A Training on ‘Communication with the Media and Public during Crime Investigation’, held on 07 and 08 March 2013 in the Hotel “Tuzla” in Tuzla, was organised by the EU funded project „EU Support to Law Enforcement“, in cooperation with the Centre for Judicial and Prosecutorial Training of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It represents one of the activities planned under the project’s Component IX dealing with police-justice cooperation and it was officially opened with welcome address by Gyula Radi, Long Term Expert in charge of the Component IX.
The training was focused on the development of a new system in communicating prompt, reliable and accurate information to media and public without jeopardizing the success of a criminal investigation. On the other hand, participants of the training also discussed establishment of better coordination in communication between police and prosecutors’ offices that shall lead towards more efficient, professional and joint approach in communicating to the public a broad range of positive measures taken in the fight against crime. Implementation of the new system will insure transparent and comprehensible presentation of the work of police and judicial system, especially in the fight against crime, and reaffirm and strengthen the public’s confidence in the work of the police and the judicial system.
With support from international and national experts, participants coming from police stations, prosecutors’ offices including Mr. Goran Salihovic, Chief Prosecutor of BiH Prosecutors Office, and courts of BiH, were trained on communication techniques and tactics, use of electronic equipment for communication purposes, drafting press releases, and crises communication.
Mr. Radi underlined in his welcome address that “One of the important issues for law enforcement agencies’ personnel is to give prompt, reliable and authentic information using clear and understandable language in order to increase the credibility of these agencies”.
Further training on communication with media and public during crime investigation, including one-day Seminar for Spokespersons of law enforcement agencies (LEAs) in BiH and one-day Round Table Discussion for press and media representatives, is planned for April this year, in Sarajevo.
The project funded by the EU in the amount of 7 Million EUR, from the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA 2010), will continue until 30 April 2014. The project consortium partners include the Ministries of Interior of the Republic of Austria, Republic of Slovenia, Hungary and of the Land Brandenburg of the Federal Republic of Germany, as well as the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), and Transparency International BiH (as an Associate). Beneficiary partners are BiH law enforcement agencies at state, entity, cantonal and Brčko District level.
