POLICE-RELATED ACTIVITIES OF FIELD OPERATIONS SOUTH-EASTERN EUROPE investigations. One fourth of the participants received an international certification in the area of fraud examination. t
From 7-10 September, the Mission, together with the MoI and the Norwegian Police Directorate, organized a study visit for six economic crime investigators and one prosecutor to learn from the Norwegian experience in investigating and prosecuting economic and environmental crime. The Serbian delegation also visited Norwegian Police University College and was introduced to the economic crimes education programme in Norway. t
On 29 September, the MoI officially approved the curriculum for economic crime investigators that the Mission developed in close co-operation with the Serbian police. The curriculum is now part of the official educational material for all future Serbian police investigators who will be investigating corruption-related cases. t
On 27 October, 10 police officers from the MoI received their diploma as internationally certified economic crime forensic experts, making them the first civil servants in the country to obtain international certificates in examination of fraud, detection of money laundering, and forensic accountancy. The police officers belong to a core group of 25 police investigators and two prosecutors whose capacities in investigating corruption-related criminal cases have been improved during this project. t
From 12-13 November, the Mission organized a twoday training on slush funds for the group. The training addressed, inter alia, the creation and possible ultimate goals of slush funds, investigative indicators of the creation of slush funds, and the difference between slush funds and money laundering. t
From 11-12 December, the Mission organized a training seminar on offshore jurisdictions for economic crime investigators. Participants were informed about the use of offshore financial centres for the purpose of money laundering, and about investigative indicators and specific techniques to trace offshore money flows. The event gathered participants from police, prosecution, and the Ministry of Finance’s Administration for the Prevention of Money Laundering (APML). From 13-15 May, the Mission organized a seminar on the legal aspects of fighting corruption in criminal investigations for 25 economic crime investigators from the Serbian police service. In particular, the event focused on the international legislative framework on fraud and money laundering. Serbian representatives of CARIN (Camden Assets Recovery Interagency Network), GRECO initiative (Group of States against Corruption), and Eurojust presented international tools for co-operation and exchange of information. Also, experts from the independent state body Anti-Corruption Agency provided presentations on the relevant Serbian legislation. The goal of the seminar was to enhance the MoI’s and police service’s capacity to combat transnational, organized and other forms of serious crime. From 5-7 October, the Mission facilitated a study visit for representatives of the MoI’s Criminal Investigation Directorate to the Italian Anti-Fraud Coordination Service (AFCOS) in Rome. The purpose of the visit was for three MoI members to gain an understanding of how AFCOS functions, in light of the future creation of an AFCOS within the Serbian MoI. Among other things, such a body will co-ordinate the sharing of information between the national fraudprevention authorities and European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF). The setting up of an AFCOS in Serbia is foreseen in the national Anti-Corruption Strategy. This activity is a part of the Mission’s wider efforts to enhance police capacities to combat organized and other forms of serious crime. Community Policing and Police-Public Relations On 30 January, the Mission and the MoI publically presented the results of the 2014 opinion poll on the public’s perception of police work. The results indicated that the public perceived drug addiction, corruption, and organized crime, amongst other things, as priorities for police work at the national level. The survey, held for the 7th consecutive year, was based on a sample of approximately 1,500 citizens throughout Serbia. The results are instrumental to guiding the MoI’s strategic planning processes, to support police reform, to highlight public concerns, and to help promote police responsiveness. From 28 April-14 May, the Mission organized two two-day visits to key national media outlets and the Press Council for 27 police spokespersons both at the central and local level. Participants learned about the professional standards and practices of media work, including news desk activities. The activity aimed at enhancing police officers’ capacities for effectively communicating with the media. Throughout May, the Mission supported the MoI in providing training on communication skills and conflict management to the entire Serbian police service. The MoI, furthermore, developed a manual on Communicational Skills and Conflict Management. Additionally, in the reporting period, the Ministry, supported by the Mission, organized two ToT courses targeting 100 police trainers. The courses were held on 12 and 13 May at the Police Training Centre in Avala, and on 14 and 15 May at the Centre for Basic Police Training in Sremska Kamenica. Two more courses were held in the last 75