Introduction

After the breakup of the Yugoslav Federation, the fragile interethnic balance in the Balkans collapsed and fighting between the ethnic groups erupted. In the reconciliation period within a peace-building context, in close co-operation with the national authorities, international organizations and other partner organizations took initiatives to increase citizens’ trust and confidence in law enforcement, and to develop the institutional foundation upon which a community-based, multi-ethnic, and democratic police service can be built. After the reconciliation, a road map was created to re-establish the rule of law in the crisis regions and at the same time constitutional, legal and administrative changes that would strengthen multi-ethnicity and democracy were mandated. The steps to be taken to ensure the functioning of democratic structures and the development of a civil society respecting ethnic identity were outlined in the cease-fire agreements. Therefore, policing matters were seen as an important field to reform in those war-torn countries. International police experts have been deployed to monitor, mentor, and advise those countries’ police forces. In particular, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the United Nations (UN), and lately the European Union (EU) have been working to establish new police forces that are organized and functioning according to internationally recognized standards of democratic policing in conflict-torn Balkan countries.

This form of law enforcement is based on both European human rights standards and on policing procedures according to the constitution and laws of the country with the basic focus on the principles of democratic policing. Although there are several definitions for democracy, in general, when it comes to democratic policing, Jones et al. (1996) clearly identify a set of values that includes participation, responsiveness, sharing of information, distribution of power, the notion of redress, effective delivery of services, and equity. Under the UN’s Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials, it is stated that “every law enforcement agency should be representative of and responsive and accountable to the community as a whole” (United Nations, 2007). These principles are fundamental to policing in democracies. However, when attempting to reform failed policing organizations in the Balkans, reformers and local law enforcement agencies have been faced with several problems regarding democratization.

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