The Smolyan branch of Varna Free University "Chernorizets Hrabar" conducted training of 49 mayors from the Smolyan region in the exercise of police powers
Training on the topic of "Powers of the Mayor in Securing Public Order" was held on 15 and 16 February in Pamporovo resort. The training is linked to the changes in the Local Self-Government and Local Administration Act and the Ministry of Interior Act. 49 mayors and deputy mayors of the municipalities of Dospat, Devin, Banite, Chepelare, Madan and Rudozem are included in the training program.
The training allows the mayors to implement statutory powers as police authorities, including the use of physical force and aids. Under the legislation the mayor of the municipality is responsible for the maintenance of public order, ensuring it by giving mandatory orders to the chiefs of the respective police departments and todraw up statements forascertainment ofminor hooliganism.
Guests in the discussion were the Director of "Fire Safety and Population Protection" Chief Directorate - Chief Commissioner Nikolai Nikolov, Senior Commissioner Krasimir Shotarov - Director of "Operational Activities" Directorate at "Fire Safety and Population Protection" Chief Directorate, Georgi Krastev - Secretary of the Security Council to the Council of Ministers, the Deputy Governor of Smolyan - Todor Bozukov, Senior Commissioner Nikolai Dimov - Director of the Regional Directorate of the Ministry of Interior - Smolyan, the Vice-Presidents of VFU "Chernorizets Hrabar" - Assoc. Prof. Krasimir Nedyalkov, PhD and Yani Yanev.
Among the speakers at the training were Prof. Petar Hristov, PhD - Dean of the Faculty of Law at Varna Free University and the lecturers - Prof. Yonko Kunchev, D.Sc., Assoc. Prof. Valentin Todorov, PhD and Assoc. Prof. Dimitar Uzunov.
"Dear guests, dear mayors, I am pleased to open the course for further training entitled "Powers of the Mayor inSecuring Public Order." The course is designed to prepare the mayors who are not police authorities, but by the will of the law are authorized to act as such until the arrival of the police authorities. To those who successfully completed the course a certificate will be awarded", said at the opening of the forum the Director of the Smolyan branch of Varna Free University, Anelia Parzhanova, PhD.
"I welcome all participants and guests of the seminar, I am glad that the topic attracted such interest in you," said in his address the Vice President of VFU "Chernorizets Hrabar" - Assoc. Prof. Krasimir Nedyalkov, PhD.
"Varna Free University is a pioneer among the universities in Bulgaria in training specialists with higher university education in the field of security. The capacity that we are allocated by the National Assessment and Accreditation Agency for training such professionals is as much as the capacity of all other universities in Bulgaria. And we are the only ones who teach foreign students and make joint Master’s degree programs. This is a necessity because on one hand you all have to act as policemen in case of violation of public order - if you do not act like this you bear responsibility. At the same time it is explicitly said that the use of force, of aids in maintaining public order can be performed only by authorized persons. I want to especially thank the representatives of the Ministry of Interior. For many years our university maintains partnership with of "Fire Safety and Population Protection" General Directorate in a mutually beneficial cooperation. Knowledge must be meaningful and systematic, as is stipulated in the regulations, "said Prof. Petar Hristov, PhD who was a speaker on the topic of "Security Environment. Conceptual and Legal Foundations of Counteracting Crime and Maintaining Public Order. "
During the training, the mayors and the deputy mayors were acquainted with the legislative acts and rules for checking for identification, detention of people, performing personal search, checking personal belongings, inspection in premises without the consent of the owner or the occupant. Among the topics included in the program were the use of physical force and aids in the performance of official duties, and the use of weapons as a last resort.
"I congratulate the management of Varna Free University and personally the Director of the branch for this initiative. It is an initiative, which is of utmost importance to us all. Our goal is not to say "we can, we know" but to increase the sense of security among the population, " said Chief Commissioner Nikolay Nikolov in his presentation to the mayors. He explained the powers and duties of the Mayors for disaster protection.
"It is our task to make the first step in better understanding of the risk management of a disaster. There are four stages through which every manager should pass, in this case the mayor - to plan properly the preventive activities, to prepare teams for reaction, the reaction itself and finally to restore the normal rhythm of life. The biggest strength is the cooperation with the mayors. Education and training are the most important, "said Nikolov.
At the end of the first training panel, Mr Yani Yanev shared practical experience in relation to overcoming disasters and accidentsand presented the work of the Centre for Vocational Training at Varna Free University "Chernorizets Hrabar".
