A regional training on weapons identification and control for 20 staffers of the Main Office of the National Police in the Kirovohrad region was held at the Donetsk State University of Internal Affairs. The event was organized jointly with the Center for Security Studies “CENSS” and Small Arms Survey with financial support from the Government of Germany.
On behalf of the DonSUIA Rector, Serhii Vitvitskyi, the participants were welcomed by First Vice-Rector of the University, Olena Volobuieva. She emphasized that training modern police officers capable of competently and responsibly counteracting the illegal trafficking of weapons is one of the key tasks of the state, especially in conditions of war and the presence of arsenals among the civilian population.
Serhii Zlakoman, Supervisor of the Antimine Action aspect of the SENSS Security Research Center, delivered a welcoming speech, emphasizing the importance of partnerships between scientific institutions, international organizations, and law enforcement agencies for strengthening national capacity in the field of arms control.
The trainers and moderators of the event were leading specialists of the DonSUIA: Deputy Director of the Educational and Scientific Institute for Training Specialists for Criminal Police Units Olga Merdova; Head of the Department for Organizing the Educational Process Artur Voloboiev; Head of the Research Laboratory on Preventing Criminal Offenses, Senior Researcher Tetiana Ponomariova.
The training program included interactive modules, practical exercises, and group discussions aimed at building competencies in the field of weapon identification, detection of weapons conversion, legal seizure and transportation, and preservation of evidence.
The regional training is another step in the implementation of joint initiatives of the DonSUIA and international partners aimed at improving professional training of law enforcement officers, developing practical skills, and strengthening the institutional capacity of the National Police of Ukraine in the field of security and control over the circulation of weapons.
