Abstract
This study intends to provide a descriptive-analytical inventory of models and policies that Lithuania are using with regard to recruitment, selection and training of statutory officers. For statutory officer ranks, it is compulsory that the applicant have a diploma from a university or a diploma recognized by the Lithuanian state in case they have graduated from a university outside Lithuania. While the idea of university education for statutory officers was first proposed many years ago, there is still no consensus about what officer’s professionalism actually means. While the idea of university education for statutory officers is supported by both police and state border guard managers and academics, in principle, the body of knowledge in policing is still being developed. The situation in the world is characterized by a dynamic transformation of the system of international relations. Russia is in a war state against Ukraine now. Practically Russia is in a state of war against Europe. It is a very important in aspect of Lithuanian national security. The primary interests of the Republic of Lithuania are: viability of NATO and the EU, security, democracy and welfare of all states of the Euro-Atlantic community. The external risks, dangers and threats which must be given particular attention by the institutions ensuring national security are as follows: economic and energy dependence (energy, transport, finances and crediting); crime and shadow economy, international organized crime and other cross-border crimes – human trafficking, smuggling, illicit trade in drugs, arms, dual-use items, money laundering, illegal immigration, cyber-crime and other criminal acts. The police and state border guard officers must be professional in order to do their tasks professionally. The article strives to disclose the higher statutory officer’s education at the Faculty of Public Security Mykolas Romeris University in Lithuania. The trends and developments in higher state border guard officer’s education in Lithuania have generally confirmed the principal challenges identified in the Bologna Declaration – standardizes and integrates the Lithuanian education in the European Higher Education Area. This paper is part of a larger study into university education for the police and state border guard officer’s managers and presents the preliminary findings of the study.
