The Stockholm Programme and the Police Reform Strategy: A “Step Forward” in the Police Reform in Serbia
The Stockholm Programme and the Police Reform Strategy: A “Step Forward” in the Police Reform in Serbia

Summary/Abstract: In the context of the European Union enlargement, the police reform becomes a “linchpin” for every Western Balkans state (including Serbia), especially after the EU’s negative experience with Bulgarian and Romanian accession. In this sense, it is necessary to have a strategic approach in the process of the police reform in Serbia for several reasons. Firstly, according to the Serbia 2009 Progress Report, one of the three reasons for advancing with police reform and European integration process in Serbia is inadequate strategic planning and priorities definition. Secondly, the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Serbia has not yet formulated its strategic plan for the police reform, even though it was stipulated by the Law on Police. These two reasons (and their consequences) slow down the police reform process and the European integration of Serbia. The Stockholm Programme, which is a five-year European Union strategic plan for building and preserving the European Area of Freedom, Security and Justice, could be used as a starting point (but not final) for the police reform strategy in Serbia. The aim of this paper is to analyse the possible impacts of the priorities of the Stockholm Programme on the police reform process in Serbia, especially in the context of drafting a strategic plan, with respect to human rights and deepening police cooperation.

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