Police Mission of European Union in Bosnia and Herzegovina: Road From Initial Confusion to Monitoring, Supervision and Inspection

Abstract

At the present moment it is safe to say that Bosnia and Herzegovina, along with the Balkans region, is the focus of attention of officials in Brussels concerned with European security. As such, Bosnia and Herzegovina has been chosen as the site where European Security and Defense Policy (ESDP) will be tested for performance. Indicators of success were measured during the implementation of the first European Union Police Mission (EUPM) in January 2003, as well as during one of the largest military missions of EU forces (EUFOR) in operation "Althea".

EUPM is the leading organization in the field of police reform, and in contrast to IPTF, the previous police mission in Bosnia, the EUPM does not hold supervising powers. The mandate of EUPM is implemented through advocacy and mentoring of police forces. Therefore this paper will analyze the problems and successes of the implementation of the mission and its influence on the professionalization of police structures in B&H, and its contribution to increasing public safety in general. Data were generated by in depth interviews with police officials, both European and local.