Remarks by U.S. Ambassador Marcie B. Ries - Police Academy Graduation (February 3, 2007)

Good morning. Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests, graduates, and families.
 
We are here to honor the graduates of the inaugural class of "Patrol Generalists" for the Albanian State Police.
 
I remember the ceremony observing the beginning of your course. It was a milestone for the Albanian State Police and ICITAP – a big step forward in the training and education of new police officers.
 
We have to be honest with ourselves. Change is often difficult, but its necessary for the improvement of any profession.
 
For Albania, this means building a competent and modern police service that can rise to meet the ideals of this and future generations – ideals like fairness, integrity, impartiality and service to your country.
 
The achievement of these ideals rests on your shoulders. They are the standards that you, personally, must live up to, the standards that you must live by in carrying out your mission as police officers.
 
At its very best, policing is a very honorable and respected profession. It can also sometimes be dangerous. But what you do is critical to the safety and security of your entire society.
 
You are the most visible form of government in society. The uniform, you badge, weapons, vehicles you use are designed to protect your authority.
 
The authority you wield is unique and unmatched and unlike that of any other profession.
 
However, along with this authority comes the responsibility to use it appropriately and the accountability if you do not.
 
In your training, you have learned about the moral and ethical standards by which you professionally must apply this authority.
 
You have learned that your conduct in carrying out your duty is guided by eight principles.
 
Your highest responsibility is, of course, to enforce the law. And of course, this also applies to you. If you step outside the law, you also will be subject to the same criminal and civil penalties.
 
- You have been taught to enforce the law impartially. You must respect human dignity, uphold human rights, enforcing the law without fear, favor, or ill will. You are called upon to treat everyone equally, with courtesy, consideration, and respect.
 
- To use force judicially. Force should only be used when it is absolutely necessary in performing your duties and only to the extent needed to establish control.
 
- You must respect confidentiality. Building public trust in your profession and maintaining the integrity of investigations relies very heavily on the ability to keep information secure.
 
- To obey lawful orders. The police service is a hierarchical profession. To be successful, you must carry out the lawful orders of your superiors in an effective and efficient way.
 
- Serve the community. Your responsibility is to serve the public and enforce the law regardless of political affiliation or socio-economic status. Build connections with your community – with local governments, schools, families, children, businesses, neighborhood groups, non-governmental organizations, religious leaders.
 
One of my lasting memories of when I was a child was of the policeman who directed the traffic in front of my school. He was friendly, but also strong, and we respected his authority. We did not walk if he told us not too.
 
- You should maintain your integrity. Your uniform makes you a public person so your actions are public too. You will face temptations and pressure. But remember, once your personal and professional integrity is lost, it is rarely regained.
 
- Use good judgment. Sometimes you are going to have to make hard decisions, and sometimes very quickly. How a police officer acts in these situations defines a really great officer.
 
And now, graduates, you are going into the "real world" of policing to apply the knowledge, skills, and abilities this program has given you. It is natural that you will be nervous at first.
 
But you were carefully selected and trained under the most modern methods. Now your field training officers will take you to the next level by assisting, training, and evaluating you in field operations.
 
Make the most of this opportunity. Above all, remember who you work for and what your job is. You work for the citizens of Albania. It is their taxes that pay your salary and your job is to enforce the law – nothing less, and nothing more.
 
If you remember this, you will always be proud of being a policeman or woman and your society will reward you with their respect.
 
I congratulate you on successfully completing the training. I challenge you to walk a straight line, to abide by the principles of your profession, and I wish you the very very best in you new career.
 
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