Additional training helps police officers to improve their skills in effective communication with juvenile victims and offenders, and consequently to adequately handle sensitive situations. This was emphasized during today’s training organized by the Centre for Civic Education (CCE) in Bijelo Polje for 20 police officers from the Northern region of Montenegro, aimed at strengthening their competencies in cases of peer violence and juvenile delinquency.
“These trainings are very important for further education of police officers regarding their handling of juveniles, as they enhance their knowledge and skills. We are grateful to the instructors for effectively transferring their knowledge and skills with the officers of the Police Directorate,” said Vladan Popović, Head of the Department for Coordination of Police and Related Affairs, who also attended the training.
“Education and joint reflection on our individual and collective work with children—both children who have committed crimes and those who have been victimized—can significantly contribute to expanding knowledge and skills in this field. It is also a very demanding area of work. Moreover, this approach can foster sensitivity, awareness, and empathy in dealing with every child involved in criminal proceedings,” noted Dijana Popović Gavranović, Head of the Expert Service of the Supreme State Prosecutor’s Office, who was one of the trainers alongside Kristina Mihailović, Executive Director of the NGO Parents.
By strengthening the competencies of the police organization, citizens’ trust in the relevant institutions also grows, which should lead to better prevention of violence cases. Therefore, two more such trainings are planned for police officers from the central and southern parts of Montenegro.
The training is part of the “HEART: Helping Empowerment and Resilience Today’s Youth” project implemented by the CCE with financial support from the European Union and co-financing by the Ministry of Public Administration.
Marlena Ivanović, Programme Associate