Support to the Law Enforcement Agencies in Moldova in Response to the Security Challenges in the Region

Moldova is facing an increased movement of people and vehicles across its borders and territory in the context of the ongoing war against Ukraine. This exacerbates security and safety challenges, providing a fertile ground for criminal organizations to exploit the situation for their gain. This project aims to mitigate risks and needs identified by an OSCE assessment team and Moldova's Ministry of Internal Affairs, including the General Police Inspectorate and the General Inspectorate of Border Police. The project’s primary goal is to enhance the capability of the relevant units to manage, control, search, process, and analyse information about the increased movement at the land and air borders and within Moldova. This will help law enforcement agencies assess and counter the threats posed by criminal organizations active in the country.

The project will strengthen Moldovan law enforcement's capacity to investigate transnational organized crime, including trafficking in small arms and light weapons and stockpiles of conventional ammunition. This will contribute to security and stability in Moldova and the surrounding region.

To achieve its objectives, the project will focus on:

• Improving regulations, operations, and inter-agency co-operation.
• Building the capacity of police units by promoting and developing the intelligence-led policing concept at borders and throughout Moldova.
• Providing targeted technical advice, organizing working group meetings and training courses, developing legislative and regulatory frameworks, producing knowledge materials, conducting study visits, procuring necessary tools and equipment, and upgrading infrastructure.
• Enhancing airport security in Moldova by improving cooperation between border and law enforcement agencies.

This assistance will help all actors perform their duties with greater accountability, integrity, respect, and human dignity, while also upholding gender equality and human rights. The project supports essential principles of Security Sector Governance Reform and directly contributes to the UN Sustainable Development Goals 5 on gender equality and 16 on peace, justice, and strong institutions.

The project is multi-dimensional and will be executed by:

• The Transnational Threats Department’s Strategic Police Matters Unit and the Border Security and Management Unit
• The Conflict Prevention Centre’s Forum for Security Co-operation Support Unit
• The Office of the OSCE Co-ordinator of Economic and Environmental Activities

The OSCE brings valuable experience in advising and supporting projects related to arms control, police reform, security sector accountability, and border control across various security institutions, such as defence ministries, armed forces, interior ministries, law enforcement agencies, and border guards.

Results

Result 1: Updated Normative and Regulatory Frameworks

Support the improvement of Moldova's normative and regulatory frameworks to effectively address transnational organized crime. This includes new frameworks on strategic analysis, intelligence-led policing, airport security, detection, K9 operations, and integrity-building measures adopted by the General Police Inspectorate and General Inspectorate of Border Police.

Result 2: Improved Technical and Infrastructural Law Enforcement Capabilities

Enhance the capabilities of the General Police Inspectorate and General Inspectorate of Border Police to fight transnational organized crime. This involves:

• Analyzing trends and patterns of transnational organized crime.
• Implementing new rules of procedure based on amended legal backgrounds.
• Informing and training staff on these changes through materials shared with training departments and the Police Academy.
• Organizing Training-of-Trainers courses at four locations across Moldova.
• Focusing on airport security, establishing a Training Centre on aviation security, and implementing preventive and reactive measures at Chisinau International Airport.

Result 3: Supporting Integrity Building Measures

Strengthen the integrity checks and balances of Moldovan law enforcement. This involves:

• Advancing internal oversight over the performance of duties and services.
• Introducing new levels of scrutiny over behaviour, conduct, duty implementation, public service provision, and accountability towards citizens.

These measures aim to enhance the performance, analytical reach, and overall investigative capabilities of Moldovan law enforcement agencies.