University of Pittsburgh Hosts the 2008 Academy on Community Policing in Albania

Pitt’s Graduate School of Public and International Affairs (GSPIA) and Center for Russian and East European Studies (REES), in partnership with the Institute for Democracy and Mediation (IDM) in Albania, is hosting a 10-day training academy through June 13 on community policing for Albanian police officers, community members, and government dignitaries. Albania’s commitment to the concept of community policing has increased citizen satisfaction with public safety and lowered criminal activity in that country in recent years.

IDM, through the leadership of executive director Sotiraq Hroni, has successfully partnered with GSPIA and REES at Pitt and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police. This partnership has resulted in a free exchange of ideas and concepts through two previous academies held in Pittsburgh.

The partnership also has led to on-site instructional visits to Albania by members of the Bureau of Police and the University of Pittsburgh and resulted in education and delivery of community police services to the citizens of Albania.