From 23–24 September 2025, the Annual Conference of the Association of European Police Colleges (AEPC) took place in Belgrade. Hosted by the Serbian Ministry of Interior and the University of Criminal Investigation and Police Studies, the event brought together representatives from 22 European countries – from police services, academia and international organisations – to discuss Police Leadership in a Changing Society.
Day 1: Leadership as a Bridge of Trust
The opening ceremony was marked by powerful statements on the role of police leadership in today’s complex environment.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Ivica Dačić emphasised that police leadership is about more than management:
“The police must be a pillar of stability, a guarantor of freedom and a bridge of trust between citizens and the state. No country can achieve this alone – our collective efforts are indispensable.”
Professor Dr Zoran Đurđević, Rector of the University, underlined the responsibility of police education to produce highly qualified and ethically grounded professionals, committed to lifelong learning as the foundation of public trust and security.
AEPC President Stefan Aegerter highlighted the power of international cooperation:
“AEPC is more than a network of institutions. It shows how professional collaboration in policing transcends borders and politics.”
The day continued with strategic and academic contributions, including a keynote by Leonard Kok (Netherlands), who reminded participants that modern police leadership is built on values, culture and public trust.
Day 2: From Inspiration to Concrete Action
The second day focused on practical work through workshops addressing key leadership challenges: the role of the police between freedom and security, preparing officers for operational uncertainty, recruitment and retention strategies, and the ethical foundations of police education. The results of these discussions will directly feed into AEPC’s strategic documents and shape the Association’s work in the coming years.
In his concluding remarks, President Stefan Aegerter distilled the key messages that emerged across the two days:
- Leadership must inspire trust and embody integrity.
- Balance is essential – between rights and security, tradition and innovation, national sovereignty and international cooperation.
- Networks and exchange are our strength. AEPC is a professional family, connecting East and West, North and South.
- People matter most – recruitment, education, resilience and ethics determine legitimacy and trust.
He urged participants to carry the messages of the conference back into their home institutions:
“The best currency for change is not money, but conviction, patience, perseverance and courage.”
AEPC warmly thanks the Serbian Ministry of Interior and the University of Criminal Investigation and Police Studies for their outstanding organisation and hospitality.
