Knowledge has never had so much power and played such a role as it does today. The Slovenian police are aware that quality-oriented education and training programmes and on-going active learning is the only way to ensure the effective work of employees at all levels.
On-going education and training is a must
Interdisciplinary programs
The learning process taking place at the Police Academy, where trainees prepare for the diverse and dynamic profession of police officer and where various training programmes are implemented, is combined with constant on-the-job learning. Police officers must be trained to independently resolve demanding tasks and take responsibility for both individual work and teamwork. It is important that they are able to connect theory and legislation with the everyday life in which they are required to make competent decisions and take appropriate measures. For this reason, the interdisciplinary integration of expert knowledge and methods with the practical professional knowledge, skills and competences required to perform the job is at the forefront of our programmes.
The Police College pays a lot of attention to good psychophysical fitness, which is why candidates can, in their free time, use the sport facilities of the Police Academy - a fitness room, martial arts room, gym, running track, obstacle course, etc. An important part of the practical education and a large proportion of training sessions are performed at the Vinko Beznik Training Centre in Gotenica. This is the place that is best equipped for training sessions related to outdoor work: various training sessions for members of the Special Unit, police dog handlers, police tactical units, preparations for work in peacekeeping missions, etc.
In planning the education and training that police officers will need in their career, the police are guided primarily by the requirements of the profession and current trends in providing security. This applies to all three basic fields of training: basic programmes for assuming new or specialist tasks in the police, advanced programmes, and programmes in the field of social skills and police management. Together with other educational police institutions within the European Union, we strive to harmonise education and training programmes.
The Academy is also developing a number of other fields. We implement research and psychological activity and activities pertaining to the work of the police in a multicultural society, employee relationship and conflict management, gender equality, protection of the dignity of employees, ethics and integrity, and museum activity in the police. For this purpose, more than a hundred experts from all levels of the police and the Ministry of the Interior are included in the permanent working groups.
The Police Academy coordinates the employment of top-level athletes and their inclusion in promotional and preventive activities. Also placed within the Academy is a section specialised in police dog and dog handler training.
Education of service dogs and training of their handlers has a special place within the Academy. This field has a long tradition in the police, and it has seen many changes and improvements in its 70-year history.
The only institution in the country providing police education and training
The green and peaceful environment of Tacen under the Šmarna Gora hill near Ljubljana nestles the Police College within the Police Academy, providing a short-cycle higher education programme for the profession of police officer. Candidates who meet general enrolment conditions, pass a physical fitness test and qualify in selection procedures can join the programmes.
A speciality of this vocational educational programme is that students - police officer candidates - become employees of the Police Academy and that an open-ended contract awaits them after they successfully conclude their studies. This means that students are on the pay roll and can look forward to a guaranteed career. The study focuses on practical training. Candidates not only attend lectures, write seminar papers and undergo practical training, but also spend one third of their college time in police units under the mentorship of experienced police officers. This way they gain a lot of practical experience during their studies that they can later apply in their police work.
By joining our large blue family, young people choose an honourable but very responsible and demanding job. Awaiting every new generation of police officers after they successfully finish their studies is the diploma award ceremony and the oath taken before Director General of the Police: "I solemnly swear that in performing the police tasks, I will conscientiously, responsibly, humanely and lawfully perform my duties and respect human rights and fundamental freedoms."
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