SARAJEVO, October 30 (FENA) – The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Police Administration of the Ministry of Interior of Sarajevo Canton today organized an impressive public demonstration of the skills of K9 police units from across Bosnia and Herzegovina, held in Sarajevo.

The event gathered handler teams and their dogs from ten police agencies in BiH, who showcased exceptional abilities in detecting narcotics and explosives, as well as in obedience and control exercises.

The Head of the OSCE Mission to BiH, Ambassador Richard Holtzapple, emphasized that the event represents a strong example of successful cooperation between the OSCE and police agencies in BiH.

”Through activities like this, we contribute to strengthening professionalism, cooperation, and, most importantly, the safety of citizens and public spaces throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina. The OSCE remains committed to supporting peace, security, the rule of law, and democratic governance across BiH and the wider region,” said Ambassador Holtzapple.

He also highlighted that the equipment, material support, and training provided by the OSCE to K9 units have significantly contributed to developing their capacities and expanding expertise across the region.

The Chief Instructor of the Support Unit of the Sarajevo Canton Ministry of Interior and dog training instructor, Elvir Velić, explained that the goal of today’s demonstration was to raise public awareness of the importance of police dogs and their key role in maintaining safety.

”Our dogs are highly trained and live in excellent conditions. There is no risk of biting or attack—they are our partners and our best assistants. One dog can replace an entire group of people in a search, saving both time and resources while preventing illegal weapons or drugs from ending up on the streets,” said Velić.

He added that the Sarajevo Canton Ministry of Interior currently has 20 dogs, including six specialized in detecting hidden narcotics and explosives. Training begins when the dogs reach one year of age, and they achieve full operational readiness after four to six months of intensive training.

The event concluded with expressions of appreciation to the OSCE and donor partners for their essential support in making the program possible. Donors included Austria, the Czech Republic, the European Union, France, Germany, Liechtenstein, Norway, Slovakia, Spain, Turkey, and the United States.