Police vetting, majority approves law with own votes

Police vetting, majority approves law with own votes

The law on Vetting of the State Police received its approval today after obtaining the required number of votes only from the majority party, who rejected the Opposition's amendments.  With the argument that their proposals make the law realistically applicable, Enkelejd Alibeaj proposed that the subject of Vetting be the Interior Minister, his cabinet chief and deputy Ministers. 

"The draft law should also include the assessment of the Minister of Interior," insisted Alibeaj. The proposal was rejected by the majority, while the Chairman of the Law Commission, Ulsi Manja said at this stage the requirement is for the vetting of members of the state police, not for politicians.  "This law is not being developed for the politicians," retorted Manja. 

The opposition also demanded that vetting bodies be non-political and independent of the government, including the Ministry of Interior.  DP MP, Alibeaj said that this law is a farce and does not bring anything new. Referencing the number plate of the vehicle sold by Former Interior Minister, Saimir Tahiri to the Habilaj group, Alibeaj protested:  "Passengers of "003GB" can not clean up the police."  

Despite a large number of amendments, the majority rejected the Opposition's suggestions and approved the current draft, which is expected to go to the assembly on Thursday.  At the end of the meeting, the opposition asked again for reflection from the majority. 

There are about 15,000 employees of State Police, Republican Guard and the Internal Affairs Service who will all pass through the sieve of Vetting.  The three major components of the process are asset valuation, reputational assessment and the valuation of professional skills. 

EMISIONET