Kharkiv National University of Internal Affairs hosted ceremonial events on the occasion of the graduation of the listeners of courses on the specialization of district police officers assigned to police stations of the united territorial communities. During 2,5 months, 84 listeners, who came from different units of the Main Departments of the National Police and Patrol Police Departments of the Department of Patrol Police in Volyn, Dnipropetrovsk, Zhytomyr, Zakarpattia, Sumy, Ivano-Frankivsk, Lviv, Mykolaiv and Kharkiv Regions, improved their knowledge in general law disciplines, driving skills, studied pre-medical, tactical and special, and firearm trainings. The courses were supported by ICITAP (the International Criminal Investigative Training Assistance Program of the US Department of Justice). 

The celebrations were attended by Oleksandr Fatsevych, Deputy Head of the National Police of Ukraine, Police General of the 3-rd rank; Valerii Sokurenko, Rector of Kharkiv National University of Internal Affairs, Police General of the 3-rd rank; Sarah Langenkamp, Director of Law Enforcement Affairs Office of the US Embassy in Ukraine; Maiia Breslavska, Chief of the Department for Interaction with Communities of the Department of Preventive Activities of the National Police of Ukraine, Senior Lieutenant  of Police; Alona Stryzhak, Head of the Patrol Police Department in Kharkiv Region, Senior Lieutenant of Police; Frank Herbert, Counselor of Law Enforcement Affairs Office at the US Embassy in Ukraine; Oleh Savchyn, Program Manager of Law Enforcement Affairs Office at the US Embassy in Ukraine, Andrii Knysh, Project Coordinator of Law Enforcement Affairs Office at the US Embassy in Ukraine, Vocational Training Coordinators of the ICITAP International Program, Vice-Rectors of the University.

The event began with the introduction of the University Flag, the raising of the State Flag of Ukraine and the performance of the National Anthem of Ukraine. The audience observed a moment of silence in honor of patriotism, courage, loyalty and heroism of those who laid down their lives for the unity and independence of Ukraine, as well as all law enforcement officers who died during the performance of duty. Traditionally, the participants laid flowers to the monument of the dead law enforcement officers.

The ceremony of awarding certificates took place. Oleksandr Fatsevych, Deputy Head of the National Police of Ukraine, congratulated the graduates on the successful completion of their studies: “Today we are graduating community police officers who have completed the training. We thank to all experts of ICITAP, University lecturers, who conducted the courses. It is the first graduation of the community police officers at the University. We will continue our cooperation. Our main goal is to have a police officer who would live by the problems of society in each territorial community”. 

Oleksandr Fatsevych presented Gratitude Awards of the National Police of Ukraine for exemplary performance of official duties, personal initiative, dedication and high professionalism to the university staff:

-     Vice Rector of the University Serhii Bortnyk;

-     Deputy Director of the Institute of Postgraduate Education, Police Mayor Svitlana Fialka;

-      Head of the Department of Advanced Training and Specialization of the Institute of Postgraduate Education, Police Colonel Serhii Fedun;

-    Head of the Department of Tactical and Special Physical Training of the Faculty No. 2, Police Lieutenant Colonel Oleksandr Morhunov;

-    Senior Lecturer of the Department of Tactical and Special Physical Training of the Faculty No. 2, Police Major Mykhailo Kaliuzhnyi;

-   Senior Lecturer of the Department of Tactical and Special Physical Training of the Faculty No. 2, Police Major Oleksandr Sokolov.

Maiia Breslavska, Chief of the Department for Interaction with Communities of the Department of Preventive Activities, said: “The Community Police Officer” Project is promising and successful project. It is already being implemented, and community police officers are working almost all over the country. Congratulations on joining our police family. You have made every effort to assimilate knowledge and acquire skills. I believe that each of you will demonstrate a high level of professionalism in your work in the communities. Good luck to you!”.

Sarah Langenkamp, Director of Law Enforcement Affairs Office of the U.S. Embassy, in her speech, congratulated the police officers and noted that the theoretical knowledge and practical skills acquired during their studies at the university would be useful for them in their future service.

Alona Stryzhak, Head of the Patrol Police Department in Kharkiv Region, congratulated the community police officers and noted that Kharkiv Region Patrol Police was always ready to facilitate and assist in the implementation of new projects.

Viktoriia Mykhalkiv, Graduate of the Courses, Police Captain, expressed gratitude to the lecturers of the university and trainers for gained knowledge, guidelines, and professional experience.

Valerii Sokurenko, Rector of the University, said to the graduates: “Today is a big day for us - the graduation of community police officers at Kharkiv National University of Internal Affairs. This is a continuation of the National Police reforms. The best lecturers and trainers were involved in the implementation of the project "The Community Police Officer". We count on you, on your professionalism, on your desire to get the result, so that citizens feel both protection and support, so that every citizen of Ukraine sees in the community police officer, first of all, a defender and assistant. Serve in such a way that people respect you, and God protects you!".

Acting community police officers of Kharkiv Region demonstrated service vehicles and their equipment.

After the end of the event, the Rector of the University invited the honored guests to get acquainted with the infrastructure of the university, where community police officers had studied. They examined the training grounds and the shooting complex. The guests visited specialized lecture halls, including T. H. Shevchenko lecture hall. They got acquainted with the Center for Ukrainian-Polish Development, the multifunctional training and sports complex "Dynamo-Arena", and the dormitory.

The events were held in compliance with all quarantine requirements.