NICOSIA, 7 Novemer 2017 - On 1 November 2017, Assistant Chief of Police Ann-Kristin Kvilekval of Norway began her duties as UNFICYP’s new Senior Police Advisor.  She brings with her 26 years of policing experience and more than three years of UN peacekeeping mission experience with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) and the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA).  

Prior to joining UNFICYP, Assistant Chief of Police Kvilekval served as the National Police Directorate Liaison to the Norwegian Joint Head Quarter (NJHQ) for the Armed Forces, with focus on the Emergency Response and Special Advisor to the General at the JFHQ. 

Over the course of her police career, she has occupied various posts including at managerial level, such as International Civil Crisis management team leader of the Norwegian Police University College, Police Liaison Advisor at National Police Directorate and Course Director at the Norwegian Police. Assistant Chief of Police Kvilekval graduated from the Norwegian Defence Command and Staff College, Oslo, and is also working on a Master’s Degree in building a democratic society at the University of Bergen.

The appointment of another woman at senior level within the Mission – UNFICYP currently has a female Head of Mission, Ms. Elizabeth Spehar, and, between 2014 and 2016, had the first ever female Force Commander of a UN peacekeeping operation, Major General Kristin Lund – is a reflection of the UN’s commitment to identifying and recruiting highly qualified female experts for leadership positions in peacekeeping missions.

UNFICYP is grateful to our outgoing Senior Police Advisor, Col. Andrii Sachavo of the Ukraine, for his many years of diligent service, and warmly welcomes Assistant Chief of Police Kvilekval to Cyprus!