Madrid, Spain, 12-14 November 2024 – During three days, the Madrid Local Police Academy, organised as part of the PACTESUR 2 project in which Efus is a partner, brought together more than 50 local police officers from 14 cities from all over Europe (Belgium, Estonia, France, Greece, Italy, Lithuania, Latvia, Portugal, Slovenia and Spain). This event combined theory and practical activities, focusing on real-world application and shared learning.
Participants gained insights into public space protection through a diverse set of activities, including panel discussions, field visits and simulation exercises.
This format encouraged the sharing of operational protocols, helping build a common commitment to urban security and community safety across Europe.
“We want to build a security approach that goes beyond maintaining law and order, and also includes the general welfare of people and the protection of their rights. This philosophy cannot be achieved without protocols, coordination models and information exchange. The PACTESUR 2 Academy with Efus is a unique opportunity to exchange knowledge and learn from other environments and other municipal police forces in Europe.” – Pablo Enrique Rodriguez Perez, Director, Madrid Municipal Police
Inmaculada Sanz Otero, Deputy Mayor and Delegate for Security and Emergencies of the Madrid City Council, emphasised Madrid’s commitment to enhancing the protection of public spaces while fostering collaboration and the exchange of best practices with European local police forces.
The representative of the Madrid local police highlighted to the participants of the Academy that “community policing is essential for preventing violent radicalisation” as it is an opportunity to reach isolated areas. He gave the example of Fuenlabrada, on the outskirts of Madrid, where local police officers are trained in countering violent extremism that may lead to terrorism.
The new Strategic Plan for the Prevention and Fight Against Violent Radicalisation of the Madrid local police focuses on municipalities, bringing together working groups that include municipal representatives, trade directors, social services, psychologists, municipal and national police, and the Guardia Civil to address the issue collaboratively.
EU-POLNET: A Platform for Peer-to-Peer Collaboration
This event was also the opportunity for the EU-POLNET network to gather and continue the discussions around reinforcing cooperation with European local police forces. By promoting peer-to-peer exchanges, EU-POLNET is creating opportunities for local police forces from various European cities and countries to learn from one another and unify their efforts in addressing urban security challenges.
European local police on the front line
As we saw recently during the tragic floods in the Valencia region, local police forces are on the front line when a crisis appears. It is necessary for local police forces to have a strong network allowing them to share their experiences and learn from others.
By bringing together local police forces across Europe in simulation exercises, the Police Academy paved the way for better coordination between security and emergency services, innovative solutions, operational excellence, and stronger ties among European cities as they face common security challenges.
> More information about the PACTESUR 2 project and the EU-POLNET network.
