„Taining and preparedness of the Baltic Sea region (LTU, LVA, EST, POL) police officers in usage of a single model of application of physical force”

Erasmus+ KA2 project was launched on 1st September 2016 and ended on 31st August 2018. Within the project, it was planned to review the system and methods of close combat training of police officers, which are related to the training and application of them. A priority and innovative objective was the creation of a unified and uniform model for the use of physical force and special combat techniques in the work and training of the Baltic Sea region police officers, as well as a strategic partnership among the educational institutions of Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia and Poland. Within the project it was planned to involve experts from the field of close combat from project partner countries, exchange of experience and creation of a common understanding on these issues. By mutual co-operation, it was planned to develop a training programme and methodological material (Standard), then, by involving the national police officers (cadets), to transfer them practical skills, to test-run the program developed. National project experts' training, as well as the provision of joint practical and theoretical training of experts and cadets on the use of physical force and special techniques would provide for the continuity of knowledge acquisition among police officers on the ground and cadets from the project partner countries. To implement the project the State Police College has concluded the partnership agreements with the Estonian Academy of Security Sciences, Lithuanian Police School and Police School in Katowice. To achieve the project aims and to develop the project training programme, methodological material on usage of physical force and special fighting techniques, as well as to implement the joint training of experts and cadets, the team consisting of project coordinators, project programme coordinators and project experts was formed. Leading experts and project coordinators and project programme coordinators with great experience at international level in the planning and implementation of projects, in usage of physical force and special fighting techniques, and training took part in the project. The results: 1. International meetings with project partners have been implemented, where issues related to project management and implementation, content and development of the training programme and methodological material, the content and implementation of experts’ and joint experts’ and cadets’ training, to the project multiplier event – closing conference – were discussed. 2. The training programme on use of physical force and fighting techniques, methodological material and manual, video manual have been developed. 3. Experts' joint training (duration 5 days) at the Polish Police School in Katowice. 12 project experts participated in it. 4. Joint experts’ and cadets’ training (duration 5 days). Target group – cadets of educational institutions of the project countries, in total 24 cadets and 16 project experts. The aims were to test-run, analyse, evaluate and approve the content of the project training programme, to make a short film and a film on the methodological material, and to strengthen cooperation among the project educational institutions. 5. Organization and provision of the project multiplier event and dissemination of the project results (conference). A modern and multidisciplinary three-level training programme for physical education and competence (240 hours) was developed. It covers the following levels of knowledge: Level 1: basic level or lowest level of preparation. The target audience: cadets, the number of planned teaching units is 160. General and special (professional) physical fitness requirements are covered. Level 2: Moderate level of preparedness. The target audience: police officers who work at the service places and who need this professional competence, improving their skills and abilities in dealing with the detention of offenders. The number of teaching units is 40. Level 3: High level of preparedness. The "Professional (pedagogical) improvement programme" is intended for police officers (instructors, experts and educators) who work with cadets and police officers and train them with the aim to acquire new, innovative and professional pedagogical knowledge in the acquisition, methodology and implementation. By concluding the project, this new experience at the international level was collected and methodological material was published, as well as new - digital technical information and video on the Project were created. The next academic year it is planned to change the formal education programme “Police work” for cadets and police officers, to combine general and special physical education subjects (Level 1 – 160 teaching units), to create one study course of 5 credit points (200 teaching units). Next year the second level training programme will be implemented for police officers; the third level programme will be implemented this year to prepare the trainers.