23/05/2024

In the presence of high political officials of BiH, heads of police agencies, BiH Federation ministers, cantonal and other officials, relatives and friends, 98 cadets of the Border Police of BiH have been promoted to the rank of police officers at the Agency for Education and Professional Training (AEPTM) today. The 19th class of cadets attended Level I basic police training at AEPTM according to the Curriculum harmonized with FRONTEX Common Core Curriculum for Basic Training of the Border and Coast Guard of the European Union.

While speaking about the eight-month training programme, director Marko Vujević stated that AEPTM applies the standards of Frontex and uses modern equipment, especially when it comes to the detection of forged documents, as well as in various professional and specialist training programmes for the Border Police. "The cadets, who are receiving the rank of police officers, are expected to bring fresh energy to the Border Police and work together with their mentors and senior colleagues to meet the challenges of the migrant crisis, the so-called Balkan routes, and carry out other border security operations, thus upholding the stability of our country’s security system " – Vujević said at the certificate-award ceremony.

The assistant director of the Border Police, Dragan Kulić, welcomed the new Border Police members: "Dear cadets, may you have all of the success in your career and private life. You are expected to build and promote mutual trust and good relations with citizens, achieve and improve partnership relations and cooperation with other law enforcement agencies. By successfully completing the basic police training, 98 of you will take up employment as police officers and become part of the BiH security system. One of the most important strategic goals of the Border Police of BiH is to strengthen the workforce as a prerequisite for the efficient border control, protection and supervision of the state border, and prevention of cross-border crime". Kulić thanked the AEPTM management, the teaching staff and everyone who contributed to the successful implementation of the teaching process, particularly the EU Office for having provided funds for the education of this class of cadets.

Deputy Minister Ivica Bošnjak congratulated the cadets on behalf of the Ministry of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina. "It is my honor and pleasure to share these beautiful moments with you. The job of police officer is never easy anywhere, and the only way to fight well and cope with all security challenges is to work and get trained continually. That is the only formula for success," Bošnjak emphasized.

Mate Lončar, an advisor to the chairperson of the BiH Council of Ministers, conveyed the congratulations of the chairperson Borjana Krišto to the young people who decided to join the police service, thus showing their willingness to protect the border and every resident of BiH. "The joint efforts we invest in strengthening the border security must be continued. When we finish the negotiations with FRONTEX, I am sure that we will carry out this part of the work even in a better way, with the help of our friends from the EU. The work of AEPTM and dedication of its management have been recognized both within the borders of Bosnia and Herzegovina and abroad. Therefore, I take this opportunity to express the strong support of our office led by Borjana Krišto for all of your activities" - said Lončar. He pointed out that the BiH Council of Ministers will provide a strong support to solving the issue of shortage of personnel, but also to all other activities of the Border Police.

The training was conducted according to the curriculum aligned with FRONTEX's Common Core Curriculum for Border and Coast Guard basic training. It lasted 34 weeks (1293 teaching hours), and was divided into three phases: theory with practice classes, scenario-based classes and professional operations training with the final exam. The curriculum includes 16 subjects: police powers and ethics, handling weapons and shooting skills, criminal tactics, techniques and methods, traffic safety, special physical education, physical culture and first aid, criminal psychology, the Constitution, criminal, misdemeanor and criminal procedure law, human rights, informatics and communication technologies and the English language.

The average grade achieved by this class is very good 4. At the end of each training programme, the Agency's Teaching Council singles out individuals for their commitment, collegiality, work maturity, good behavior and decision-making. Upon proposal of lecturers, instructors and mentors, cadets Emir Alagić, Adem Dautović and Stojan Knežević received letters of commendation for excellence in the educational process, while the award for the best cadet of the class, with a big round of applause, went to cadet Vanja Vuković-Zubac.