their relations. The importance of police-media communication was addressed by the senior representatives of KP, the Journalists Union and the DSPS. Discussions on topics related to the media coverage of criminal cases; domestic violence; issues involving minors; as well as pre-trial investigation cases were largely discussed. In addition, participants explored ways through which timely and accurate communication between them could be reached to the benefit of all communities. From 4-6 December, the DSPS in co-operation with KP Press and Public Information Office, organized a “Regional Conference for Police Press and Public Information Officers”. The conference hosted more than 30 guests from Albania, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Kosovo, and Montenegro. The conference focused on the importance of cooperation and the exchange of information among press and public information offices of the regional police forces, as well as among Ministries of Internal Affairs of the respective countries. Discussions addressed areas of co-operation and obstacles that hindered it, as well as bilateral agreements to be reached in 2014. An added value of the conference was the presence and contributions of the representatives of OSCE missions from the region, who shared their readiness to support future relevant initiatives. The DSPS worked very closely with KP and United Nations Women on the Communication Strategy of the recently established Association of Kosovo Police Women, whose objective is to support the gender equality within KP. The Mission of the Association is the empowerment of the role and position of women in KP, which shall be reached by raising the awareness of issues affecting female police officers, promoting gender equality, their professional development and the international promotion of the association and KP women. Moreover, the DSPS supported the Association in designing leaflets to be distributed to the attendees of the launching event organized on 1 October. Department of Human Rights and Communities A key facet of the work of the Department of Human Rights and Communities’ Security Monitoring Section (DHRC SMS) is carrying out monitoring programmes aimed at identifying reasons why the police failed to comply with the applicable law and international human rights standards and, as a result, failed to adequately protect the rights of Kosovo’s population. These monitoring activities result in thematic reports and ad hoc reports. The reports are non-public and directed to the police only. This approach enables DHRC SMS to regularly raise concerns over an issue before it becomes more problematic, trying to encourage remedial action from KP at an early stage. The DHRC SMS follows up on the recommendations of the reports and on other issues through a variety of measures, for instance, arranging meetings with KP officials, and organizing roundtables or workshops in 70