Canada significantly increases police deployments to Ukraine

“The Royal Canadian Mounted Police is pleased to coordinate the extension and expansion of Canadian police deployments to Ukraine. Following a renewed commitment by the Government of Canada to support Ukraine's reform agenda, up to 45 Canadian police will deploy to the country, more than doubling the previous maximum of 20. The additional deployments will extend an additional two years, to 2021,” the statement reads.

Canadian police deployed to Ukraine serve in one of two missions: a bilateral mission with the National Police of Ukraine or the European Union Advisory Mission for Civilian Security Sector Reform (EUAM Ukraine).

"Our continuing contribution of highly skilled police officers will help train and mentor Ukrainian police, with the ultimate goal of improving safety and security in their communities. Having professional, well-trained and well-equipped police services is key to fostering stability, making people and communities feel more secure, and enhancing the rule of law in fragile and conflict-affected states," RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki said.

Led by the RCMP, Canadian police serving in Ukraine support Ukraine's police reform efforts. They offer training and strategic advice to strengthen the National Police of Ukraine's capacity and effectiveness on topics including police safety, criminal investigations, and preventing and responding to gender-based violence. Canada's contributions to Ukrainian police reform are helping to ensure the sustainability of reforms and build a transparent and accountable law enforcement agency at the service of Ukrainians.

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