4.4 Mission to Montenegro Background The OSCE Mission to Montenegro supports the Montenegrin authorities in the ongoing police reform process aimed at transforming the Montenegrin Police into a professional, democratic police service, trusted and respected by the society. In 2013, the Police Affairs Programme (PAF) within the Mission consisted of three international and four national staff members involved in a variety of police-related activities defined as priorities within the comprehensive police reform process. At the strategic level, the Mission and the Ministry of Interior (MoI) signed a new extended MoU in August 2013. It defines the scope of future joint co-operation for an unlimited period, until the Mission concludes its mandate. In addition to policing matters, it also addresses assistance in public administration and the non-governmental sector. Legislation to enable the implementation of the Law on Internal Affairs was adopted. Reorganization of the MoI and Police, including staff recruitment, which began in 2012 continued. As a result of this process, the Police Directorate, which had functioned independently since 2005, was returned under the supervision of the MoI. On the issue of gender equality, the Mission continued to promote increased representation of women in the police service. This included organizing gender sensitive training for senior police managers. The aim was to increase their knowledge of gender equality concepts for increasing participation of women in police operations and in decision making positions. Regarding police accountability, the report Anti-Corruption Mechanisms and Accountability of Police Officers in Montenegro was the product of a research project, supported by the Mission and implemented by the NGO Centre for Democracy and Human Rights (CEDEM). The project aimed at collecting and analyzing information regarding key achievements and challenges in the implementation of anti-corruption and control mechanisms for the police. Besides, independent and transparent oversight of the police, a fair recruitment policy and a strong complaints’ mechanism remained to be established. In general, police reform was at an advanced phase in many areas and the Mission was going to continue to assist this positive trend. In this regard recommendations in the Mission’s in-depth assessment report Police Reform in Montenegro 2006-2011, published in 2012, which set out areas needing further assistance, continued to be highly relevant. Main challenges ahead were to support the implementation of new legislation for the strategically based re-organization of the Ministry of Interior/Police Directorate. The Mission planned to implement a police-media project and a communication strategy. Further assistance was necessary to develop effective police investigations and to enhance police and prosecutor co-operation in the pre-investigation phase of criminal proceedings. Strategic Planning and Development On 3-4 September, the Mission supported the first workshop of the regional project “Enhancing Capacities for Strategic Analysis in Serbia, Montenegro and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia”, held in Belgrade. The project’s objective was to develop cooperation amongst the MoIs of the three countries. The Mission’s adviser on organized crime and three representatives of the MoI participated, providing data and contributing to the discussions. The workshop was organized by the Mission to Serbia as part of a project funded by the Swiss Advisory Group on Security and implemented by DCAF. 73