April 2024 - In cooperation with the French Ministry of the Interior, the Directorate of Cooperation of Security and Defence (DCIS), the Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer Français (SNCF), the National Police and the National Gendarmerie, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Ukraine and the UNODC Global Firearms Programme organized a study visit to Paris (France) for representatives of the Railway Security Service of the JSC Ukrainian Railway.
The aim of the study tour was to share best practices to strengthen public safety and rail transport surveillance in Ukraine by implementing a comprehensive, multi-layered approach based on technology, staff training, and advanced cooperation between national agencies and law enforcement bodies of Ukraine and France.
The Ukrainian representatives discussed key strategies with their colleagues in France from SNCF, the National Police and the National Gendarmerie, including general security and surveillance on rail transport, drone surveillance and the presence of specialist rail security forces trained in threat detection, in particular techniques for detecting firearms and explosives, and the use of K9 (trained dogs) units.
Regarding the use of the K9 methodology for the detection of firearms, explosives, but also drugs and money, the French law enforcement agencies (LEAs) shared best practice and technical approaches that are used by them. These included the dog selection process, the training process for officers responsible for working with K9 and the approach to cooperation with other police divisions and law enforcement agencies (LEAs).
The study visit to the University of Railway Safety (Université de la Sûreté Ferroviaire) was also an opportunity for the Ukrainian experts to familiarise themselves with the training programmes for SNCF staff, including civilian security interventions, the use of drones in SNCF security operations, and the procedure for online security monitoring in public places and transport entities. The Ukrainian representatives stressed the crucial importance of this type of cooperation in improving the organisation of public safety and acquiring new knowledge and skills to improve public safety and surveillance in rail transport, in order to guarantee a safer environment for passengers and staff.