The Community Policing Team within the Police Advisory Section here at EUPOL COPPS is composed of two very experienced colleagues, hailing from Italy and Canada respectively. Pietro Tripodi, Sostituto Commissario della Polizia di Stato holds the post of Community Policing Senior Advisor, and joined EUPOL COPPS in November 2021; whilst Sergeant Brian Lowe, Halton Regional Police Service is our Community Policing Advisor and joined the Mission in October 2021.

Whilst Pietro and Brian have had very diverse careers, the evident silver thread is their years of experience (over 70 years between them) in their respective Police forces, which in turn has enabled them to not only form an excellent team, but to establish a strong and fruitful working relationship with our local counterparts, as they successfully execute their mandate within the Mission.

The Community Policing Team sat down with the PPIO Team and shared their experience within EUPOL COPPS.
 
Tell us a little about yourself (nationality, professional background and experience and expertise)
Pietro: I’m a Police Officer serving in the Italian State Police for the last 36 years. During my career I have held various roles, such as armed response patrol crew and supervisor, as part of United Nation Police in Kosovo and as part of the European External Action Service as a duty officer within the Situation Room and at the Military Staff Watch Keeping Capability.
Brian: I am seconded by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to this Mission.  I hold a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology, and have 35 years of policing experience and have been involved in community patrol, investigations, SWAT, Explosive Disposal, Ground Search and Rescue and Marine Patrol. My skill set includes planning, training, and operations of the various functions I have worked within. 
 
Explain your portfolio here at EUPOL COPPS
Pietro: Within the Mission I hold the post of Senior Police Advisor for the Community Oriented Police. In a nutshell the duties and responsibilities revolve around advising our counterparts within the Palestinian Civilian Police the best way to close the gap between the Police and society as a whole. Not an easy task given our area of operation and its challenges, but we are fortunate to enjoy an excellent working relationship with our counterparts, both centrally and throughout the districts, which in turn enables us to execute our mandate strategically and in partnership with the PCP.
Brian: I am a Community Policing Advisor, and my role is to provide my PCP counterparts with strategic advice on Community Policing operations and training. As Pietro has mentioned, our working relationship with our local counterparts is a very fruitful one, and this thanks to our joint efforts in establishing a solid ground for our partnership, which goes from strength to strength.
 
 
What do you enjoy most about forming part of EUPOL COPPS, and about working in the Region?
Pietro: Forming part of EUPOLCOPPS is a truly rewarding experience: The Mission is formed of colleagues from all around EU as well as from Contributing Countries. That creates a very unique “melting pot” in term of fields of expertise and personal experience. Within the EUPOLCOPPS Police Advisory Section I have the pleasure to lead a Community Policing team in which Brian, my Canadian colleague and friend, and I ensure that our duties and responsibilities meet the requirements of our direct counterparts, and that we are able to positively contribute to the Community Policing portfolio within the PCP. The clear perception of everyday efforts by all Mission members in order to “make a difference” in working with our respective counterparts is what makes me proud to work in the Region.
Brian: aside from our operational activities coming to fruition, what I value is the unique opportunity to meet and work with so many colleagues and local citizens from a wide variety of operational, national and cultural backgrounds.
 
What are the challenges you face, and how, in your view, may they be overcome?
Pietro: It is evident that EUPOLCOPPS operates in quite a delicate and unique right in the middle of the longest standing conflict in history. That places on our shoulders the added responsibility to understand the present situation and to do our utmost to collaborate closely with our local and international counterparts, drawing from our personal experience and expertise, thus exchanging best practices and solid policing values, the ultimate goal being the building of a modern Police Force enjoying the full trust of the society.
Brian: Changing mindset in regard to adapting more community policing approaches versus the traditional reactive “catching bad guys” approach.  While old school reaction to calls from the public still forms a significant percentage of police work, getting ahead of issues in response to community input and tackling problems in a collaborate multi-stakeholder approach is an effective tool when added to the police “tool kit”.
 
Pietro and Brian, thank you! The PPIO Team is very pleased to support your endeavours. Given that your portfolio is very closely linked to ours in terms of public perception and trust in the local Authorities, we look forward to our continued partnership on our projects. Keep up the good work and the excellent teamwork!