Mission Objectives

EUPM contributes to the overall peace implementation process in BiH, as well as to the achievement of the overall EU policy in the region. It aims to establish a sustainable, professional and multiethnic police service operating in accordance with best European and international standards. This is to be achieved through the following three strategic pillars:

Support to local police in fight against organised crime

Within this pillar, EUPM contributes to the transformation of the State Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA) into an operational police agency with enhanced and executive powers to fight major and organised crime. EUPM is also continuously working on the development of other state-level institutions, such as the Ministry of Security (MoS) and the State Border Service (SBS).

EUPM officers provide operational advice and support in planning and conducting investigations and operations against organised crime. As part of the broader rule of law approach, they encourage local counterparts to take a proactive stance, advise on all aspects of investigations, facilitate relations and improve cooperation, whenever needed and appropriate, between the police and the prosecutorial authorities. It also coordinates EUFOR’s support to local police activities when required.

Accountability of local police

Within this pillar, EUPM inspects and monitors police operations from its early planning stage, through investigations or operations, until the case in question reaches the court. EUPM also monitors the situation inside the police – situations which are perceived as unlawful, misconducts and contrary to the best practice or generally applied rules of engagement. In order to carry out this task, EUPM has free access to every document, premises or person.

Support to Police Restructuring Implementation

Since the Directorate for Police Restructuring Implementation (DPRI) finished its work, in December 2007, police reform has been in the hands of BiH national institutions. The EU Police Mission assists this political process in various ways, namely by offering legislative and technical assistance and continuously lobbying for the best possible police reform model. Simultaneously at the technical level, as part of EUPM police reform efforts, EUPM’s Police Reform Department works in close association with its counterparts to identify projects aimed at developing the existing police structures, as well as enhancing their operational capacity and effectiveness.