International academies

Central European Police Academy is the regional cooperation form of Central European countries with the same historical, sociological, cultural and religious development. Its member states are Austria, Hungary (also as founding states), the Czech Republic Germany, Slovenia, Liechtenstein Slovakia and Switzerland.


Students, Activities

The criminal courses have 26 participants (including 4 Hungarian citizens) delegated by the member states. In the integrated border security special course, the number of participants is 24 (including 3 Hungarian citizens).

The participants are mid-level managers—or those who are to be appointed—working in the fields of investigating organized crime, cross-border crime, or practical experts selected from the executive staff of law enforcement bodies.

To be accepted for MEPA courses, participants must fulfill the following criteria:

  • Completion of university education, specialized higher professional education, officer training, or other relevant training

  • At least 5 years of practical work experience

  • Age between 28 and 40 years, or up to 50 years in special circumstances

  • Proficiency in professional German (intermediate or advanced level)

  • Good cooperation and communication skills

Courses

The criminal courses takes place in 8 countries, with venues changing every 1-2 weeks over the course of 3 month (Participants in Hungary spend 2 weeks). The course begins in Vienna and concludes in Budapest. Until 2001, participants were required to write a thesis in German on an orgaized crime topic, but since 2002, they are tasked with solving a case study on joint work, also in German. The training for border management experts typically takes place in 4 countries.

Seminars

In addition to the two aforementioned courses, MEPA organizes 8-10 international seminars annually. The topics and venues of these seminars are determined by the Governing Board. If new criminally relevant phenomena emerge outside of the planned program, ad hoc seminars are held to provide an opportunity for an immediate, collective, and more effective response. The results of the seminars are compiled into seminar reports in German.

Language Training

The Hungarian National Office of MEPA organizes free German language courses at basic and intermediate levels (500-550 hours) and at an advanced level (500 hours). The main objective of these courses is to prepare participants for the main and special courses of MEPA.

At the end of the language course, participants take an accredited state language exam to qualify for higher-level language training and professional or language observation in German-speaking MEPA countries.

Observation (Professional and Language)

As part of the professional observation program, police and border police officers spend an average of 5-10 days in another MEPA country carrying out professional tasks. The observation aims to exchange working methods and experience, while also improving language skills. Recently, the number of foreign observers in Hungary has increased, which also helps improve the language skills of the Hungarian participants accompanying them. Those participating in MEPA's  main criminal course also take part in a one-month language training session in Germany.

Publications

MEPA Manual

The 8 MEPA countries issued a manual in 1999 in German, which was updated in 2001 and 2003 due to changes in legislation. It contains data on the political, legal, social, geographical, and cultural features of the member countries, as well as a review of the current crime situation and technical resources available for combating crime.

MEPA Magazine

The MEPA magazine is published three times a year under the editorial supervision of the Central Coordination Office in Vienna.

MEPA Homepage

All relevant and current information can be downloaded from www.mepa.net.

MEPA On-line

The MEPA intranet site is currently under construction. It will serve as a useful tool for direct contact, information exchange, and the establishment of new professional relationships. Its registered users will include all participants in MEPA’s criminal and integrated border security special courses, each with different access rights.

Special Tasks of the Hungarian National Office

In addition to the activities mentioned above, the Hungarian National Office organizes regular post-seminars for participants of MEPA’s criminal and integrated border security special courses. The Office also compiles learning materials, special vocabulary, presentations, films, and collaborates with national and international law enforcement and educational institutions.