Third module of CEPOL Course TOPSPOC held in Vienna, Austria

22 participants from 16 Member States attended the CEPOL Course “TOPSPOC VII – 2009/Police Work and International Cooperation after the Hague Programme” hosted at the Police Training Centre in Vienna, Austria 05–09 October 2009.

The CEPOL TOPSPOC Course is a 4 module course which is developed, planed, coordinated and implemented by four organisers. Each module usually lasts 3-4 days.

The first and second 2009 modules took place in Portugal and Estonia respectively during the first half of the year, and the fourth module will be organised by ENSP in Lyon France at the beginning of December.

The purpose and aim of this multilevel international training is to deal with the following topics during and between the four modules:

1. How can a shared police culture be developed in Member States to enhance mutual trust between police officers and services within Europe? What role should European police training play in this?
2. Making best use of pan European and regional cross border joint investigative police initiatives.
3. Information exchange is the key to operational success both nationally and internationally. Consider existing European and national IT initiatives within policing. Outline their information flows, the legal obligations and the strengths and weaknesses of each in order to reach efficiency in information exchange necessary for improvement in police operations.

The course participants, which also included a representative from Interpol, had to deal with these 3 topics under the umbrella course title “Police Work and International Co-operation after the Hague Programme”. The participants were assisted by 2 experts from United Kingdom and Belgium. Each module is introduced and laid out by international experts.

Having to work in an international environment, dealing with different approaches to common problems, learning about foreign operation methods and perspectives, as well as the modules content led to a unique experience and multiple benefits for all participants.

Gerhard Habeler, Course Manager, whilst closing the event said “This CEPOL Course is a further step towards advancement and intensification of collaboration within European police forces.”