Building lasting impact through the Train-the-Trainers model in TOPCOP

Creating sustainable law enforcement capacity requires more than one-off courses. It demands knowledge that multiplies long after CEPOL activities take place. Within the Training and Operational Partnership against Organised Crime (TOPCOP) project, CEPOL’s Train-the-Trainers (TtT) model stands at the heart of this approach. Rather than relying on repeated external interventions, TtT activities focus on training multipliers, officers who return home prepared to design and deliver courses to their peers.

“The TtT programme gives us the skills and confidence to act as national trainers, strengthening self-sufficiency and long-term training capacity within our institutions,” said Cristian Pleșca, from the Border Police of the Republic of Moldova.

Topics for these training programmes are identified in consultation with partner countries and aligned with EU crime priorities, including those under the European Multidisciplinary Platform Against Criminal Threats (EMPACT), the enlargement and integration agenda, and regional threat assessments. This ensures that each course responds to real operational needs and remains fully consistent with partner and EU security objectives. The process leads to the development of joint training curricula and course handbooks, supporting practical application and consistency across the Eastern Neighbourhood region.

To illustrate how this model is applied in practice, recent examples include TtT courses on smuggling of migrants and open-source intelligence (OSINT), where participants developed the pedagogical and subject-matter skills needed to transfer learning within their home institutions. Held at CEPOL Headquarters in Budapest and organised in partnership with the Faculty of Law Enforcement of Ludovika University of Public Service, these accredited activities provide recognised certification grounded in academic standards, reinforcing the quality and sustainability of the training offer.

“The training programme significantly enhanced the operational effectiveness of law enforcement agencies in our region. The collaborative environment sparked innovative ideas for future implementation, and the strong support from CEPOL encouraged participants to share the knowledge and skills acquired among colleagues,” said Fariz Valiyev, from the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

By investing in trainers, TOPCOP is helping Eastern Neighbourhood partners build lasting expertise, enhance institutional resilience, and contribute to a safer and more connected European security community.