Stories
Police trainers for the future in Serbia and Montenegro
28 July 2004
Changing police education
"The chance to experience something different is the most important outcome for the students," says Tiron Andric, National Training Assistant at the OSCE Mission. "It is my belief that Serbia and Montenegro, as it becomes part of the community of European nations, will change and the only way to change is to experience something different."
Since 2001, the Mission's police reform efforts have focused on community and border policing, forensics, organized crime and accountability. The focus has increasingly turned to police education. To date, 7,500 police officers have undergone courses in community, multi-ethnic and modern policing, as well as management and supervision.
A central goal of the programme is to build a sustainable training system at the local and regional levels through the Trainer Development Programme. Participants in this programme begin with a six-week course where they develop training skills and practise delivering training sessions. Leaving the textbooks and lectures aside, participants work on realistic case studies and engage in role-playing to simulate typical situations encountered by police officers such as domestic violence and use of force. They also debate sensitive and controversial issues such as minority members in the police force.
Developing trainers for the future
Following the initial course, they enter a five-week mentoring phase where they create and deliver training sessions under supervision. Once they pass this level, they become National Police Trainers and co-train with OSCE trainers at least once before doing so on their own. "By using this approach, we are not only multiplying the benefits of the training course, but we are also demonstrating the model of contemporary police education," says Paulo Costa, Programme Manager for Police Education and Development.
"I apply a lot of what I learned in the course," says Vesna Bulatovic, a trainer at the Police School in Danilovgrad, Montenegro. "Well-developed lesson plans and the use of different training methods and aids make it easier for the students to acquire new knowledge, skills and attitudes." She also stresses that her new training skills help her establish good relations with the students more quickly and easily.
Motivating the students
"We try to put participants at ease by asking them what motivated them to apply for the course in the first place," says Rene Janssens, an international police trainer. "We also explain what is expected of them and the many opportunities that the programme opens up for them. By creating a positive atmosphere and laying the ground for effective communication, within three days they are motivated and involved."
Aleksandar Lazarevic came to the Trainer Development Course with enthusiasm. "The first day, I realized that not all participants were as pleased to be there as I was. In the end, however, the entire group put in the maximum of their energy and tolerance." He says that improving the selection of participants - so the most eager can attend - would greatly increase the success of the programme.
The future of police education
The overall goal of the programme is to help the trainees become the ones conducting needs assessments, developing initiatives and delivering specialized training, including the training of trainers. "The thing that I would like most in the role of a trainer would be the team work, the enthusiasm and constant improvement of every upcoming course," says Aleksandar Lazarevic, a police trainee from Belgrade.
So far, 86 police officers have attended the Trainer Development Course, including eight women. Twelve officers from Montenegro have completed the mentoring phase and are now certified National Police Trainers. They are co-training with OSCE trainers in tactical communication, community policing, survival skills and drug identification. It is hoped that co-training will begin in southern Serbia by the end of 2004.
"We are creating a standardized education system," says Roger Berg, Head of the Law Enforcement Department of the OSCE Mission. "That is the European standard and our local partners are embracing these suggestions."
"The chance to experience something different is the most important outcome for the students," says Tiron Andric, National Training Assistant at the OSCE Mission. "It is my belief that Serbia and Montenegro, as it becomes part of the community of European nations, will change and the only way to change is to experience something different."
Since 2001, the Mission's police reform efforts have focused on community and border policing, forensics, organized crime and accountability. The focus has increasingly turned to police education. To date, 7,500 police officers have undergone courses in community, multi-ethnic and modern policing, as well as management and supervision.
A central goal of the programme is to build a sustainable training system at the local and regional levels through the Trainer Development Programme. Participants in this programme begin with a six-week course where they develop training skills and practise delivering training sessions. Leaving the textbooks and lectures aside, participants work on realistic case studies and engage in role-playing to simulate typical situations encountered by police officers such as domestic violence and use of force. They also debate sensitive and controversial issues such as minority members in the police force.
Developing trainers for the future
Following the initial course, they enter a five-week mentoring phase where they create and deliver training sessions under supervision. Once they pass this level, they become National Police Trainers and co-train with OSCE trainers at least once before doing so on their own. "By using this approach, we are not only multiplying the benefits of the training course, but we are also demonstrating the model of contemporary police education," says Paulo Costa, Programme Manager for Police Education and Development.
"I apply a lot of what I learned in the course," says Vesna Bulatovic, a trainer at the Police School in Danilovgrad, Montenegro. "Well-developed lesson plans and the use of different training methods and aids make it easier for the students to acquire new knowledge, skills and attitudes." She also stresses that her new training skills help her establish good relations with the students more quickly and easily.
Motivating the students
"We try to put participants at ease by asking them what motivated them to apply for the course in the first place," says Rene Janssens, an international police trainer. "We also explain what is expected of them and the many opportunities that the programme opens up for them. By creating a positive atmosphere and laying the ground for effective communication, within three days they are motivated and involved."
Aleksandar Lazarevic came to the Trainer Development Course with enthusiasm. "The first day, I realized that not all participants were as pleased to be there as I was. In the end, however, the entire group put in the maximum of their energy and tolerance." He says that improving the selection of participants - so the most eager can attend - would greatly increase the success of the programme.
The future of police education
The overall goal of the programme is to help the trainees become the ones conducting needs assessments, developing initiatives and delivering specialized training, including the training of trainers. "The thing that I would like most in the role of a trainer would be the team work, the enthusiasm and constant improvement of every upcoming course," says Aleksandar Lazarevic, a police trainee from Belgrade.
So far, 86 police officers have attended the Trainer Development Course, including eight women. Twelve officers from Montenegro have completed the mentoring phase and are now certified National Police Trainers. They are co-training with OSCE trainers in tactical communication, community policing, survival skills and drug identification. It is hoped that co-training will begin in southern Serbia by the end of 2004.
"We are creating a standardized education system," says Roger Berg, Head of the Law Enforcement Department of the OSCE Mission. "That is the European standard and our local partners are embracing these suggestions."