From Confrontation to Trust: Police Officers Gain Conflict De-escalation Skills with EUAM Support
November 20, 2025
When emotions run high and tension fills the air, a single word or gesture can determine whether a situation escalates or calms down. Recognising this, and at the request of the National Police of Ukraine (NPU), the European Union Advisory Mission (EUAM) Ukraine supported two train-of-trainers seminars on crisis communication and conflict de-escalation for police officers, hosted by the Rivne Patrol Police Academy on 6-17 October and 3-14 November.
The course focused on preparing police trainers who will later cascade their knowledge nationwide, ensuring that the principles of dialogue, empathy, and de-escalation become integral to everyday police practice.
“The purpose of the event was to train police officers as trainers for further sessions on crisis communication for police units,” explained Maya Breslavska, Head of the Community Policing Department within the NPU’s Preventive Activities Department. “This will ensure a high level of professional response to statements and reports in crisis situations, improve conflict-resolution practices – particularly in interaction with military personnel – and help strengthen trust in the police as an institution ready to support citizens in the most difficult moments.”
Over nearly two weeks, participants explored techniques to manage tension, communicate under pressure, and provide support in emotionally charged situations. The sessions combined practical exercises, psychological insights, and real-life scenarios reflecting the challenges police officers face daily in wartime Ukraine.
“A crisis is not just about danger. It is also about the chance to help a person return to life,” said Rostyslav Petriv, psychiatrist and medical psychologist who served as one of the trainers. “We do not just teach crisis communication – we are shaping a new culture of mutual understanding between police officers and people in crisis.”
For EUAM Ukraine, supporting this training is part of a broader effort to build a new relationship between law enforcement and society, grounded in empathy, service, and trust.
“Effective crisis communication and conflict de-escalation skills are at the heart of this mission,” noted Ralf Hoegedal, EUAM Senior Adviser on Stability Policing. “These are not just professional tools – they are essential instruments for promoting peace, understanding, and unity. This approach is more than a strategy; it is a path towards the democratisation of policing. It represents a transformation in how law enforcement interacts with the public – one built on dialogue rather than division, service rather than authority, and trust rather than fear.”
“Today, together with our partners, we are laying the foundation for a new culture of professional interaction within the police,” said Valerii Koba, Head of the Department for Supporting the Activities of the Head of the National Police of Ukraine. “This is how we build a system in which every police officer can act with confidence, composure, and humanity in any crisis. It is an investment in professionalism, trust, and the quality of police service that we are obliged to deliver to our citizens every day,” he concluded.
Once the course is completed, the trained officers will cascade the programme throughout the country, and thousands of police officers across Ukraine will gain the skills necessary to respond more effectively to emergencies, resolve disputes, and strengthen public trust in the police.
