From 22-26 June 2026, the Police Academy in Szczytno organized another edition of Erasmus+ Staff International Week, jointly prepared by the Institute of Prevention Service of the Faculty of Security and Legal Sciences and the Team for European Integration and International Cooperation. This year’s event focused on improving skills in first aid, advanced first aid, dealing with increased threats, managing stress, and conducting field operations.
The project brought together representatives of police universities and institutions responsible for public security from seven European countries: Germany, Belgium, Croatia, Lithuania, Spain, Latvia, and France. Participants included academic staff, students, police cadets, as well as, boarder guards, and gendarmerie taking part in Erasmus+ mobility programmes.
The guests were welcomed by Deputy Rector Vice-Commandant of the Police Academy in Szczytno Inspector dr Monika Porwisz, the Vice-Rector for Development of the Police Academy in Szczytno Junior Inspector dr Agnieszka Choromańska, the Dean of the Faculty of Security and Legal Sciences of the Police Academy in Szczytno Junior Inspector dr Agnieszka Sadło-Nowak and the Director of the Institute of Prevention Service of the Police Academy in Szczytno Inspector dr Adam Płaczek. Participants also had the opportunity to become familiar with the Academy’s modern teaching facilities, including the Police Research Centre, simulation rooms, shooting ranges, sports halls, and martial arts facilities. The programme also included a visit to the District Headquarters of the State Fire Service in Szczytno.
A key element of the event was three days of intensive tactical rescue workshops conducted in accordance with the Tactical Emergency Casualty Care (TECC) guidelines. The training was delivered by specialists from the Police Academy, instructors from the Central Counterterrorism Subunit of the Police (BOA), and officers of the Independent Counterterrorism Subunit of the Police in Olsztyn. Police officers from the Provincial Police Headquarters in Olsztyn and students from the Academy’s Student Research Club of Rescue Services at the Police Academy in Szczytno also participated in the exercises.
During the classes, participants improved their skills in casualty assessment, control of massive bleeding, airway management, treatment of penetrating chest injuries, and casualty evacuation from hazardous areas. They also practised working under fire, responding to explosions, handling multiple casualties, and operating in environments contaminated with CBRN agents.
The workshops were conducted at the Wałpusz Training Centre where field conditions allowed realistic training scenarios. Using specialized medical equipment, manikins, training vehicles, police boats, and FX training ammunition, participants practised casualty evacuation under fire, organisation of casualty collection points, water rescue operations, operation of a field hospital, and rescue activities in high-risk conditions.
The highlight of the programme was a night-time search and rescue exercises conducted on 24 June under conditions of limited visibility. The following day, the training was observed by Deputy Commander of the Provincial Police Headquarters in Olsztyn, Inspector Radosław Drach and the Head of the Prevention Department of the Provincial Police Headquarters in Olsztyn, Superintendent Szymon Brzdąkiewicz.
The international character of the event created an excellent opportunity for exchanging experience between representatives of various services and countries. Participants presented the procedures used in their home countries, compared solutions, and developed best practices in tactical rescue. The joint training fostered integration and the establishment of professional contacts that will result in further initiatives within the Erasmus+ programme and inter-institutional cooperation.
This year’s Erasmus+ Staff International Week once again confirmed that the Police Academy in Szczytno is an important centre for international cooperation, modern training, and the exchange of experience in the fields of public security and rescue.
