The State Police of Latvia and the State Police College, in cooperation with the Provision State Agency, continue to implement the European Union Internal Security Fund (ISF) project No. VP/IDF/2024/5, “Strengthening the Mobility Response and Counter-Terrorism Capacity of the State Police through the Establishment of a Practical Training Centre”.
To inform the public about the progress of the project, a summary of activities and interim results for 2025 have been published.
The goal of the project is to enhance the anti-terrorism effectiveness of the State Police and strengthen mobility response and investigative capacity by assessing and improving training content, ensuring a modern theoretical and practical training environment, and applying innovative training methods and equipment.
Achievements in 2025
In 2025, work continued in three interrelated areas: the development of the infrastructure of the practical training centre, the implementation of equipment, and the enhancement of skills and competencies.
Practical training centre: infrastructure and procurement
In 2025, procurement activities continued for the construction and design author supervision of the practical training centre (training ground) of the Internal Security Academy, including a high-level intervention facility, a tactical vehicle training area, and an adjacent operational vehicle parking area at Ezermalas Street 8A in Riga. At the same time, a unified territorial development concept and a construction design were developed for Ezermalas Street 8A at the minimum required design stage.
Implementation of equipment for the training process
To establish a modern, practical training centre and expand practical training opportunities, implementation of the planned technical solutions was continued within the project. One of the key steps was the conclusion of the contract for the procurement of a mobile container-type shooting range. The shooting range is designed to be installed on various types of surfaces within the premises of the State Police College and, if necessary, relocated to other training locations, ensuring its sustainable use. Delivery and installation of the mobile container-type shooting range are planned for the first quarter of 2026.
Training activities, conferences and competence development
At the same time, various training activities were implemented in 2025 to enhance investigative competencies, strengthen digital skills, and ensure personal protection capabilities.
In the first half of 2025, international experience exchange activities were implemented and visits were carried out to the training centres of the French National Gendarmerie and the Spanish Police, focusing on the role of training centres in strengthening internal security, recruitment, and training processes.
In the second half of 2025, an international conference on new technological solutions as resources for strengthening internal security was held in Riga, bringing together more than 150 participants both in person and remotely from at least 15 countries. Within the conference the first unmanned aerial vehicle (drone) piloting competition was organised, promoting experience exchange and cooperation among law enforcement authorities and jointly strengthening airspace protection and surveillance.
Throughout 2025, work also continued on the development of training content and methodology by improving digital training materials and expanding content in the State Police College e-learning environment. Preparatory work was also initiated for the evaluation of the Internal Security Academy study programmes in cooperation with independent experts and with the involvement of the CEPOL – the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Training. This cooperation promotes a unified training approach and experience exchange among EU Member States, based on internationally comparable quality criteria.
A significant role in 2025 was also played by the Internal Security Academy communication activities, including the implementation of a large-scale public information campaign “Security Begins with You! Join and Strengthen Internal Security of Latvia!”. The campaign explained study opportunities and career pathways in the field of internal security, enhanced the visibility of the Internal Security Academy, and increased interest in studies and professional development in this field.
Next steps in 2026
In 2026, project implementation will continue with a focus on infrastructure development activities and the advancement of procurement procedures, as well as the implementation of planned solutions, including the delivery of the mobile container-type shooting range. At the same time, further improvement of training content is planned, along with the launch of the evaluation process of the Internal Security Academy study programmes.
Several international training activities are also planned for the officers of the State Police to enhance qualification, including training in Poland, France, the United Kingdom, and other countries, as well as the implementation of training cycles to improve investigative work and address topics related to virtual environments and digital challenges. In addition, annual international cooperation activities will be ensured, including a conference on current trends in internal security.
The Project is implemented within the 2021-2027 planning period of the EU Internal Security Fund, whose leading institution in Latvia is the Ministry of Interior. The Project No. VP/IDF/2024/5 “Strengthening the Mobility Response and Counter-Terrorism Capacity of the State Police through the Establishment of a Practical Training Centre” has a total budget of 10 598 882 euros, of which the European Union's Internal Security Fund funding is 7 949 162 euros, and the State budget is 2 649 720 euros. The implementation time of the Project is from April 1, 2024 to December 31, 2029.
“Review of 2025 in Project No. VP/IDF/2024/5”.