First group of police officers-ombudspersons undergoes training

Khatia Dekanoidze, the Head of the National Police of Ukraine, has awarded certificates to the first group of police officers who were trained to improve their human rights protection skills.

According to the press service of the National Police, Dekanoidze stressed during awarding ceremony that she expected those police officers to meet the expectations of ordinary people to protect their rights in the police system.

The event was also attended by Deputy Chairman of the National Police of Ukraine Kostiantyn Bushuyev, Deputy Justice Minister of Ukraine Gia Getsadze, Deputy Head of the Secretariat of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights Olena Smirnova, the heads of international human rights protection projects.

As Dekanoidze noted, when it comes to the law enforcement system, it should be understood that human rights are important for law enforcement officers themselves.

“It is the value, which is much respected by me and, I am sure, all the present. If a police officer, a patrol police officer or an investigator, every person who works in a large body called the National Police, does not understand why we have to protect human rights, we will not succeed,” Dekanoidze stressed.

To this end, the department of protection of human rights was established in the system of the National Police a few months ago. This department will work closely with the Justice Ministry of Ukraine and the international experts. In addition, the human rights protection department workers will be engaged in monitoring of observance of human rights in police institutions, particularly, in the temporary detention facilities.

Dekanoidze expressed gratitude for the support to foreign partners and the Justice Ministry, which the National Police works closely with in the provision of legal assistance to citizens. In addition, the Head of the national Police noted that the security of Ukraine was not only its domestic issue but also the issue of security throughout Europe. Therefore, Ukraine should develop and become a strong country in the European family.

“I’m sure that the entire team, which will deal with human rights in the National Police, will work in a completely new way. They will work not to justify the hopes of their chiefs, but to meet the expectations of ordinary people,” Dekanoidze stressed.