131 policemen, representatives of the Main Departments of the National Police and Patrol Police Departments from 20 regions of Ukraine, arrived at Kharkiv National University of Internal Affairs to undergo specialized courses for community police officers, assigned to police stations of united territorial communities. Community police officers are trained with the support of ICITAP (International Criminal Investigative Training Assistance Program of the U.S. Department of Justice). The policemen will be trained in general law disciplines, pre-medical, tactical-special and fire training, will improve driving skills.

On behalf of Valerii Sokurenko, Rector of the University, Police General of the 3-rd Rank, Dmytro Shvets, First Vice-Rector of the University, Police Colonel, greeted the listeners of courses. He noted that the best lecturers and trainers would be involved in the educational process - employees of the scientific and pedagogical staff of the university with experience in training community police officers, and representatives of practical units. All conditions for gaining the necessary knowledge and skills were created at the university. Also, Dmytro Shvets urged the listeners of courses to take responsibility for learning, be organized, adhere to discipline and quarantine requirements.

Maiia Breslavska, Chief of the Department for Interaction with Communities of the Department of Preventive Activities of the National Police of Ukraine, Police Senior Lieutenant, addressed the police officers with parting words. She stressed that the project “Community Police Officer” was an important step towards reforming the National Police: “The heads of the united territorial communities are waiting for you. You have been carefully selected and worked hard to get into the project. Take this chance, master new knowledge persistently! The success and effectiveness of your service depend on it”.

During the event, Maiia Breslavska presented certificates of gratitude from Oleksandr Fatsevych, Deputy Chief of the National Police of Ukraine, Police General of the 3-rd Rank, for initiative and personal contribution to the development of community safety, to police officers from the Chkalovske community of the Kharkiv region, namely, to Police Captain Roman Kovalov, Senior Police Sergeant Yaroslav Mylanka, and Viktor Soloviov, Head of the Chkalovske Territorial Community.

After the ceremonial events for the course participants, classes began on schedule.

Department of Public Relations of Kharkiv National University of Internal Affairs