In December, the Albanian State Police underwent a sweeping overhaul, replacing key figures from the General Director to local precinct chiefs. This leadership reshuffle was officially framed as a measure to restore the tarnished image of the force and to bolster safety and effectiveness in combating crime.
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| Female police during the meeting for the annual report by the general director of the police of Albania |
Organized Crime’s Grip on Leadership
The extent of organized crime’s penetration into the police ranks was revealed through intercepted communications on the encrypted app Sky ECC. These findings initiated investigations by the Special Prosecution Office Against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK).
Adriatik Ago, a former senior police officer and security expert, emphasized the gravity of the revelations. “These incriminating communications exposed high-level involvement in organized crime. From SPAK investigations, it’s evident that both local and central leadership figures are implicated,” said Ago.
Among those arrested, Oltion Bistri, the former head of the Operational Forces, is accused of leaking sensitive information to criminal networks. Similarly, Henerigert Mitri, the former police chief of Lezha, faces charges for permitting large-scale cannabis cultivation.
Institutional Response: Denial and Reforms
While oversight agencies dismiss these cases as isolated incidents, they acknowledge the need for systemic reforms. Florian Sulejmani, head of the Police Supervision Agency, described ongoing efforts to purge the ranks.
“These are not widespread issues but isolated cases. Nevertheless, they demand the attention of SPAK and our agency. In 2024, we aim to cleanse the State Police of compromised elements,” Sulejmani stated. His agency reported 272 criminal referrals involving 425 officers in the past year, mostly for corruption, abuse of power, and illegal influence.
Dhimitraq Ziu, head of Professional Standards at the State Police, echoed this commitment. “We are implementing integrity tests and disciplinary procedures to ensure transparency, professionalism, and public trust,” Ziu remarked.
Skepticism from Experts
Despite these efforts, security experts remain unconvinced. Sotiraq Hroni, director of the Institute for Democracy and Mediation, criticized the anti-corruption measures as ineffective due to a lack of credible leadership examples.
“There is no trust in the anti-corruption measures because police officers see no positive examples among their leaders. Corruption is most prevalent at the managerial levels,” Hroni explained.
He also highlighted systemic issues contributing to police corruption, including flawed recruitment processes, a lack of meritocracy, and pervasive political influence. According to Hroni, 74% of police officers believe that political interference is a primary driver of criminal infiltration within the force.
A Deep-Rooted Crisis
The challenges facing the Albanian State Police are symptomatic of broader societal issues. The pervasive culture of corruption and political interference has deeply compromised the institution’s integrity, leaving it ill-equipped to tackle organized crime effectively.
Until these structural issues are addressed, the struggle to restore public trust and ensure the rule of law remains an uphill battle.
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