View source for State Police (Albania)

{{short description|State Police and the main Law Enforcement agency of Albania.}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2015}}
{{Infobox law enforcement agency
| agencyname        = State Police
| nativename        = ''Policia e Shtetit''
| logo              = [[File:Policia_e_Shtetit.svg|125px]]
| logocaption       = Patch of the State Police
| flag              = Flamuri i Policisë së Shtetit.svg
| flagcaption       = Flag of the State Police
| commonname        = Policia
| abbreviation      = ASP
| motto             = Në shërbim të komunitetit
| mottotranslated   = “In service of the community”
| formed            = {{Start date and age|1913|1|13|df=y}}
| preceding1        = {{plainlist|
*[[Royal Albanian Gendarmerie|Gendarmerie]] (1925–1939)
*[[People's Police (Albania)|People's Police]] (1945–1991)}}
| employees         = 10,777<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.argumentum.al/bilanci-i-vitit-2023-ministri-balla-ndryshime-rrenjesore-ne-ligjin-e-policise-se-shtetit-vete-pastrimi-vijon/|title= Bilanci i vitit 2023/ Ministri Balla: Ndryshime rrënjësore në ligjin e Policisë së Shtetit, vetë-pastrimi vijon|date= 4 January 2024}}</ref> (2023)
| budget            = €280 m [[Euro|EUR]] (2024)
| country           = Albania
| national          = Yes
| sizearea          = 28,748 km2
| sizepopulation    = 2,402,113 (2023)
| governingbody     = Government of Albania
| constitution1     = Law on "State Police"
| police            = Yes
| local             = Yes
| oversightbody     = [[Ministry of Internal Affairs (Albania)|Ministry of Internal Affairs]]
| headquarters      = [[Bajram Curri Boulevard]], [[Tirana]]
| sworntype         = Police Officer
| sworn             = 9,592
| unsworntype       = Civilian Staff
| unsworn           = 1,185
| electeetype       = Minister
| minister1name     = [[Ervin Hoxha]]
| minister1pfo      = [[Ministry of Internal Affairs (Albania)|Minister]]
| chief1name        = Ilir Proda<ref>{{cite web | url=https://top-channel.tv/2024/10/02/ilir-proda-emerohet-drejtori-i-ri-i-policise-se-shtetit-pjese-e-uniformave-blu-qe-prej-vitit-2005/ | title=Ilir Proda emërohet drejtori i ri i Policisë së Shtetit, pjesë e uniformave blu që prej vitit 2005 }}</ref>
| chief1position    = [[Chief Director]]
| website           = {{URL|asp.gov.al|Official Website}}
}}

The '''State Police''' ({{langx|sq|Policia e Shtetit}}) is the national police and largest law enforcement agency of the [[Albania|Republic of Albania]]. This agency is responsible for ensuring the safety of citizens, keeping the public order, and serving the people anytime anywhere. The Albanian Police emergency number is 129, or 112 for general emergency services. 

==History==
The original '''Albanian Police''' was founded on 13 January 1913 by the government of [[Ismail Qemali]], Albania's first [[prime minister]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hri.org/news/balkans/ata/1998/98-01-11.ata.html#06|title=Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 98-01-11|website=www.hri.org}}</ref>

The collapse of the [[People's Socialist Republic of Albania|Communist system]] and the establishment of political pluralism post-1991 brought important changes to the structure of the Albanian Police. The Ministry of Public Order and the General Directorate of Police were established in April 1991, and the new law of July 1991 established the Public Order Police. Nearly 80% of police manpower, i.e. personnel who had served under the previous system, were replaced by new recruits. 

On 4 November 1991, the Albanian Police was accepted as a member of [[Interpol]].

===The crisis of 1997===
{{Main|Albanian Rebellion of 1997}}
Following the collapse of the Albanian economy in January–February 1997 in the wake of the implosion of [[Pyramid schemes in Albania|the Ponzi pyramid banking schemes]] promoted by the government,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/fandd/2000/03/jarvis.htm|title=Collapse of the Ponzi schemes 1997|publisher=International Monetary Fund|access-date=2015-03-09}}</ref> increasing insurgency in early March led to the Police and Republican Guard deserting en masse because it became clear they were unlikely to be paid, leaving their armouries unlocked,<ref>[[Albanian Rebellion of 1997#Opening of the depots]]</ref> which were promptly looted by parties unknown, believed to mostly have been the local crime bodies and self-appointed militias: many of the weapons eventually surfaced in the ethnic fighting in Kosovo. 
[[File:97-9.jpg|thumb|left|Riot Police Officers during [[1997 Albanian civil unrest|1997 Civil War]] in Tirana|300x300px]]
The resulting anarchy led a number of nations to use military forces to evacuate citizens,<ref>[[Operation Silver Wake]]</ref><ref>[[Operation Libelle]]</ref> culminating in the UN authorising [[Operation Alba]] ("Daybreak"), a short-term military stabilisation force led by the Italian Army, tasked with facilitating the repatriation of foreigners and laying the foundations for another International Organisation to undertake the longer-term stabilisation. The political debate eventually settled in Europe within the body responsible for the defence diplomatic coordination of the Continent, the Council of the Western European Union. In a 2-hour meeting which convened at 1400 hrs on 2 May 1997,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.defensie.nl/english/topics/historical-missions/contents/mission-overview/1997/multinational-advisory-police-element-mape-and-the-european-commission-police-assistance-in-albania-ecpa|title=NL MOD History of MAPE|publisher=Dutch Ministry of Defence|access-date=2015-03-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309230257/https://www.defensie.nl/english/topics/historical-missions/contents/mission-overview/1997/multinational-advisory-police-element-mape-and-the-european-commission-police-assistance-in-albania-ecpa|archive-date=9 March 2016|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> the WEU Council decided on the immediate establishment of the Multinational Advisory Police Element, sending a pathfinder officer, a Norwegian Police Colonel, the same evening.
The Italian force in Operation Alba predicated the Command structure of MAPE passing into the Italian Carabinieri, General Pietro Pistolese, previously commanding the Genoa region, bringing his team with him. Four phases followed, assessment, reconstruction, support of the Albanian Police control during the Kosovo Crisis, and finally build-down and handback in early 2001, which was somewhat accelerated ahead of the transfer of the WEU's operational responsibilities to the Council of the EU on 30 June 2001. The reconstruction principally involved the reconstruction of the Judicial system and the training of Police, but the Finance section also accommodated economic specialists acting as the principal feedback into the correction of the Judicial system. The Command Team later formed the core of the [[European Union Border Assistance Mission Rafah]] from 2005 onwards.

=== Public perception ===
[[File:Albanian State Police HQ in Tiranë.jpg|thumb|Building of the Albanian State Police Headquarters in Tiranë|left]]According to a survey produced in 2009 for the [[USAID|United States Agency for International Development]] Albanian's perception of the police was as follows:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.idra-al.org/cs2009/index2.php |title=Corruption in Albania 2009 - Summary of Findings |publisher=Institute for Development Research and Alternatives |access-date=2010-09-09 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100821172525/http://www.idra-al.org/cs2009/index2.php |archive-date=21 August 2010 }}</ref>

*On a scale of 0–100 with 0 being Very Honest and 100 being Very Corrupt, Policemen were given a score of 63.1 points
*When asked to what extent the police help to fight corruption, 0 being Not at All and 100 being Helps a Lot, the Police were given a score of 45.5
*When asked about trust in institutions, 0 being No Trust at All and 100 being Trust a Lot, the Police were given a score of 47.8
*When asked if during the previous year they had been asked for a bribe 7.8% said Yes
*"When asked how they were treated by the police, the proportion of respondents that replied "Poorly" or "Very poorly" was 26.6%, a decrease of 10.9 percentage points from 37.5% in 2005"

Given that this was within eight years of the departure of the MAPE rebuilding mission, great concern must be expressed about the capacity of the police force to maintain the legal norms required of an aspirant EU State.

=== Recent developments ===
[[File:Lazarat_Drug_Raid_2014.png|thumb|260x260px|Albanian [[Rapid Intervention Force (Albania)|FNSH]] Police Officers during [[2014 Lazarat drug raid|Lazarat Drug Raid Operation]]]]
From 2014 to 2016, the Albanian State Police conducted several operations in criminally active regions, such as [[Lazarat]], to restore public confidence and encourage support for law enforcement actions. In June 2014, approximately 800 [[2014 Lazarat drug raid|police officers raided Lazarat]], a village notorious for large-scale [[cannabis cultivation]], seizing over 10 tonnes of [[Cannabis (drug)|marijuana]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2014-06-18 |title=Albanian police battle cannabis growers in Lazarat |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27916026 |access-date=2025-01-20 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref>
[[File:RENEA Operators 11 February 2017.jpg|thumb|260x260px|Albanian Police Special Forces known as [[RENEA]] alternatively the Albanian Police [[SWAT]].]]
During this period, [[Police body camera|body cameras]] became an integral tool for the police, extensively used in drug busts and high-profile operations. In February 2016, body cameras were installed on police uniforms to improve police behavior and deter bribery.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mejdini |first=Fatjona Mejdini, Fatjona |date=2016-02-04 |title=Albania Hopes Cameras Will Make Police Behave |url=https://balkaninsight.com/2016/02/04/albanian-policies-try-body-cameras-02-03-2016 |access-date=2025-01-20 |website=Balkan Insight |language=en-US}}</ref> However, the initiative to use body cameras began to decline due to high operating and maintenance costs, as well as time constraints, ultimately leading to their discontinuation for field officers.

In response to ongoing challenges, the [[Ministry of Internal Affairs (Albania)|Ministry of Interior]] introduced the Public Order Strategy 2015–2020, accompanied by the Action Plan 2015–2017. This comprehensive strategy aimed to modernize the Albanian State Police and align it with [[European Union]] standards. Key objectives included enhancing transparency and accountability, improving infrastructure, integrating advanced technologies into police operations, and building partnerships between the police and the public through community policing initiatives.<ref name="Ranks insignia of the Albanian police officers" /> 
[[File:Policia Kufitare Rinas.jpg|thumb|260x260px|[[Border and Migration Police (Albania)|Border & Migration]] Police Officers, at [[Tirana International Airport Nënë Tereza|Tirana International Airport]]. The two Officers on the left, are the Chief of the Police Station of the Airport and the Deputy Chief.]]
The 2020s marked significant advancements in the operations of the Albanian State Police, particularly in tourism management. Between 2022 and 2024, the [[Border and Migration Police (Albania)|Border & Migration Department]], especially the Border & Migration Police Team stationed at [[Tirana International Airport Nënë Tereza|Tirana International Airport]], effectively managed a yearly influx of 7 to 12 million passengers entering the country. This accomplishment highlighted the department’s efficiency and contribution to Albania’s growing tourism sector.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tirana International Airport |url=https://www.tirana-airport.com/sq/article/1122/10-Million-Passengers,-Tirana-International-Airport-reaches-the-record-number-before-the-end-of-2024 |access-date=2025-01-20 |website=www.tirana-airport.com}}</ref>

==Rank Structure==
In 2015, the State Police underwent reorganizational reforms which were expected to continue for several years.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Republic of|first1=Albania|title=Modernizimi i Policisë së Shtetit|url=http://www.punetebrendshme.gov.al/al/te-rejat/lajme/prezantohen-uniformat-e-reja-te-policise-se-shtetit&page=30|website=www.punetebrendshme.gov.al|publisher=Ministry of Internal Affairs}}</ref> It implemented a new hierarchical structure composed of nine hierarchic ranks.<ref name="Ranks of Albanian police">{{cite book|last1=Law on State Police|first1=Albania|title=Ranks of Albanian police|date=2014|publisher=Ministry of Internal Affairs|location=Albania|page=22|url=https://mb.gov.al/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/LIGJI_I_POLICISE_SE_SHTETIT_-_2014.pdf}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Police Integrity and Corruption |first1=Albania |url=https://idmalbania.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Police-Integrity-and-Corruption-in-Albania-2.0.pdf |title=Albanian Police Integrity and Corruption 2016 |date=2016 |publisher=Institute for Democracy and Mediation |location=Albania |pages= |access-date=}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
|- style="background-color:#CCCCCC;"
! 
! colspan=4| <nowiki>Police Directors | High Ranking Officials</nowiki>
! colspan=3| <nowiki>Police Commissars | Senior Ranking Officers</nowiki>
! colspan=2|<nowiki>Police Officers | Lower Ranking Officers</nowiki>
|- style="text-align:center;"
| rowspan=3| {{flagicon image|Flamuri i Policisë së Shtetit.svg}} '''Albanian Police'''<ref name="Ranks of Albanian police">{{cite book|last1=Law on State Police|first1=Albania|title=Ranks of Albanian police|date=2014|publisher=Ministry of Internal Affairs|location=Albania|page=22|url=https://mb.gov.al/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/LIGJI_I_POLICISE_SE_SHTETIT_-_2014.pdf}}</ref><ref name="Ranks insignia of the Albanian police officers">{{cite book|last1=Albanian State Police insignia|first1=Albania|title=Ranks insignia of the Albanian police officers|date=2016|publisher=General Directorate of State Police|location=Albania|pages=5–14; 53|url=https://arkiva.asp.gov.al/images/pdf/Gradat_simbolet_uniformat_dhe_shenjat_e_Policise_se_Shtetit_1.pdf|access-date=24 July 2017}}</ref>
| [[File:Gradë ceremoniali, Drejtues Madhor (Policia e Shtetit).svg|50px]]
| [[File:Gradë ceremoniali, Drejtues i Lartë (Policia e Shtetit).svg|50px]]
| [[File:Gradë ceremoniali, Drejtues i Parë (Policia e Shtetit).svg|50px]]
| [[File:Gradë ceremoniali, Drejtues (Policia e Shtetit).svg|50px]]
| [[File:Gradë ceremoniali, Kryekomisar (Policia e Shtetit).svg|50px]]
| [[File:Gradë ceremoniali, Komisar (Policia e Shtetit).svg|50px]]
| [[File:Gradë ceremoniali, Nënkomisar (Policia e Shtetit).svg|50px]]
| [[File:Gradë ceremoniali, Inspektor (Policia e Shtetit).svg|50px]]
| [[File:Gradë ceremoniali, Kursantë (Policia e Shtetit).svg|50px]]
|- style="text-align:center;"
|[[File:Grada Drejtues Madhor (Policia e Shtetit).svg|50px]]
|[[File:Grada Drejtues i Lartë (Policia e Shtetit).svg|50px]]
|[[File:Grada Drejtues i Parë (Policia e Shtetit).svg|50px]]
|[[File:Grada Drejtues (Policia e Shtetit).svg|50px]]
|[[File:Grada Kryekomisar (Policia e Shtetit).svg|50px]]
|[[File:Grada Komisar (Policia e Shtetit).svg|50px]]
|[[File:Grada Nënkomisar (Policia e Shtetit).svg|50px]]
|[[File:Grada Inspektor (Policia e Shtetit).svg|50px]]
|[[File:Grada Kursantë (Policia e Shtetit).svg|50px]]
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Chief director <br /> {{lang|sq|Drejtues Madhor}}
| Senior director <br /> {{lang|sq|Drejtues i Lartë}}
| First director <br /> {{lang|sq|Drejtues i Parë}}
| Director <br />{{lang|sq|Drejtues}}
| Head commissar
{{lang|sq|Kryekomisar}}
| Commissar <br />{{lang|sq|Komisar}}
| Vice<br />commissar<br /> {{lang|sq|Nënkomisar}}
| [[Inspector]] <br /> {{lang|sq|Inspektor}}
| [[Cadet]] <br /> {{lang|sq|Kursant}}
|- style="text-align: center;"
|'''Equivalent to American Police Ranks'''
|Chief of Police
|Chief of Department
|Inspector
|Deputy Inspector
|Captain
|Lieutenant
|Sergeant
|Police Officer
|State Police Cadet
|- style="text-align: center;"
|'''Notes'''
|The Director of the Albanian State Police Agency.
|The Director of any Albanian State Police Department.
|The Director of any Albanian State Police Regional Directory or Bureau.
|The Deputy Director of any Albanian State Police Regional Directory or Bureau.
|The Police Station Chief.
|The Border Section Chief, the Criminal Section Chief or any other Section Chief.
|Shift Supervisors on Land & Sea Borders, but also Airports. Most commonly being Unit Chiefs or Regional Police Directory Staff member.
|Regular Field Officer, holding no Command powers. Needs 3 years of experience and additional education before competing for Vice Commissar.
|Non-graduated State Police Cadet still on the Academy.
|}

==Branches==
{| class="wikitable" style="width: 50%;"
|-
! Patch !! Branch unit
!Type
|-
| [[File:Policia e Rendit.svg|center|33px]] || '''[[Order Police (Albania)|Policia e Rendit]]'''<br>The Order Police is tasked to deal with issues of Public Order, assist and help local population.
|Regular Field Police
|-
| [[File:Policia Rrugore.svg|center|33px]]|| '''[[Road Police (Albania)|Policia Rrugore]]'''<br>The Road Police administers [[road safety]] and Enforces Traffic Regulations.
|Regular Field Police
|-
| [[File:Policia Kufitare.svg|center|33px]]|| '''[[Border and Migration Police (Albania)|Policia Kufitare dhe Migracionit]]'''<br />The Border Police is in charge of migration and border control.
|Regular Field Police
|-
| [[File:Shqiponjat.svg|center|33px]]|| '''[[Shqiponjat (police unit)|Shqiponjat]]'''<br>The Eagles are a rapid response unit that handles domestic criminal activities.
|Special Field Police
|-
| [[File:Forcat e Ndërhyrjes së Shpejtë.svg|center|33px]]|| '''[[Rapid Intervention Force (Albania)|Forcat e Ndërhyrjes së Shpejtë]]'''<br>The Rapid Intervention Force, also known as FNSH, is a quick intervention unit primarily dealing with cases of [[Protest|violent riots]] and special operations.
|Special Reserve Police
|-
| [[File:RENEA.svg|center|33px]] || '''[[RENEA|Reparti i Neutralizimit të Elementëve të Armatosur]]'''<br>The Department of Neutralization of Armed Elements, also known as RENEA, is the main [[counter-terrorism]] and critical incident response unit.
|Special Force Police
|-
|
|'''[[DFPO|Drejtoria e Forcave Speciale Operacionale]]'''
The Directorate of the Special Operational Force, also known as DFPO, is the main Criminal Police Special Force, similar to RENEA.
|Special Force Field Police
|}

== Recruitment & Training ==
To join the Albanian State Police, you must meet specific eligibility criteria and successfully navigate a multi-step recruitment process before being eligible to join the [[Security Academy|Albanian Security Academy]] on the way to become a Police Officer.

=== Applying for the Security Academy <ref>{{Cite web |last=administrator |date=2022-09-30 |title=Policia e Shtetit |url=https://asp.gov.al/32389/ |access-date=2025-06-04 |language=en-US}}</ref> ===

* Be Albanian citizen.
* Be no older than 30 years.
* Have completed at least secondary education.
* Be in good physical and mental health.
* Be at least 170 cm tall for men and 165 cm for women.
* Have a valid category “B” driver’s license.
* Have no criminal convictions or pending criminal cases.
* Possess a certificate of reliability.
* Not be excluded from the State Police or other national security structures, nor have left civil service.
* Be fluent in spoken and written Albanian.

Additionally, Senior Ranking Officer Positions and above require a university degree in fields such as law, economics, or computer science, along with a minimum GPA of 8.0.

=== Training & Security Academy <ref>{{Cite web |title=OSCE Presence in Albania organizes advanced training on complex international narcotics investigations with Albania's State Police personnel |url=https://www.osce.org/presence-in-albania/497551 |access-date=2025-06-04 |website=www.osce.org |language=en}}</ref> ===
The Albanian State Police is trained through a structured and formal process at the [[Security Academy|Security Academy of Albania]], which is the central institution for police education and training. 

New Cadets undergo basic training at the Security Academy, which includes:

==== Theoretical Education ====

* Albanian criminal and procedural law
* Human rights and democratic policing
* Police ethics and professional standards
* Use of force and firearms laws
* Public order and crowd management
* Communication and conflict resolution
* Cybercrime and digital evidence (for certain positions)

==== Physical Training ====

* Physical fitness and endurance exercises
* Self-defense and arrest techniques
* Firearms training (marksmanship and safety)
* Tactical driving and pursuit operations
* Role-playing and scenario-based simulations
* First aid and emergency response

Basic police training lasts '''12–18 months''', combining classroom work and field exercises. Cadets must pass final exams to graduate and become full police officers.


'''Specialized Trainings'''

After initial training, officers can apply for specialized courses based on their assigned roles or career paths. These may include:

* Criminal Investigation Techniques
* Anti-Terrorism and Organized Crime
* Border and Migration Police
* Cybercrime Investigation
* Forensics and Evidence Handling
* Community Policing Strategies

Special units like [[RENEA]], anti-drug unit, and counter-trafficking units receive advanced tactical training, often in collaboration with international partners.

==Equipment==
Albanian State Police has had a lot of Communist era equipment in storage, even though a few are still in use today. However, since 2014 the [[Ministry of Internal Affairs (Albania)|Ministry of Interior]] has been actively modernizing the State Police's uniforms, vehicles and weaponry, introducing newer modern equipment to replace their outdated Communist era equipment. 

=== Field Police Officer Uniforms ===
The Albanian State Police uniforms have undergone several changes since 1991. Some visible changes to their uniforms and equipments are shown below: 
[[File:Albanian police 21 janar (2).jpg|center|thumb|400x400px|Albanian Police Officers 2000s]]
[[File:Activists, citizens and workers from the oil refinery factory in the city of Ballsh protesting in front of Ministry of Insfrastructure and Energy, in Tirana 02.jpg|center|thumb|400x400px|Albanian Police Officers 2010s]]
[[File:Albanian Police Officers 2024.jpg|center|thumb|400x400px|Albanian Police Officers 2020s]]

=== Specialized Police Units ===
The Albanian State Police like all other Police Forces around the world has some of its own Specialized Police Units, responsible for many different operations or missions. 
[[File:FNSH Riot Control.jpg|center|thumb|400x400px|[[Rapid Intervention Force (Albania)|FNSH]] Special [[Police riot|Riot Unit]].]]
[[File:DFPO.jpg|center|thumb|400x400px|[[DFPO]] Operatives of Albanian State Police.]]
[[File:Shqiponjat Policia.jpg|center|thumb|400x400px|[[Shqiponjat (police unit)|Eagle Unit]], mostly use motorcycles as their main Transport.]]

=== Weaponry ===
Since 2017 Government of Albania has been contracting with multiple countries, purchasing brand new weapons to replace their old Communist era weapons. The listed weaponry of ASP below, shows all of the Weapons used and currently used by ASP since 2010. 
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Model
!Origin Country
!Type
!Status
|-
|[[TT-33]]
| rowspan="2" |{{flag|Soviet Union}}
| rowspan="6" |[[Semi-automatic pistol]]
| rowspan="2" |Retired
|-
|[[Makarov PM]]
|-
|[[Glock 17]]
|{{flag|Austria}}
| rowspan="17" |In service
|-
|[[Beretta 92]]
| rowspan="3" |{{flag|Italy}}
|-
|[[Beretta PX4 Storm]]
|-
|[[Beretta APX]]
|-
|[[Heckler & Koch MP5]]
| rowspan="3" |{{flag|Germany}}
| rowspan="3" |[[Submachine gun|Sub-machine gun]]
|-
|[[Heckler & Koch UMP]]
|-
|[[Heckler & Koch MP7]]
|-
|[[AKM]]
|{{flag|Soviet Union}}
| rowspan="5" |[[Assault rifle]]
|-
|[[ASH-78]]
|{{flag|Albania}}
|-
|[[Beretta ARX 160]]
|{{flag|Italy}}
|-
|[[HS Produkt VHS]]
|{{flag|Croatia}}
|-
|[[Heckler & Koch G36]]
| rowspan="2" |{{flag|Germany}}
|-
|[[Heckler & Koch HK417]]
| rowspan="3" |[[Sniper rifle]]
|-
|[[Sako TRG M10]]
| rowspan="2" |{{flag|Finland}}
|-
|[[Sako TRG-42]]
|-
|[[RPK machine gun]]
| rowspan="2" |{{flag|Soviet Union}}
| rowspan="2" |[[Machine gun]]
|-
|[[RPD machine gun]]
|}

=== Vehicles ===
Plenty of vehicles have been bought from the [[Albanian Government]], what is most surprising is the diversity when purchasing vehicles. While many police forces around the world, usually tend to stick with 2-3 car brands in their fleets, Albania has been known to have numerous car brands in their police fleets, with the most popular car brand being [[Hyundai Motor Company|Hyundai]]. Here is a full list of the vehicles used and currently in use by Albanian State Police since 2010.
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Vehicle
!Class
!Origin Country
!Status
|-
|[[Ford Focus]]
|Car
|{{Flag|United States}}
|In-Service
|-
|[[Chevrolet Aveo]]
|Car
|{{Flag|United States}}
|Out of Service
|-
|[[Hyundai Accent]]
|Car
|{{ROK}}
|Out of Service
|-
|[[Hyundai Santa Fe]]
|Car
|{{ROK}}
|In-Service
|-
|[[Hyundai Kona]]
|Car
|{{ROK}}
|In-Service
|-
|[[Hyundai Tucson]]
|Car
|{{ROK}}
|In-Service
|-
|[[Dacia Sandero]]
|Car
|{{ROM}}
|Out of Service
|-
|[[Volkswagen e-Golf]]
|Car
|{{flag|Germany}}
|In-Service
|-
|[[BMW 5 Series]]
|Car
|{{flag|Germany}}
|In-Service
|-
|[[Mercedes-Benz GLC|Mercedes-Benz GLC 63 Coupe]]
|Car
|{{flag|Germany}}
|In-Service
|-
|[[Mercedes-Benz E-Class]]
|Car
|{{flag|Germany}}
|In-Service
|-
|[[Mercedes-Benz GLA]]
|Car
|{{flag|Germany}}
|In-Service
|-
|[[Audi A6]]
|Car
|{{flag|Germany}}
|In-Service
|-
|[[Škoda Octavia]]
|Car
|{{flag|Czech Republic}}
|In-Service
|-
|[[Land Rover Discovery]]
|Car
|{{UK}}
|In-Service
|-
|[[Ford Transit Custom]]
|Mini-Van
|{{Flag|United States}}
|In-Service
|-
|[[Hyundai Starex|Hyundai i800]]
|Van
|{{ROK}}
|In-Service
|-
|[[Volkswagen Transporter]]
|Van
|{{flag|Germany}}
|In-Service
|-
|[[Mercedes-Benz Sprinter]]
|Van
|{{flag|Germany}}
|In-Service
|-
|[[Aprilia RS660]]
|Motorcycle
|{{Flag country|Italy}}
|In-Service
|-
|[[BMW R1200RT|BMW R 1250 RT]]
|Motorcycle
|{{flag|Germany}}
|In-Service
|-
|[[Iveco VM 90]]
|Utility Vehicle
|{{Flag country|Italy}}
|In-Service
|-
|[[Land Rover Defender]] [[4x4]]
|Utility Vehicle
|{{UK}}
|In-Service
|-
|[[Mil Mi-8]]
|Helicopter
|{{USSR}}
|In-Service
|-
|[[Bell 212]]
|Helicopter
|{{Flag|United States}}
|In-Service
|-
|[[Eurocopter AS350 Écureuil|AS350]]B
|Helicopter
|{{FRA}}
|In-Service
|-
|[[Zodiac Nautic]]
|Boat
|{{FRA}}
|In-Service
|}

== Official Directors of Albanian State Police since 1913 == 
{| cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="border:1px solid #000000; font-size:88%; line-height: 1.5em;"
|-
|'''{{underline|No.}}'''
|'''{{underline|Name}}'''
|colspan="2"|{{center|'''{{underline|Term in office}}'''}}
|-
|align=center|1
|[[Halim Jakova-Gostivari|Halim Gostivari]]
|13 January 1913
|24 May 1913
|-
|align=center|2
|[[Fehim Mezhgorani]]
|24 May 1913
|30 January 1914
|-
|align=center|3
|[[Hil Mosi]]
|1 February 1914
|30 March 1914
|-
|align=center|4
|[[Veli Vasjari]]
|1 April 1914
|30 June 1914
|-
|align=center|5
|[[Sulejman Kërçiku]]
|2 October 1914
|27 January 1916
|-
|align=center|–
|[[Halim Jakova-Gostivari|Halim Gostivari]]
|28 August 1919
|17 December 1920
|-
|align=center|6
|[[Ahmet Sinani]]
|17 December 1920
|10 January 1922
|-
|align=center|–
|[[Veli Vasjari]]
|11 January 1922
|22 April 1922
|-
|align=center|–
|[[Halim Jakova-Gostivari|Halim Gostivari]]
|22 April 1922
|21 August 1922
|-
|align=center|7
|[[Musa Çelepia]]
|21 August 1922
|26 December 1922
|-
|align=center|8
|[[Hamza Isaraj]]
|10 December 1924
|25 December 1924
|-
|align=center|9
|[[Qazim Bodinaku]]
|24 February 1926
|7 July 1926
|-
|align=center|10
|[[Rustem Ymeri]]
|20 December 1926
|1927
|-
|align=center|–
|[[Hil Mosi]]
|3 September 1928
|1929
|-
|align=center|11
|[[Zef Kadarja]]
|31 August 1940
|23 March 1942
|-
|align=center|12
|[[Theodor Stamati]]
|24 March 1942
|26 November 1942
|-
|align=center|13
|[[Shyqyri Borshi]]
|26 November 1942
|4 June 1943
|-
|align=center|14
|[[Gjush Deda]]
|4 June 1943
|30 August 1943
|-
|align=center|15
|[[Kolë Radovani]]
|1 September 1943
|13 October 1943
|-
|align=center|16
|[[Skënder Selmanaj]]
|15 October 1943
|10 January 1944
|-
|align=center|17
|[[Tahir Kolgjini]]
|10 January 1944
|24 November 1944
|-
|align=center|18
|[[Namik Xhafa]]
|24 November 1944
|20 March 1947
|-
|align=center|19
|[[Lako Polena]]
|24 March 1947
|2 February 1948
|-
|align=center|20
|[[Sali Ormeni]]
|16 February 1948
|2 March 1951
|-
|align=center|21
|[[Maqo Çomo]]
|2 March 1951
|March 1952
|-
|align=center|22
|[[Delo Balili]]
|March 1952
|1 May 1956
|-
|align=center|23
|[[Xhule Çiraku]]
|1 May 1956
|February 1968
|-
|align=center|24
|[[Kasëm Kaso]]
|February 1968
|January 1980
|-
|align=center|25
|[[Agron Tafa]]
|January 1980
|August 1982
|-
|align=center|–
|[[Kasëm Kaso]]
|August 1982
|31 December 1984
|-
|align=center|26
|[[Dilaver Bengasi]]
|1 January 1987
|17 July 1990
|-
|align=center|27
|[[Pandeli Lluka]]
|17 July 1990
|1 May 1992
|-
|align=center|28
|[[Astrit Mehaj]]
|1 May 1992
|22 June 1993
|-
|align=center|29
|[[Sabri Jacaj]]
|22 June 1993
|15 June 1995
|-
|align=center|30
|[[Agim Shehu]]
|15 June 1995
|30 June 1997
|-
|align=center|31
|[[Sokol Baraj]]
|3 July 1997
|16 May 1998
|-
|align=center|32
|[[Besnik Bregu]]
|16 May 1998
|4 September 1998
|-
|align=center|33
|[[Hasan Ahmetaj]]
|4 September 1998
|9 November 1998
|-
|align=center|34
|[[Veton Gjoliku]]
|9 November 1998
|20 January 1999
|-
|align=center|35
|[[Veli Myftari]]
|20 January 1999
|22 November 2000
|-
|align=center|36
|[[Bilbil Mema]]
|23 November 2000
|19 August 2002
|-
|align=center|37
|[[Bajram Ibraj]]
|12 September 2002
|30 March 2007
|-
|align=center|38
|[[Ahmet Prençi]]
|30 March 2007
|28 October 2009
|-
|align=center|39
|[[Hysni Burgaj]]
|28 October 2009
|9 September 2013
|-
|align=center|40
|[[Artan Didi]]
|10 October 2013
|31 March 2015
|-
|align=center|41
|[[Haki Çako]]
|15 April 2015
|8 January 2018
|-
|align=center|42
|[[Ardi Veliu]]
|5 February 2018
|8 October 2021
|-
|align=center|43
|[[Gledis Nano]]
|8 October 2021
|31 August 2022
|-
|align=center|44
|[[Muhamet Rrumbullaku]]
|8 September 2022
|5 September 2024
|-
|align=center|45
|[[Ilir Proda]]
|2 October 2024
|''Incumbent''
|}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

==See also==
*[[Law enforcement in Albania]]
*[[General Directorate of Civil Emergencies]]
*[[Sigurimi]]
* [[Albanian police raids MEK camps]]

{{Police}}
{{Law enforcement in Albania}} 
{{Europe topic|Law enforcement in}}
{{Albania topics}}

[[Category:National police forces|Albania]]
[[Category:Law enforcement in Albania]]
[[Category:National Central Bureaus of Interpol]]