2012 resulted in further enactment of the Act of Systematization 20 and the Department continued to support the effective implementation of the LoIA and its associated by-laws. In this respect, at the end of 2011, the Working Group (WG) on monitoring, evaluation and implementation of the new regulations determined by the Law on Internal Affairs and the ensuing by-laws had concluded its two-year work and produced a final assessment and recommendation report. One of the recommendations stemming from this report was for the MoIA, the EU, the US ICITAP and the OSCE to continue meeting as an Advisory Board, to further assist the MoIA on issues related to police reform. The first meeting of the Advisory Board was held on 30 March and continued on a regular basis throughout 2012. The Advisory Board continued to monitor the implementation of the LoIA and its by-laws; and to provide recommendations for its adjustment in line with international practices and its effective implementation. The Advisory Board also facilitated the streamlining of managerial activities and improving the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the MoIA. In addition, the Advisory Board enabled the formulation of internationally co-ordinated opinions and advice on police reform in order to support the MoIA`s activities in this area. The activities of the Advisory Board were to continue with the same actors in 2013. The PDD continued to support the MoIA throughout the implementation process of the LoIA by providing support to the MoIA on Human Resources Management (HRM). The aim was to develop a HRM system based on professional criteria and effective, efficient, accountable and transparent procedures in line with the LoIA, its implementing regulations (Rulebooks), and the MoIA Collective Agreement. A modern HRM system, functioning on a merit-based career system is a necessity in order for the police to fulfil its obligations to reach international good policing practices. It is also a requirement in order to provide a better organized, more motivated and better trained police service. With regard to police recruitment, in August 2012, the MoIA initiated the hiring of 300 new Police Officers for its field police structures. As part of this recruitment process PDD representatives attended a number of those interview sessions and observed the interviewing of 96 potential police cadets. A detailed report on the observations was completed, including a description of the ethnic composition of the group of candidates. From 23-27 April, the PDD organized a study visit for five representatives of the MoIA’s Central Police Services and Sector for Common Affairs and Human Resources Management (SCAHRM) to Paris, to make them familiar with France’s experience in systematization, in particular with collective agreement, personal appraisal systems as well as retirement and career systems. On 4-5 October, the PDD organized a seminar on “Disciplinary Procedures” for those police supervisors who have the ability to initiate disciplinary procedures. The ownership of the event was taken by the SCAHRM. The event gathered 50 participants, including representatives from the US ICITAP. On 4-7 December, the PDD organized a visit to Slovenia for three employees from the SCAHRM to study personal data protection issues and the Slovenian personal appraisal system. Capacity building activities focusing on mid- and top-level management for the MoIA’s Police Training Centre and the Human Resource Management were planned to continue in 2013. With the aim of further aiding police reform in 2013, the Mission was going to continue its support to the MoIA in specific areas such as the implementation of the LoIA and special attention was going to be paid to address gaps and loopholes identified in the LoIA, as well 20 The new Systematization of Posts Act had been enacted in January 2011, introducing major organizational and functional challenges to the MoIA. The Act derives from the Law on Internal Affairs (LoIA), which was adopted in 2009, and works, inter alia, towards streamlining police staffing levels to achieve the recommended police-population ratio of 1:300. 95