Dnipropetrovsk State University of Internal Affairs hosted the series of open online lectures delivered by José Barreto, Portuguese GNR Colonel.
José Barreto is a participant of numerous UN and EU missions, who had been a head of the Public Order Unit at the EUAM Ukraine before December 2021. He has 30 year experience at the police force, was responsible for commanding Special Police Units as well as served as Gold Commander in several important major events and special police operations. Mr. Barreto is an author of several technical publications (national and international) and three novels connected with his participation in international missions.
The lectures aimed at emphasizing the peculiarities of the efficient police communication with media and sharing correct behavioral strategies in social media with future police officers. Colonel José Barreto told about key rules and strategies of communication of police representatives with media, pointed out the basics of efficient usage of social media by police as a public structure for creating its positive image and increasing trust to national law enforcement bodies as well as general rules of communication on the internet in crisis situations.
The final lecture was devoted to the analysis of behavior of police officers as private persons in social media. The lecturer shared the best practices of publishing certain information and visual content not to harm the whole police force. Moreover, he described the risks of disclosing personal data and investigation materials in social media as well as trolling and possible communication with criminal elements.
The audience included students, cadets and teachers not only from DSUIA, but other universities of the MIA system of Ukraine, who showed their high interest in the materials and initiated active professional discussion with Mr. Barreto.
Lectures were delivered in English with simultaneous translation into Ukrainian.
“First of all, it is an honour and a privilege for me to be here sharing this class with all of you. You should be aware that Ukrainian Military and Police Forces are seen as an example of bravery and courage in the western world and that we are all proud of you”, colonel Barreto said.
He mentioned his previous experience of commanding units in Angola, Iraq, Bosnia, East-Timor and Kosovo, so he was well aware of what our soldiers and police officers were facing in these challenging times.
“I am honoured to have worked and trained Ukrainian Special Police Units for the last two and a half years and even more proud to see their excellent performance during this aggression to Ukraine”, Mr. Barreto claimed.
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