Police functions: international experience of establishing interaction with citizens and ways of its adaptation in Ukraine

It is indicated that the experience of democratic European countries over the last decade has shown that a key factor in increasing the effectiveness of the police in ensuring security is close interaction with the population, based on a high level of trust. The article examines the international experience of establishing police interaction with citizens and the prospects for its adaptation in Ukraine. Special attention is paid to the study of the Scandinavian model of ensuring public safety during mass events, which is based on the principles of preventive actions, constant communication with participants, effective risk management and a differentiated approach. The analysis shows that the implementation of the Scandinavian model in Ukraine is a complex process that requires an integrated approach. This includes a clear legislative regulation of the status of the “dialogue police”, raising the requirements for personal and professional qualities of the National Police’s leadership team, and improving the staffing system. In addition, the issue of reforming the institution of police service is considered, which is currently characterized by the lack of a clear conceptual vision and the preference for local changes over systemic approaches. To solve this problem, a comprehensive approach is needed, which includes the definition of efficiency criteria, revision of personnel policy, improvement of material and social security, improvement of management and establishment of closer relations between the police and the public. The experience of Eastern European countries shows the prospects for the development of a local model of law enforcement, which allows balancing local autonomy in security matters and integration into the national system. At the same time, there are significant differences in the interaction of local law enforcement with state authorities in different countries. In general, the article emphasizes the need for a comprehensive approach to reforming the police system in Ukraine, taking into account the best European experience. The key is a combination of centralized and decentralized approaches, improvement of personnel policy and establishment of close interaction between the police and the public.