European Union Police Mission (EUPM) (Bosnia and Herzegovina)

On 1 January 2003, the European Union Police Mission (EUPM) took over responsibility for the international police operation in BiH from the UN.

In regard to these objectives EUPM took a number of measures, including:

Establishment of a Police Steering Board composed of high-ranking Bosnian police officers, to develop Bosnian ownership, independence and sustainability of the police service;
Offering Bosnian lower management levels the chance to participate in EUPM’s initial needs assessment exercise, further developing local ownership;
Targeting Uniform Police, Traffic Units and Special Forces to strengthen capacity to control civil disorder, enhance crime-prevention capabilities and improve capacity for refugees’ safe return;
Introducing a hotline allowing citizens to make free, anonymous calls about possible crimes, leading to several arrests, charges, drug seizures and recovery of stolen property;
Introducing a Special Project on Major and Organised Crime and new organisational structures for criminal investigation departments that prioritise organised crime over regular crime; and
Monitoring recruitment processes under the Police Administration Programme to ensure equal representation of women and all ethnic groups.