Safety and security concerns us all and illicit and trafficked firearms pose a threat to a peaceful society. As techniques of smuggling, concealment, and illegal modification become more advanced the police must also develop more advanced techniques to trace these arms. Prosecutors and judges must also put criminals behind bars.

The Firearms Focal Point – an established intelligence desk on combatting illegal arms trafficking – held a series of professional development workshops involving senior police, prosecutors and investigators.

The Focal Point – the first of its kind in the Western Balkans – is a place to share intelligence, data and any information collected through the collection, analysis and investigation process. This information is shared with other regional agencies, contributing to regional and wider European safety. The Focal Point is now being used as best practice for neighbouring jurisdictions, making Kosovo an exporter of security.

An outreach activity was held on the first day for Kosovo Police senior management and regional commanders. Which further explained the tasks and capabilities of the Firearms Focal Point, and its ability to contribute to a sustainable solution to the illegal possession, misuse and trafficking of Small Arms and Light Weapons in the Western Balkans by 2024.

Subsequent days focused on professional development and capacity building for police, prosecutors and investigators.

Police prosecutors and investigators received training on their role and responsibilities, the usefulness the Firearms Focal Point provides to their work, and how to improve cooperation with investigators.

Police also received training on implementing the International Tracing Instrument – adopted by the United Nations – which will strengthen gun crime investigation in Kosovo. This training will further increase the KP’s capabilities in crime scene identification and reporting to the Firearms Focal Point with quantitative data.

This series of activities were supported by UNDP Kosovo through the Kosovo Safety and Security project, the European Union through SEESAC, the Regional Cooperation Council, and the United Nations Trust Facility Supporting Cooperation on Arms Regulation (UNSCAR).