NewsCEPOL Management Board appoints Jan Pecháček as new Executive Director
On 12 March, Mr Jan Pecháček has been selected as the future Executive Director of CEPOL following a decision by the Agency’s Management Board during an online extraordinary meeting.
The new Executive Director is expected to take up office on 1 May 2026. Until then, Ms Mailis Pukonen will continue to serve as Acting Executive Director, ensuring the continuity after Ms Montserrat Marin Lopez, who has led the agency until 15 February 2026.
The Management Board interviewed three candidates who had been shortlisted for the post following a competitive public selection process launched by the European Commission in October 2025.
Mr Pecháček has built a distinguished career in law enforcement, international police cooperation, and strategic training development, with over three decades of professional experience in the Police of the Czech Republic and bilateral, international and CSDP missions. Throughout his career, he has developed extensive expertise in police education, operational leadership and international capacity-building initiatives supporting European and global security cooperation.
He has served as Head of the Division of International Education within the Police Education and Training Unit of the Police of the Czech Republic, overseeing the development and coordination of international training programmes and cooperation frameworks with European and global law enforcement partners.
Mr Pecháček has served as member of CEPOL’s Management Board since 2021, contributing to the strategic governance and oversight of the agency.
CEPOL's Management Board expressed its confidence that Mr Pecháček’s leadership, strategic vision and international experience will support the Agency in further delivering on its mandate and continuing to strengthen cooperation across the EU law enforcement community.
