First-Tac

From 10 to 14 June 2024 the second pilot training was held at the Lithuanian Police School in Mastaičiai, within the Erasmus+ project Development of Joint Curriculum for First Responders on the Use of Force and First Aid Tactical Procedures (FIRST-TAC). 

The project is led by the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Croatia, Police Academy – The First Croatian Police Officer, and its partners: the Agency for Education and Professional Training from Mostar, the Lithuanian Police School and the Police School in Slupsk, Poland. 

Within the project, experts from partner institutions have jointly created a training program for police officers in the field of tactics and techniques for the use of force and tactical medicine. The ultimate goal is to improve and standardize the conduct of first responding police officers when using coercive measures and providing first aid through the exchange of experience and harmonization of national programs of partner countries, under the motto “Saving lives – harmonized and standardized European policing”.

The first step of the training was independent online learning through the e-learning system of the Police Academy – The First Croatian Police Officer, which required approximately eight hours of learning. Upon completion of online learning, learners were ready to be included in a practical five-day live training. Online phase of learning gave them the opportunity to refresh and improve their theoretical knowledge before coming to the practical part of the training – by studying the materials prepared for them and checking their understanding of those materials through a series of short quizzes.

Overall 24 learners from partner institutions were included, six from each. During the five days in Lithuania they had a chance to learn and practice together, sharing their thoughts and experience.

“The most useful part of the training for me personally was tactical medicine, because it was the first time that I was involved in a training related to the MARCH protocol and providing first aid in situations that are not safe”, said Ružica Baćak after the training, adding that it was very useful to see that actions of police officers from various countries are actually very similar, with minor differences in techniques. 

This observation is in line with the objectives of the Erasmus+ program, from which the project is funded – professional, cultural and personal exchange and development, as well as the strenghtening of a common, European identity.

After this second pilot training, two more are planned – at the Agency for Training and Professional Development of Personnel in Mostar in September and the Police School in Slupsk in October 2024 – where 48 new participants from the participating countries will be included.