Problematic aspects of police officers’ competence education

Abstract

Paper presents some results from a research study aimed to analyze theoretical aspects of competence education, identify problematic areas of police officers’ competence education, and present the possibilities of development of police officers’ competence education. Theoretical and methodological basis of the scientific research consists of the used empirical methods – a questionnaire of police officers and officers who are taking managing positions in subdivisions of territorial police office. Data obtained during the questioning were analyzed and presented using graphic methods of data presentation. To present the research results, scientific literature, law, statistical data and questioning analysis was used. The research performed in the police institution revealed the problematic aspects of officers’ competence education inside it: competence education process regulated by the means of legal regulation is more efficient and smooth in the level of managers. With respect to the fact that legal regulation of competence groups and their education in Lithuanian police system is a novelty, a striving of this research was to reveal if current order of competence education ensures proper identification of the need for police officers’ training and qualification refreshment, and if it motivates police officers to acquire or refresh competencies lacking in professional activity by using horizontal and vertical career.