During the International Training on the Lithuanian-Latvian Border, the Wanted Person was Detained and Other Offenders were Identified

In September-October, the Lithuanian Police School organized joint patrol and pursuit training of officers on the Lithuanian-Latvian border, which was attended by Lithuanian police officers together with officers of the State Police of Latvia and the State Border Guard Service under the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Lithuania (hereinafter referred to as SBGS).

“On October 21-22, the participants of the joint patrol training checked about one hundred vehicles registered in the Republic of Lithuania or the Republic of Latvia and the persons travelling in them. Vehicle and personal data were checked using technical means available to both Lithuanian and Latvian officers. During the joint patrol, the wanted person was detained, one driver who was not entitled to drive a vehicle, as well as violations of traffic rules were recorded”, said Paulius Keturka, an expert conducting the joint patrol training.

During the mentioned days, 20 Lithuanian, Latvian police and SBGS officers worked in joint patrols in Mažeikiai, Akmenė and Skuodas districts, ensuring public order, traffic and public safety, prevention of illegal migration, criminal acts and other violations of law.

Darius Vėževičius, an expert conducting cross-border pursuit training, was pleased that during the training, officers not only update or gain new knowledge, but also get acquainted with the police activities of other countries, available technical devices and vehicles. “Officers exchange contacts and establish friendly relationships that can be useful in the performance of official duties. Police officers who organize and coordinate cross-border pursuit activities must have a good understanding of the legal grounds and conditions of cross-border pursuit”, the expert emphasized.

According to D. Vėževičius, although cases of pursuit are very rare, they can happen spontaneously and anywhere in Lithuania, so training for officers is very relevant. It is very important that not only police officers from different counties, but also police officers from neighbouring countries and SBGS representatives take part in the training. Such cross-border and inter-institutional cooperation in training is very useful and would allow for the effective use of responsive forces and the exchange of information in a real situation, if necessary.

The training events are organized under the project “Bilateral and Multilateral Police Cooperation Training, Phase II” No LT/2019/VSF/5.3.1.9 funded by the national Internal Security Fund Programme 2014 – 2020, which is implemented by the Police Department under the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Lithuania together with project partners – the State Police of Latvia and Voivodeship Police Headquarters in Białystok (Poland).

Officers will not only use the knowledge gained during the training themselves, if necessary, but will also share it with their colleagues in their work.