Macedonian Interior Minister PancheToshkovski recently visited Florida, United States, where he participated in the annual conference of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) in Orlando, one of the world’s largest gatherings of law enforcement professionals, dedicated to the future of policing and addressing contemporary security challenges.
“During the conference, Toshkovski met with several key figures, including Nicholas Colura, Director of the US State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service, and Rick Smith, founder and CEO of Axon Enterprise, a company specializing in advanced public safety technologies. The meeting with Smith addressed the potential for Macedonia to serve as a regional demonstration center for Axon’s technologies, providing regional institutions with practical demonstrations of modern policing solutions, including artificial intelligence applications. The initiative is expected to promote regional cooperation and facilitate the sharing of knowledge, experience and technological innovations,” the Ministry of Interior (MoI) said in a press release.
Toshkovski also took part in the Global Innovation Summit at the invitation of Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw, the Ministry of Interior said. The event highlighted practical applications of artificial intelligence, drones and counter-drone systems in protecting public spaces, critical infrastructure and the safety of citizens.
He also visited the Miami Police Department as part of his working visit, where he was introduced to modern US policing practices, including the use of video surveillance, advanced analytics and real-time information processing. These tools help identify security threats promptly, improve coordination among police units and ensure faster responses to incidents.
Toshkovski noted that exchanging experience with advanced police systems is important for the future modernization of the Macedonian police and the introduction of practical technological solutions into its daily operations.
“Our goal is to turn experience and modern technologies into practical solutions that will enable faster assistance in critical situations, more effective crime prevention and greater protection of life and property,” said the Macedonian Interior Minister.