Building trust by listening and fostering cooperation between police and the communities they serve are key elements to keep communities safe everywhere. EUPOL COPPS’ advisors from Sweden exchanged about their experience of community policing and leadership at a workshop held at the Palestine College for Police Science (PCPS) in Jericho on 27 September.

The Swedish advisors stressed that there is no one-size-fits-all approach. While international experience can offer useful ideas, each community has its own unique needs and challenges. For this reason, since Palestinian Civil Police (PCP) officers know their communities best they are best placed to shape approaches that respond to local realities.

The participants to the workshop shared their own experiences and brainstormed on how community policing can strengthen relationships between police and the people they serve.