Call for participants: RAN POL meeting ‘Introductory training: Dialogue Police Approach, as used by the Swedish Police’, Portugal 30-31 October 2023

RAN POL is looking for police officers who are interested in learning about the practice and theory of the Swedish Dialogue Police Approach for demonstrations and protests. During the training, there will be ample time for discussions with participants about their experiences. In this way, they will be encouraged to explore how elements can be helpful within their own context.

Background

Police are being confronted with challenging developments in the way protests are taking place. This could be in the form of civil disobedience with roadblocks, interruption of public events, or violent demonstrations where at least parts of the crowd are prepared and willing to commit violence against police or public property. Some countries are witnessing provocative protests with Quran burnings, and most countries are seeing ad hoc combinations of protest organisers who have never demonstrated before, let alone together, against government policies. Conspiracy-fuelled anti-government institutions are also not uncommon.

The way police facilitate democratic protests and the democratic right to protest, and the way they encounter the protesters influence the dynamics of these protest movements. Too heavy-handed responses can not only discourage protesters from using their democratic right to protest but could also play into the hands of radicalising elements in the movements or unintentionally support those recruiting for violent extremism. The Swedish Dialogue Police Approach is a research-based method grounded in Social Identity Theory, where Conflict Reduction Theory Practices and Special Police Tactics are being applied. The Swedish Dialogue Approach was well received during several RAN meetings, so we decided to build an introductory training programme for this promising approach.

Call for participants

We are looking for suitable police officers with the following profile: analysts (crowd management, violent extremism), commanders/decision-makers (crowd management) or police officers (crowd management, violent extremism).

Application

We kindly ask that you register through this link before 24 September 2023. We will select participants based on their answers.

Practical

• The meeting will be held in English, without interpretation.
• Transportation, hotel, and meals during the meeting will be provided by RAN Practitioners.

On behalf of RAN POL Working Group Leaders: Marzena Kordaczuk-Was and Luc Van Der Taelen.

If you have any further questions, don´t hesitate to contact S [dot] Lenosradaradvies [dot] nl (Steven LENOS) or Malaz SHAHHOUD.