We were very grateful to both the South Wales Police Executive for approving and actively participating in the visit, and the South Wales Female Police Association, who, through their chair, Lisa Gore and vice-chair Donna Clutterbuck supported the planning and delivery of the visit.
South Wales Police reported – “Kosovo Police was formed in 1999, following the conflict between Kosovo and Serbia. In 2013, the Association for Women in Kosovo Police was created, and last week’s visit saw learning shared through our own Female Police Association.
During the three-day visit, the delegation was given an introduction to South Wales Police and the strategic direction of the force, visited all four Basic Command Units to see senior females in operational roles, and spent time learning about the Public Service Centre and the support available from the Specialist Support Department.
Jane Townsley, from Force International, which delivers training to female police officers all over the world, said: “The visit to South Wales Police was an opportunity for members of the Association of Women in Kosovo Police to build on the theoretical training they have received on the role of an operational commander.
“Their visit was supported by the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and we were all made very welcome. As a result of the experience this week, the officers are returning to Kosovo, inspired and empowered to make a difference and to share their learning with their colleagues.
“On behalf of Force International, OSCE and the Kosovo delegation, I want to thank everyone in South Wales Police who made this a reality, you have all contributed to enhancing the Kosovo Police and its future female leaders.
“In particular I want to thank the South Wales Female Police Association for the planning and organising, its hoped this visit will result in future collaboration between the two female police associations.”
Chief Inspector Lisa Gore, who helped organise the visit, added: “It’s always nice meeting female officers from other countries and this visit was great as they all left South Wales feeling inspired and motivated.”
And the visit was clearly well received, with one Kosovan officer emailing on her return home: “We are safe back and already missing our ‘family’ over there. I am telling you this from bottom of my heart. We felt that we were HOME.”
As a result of the visit, work is continuing to forge stronger links between the Association of Women in Kosovo Police (AWKP) and the South Wales Female Police Association (SWFPA) to share experiences and good practice for the benefit of both Police Services, South Wales Police has members from the Albanian and Kosovar communities making up its diverse demographics.