News
EUPOL COPPS Workshop strengthens accountability awareness within the Palestinian Civil Police
To enhance accountability practices within the Palestinian Civil Police (PCP), EUPOL COPPS organised the "Oversight in Action: Strengthening Accountability" workshop, on 9-10 June in Ramallah. The 14 participants engaged in discussions and practical exercises and training activities were conducted by PCP and international officers. Topics included the identification of accountability needs across their respective districts, refresher sessions on accountability fundamentals, including oversight mechanisms and gender sensitivity, supported by international examples (for example Canadian and Norwegian practices), information technology, crime scene investigations and the identification of priority training needs for Internal Security investigators to enhance accountability The workshop aimed at contributing to strengthen sustainable, locally driven training capacity and enhance a culture of accountability within the PCP.
New specialised training programme marks milestone for Palestinian criminal investigations
Despite ongoing challenges in the region, EUPOL COPPS and the Palestinian Civil Police (PCP) proudly launched the first-ever Criminal Investigative Specialised Training Programme on 7–8 June in Jericho. This intensive eight-week course is designed to enhance the skills of criminal investigators and promote evidence-based policing aligned with international standards. Developed in close collaboration between EUPOL COPPS and PCP, the programme blends European best practices with Palestinian expertise, delivered by Palestinian police trainers to ensure long-term sustainability. At the opening ceremony at the Palestinian College for Police Sciences, Head of Mission Karin Limdal reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to supporting the Palestinian security and justice sectors, calling the initiative a vital step toward a modern, sustainable criminal investigative training system. The programme draws on insights from European criminal investigation services, including Slovenia and Germany, and was created in partnership with PCP’s Training Administration, Criminal Investigation Department, and other investigative units.
With EUPOL COPPS support, the Palestinian Police gather to boost coordination and communication between Training Administration and districts
To contribute to a more professional, effective, and sustainable police service, EUPOL COPPS and the Palestinian Civil Police (PCP) Training Administration, held a two-day strategic leadership and training workshop in Ramallah on 02-03 June. This is the second phase of a workshop series launched in December 2025. Participants included district commanders, district training coordinators, PCP members of human resources units and PCP trainers. The workshop, conducted in close cooperation with the PCP’s Training Administration, aimed to enhance the capacity of sustainable planning and coordination with trainers and district commanders in the West Bank. Bringing together all key stakeholders provided a valuable opportunity to improve communication, build stronger professional relationships, and promote coordinated approaches and explore practical solutions. For the Police, well-planned training is a key factor in enabling organisations to anticipate challenges and allocate resources effectively by ensuring that the right personnel are trained for the right positions. This supports the achievement of long-term public safety goals.
Palestinian police and society join forces to boost Community Policing standards
Strong cooperation between police and society plays a vital role in maintaining public safety, peace, and trust within communities. Effective policing depends also on the support and participation of the public. To further enhance such cooperation, EUPOL COPPS held a two-day workshop, “Society is key” for 20 Palestinian Civil Police (PCP) officers, representatives of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and influential local figures which focused on Community Policing international standards on 18-19 May in Jericho. The “Society is Key” workshop aimed to strengthen the PCP’s engagement with local stakeholders, open new perspectives for future cooperation to address recurring challenges and improve community relations with the PCP. During the event, the participants discussed several topics including international models of Community Policing, the role of CSO’s and society representatives in enhancing relationship between the PCP and the public and the related on maintaining public safety, peace, and trust within communities.
Supporting the Palestinian Civil Police in Establishment Evidence Tracking System
Implementing an effective evidence management system is key to establish a reliable and efficient system for recording and managing items seized by the Palestinian Civilian Police (PCP) when combat illicit activities. To further develop the PCP’s performance, EUPOL COPPS handed over IT material to the PCP’s IT department, on 11 May in Ramallah. The material is destined to units including the Family Juvenile Protection, Criminal Investigations and Internal Security. The IT material included 27 laptops, 20 tablets, 28 printers and 3 projectors. This kind of needs-based support aims at enhancing evidence traceability, increase transparency in police procedures, strengthen the legal security and the integrity of investigations. Among the objectives of the EUPOL COPPS’ led project is the digitisation of key processes for evidence handling and establish standardised procedures to improve the efficiency of criminal investigations. These elements are key to build trust between the society and the police.
Building Bridges for Collaborative Strategies for Justice & Community Trust in Palestine
Building Bridges for Collaborative Strategies for Justice & Community Trust in Ramallah and East Jerusalem districts is an EUPOL COPPS’ led strategic initiative, aimed at fostering cooperation and deepening mutual understanding among key Palestinian stakeholders at headquarters and district level. This initiative started in Bethlehem eighteen months ago, to unfold in a series of events across the West Bank, namely Jericho, Jenin (including Tubas, Qalqilya and Tulkarem), culminating in Ramallah on 12-14 May. This final Building Bridges event features a series of cross-sectional round-table-discussions and workshops focusing on addressing critical issues impacting access to security and justice in Palestine, aiming at building public trust. Key Palestinian actors and institutions, the Office of the European Union Representative - West Bank and Gaza Strip (EUREP) and international stakeholders are involved in the event. Among the opening session’s attendees this morning, were the Palestinian Minister of Justice, Sharhabil Al-Zaeem, the Minister of Interior Ziad Hab Al-Reeh, the Chief of the Palestinian Civil Police (PCP), Major Geneal Allam al-Saqqa, the Chief Justice/President of the Palestinian High Judicial Council, Mohamed Abedghani Aliwawi, the Attorney General, Akram Al-Khatib, the Palestinian Anti-Corruption Commission, Raed Radwan, the Head of the Palestinian Bar Association, Fadi Abbas, and the deputy Head of the EU Representation Office to Palestine, James Rizzo. Leaders and representatives from Ramallah’s First Instance Court Public Prosecutors and Palestinian Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) also are also attending the event. In her opening remarks, EUPOL COPPS Head of Mission (HoM), Karin Limdal, outlined the main objectives of the Building Bridges series, particularly, to consolidate partnership and communication channels between Palestinian security and justice sector institutions and actors across the West Bank, to facilitate the access to justice and promote transparency and accountability in both justice and law enforcement practices. She also highlighted the difficult situation under which this initiative is organised, while underlining the importance of moving ahead on improvements and that the EU and EUPOL COPPS are close partners in this endeavour. Topics of discussion include strategic and operational cooperation between different criminal justice actors, decrease backlog and enhance efficiency, coordination amongst the PCP and justice actors, challenges in investigation, ethical principles, debtor-detention issues, early legal representation and challenges on witness protection.
Ensuring effectiveness and efficiency of justice policies in Palestine
To support the Palestinian Ministry of Justice in enhancing capacities to address challenges on responding to legal, institutional, and technological transformations, requiring the development of a modern strategic and evidence-based approach to public policymaking, EUPOL COPPS organised a workshop in Ramallah on 11 May. The activity, led by an external expert, focused on collectively identifying the needs internally in the Ministry within this field, how policymaking should be organized within the Ministry and to develop a roadmap for implementing the agreed steps with the overall aim was to ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of justice policies. The Palestinian Minister of Justice, Sharhabeel Yousef Al Zaeem, and EUPOL COPPS Head of Mission (HoM), Karin Limdal, opened the event. HoM, underlined in her opening remarks the importance of evidence-based policymaking for a well- functioning justice system and as the Palestinian Authority is facing a major crisis, not the least from a financial point of view, this has become even more important. HoM complimented the dedication of the MoJ staff for continuing to carry out their work despite the grim situation and assured the Minister of Justice of the Mission’s continued support.
Palestinian High Judicial Council’s Technical Office exchange on expertise in Jordan
Strengthening capacity and share expertise was at the core of an exchange visit for the Palestinian High Judicial Council (HJC) Technical Office and the Jordanian Judicial Council. The exchange, organised by EUPOL COPPS took place on 4-6 May in Amman, Jordan. Participants discussed key topics including methods for analysing judicial precedents, preparation of specialised legal studies, database automation, and development of annual work plans. The delegation also engaged directly with different departments of the Jordanian Technical Office, gaining insight into legal research, case classification, linguistic review, and administrative processes. The Palestinian delegation met with the Director of the Technical Office, who provided an overview of its mandate and operations, and visited the Court of Appeal’s Technical Office to learn about its working procedures. Discussions with judges and staff highlighted best practices, including the use of standardized procedural manuals to enhance consistency and institutionalization.
Addressing needs of vulnerable groups - EUPOL COPPS organises workshop in Ramallah
To raise awareness about victimisation, unfair treatment that makes someone a victim, EUPOL COPPS organises a workshop for Palestinian Civil Police (PCP) officers on 6–7 May in Ramallah. The sessions focus on vulnerable groups, including children, youth, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities. The training, which focuses on different forms of violence, is designed for 18 newly recruited PCP’s Family Protection and Juvenile Department (FJPD), alongside other police officers. Participants discuss several topics including domestic abuse, violence against children and youth, and victimisation of elderly people and persons with disabilities. As expected outcome of the workshop, the attendees can enhance their skills in identifying causes of violence. This includes online victimisation, recognising different types of abuse, as well as risk environments, including the home, the school, the community, and online spaces. In addition, practical skills in detecting signs of victimisation through active listening, and interpreting body language and behaviour, is addressed to enhance the ability to respond to needs and work on prevention.
Workshop in Amman builds communication and leadership skills for Palestinian Justice officials
Enhancing the administrative and leadership capacities of staff in the Palestinian justice sector is an ongoing activity. It strengthens institutional efficiency, improves judicial independence, and builds public trust in the rule of law. To maintain such training approach, EUPOL COPPS organises a three-day workshop for three key institutions of the Palestinian justice sector, namely the High Judicial Council (HJC), the Constitutional Court, and the Palestinian Judicial Institute (PJI) that commenced on 4 May in Amman, Jordan, and runs for three days. This training programme, which was held at the Institute of Public Administration, is designed to strengthen participants’ competencies in supervisory practices, leadership, and workplace management. It combines theoretical input with practical application, with a focus on enhancing communication, performance management, conflict resolution, and leadership for change. During the first two days of the event, the participants have gained insight on improving communication and coordination among judicial personnel, increasing application of structured supervisory and performance management tools, enhancing ability to manage and resolve workplace conflicts, strengthening leadership practices supporting institutional development and adopting coaching approaches within supervisory roles.