Armenian police students trained on democratic policing with the OSCE Office in Yerevan’s support

Democratic policing, the police-public partnership and human rights were in focus of an OSCE-supported training course held for Armenia’s police students from 31 October to 3 November 2016 in Tsaghkadzor with the aim of contributing to Armenian police efforts to advance democratic policing practices.

Some 30 students from Armenia’s Police Education Complex, Academy and College participated in the course organized in co-operation with the police forces. At the end of the course they were awarded with certificates.  

The course sessions included topics on the role of police in a democratic rule-of-law society, the essence and principles of community policing, fundamental human rights, police ethics, police professionalism and integrity, police-media relations, building trust between the police and the public, responses to domestic violence, negotiation and conflict resolution. The training was delivered by experts from the National Centre for Legal Researches and Social Justice NGOs.  

“Comprehensive education and knowledge of best international standards and practices in the police service, as well as motivating about democratic values and principles are essential in promoting police reform and consolidation of a democratic society,” said Bernhard Frankl, Politico-Military Officer at the OSCE Office in Yerevan. “And we believe that through our joint efforts with the Armenian police, we’ll contribute to that goal.”

First Deputy Head of the Police Educational Complex Colonel Tigran Yesayan said: “It’s the dream of all of us to have democratic police that will serve the needs of the society, enjoy public trust and contribute to consolidation of the state of rule of law. Profound knowledge of democratic police and law is vital in promoting such police.”

The training participants also looked at case studies on legality and proportionality of police activities while depriving persons of liberty, disproportionate use of force, and violence against media representatives.

The event is part of the OSCE Office’s co-operation with the Police Educational Complex and efforts to reform police education and training system in line with international standards.