In Macedonia, an effort to stop corrupt police

In Macedonia, an effort to stop corrupt police

Three police officers face charges connected to a human trafficking investigation.

Macedonia is examining suspected cases involving legal infractions by members of the police force. [Miki Trajkovski/SETimes]

The arrests of three police officers, including the deputy head of internal affairs in Ohrid, is part of a no-tolerance policy that Macedonia has instituted against corruption in the police force.

The three officers were fired following a human trafficking investigation involving women brought from Albania to Tetovo to work as prostitutes and in other criminal enterprises.

Police said the arrests were part of the same investigation that discovered 25 Albanian women residing and working illegally in such establishments in December.

"Police officers must be in the function of citizenry. While no police force anywhere is without risk of being compromised, our permanent commitment is to investigate all suspected cases and if there are grounds process them. There is no pardon for colleagues who cross over the other side of the law," Ivo Kotevski, spokesperson for the Macedonia internal affairs ministry, told SETimes.

The ministry sanctioned 681 employees in the past seven years, 607 of which were uniformed police.

Kotevski said the zero-tolerance approach has shown results, which are reflected in opinion polls conducted regularly by the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).

"The polls show a drastic increase in the trust and reputation of the police as opposed to a decade ago and earlier. They show we are on a good path and will continue to work in the same manner," he said.

Greater police contacts with citizens...