THE ALBANIAN PUBLIC'S TRUST IN SECURITY: STUMBLING BLOCKS TO EU NEGOTIATIONS 2. Control and Oversight of the State Police This section will analyze the institutional oversight and control that is exerted over the State Police by the executive, parliament, independent bodies, and the institutions created by the justice reform. 2.1. Background The State Police in Albania has undergone a series of reforms since the fall of communism, beginning with the demilitarization of police practices, followed by the introduction of community policing practices in the mid-2000s, to recent structural changes to its legal and institutional framework introduced by the government. Issues of transparency and political control have continuously been at the forefront of discussions regarding legal and organizational changes to the State Police. In practice, we can argue that the actual institutional oversight over the police conducted by institutions, other than the executive, has been lacking. There have been constant accusations of politicization levied against this institution. Nevertheless, the Albanian Security Barometer indicates that the State Police are perceived as the most trustworthy security institution by the public. This tells us that, despite all of its problems, the police still maintain their status as the most important security institution in the eyes of the people. 2.2. Executive Control and Oversight The executive control and oversight on the work and functionality of the State Police are mostly exercised through the Minister of the Interior, with the support of the CoM. The CoM has the power to appoint the Director of the State Police, with the MoI having the competence to appoint the Deputy Director. Also, the dismissal of the Director must be made based on the decision of the CoM. The MoI does not have the right to intervene or be a part of the daily workings and operations of the State Police. However, the Minister can demand reports and results from the police, as well as draft strategies and objectives to be achieved by the State Police. The MoI also has the right to control and oversee the implementation of the budget of the State Police. 15 15 Law no. 108/2014. On the State Police . Article 7 23