Supporting police reform

Supporting police reform in partner states and international training programs are an important part of international police co-operation. Reform and training not only improve international co-operation, but also help to fight crime in the partner countries and improve Switzerland’s national security.

The Middle European Police Academy (MEPA) plays an important part in helping to improve cross-border co-operation through training programs. In order to fight the more serious forms of transnational organised crime, emphasis is placed on teaching special skills needed for international and cross-border police work, on aspects of police conduct and on the social, economic and political conditions in the countries involved. MEPA courses are aimed at leaders who are involved in operations in the field of organised crime-fighting. In order to take part in a course, participants must have advanced police training, several years of police experience and a good command of German. Courses for Swiss police are usually directed at officers from the Federal Criminal Police, the Border Guard Corps and the cantonal and municipal police corps. Besides Switzerland, other MEPA members include Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Slovenia, the Czech Republic and Hungary.

By supporting police reform, networks can be established with other international police authorities to facilitate police work. At the same time, this support creates a feeling of mutual goodwill towards Switzerland, which is reflected by the unbureaucratic support of Switzerland by other states, if requested. For this reason fedpol takes an active part in supporting the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation in planning and implementing the regional program for justice and police reform in South Eastern Europe. Co-operation in this field is focussed primarily on the project known as “Organised Crime Training Network for Operational Managers in South Eastern Europe” (further information is available on the website of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation SDC).

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Last modification 09.06.2020

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