Security Academy opens its doors to 390 students, Hita: Young people’s energy and mentality are essential

390 students have begun Bachelor studies at the “Security and Investigation” Faculty at the Security Academy. At the ceremony marking the start of the academic year, the Director General of the State Police, Skënder Hita, said that involving young people in forming the new generation of the Police is an important step for the institution’s future. Hita said the decision to give school-leavers the opportunity to compete for studies at the “Security and Investigation” Faculty has proved to be the right one, stressing the importance of the new generation’s energy and mentality in increasing citizens’ trust in the Police.

“The State Police needs the new generation, its energy, mentality and new face — components that directly affect citizens’ trust in the Police,” Hita said.

According to him, over the last three years, school-leavers’ interest in the Bachelor programme has been high. Thousands of young people have competed to pursue studies, while this year, after a competitive and transparent process, 390 students have been selected. The Director General of the State Police praised the development of the Security Academy, stressing that the institution is now part of cooperation with prestigious academies in the region, Europe and the United States. He also mentioned the literature of foreign academies, as well as the premises and laboratories available to students and lecturers. Hita said he himself was educated in these premises, but stressed the difference between the conditions then and those the Academy offers today.

According to him, over the years the State Police has developed professionally and is now a trusted partner, participating in international investigations and operations. “The Police is not simply a profession, but a mission.”

Addressing the new students, Hita stressed that the next three years will be an important period for their professional and human formation.

“The State Police is not simply a profession, but a mission. And to fulfil this mission, persistence, will, knowledge, physical preparation, discipline, respect for one another and for the lecturers are needed,” he said. Hita asked the students to make the most of their years of study, underlining that knowledge, training and discipline will be the main elements of their formation.

“After three years you will be State Police officers, a title that gives you privilege, but above all responsibility, to serve the citizens, security and the country,” Hita declared.

The Director General also said that the Security Academy will continue to be one of his priorities, describing it as the “main engine of the Police’s regeneration”, through the schooling, training and preparation of new generations. Hita asked the students to communicate about any problem or idea that might help improve the process, while advising them not to forget the responsibility they have taken on.

“Do not forget the responsibility you have taken upon yourselves and the dedication you must have to come out of this faculty as capable as possible, to serve the citizen, the law and the homeland!” he stressed.