WARSAW — Police officers from across Europe gathered at the POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews in Warsaw for a transnational exchange examining the role of police during the Holocaust and its relevance for contemporary law enforcement.
The program brought together participants from Germany, Austria, Poland, Croatia, and Lithuania as part of the ongoing Police and the Holocaust initiative. The exchange focused on the history of the Second World War and the German occupation of Central Europe, with particular attention to the role of German and Austrian Order Police units in the Holocaust.
The day began with guided tours of the POLIN Museum’s core exhibition, offered in both English and German, providing participants with a historical foundation on the Holocaust and the occupation of Poland. This was followed by a walking tour through the former Warsaw Ghetto, where participants visited key sites, including the location from which deportation trains departed to Treblinka, the site of the Oneg Shabbat underground archive, and the memorial marking the bunker of Jewish resistance fighters during the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising.
Following the site visits, participants engaged in structured reflection sessions, both individually and in small groups. Discussions focused on how historical knowledge informs present-day responsibilities within policing, as well as the broader role of law enforcement institutions in upholding democratic values.
A central component of the exchange was the opportunity for officers from different national backgrounds to share perspectives on how the history of the Holocaust is addressed within their respective countries and police training systems. These conversations highlighted both common ground and significant differences, particularly between participants from countries identified as perpetrator societies, such as Germany and Austria, and those from countries that experienced occupation, including Poland and Lithuania.
Participants emphasized the value of engaging with multiple historical perspectives, noting that such exchanges are both rare and essential for fostering deeper understanding. Many underscored the importance of continued international dialogue and expressed a strong interest in expanding opportunities for cross-border cooperation on issues related to history, responsibility, and professional ethics.
The initiative is implemented by an international consortium of partners, including What Matters and the World Jewish Congress, in cooperation with governmental and educational institutions across Europe. By facilitating direct engagement with historical sites and encouraging transnational dialogue, the program aims to strengthen awareness of the past while reinforcing the responsibilities of police officers in contemporary democratic societies.
Disclaimer: Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
