CEPOL course in Italy focuses on witness protection procedures and tailored protection measures

Organised by the Italian Framework Partner École Universitaire Internationale as a joint activity with EUROPOL, the 79/2023/ONS CEPOL Witness Protection Advanced Course took place in Castelpetroso (Italy) from 04-08 September 2023. The course was developed to respond to challenges in developing covert working practices and credible legends for clients, and to identify risks associated with IT communications and the need to develop appropriate strategies to accommodate the cultural and psychological needs of the clients involved in international relocation.

A total of 31 participants from 25 countries, coming from Europe and overseas like the USA, Canada and Australia, one EU and one UN Agency, attended this five-day course which focused on witness protection procedures and the newest neuroscientific application to the field that makes Europe a leading actor in the field.

The following topics were covered:

• Identifying good practices, legislations; highlighting the different procedures adopted by different countries; following a structured approach to identify risks, record actions and policy decisions, and follow up on actions using a Case Management Model between countries;
• Recognising and prioritising the psycho-social impact of international displacement/relocation on families, children and youngsters. The course focused also on the impact of relocations on different types of witnesses, along with the physiological changes occurring in youth and the necessary different approaches required for such cases;
• Identifying the increased risks associated with the use of biometrics, communications & technology for staff and clients, when involved in  international referrals, considering appropriate control measures to reduce the risk of compromise, while developing appropriate exit strategies to accommodate the cultural and psychological needs of the clients;
• Innovative scientific content in the use of neuropsychology-informed techniques to better design tailored witness protection measures and amplify practitioners’ skills when handling people with different characteristics and personalities.

The activity included working groups and interactive discussions addressing real cases and analysing challenges and ways to overcome them. Throughout the duration of the course, expert trainers were always present, an element that allowed the development of a connection amongst participants and trainers and helped perceive the course as a linear development of topics and matters. Moreover, the constant presence of experts (throughout the entire duration of the activity, both during and after lectures) facilitated a deeper understanding and assimilation of the new scientific findings related to the challenges of witness protection, and to the practitioner as a human being, essential elements to implement tailored protection measures.

The learning environment was carefully designed along with the free and networking time in order to create the most suitable conditions for participants to connect. To do this, all available time windows were exploited, so that lasting networks and working relationships could be established among experts from different countries and agencies, able to contribute to future professional outcomes.

Author: École Universitaire Internationale (Italy)

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