Quality and Professionalism at Interviewing Victims: Full Cycle with the Participation of Colleagues from the Czech Republic

NEWS

Police delegation from the Czech Republic visited Dnipropetrovsk State University of Internal Affairs in terms of developing cooperation between DSUIA and the National Police. The visit aimed at discussing results of introducing “Methodology of Interviewing Extremely Vulnerable Victims” into the educational process.

The Czech delegation included Miroslav Kortan, Police Education and Training Unit, Division of International Education; Jana Chmelová, Police Education and Training Unit, Training Centre in Holešov; Valerie Fibichová, Police of the Czech Republic, Institute of Criminalistics.

First of all, the Czech delegation met Larysa Nalyvaiko, DSUIA vice-rector, Serhii Obshalov, dean of the Faculty of Training Specialists for Pre-Trial Investigation Bodies, police colonel, and Tetiana Chumachenko, head of International Relations Department.

In course of the meeting, Larysa Nalyvaiko presented the University and made emphasize on key educational directions, peculiarities of training cadets and students as well as educational laboratories, which operate at DSUIA.

“Our University conducts numerous events, including scientific ones. We also develop international cooperation; currently we collaborate with more than 20 countries. It is mutual exchange under the results of signing Memorandums of Cooperation. Moreover, we are the AEPC members, and in terms of our cooperation DSUIA hosted a joint training”, Larysa Nalyvaiko informed.

Besides, the delegation could evaluate an open class “Experience of Police Training at the Educational Institutions of the Czech Republic. Introduction of the Methodology of Interviewing Extremely Vulnerable Victims” with cadets from the Faculty of Training Specialists for Pre-Trial Investigation Bodies.

Natalia Pavlova, associate professor of the Department of Criminalistics and Pre-Medical Training, was the moderator of the class.

According to her, the principal goal of the class was to work over complex police actions from the moment of committing a crime up to the interview.

“Today we suggest you 2 fables. One will be connected with violent treatment of an underage person (6 year old child), while another one with systematic violence towards relatives by a 16 year old girl. For this purpose we will simulate these situations at special training centers”, Natalia Pavlova explained.

According to Mykola Repan, senior lecturer of the Department of Administrative Law, Process and Administrative Activity, there is neither analogue of such interactive flat for combatting domestic violence used for professional training of cadets in Ukraine.

“Today’s class is a closed cycle of events: from the moment of application on committing a crime incoming to making an offender liable”, Mykola Repan added.

In course of the class cadets worked on two fables. Simulation of the situation with police coming to a crime scene and arresting an offender, who violently treated his family, was performed in the interactive flat to combat domestic violence.

Finally, cadets performed interviewing an underage child at the special polygon “Barnahus” with the engagement of DSUIA psychologist.

Another fable was performed as well: a 16 year old girl systematically treated her relatives violently. The cadet in the role of an investigator conjointly with a psychologist performed an interview of the suspect at the training center.

Upon the finishing of the work, teachers discussed mistakes, peculiarities of cases and gave grounded advice to cadets.

This time Czech delegation had an opportunity to give their feedback as well. Thus, Jana Chmelová pointed out that the polygons applied at DSUIA gave a wonderful opportunity to practice theoretical knowledge very deeply.

“I would like to make stress on the tactics of interviewing a child – domestic violence victim – by a police officer. The cadet behaved empathetically and even allowed a child to choose, where to sit down. It is significant in such situations. Moreover, you used special anatomic dolls during the interview, since through playing them children can tell even about sexual violence. You all played your roles perfectly. Separately, I would like to express gratitude to your teachers”, Jana Chmelová said.

In the frames of the visit, the Czech delegation was shown key locations of the University.

 

Public Relations Department

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