06-08, 14:30–14:50 (Europe/Vilnius), Panel Room II - II-232
Cyprus Police, like all police organizations had to face the pandemic situation immediately and effectively. The challenges and difficulties were unprecedented both in the operational and the technical sector. The staff, trainers and trainees of the Cyprus Police Academy were called upon to adjust to the new circumstances in fulfilling their mission of educating, training and preparing the new recruits to become police officers.
Regardless of the considerable hesitations expressed in the past regarding distance learning, the digitalization of education at the Cyprus Police Academy became a fact, beginning with the online training of new recruits. If this change was not introduced, the training of new recruits would have to stop, at a crucial period where there was an urgent need for more police officers.
The purpose of this proposed research study is to focus on the commencement of the digitalization training of law enforcement officials in Cyprus, as a result of the pandemic measures, by identifying the main challenges, needs and problems faced, as well as the readiness and capability level of those involved in the on-line training and the use of digital tools.
To do so, a survey is to be carried out among trainers and staff of the Cyprus Police Academy. Specifically, qualitative data will be collected using a semi-structured questionnaire, which will be completed through personal interviews with at least 12 members.
This research study, which is the first of its kind at the Cyprus Police Academy, is expected to provide outcomes and suggestions in relation to the digitalization of police education not only in Cyprus but other law enforcement Organizations as well and form the basis for further research in applying good practices and modern training methods.
Dr. Markianos Kokkinos is the Director of the Strategy and Change Management Directorate of Cyprus Police and an adjunct Lecturer in Research Methods in Police Studies at the Open University of Cyprus. He is also member of CEPOL National Research and Science Correspondents. His research and publications focus on a range of topics, including crime and tourism, road traffic collisions, police personnel, police body-worn cameras, crime trend assessment, and police evaluation surveys. His most recent project activity is the Cyprus Police Reform Programme (2020 - 2023).