ODIHR organizes first train-the-trainer course on effective and human rights-compliant policing in Roma communities in Poland

Building the capacity of Polish police forces to provide training on effective and human rights-compliant policing in Roma communities was the focus of a course organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), in co-operation with the Regional Police Headquarters in Krakow, in Zakopane, Poland from 17 to 20 July 2018.

The participants were seven men and seven women from the regional and national police headquarters and the Police Academy in Szczytno. The training strengthened their understanding of the importance and benefits of effective policing practices that respect and protect the rights of all people, particularly those who are excluded, vulnerable or discriminated against, such as members of Roma communities.

The course was delivered within ODIHR’s training programme designed to strengthen the capacity of police officers operating at the local level to work effectively with Roma and Sinti and mixed communities, while complying with international human rights standards. 

“In addition to the training we have offered and delivered to police forces in a number of OSCE participating States in the past two years, we are now offering this train-the-trainer course aimed at building the capacity of national police institutions to conduct the training independently through their own structures, as often as necessary,” said Dan Pavel Doghi, Chief of the ODIHR Contact Point for Roma and Sinti Issues. “It is essential that the police perform their duty in a manner that is compliant with human rights and that Roma communities receive police services and protection on an equal basis.”

Marta Krasuska, Chief Specialist in Human Rights, Equal Treatment and Ethics at Poland’s National Police Headquarters, said: “This training equips participants with knowledge and skills which can be used to enhance their anti-discriminatory competences. Educating future trainers who can transfer this knowledge and these skills to police at the local level is of critical significance for building trust between the police and minorities such as Roma.”