Swedish Support to Police Reform in Moldova 2023-2026 (2nd phase)

The progress in the project during 2023 has mainly been in the component of Police Intervention Tactics and Community Policing. The activities started with a study visit from the strategic management group from the GPI to Sweden. The study visit´s focus was to discuss the way forward in the component of Community Policing and get a sense of how the Swedish Police work in this area. The group was also shown a preview on Police Intervention Tactics. The management group had a high level of motivation and engagement in the project after this week in Sweden. In summary, in order to have an overall picture of the Community Policing component and the effects from the last project, in the pilot regions, workshops and interviews were held with initiated personnel on different levels to see what the outcome had been. According to the current situation plans were made for the coming period and for the expansion of the concept and methods to all regions. Under the component of Police Intervention Tactics, 12 male trainers were trained in Police Conflict Management (POLCON). With regards to the Gender Equality component, a workshop was held to outline goals, expectations and to suggest future activities and ways forward. The engagement of the participants was impressive and the obstacles, as well as the different solutions, were identified by both men and women. After the workshop the plan of actions moving forward was set. To reach the goals of equal participation based on gender, there was also a preparatory POL-CON course held for 18 women, which later, after a second selection process became 12. The goal was to prepare these women and to build confidence to become trainers of POLCON during 2024, together with the 12 male trainers. Update for 2024: The 2024 implementation of the Swedish Support to Police Reform in Moldova project has delivered strong and measurable results across its three core components: Community Policing (CP), Police Intervention Tactics (POLKON), and Gender. The performance aligns well with the projects overall objectives of improving community safety, enhancing crime prevention, and building a Moldovan police force with increased public trust. Key Achieved Results Expected Results: Community Policing (CP): Over 800 Local Security Councils (LSCs) established nationwide. 23 new CP trainers trained; refresher courses delivered to existing trainers. Standardized templates and toolkits (e.g. citizen surveys, LSC agendas) developed and rolled out. Agreements signed between police and communities in six regions, showing commitment to local safety collaboration. Police Intervention Tactics (POLKON): 38 new trainers, including 14 women, trained; 23 officers received basic tactical training. GPI independently organized and delivered a basic training course for the first timean important milestone for sustainability. Curriculum for both basic and trainer-level POLKON courses developed and applied. Specialized training delivered for police patrol boat operations following equipment donations. Gender Component: Womens Leadership Program launched, engaging 18 participants with coaching, workshops, and a study visit to Sweden. Number of women in GPI decision-making roles increased from 112 in 2023 to 123 in 2024. A Gender-Responsive Leadership Program was co-developed with the Folke Bernadotte Academy for rollout in 2025. Unexpected/Positive Results: The enthusiastic uptake of CP by police officers and managers exceeded expectations; several officers expressed personal satisfaction and motivation tied to more proactive engagement with communities. The all-female POLKON Training of Trainers course was not originally expected to yield such strong commitment and confidence, both from trainees and existing trainers. It has become a model for future inclusive training efforts. Informal interest from the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) in gender mainstreaming, leading to an unexpected but strategic high-level workshop involving senior decision-makers. The proactive role of regional mayors in LSCs has helped bridge gaps between police and communities, contributing to increased local ownership of security efforts. The project has built strong institutional foundations and catalyzed change within the Moldovan Police, including shifts toward greater professionalism, inclusiveness, and community responsiveness. Despite minor delays in a few components, overall performance is assessed as highly satisfactory with a clear trajectory toward sustainability and local ownership. Update 2023: The Swedish Support to Police Reform in Moldova during May-December 2023, has made significant progress in its three core components: Community Policing, Police Intervention Tactics, and Gender Equality. The results achievedboth expected and unexpectedhighlight advancements in capacity building, organizational restructuring, and national ownership of key reforms. Key Achievements Community Policing The model has been successfully implemented in most pilot sectors, leading to increased public trust and collaboration through Local Security Councils. Preventive policing has helped reduce crime and improve community safety. However, challenges remain in fully adopting the SARA method and ensuring consistent documentation and analysis. Police Intervention Tactics Training-of-Trainers (ToT) sessions were successfully conducted, equipping 12 trainers with expertise in Police Conflict Management (POLCON). Participants noted that Swedish tactics were more dynamic and effective than previous methods, improving confidence and professionalism. A gender-mainstreaming initiative integrated 12 female officers into the training program, ensuring a balanced approach. Gender Equality and Equal Opportunities A dedicated workshop on gender equality sparked productive discussions on systemic barriers and strategies for improvement. A leadership development program for female officers and a gender coaching program for senior managers are planned for 2024. Lessons Learned Sustainability & Ownership: The Training-of-Trainers approach ensures long-term benefits, but continued mentoring is needed for trainers to develop leadership and pedagogical skills. Implementation Challenges: While Community Policing has been well-received, proper training and structured national rollout plans are needed to avoid fragmentation. Organizational Support: Trainers require incentives and time allocation to balance their duties with training responsibilities. Political & Security Risks: Political instability and the war in Ukraine remain external risks requiring continuous monitoring and strategic adaptation. There is a need to expand Community Policing nationwide, with structured training and assessment tools. Further strengthen Police Intervention Tactics, including additional gender-inclusive ToT sessions and specialized training for patrol boat operations. Launch a Police Women Leadership Talent Program and a recruitment campaign to encourage gender diversity in the Moldovan Police. Enhance Communication Strategies, including public perception analysis and police education system mapping.Overall Assessment The project is on track to achieving its goals despite existing challenges. The reforms are gradually enhancing police competence, public trust, and gender inclusivity, setting a strong foundation for continued progress in 2024 and beyond. Update 2024: The 2024 implementation of the Swedish Support to Police Reform in Moldova project has delivered strong and measurable results across its three core components: Community Policing (CP), Police Intervention Tactics (POLKON), and Gender. The performance aligns well with the projects overall objectives of improving community safety, enhancing crime prevention, and building a Moldovan police force with increased public trust. Key Achieved Results Expected Results: Community Policing (CP): Over 800 Local Security Councils (LSCs) established nationwide. 23 new CP trainers trained; refresher courses delivered to existing trainers. Standardized templates and toolkits (e.g. citizen surveys, LSC agendas) developed and rolled out. Agreements signed between police and communities in six regions, showing commitment to local safety collaboration. Police Intervention Tactics (POLKON): 38 new trainers, including 14 women, trained; 23 officers received basic tactical training. GPI independently organized and delivered a basic training course for the first timean important milestone for sustainability. Curriculum for both basic and trainer-level POLKON courses developed and applied. Specialized training delivered for police patrol boat operations following equipment donations. Gender Component: Womens Leadership Program launched, engaging 18 participants with coaching, workshops, and a study visit to Sweden. Number of women in GPI decision-making roles increased from 112 in 2023 to 123 in 2024. A Gender-Responsive Leadership Program was co-developed with the Folke Bernadotte Academy for rollout in 2025. Unexpected/Positive Results: The enthusiastic uptake of CP by police officers and managers exceeded expectations; several officers expressed personal satisfaction and motivation tied to more proactive engagement with communities. The all-female POLKON Training of Trainers course was not originally expected to yield such strong commitment and confidence, both from trainees and existing trainers. It has become a model for future inclusive training efforts. Informal interest from the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) in gender mainstreaming, leading to an unexpected but strategic high-level workshop involving senior decision-makers. The proactive role of regional mayors in LSCs has helped bridge gaps between police and communities, contributing to increased local ownership of security efforts. The project has built strong institutional foundations and catalyzed change within the Moldovan Police, including shifts toward greater professionalism, inclusiveness, and community responsiveness. Despite minor delays in a few components, overall performance is assessed as highly satisfactory with a clear trajectory toward sustainability and local ownership.

According to the project proposal, the overall objective of the project is Increased community safety, improved prevention of crime and a Moldovan police organisation enjoying a high level of public trust. The objective is base on the following long term outcomes: - Responsiveness. Improved responsiveness to the expressed security and safety needs of men, women, boys and girls in Moldovan communities. - Professionalism.Improved tactical ability to communicate, cope with stress and manage conflicts, in addition to assessing risks in police operations. - Representation. Improved gender balance across ranks and the Police more representative of the society is serves. The intervention is built on 3 intervention areas (project components): 1. Community policing. The activities in this component are aiming at improving crimes' prevention, public trust in police and at increasing safety at the local level for men/boys, women/girls. The following results are expected: - A National Implementation Plan for Community Policing established - Organisational structure, functions, roles, mandate and responsibilities for Community Policing clarified - Community policing toolkit improved and established - Strengthened community policing training system - Community Policing communication and awareness-raising enhanced - Management support and community engagement enhanced 2. Basic Tactics. The project intends to improve the ability of the police to assess situations and communicate constructively with the public, to capacitate the police to reduce the use of violence in police interactions with the public, to build capacities to promote less assaults on police officers. The component expects the following results: - A resourced/mandated cadre of national instructors and trainers in Basic Tactics established - Strengthened Basic Tactics training system within the Moldovan police organisation - Basic Tactics integrated in the curriculum for basic police training (Stefan cel Mare Academy, CIPAL) - Improved planning, monitoring and follow-up of Basic Tactics training and implementation 3. Gender Equality. The overall expectation from this component is to facilitate an improved gender equality and equal opportunities within the Moldovan Police via improving gender balance across ranks, increasing the number of women engaged in operational police work, improving awareness of how to prevent and react to sexual harassment. The following results are set to be achieved: - Enhanced policy framework for Equal Opportunities - Gender mainstreamed GPI communication - Improved management awareness and commitment to gender equality and equal opportunities - Increased understanding for existing sexual harassment mechanisms within European Police Organisations - Enhanced human resource management for gender equality and equal opportunities