by Nina Vaclavikova
interviews: Caterina de Gavardo, City Councilor for Public Safety, Municipality of Trieste; Manuela Cunsolo, Commissioner, Trieste Municipal Police
Five high school students will spend a week with the municipal police force as part of a new initiative focused on road safety, crime prevention and civic responsibility.
Trieste Police Introduce Weeklong Program to Bring Students Closer to Law Enforcement
Five high school students will spend a week with the municipal police force as part of a new initiative focused on road safety, crime prevention and civic responsibility.
The municipal police force in Trieste is expanding its educational programs in local schools with a new initiative that will give high school students an opportunity to experience police work firsthand.
The project, called “Agente per una settimana” (Police Officer for a Week), is being introduced through an experimental agreement between the Trieste Municipal Police and the city’s territorial school authority. It is designed to promote road safety, awareness of the law and stronger relationships between young people and public institutions.
The initiative was presented by Caterina de Gavardo, the city councilor for public safety, alongside senior police officer Luciano Momic and police commissioner Manuela Cunsolo.
In its first edition, five 16-year-old students from local high schools will take part in a weeklong educational experience with the police force, scheduled for next month, before the Christmas holidays.
Students will have the opportunity to observe several areas of police operations, including environmental protection units, the force’s operations center, neighborhood police districts and the Rioni Sicuri (Safe Neighborhoods) program. All activities will take place under the supervision of trained officers in a controlled environment.
De Gavardo said the initiative was intended to give students a better understanding of the responsibilities and daily work of municipal police officers while encouraging greater trust between law enforcement and the community.
The program builds on a longstanding relationship between the police and local schools. Road safety education has been part of the force’s school outreach for more than 50 years. More recent activities have included courses on self-defense, bullying prevention and personal safety.
Police officers also visit middle schools to discuss bullying and other issues affecting young people, while road safety programs are offered to students preparing to obtain their driving licenses.
Demand for these educational activities has increased, according to Momic, who said the force was gradually expanding its offerings in response to requests from schools.
The five students participating in the new program will also be encouraged to share what they learn with their classmates, allowing the experience to reach a wider school community. The first edition will conclude with recognition for students who distinguish themselves during the program.
City officials said they hope the pilot project will become a recurring initiative and eventually expand to include more students and schools.
The broader effort, De Gavardo said, reflects the city’s goal of making prevention and civic education an integral part of the relationship between young people and public institutions.
