One and half year of work in
the first CIVPOL P&PI Office gave me a great experience, which I
would never get, if not a people I worked with. My workmates, journalists,
local staff and you - CIVPOL Web Site visitors - convinced me that
it was worthy to do this job and get satisfaction from it. If not
you, friends, I would never accomplish so much. Thank you very much!!
Please, read the text below, written by the first CHief of this
Office. Whatever you say about UNMIK Police Press and Public Information
Office, remember that nobody is perfect and people presented below
established everything from the scratch. I am also sure that the
present members of the P&PI - professionals, willing to do the job
- will prove the necessity of such section for a future UNCIVPOL
missions.
Members
of the first UNCIVPOL Press and Public Information (left to
the right): Andrzej STEPIEN (POL), Dimitry KAPORTSEV (RUS),
Bruce F. LLOY (CAN), Larry GUYTON (USA). Not on the picture:
Joachim SCHMITZ (GER) and our language assistant, Alma KURTESHI. |
It was August 1st, 1999 when
I departed Canada for my third UN tour to the Balkans. Arriving
in Pristina, Kosovo, I was assigned CP00389 and it was clear our
numbers were small but task was enormous. As we walked the streets
of Pristina, some examined us with careful eyes while others refused
to acknowledge our presence. There was a sense of fear or suspicion
amongst the people.
But we thought the most important question in their minds was, "What
are you going to be able to do for us"?Adding to our scrutiny
was the ever present international TV, Radio and Print media.Hordes
of journalists posed thousands of questions in their anxious efforts
to tell the world anything and everything about UNMIK and particularly
its Police.
Bruce
F. LLOY, The first Chief Of Press and Public Information Office,
CIVPOL |
|
And local journalists were not to be denied. It was their duty to
inform local citizens on this host of men and women from the four
corners of the world; police dressed in home uniform speaking their
language establishing law and order throughout Kosovo. It was clear,
the International Police needed to fulfill media needs but more
importantly, win the hearts and minds of the people we were here
to protect.
Press and Public Information was born. Beginning as one, our numbers
doubled within a week with the addition of Russian officer, Dimitry
KAPORTSEV. Daily we conducted numerous interviews with local and
international press, instructed proper media/police procedure for
incoming police, briefed UNMIK Police Commissioner and his senior
staff, liased with KFOR, OSCE and UNMIK Spokesperson.
The demand for information and police statistics was never ending.
To relieve some of the pressure, Joachim SCHMITZ of German joined
our staff. His previous duties in developing daily Situation Reports
were the answer to our prayers for more accurate information.
But we were never satisfied. As we took on more personnel, we increased
our tasks. One of our first projects was the Weekly Commissioners
Press Conference. Commissioner Sven FREDERIKSEN of Denmark saw the
urgent need to get a true and factual story before the people. Assisted
by the Deputies, Chief of Operations, Special Police Coordinator
and a host of guests from various departments, our weekly meeting
became a well respected source of information and bolstered community
relations between police and citizen.
Joachim SCHMITZ |
Not resting we ambitiously undertook more projects. With our newfound
statistical information, we created the first CD Rom presentation.
This comprehensive overview of our accomplishments and shortcomings
was shown around the world.
As we sought more financial and human resources, host countries
were provided a truly profession picture of UNMIK Police operations.
Much of the credit must go to Joachim Schmitz for his hard work
and dedication.
But more work was required and more bodies needed. Our unit was
blessed with the acquisition of Andrzej STEPIEN from Poland and
Larry GUYTON of the United States. Together our team embarked on
more aggressive ventures.
Larry
GUYTON |
|
Under the guidance and hard work from Larry, the UNMIK Police Weekly
News Letter became a favorite for our members and those outside
the police. This informative document provide statistical data,
interesting stories on police events, travel tips and more. It soon
became a favorite with our officers and with those who worked in
other organization within Kosovo.
Not content, bigger and more demanding projects came on stream.
Our office produced the first United Nations Police Web Page, the
brainchild of Andrzej. He worked countless hours developing the
techniques so we could deliver a strong message to the world.
Andrzej STEPIEN |
Since its inception, police officers from many United Nations missions
have visited our site. They are able to catch up and learn about
UNMIK Police or contact colleagues from previous missions. Web site
browsers stumbling across our page become acquainted and more in
tune with international policing.
This enhances our world profile. UNMIK Police set the stage for
global transmission of International Policing. Now internet users
can learn about many past and present mission thanks to Andrzej
and his co-workers.
As the months went by we continued to expand all our projects, bringing
them to a higher degree of professionalism. At the same time each
unit member learned the duties of their partners. This allowed each
project to receive new ideas and keep going while one was away on
leave. Although our three main tasks had one person chiefly responsible,
the ability of the unit to work as a team enhanced our overall performance.
Each mission comes to an end and I was the first to leave. After
my year I returned to Canada. It was with a heavy heart I had to
say good bye to the finest police officers one could imagine working
with. And the same holds true for our language assistant, Alma KURTESHI
and the host of others whole daily translated our interviews and
local newspaper articles. Each complemented our team.
I enjoy Canada but daily my heart and mind visits Kosovo. To the
members of the first Press and Public Information, congratulations
on a job well done. We have left a legacy our successors adopted
and improved.
As the mission continues to unfold with new police officers replacing
the old and the Kosovo Police Service prepares to take control,
I wish to thank all who participated in this mission. Your deeds
will only be told by history books but I feel confident our report
card will be honorable. Best wishes to all, especially Press and
Public Information for the wonderful memories of success.
Bruce F. LLOY Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Chief Of Press and Public Information, Pristina Kosovo.
August 03, 1999 / August 04, 2000
Press and Public Information, Feb 2001, (left to the right):
upper row- Chief, Derek CHAPPELL (CAN), Dimitry KAPORTSEV
(RUS), Andrzej STEPIEN (POL); lower row: Andreas M. GRAF (AUS) and Barry FLETCHER (USA) |
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