The Republic of Srpska Ministry of the Interior
COMMUNITY POLICING� ACTIVITIES

PREVENTION CAMPAIGNS

� Dangers and legal consequences of unauthorized use of pyrotechnic articles and weaponry

� Robberies � how to avoid becoming a victim

� Let's prevent juvenile delinquency

� Celebration of the International day of countering drug abuse and human trafficking

� Let's protect our property

� Let's protect children in traffic

� Replace your personal documents timely

� Don't let a burglar spend summer holidays in your home

� Police and citizens together

� Drive safely, spend your summer holidays carefree

� Regular activities of donating blood by the members of the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Srpska

� For sober youth

� Helmet saves lives

� The safe use of motorcycles and bicycles with motors in traffic

� Do you know what to do in case of a traffic accident?

� Prepare for winter conditions in traffic

� Tractors and working machines in traffic

� Let's prevent peer violence

'LET'S PREVENT PEER VIOLENCE' CAMPAIGN

Having in mind that prevention, detection and countering violence among children and young people are extremely important segments of police activities, the members of the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Srpska, in October 2011, realized a prevention campaign called 'Let's prevent peer violence'. The basic aims of this campaign are as follows:

1. Prevention of new cases of violence among children and young people;

2. Conducting promotional activities and organizing public forums and round tables with the aim of raising public awareness on the necessity of preventing peer violence.

Within the first aim, the organizational units of the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Srpska intensified the realization of the project 'School police officer', by conducting planned everyday activities of community policing officers, sector leaders, members of police whose competence is community policing, executive employees as well as all other police officers. As a result, while implementing the campaign, contacts and communication with directors and educators working at educational institutions, as well as parents and students have been improved in order to upgrade mutual trust, identify real problems and individuals who cause conflicts among student population and undertake measures and activities that would help preventing the escalation of peer violence. Special attention was also dedicated to peer violence outside school, when students are not under the supervision of their parents or teachers. Related to this, in October, all police stations realize the following measures and activities aimed at:

- Countering distribution and abuse of narcotic substances among young people (narcotics, alcohol drinks, tobacco products);

- - Denying access and participation of minors in games of chance and similar gambling games (for example, in betting shops).

Within the realization of the listed activities, in October, all public security centers and police stations organize public distribution of promotion material called 'Let's prevent peer violence�, and, in cooperation with the competent government, local and non-governmental institutions and organizations, initiate and participate in the realization of public forums and round tables with the topic of peer violence.


The round table on the topic 'Peer violence and violence against children and media' held in Banjaluka (9 June 2014)

Within the campaign 'Let's prevent peer violence', conducted by the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Srpska, the round table on the topic 'Peer violence and violence against children and media' was held in Banjaluka yesterday. It was organized by the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Srpska together with Ombudsman for children of the Republic of Srpska, Gender Center of the Government of the Republic of Srpska Government and 'Zdravo da ste' Association.

Director of the Police of the Republic of Srpska, Mr. Gojko Vasi� said that statistics show decrease in the number of criminal offences related to peer violence � two years ago, there were 27 of these cases registered; last year, there were 14 of them, and this year, there are 6 cases registered so far. When it comes to juvenile delinquency, director Vasi� said that, this year, the number of registered minors was smaller compared to the previous year, but that it did not have greater significance, because in the last 10 years, these records are approximately the same and that they vary from time to time. 'It is important that all segments of the society function properly,that there are prevention acitivities and that there are mechanisms to prevent the violent behaviour turning into a habit', director Vasi� pointed out and added that police, within their regular activities, pay great attention to the juvenile delinquency. Police director Vasi� explained that the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Srpska, within the realization of 'School police officer' activities, educational lectures and doors open days, was trying to create pre-conditions for the children to get familiarized with the police and thus gain trust in the police through varoious activities of working with the youth and children.

Ms. Nada Grahovac, Ombudsman for children of the Republic of Srpska, stated for the press before the Round table meeting began, that media have a really important role in promoting and protection of children's rights and raising social awareness on violation of those rights, since they often point to the violation of children's rights. She added that sensationalist reporting, the invasion of child and family privacy, still points to the fact that the public right to obtain information is above children's rights. 'The manner of reporting should not additionally hurt the child. One should think about how the published news is going to affect the child who, after everything that happened to them, is supposed to meet the environment, school and peers'', Ms. Grahovac pointed out. She added that media have to ensure the positive content on children and for children who, according to the research, spend 26.5 hours a week in front of television, and only half an hour talking to their parents. 'From this, one can see the influence of the media on children growing up and why it is necessary to learn on good examples of children, parents and teachers', Ms. Grahovac said and added that laws on media still have not recognized children's right on protection adequately.

The president of the Association of high school directors, Mr. Predrag Damjanovi� said that schools give their best to minimize the problem of peer violence. 'Almost all schools are qualified, have psychologists employed, social workers and educators, so we can conduct prevention activities. One should not expect that schools can solve all the issues on their own, because, since without systemic approach, strategies and strategic fight, one can hardly do anything on their own', Mr. Damjanovi� said.


EDUCATION REALIZED

Seminars and higher and middle administrative staff of the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Srpska:

� Basic course for the 'Community policing' project

� Community policing and administration

� Security marketing

� Transactional analysis and management

� Public relations training

Transactional analysis (Communication Studies) is the seminar for all the authorized workers of the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Srpska and civil servants in direct contact with citizens.

Courses for police officers for community policing officers:

� Community policing

� Security marketing

� The regular courses 'Community policing and activities related to security sector' realized for sector leaders and police members in whose jurisdiction is the coordination of community policing.

� The continued training of all authorized workers within central organizational units in the field of community policing and prevention