National Police Officers Enhance Skills in Critical Incident Management
August 15, 2025
On 29-30 July and 6-7 August 2025, EUAM Ukraine delivered two trainings on critical incident management for more than 30 first responders from the National Police of Ukraine in Odesa and Kirovohrad regions.
The NPU is one of the first state authority to take control of a liberated area after the military withdraws. In such situations, police officers may face communities traumatised by occupation, war and economic hardship.
Critical incident management, is a law enforcement technique for engaging with individuals who threaten violence, including barricaded subjects, stalkers, armed criminals, and hostage-takers. Often initiated by the first officers on the scene, it requires rapid decision-making, strong communication skills, and the ability to remain calm under pressure.
“Even in my relatively short career, I have already faced some stressful and dangerous situations – some involving real threats to the lives of my colleagues,” says Denys, an investigator from Odesa. “This training helps us understand how to act correctly in such moments: to stay calm, ensure our own safety and that of others, and communicate effectively.”
Both trainings were delivered jointly by EUAM advisers and an NPU officer specialised in negotiation, who acted as co-trainer. This approach not only equips participants with the tools to manage critical incidents but also builds the capacity of the NPU to independently deliver such trainings in the future. The sessions were further enriched by contributions from an NPU psychologist and a negotiator from the Rapid Operational Response Unit, who shared practical operational insights.
Training scenarios included natural disasters, terrorist attacks, and mass-casualty events. Officers learned to prioritise actions, coordinate effectively, and allocate resources during chaotic situations – all while staying focused and applying effective communication techniques.
“When the pressure mounts and we find ourselves in a chaotic situation, how we manage a critical incident defines who we are – as police officers, as a team, and as a service to our community,” noted Desiree Hufnagl, EUAM Adviser. “Adopting unified approaches grounded in EU standards isn’t just a checkbox – it means that no matter the uniform or language, we respond together with professionalism, integrity, and a shared sense of responsibility.”
By strengthening the capacity of police officers to respond to critical incidents, EUAM supports Ukraine’s law enforcement agencies in adopting European standards that enhance public safety, uphold the rule of law, and build trust within communities.
