17th PROERD/D.A.R.E. National Officer Training Culmination

The Federal District conducted and just completed the 17th PROERD/D.A.R.E. National Officer Training, which was held September 11 – 22, 2023. Officers from multiple Brazilian states attended the course and were certified to teach the program.

This was a significant milestone for law enforcement agencies in Brazil. The 17th PROERD Officer Training program ended its activities in the Capital of Brazil, marking a renewed commitment to community policing and youth education.

The training was conducted under the guidance of Lieutenant Dieter, the supervision of Lieutenant Colonel Renata, and the collaboration of seven dedicated mentors from the Military Police of the Federal District of Brazil (PMDF). This comprehensive training program, aimed to equip officers with the necessary skills and knowledge to support and help them better engage with their communities, particularly schoolchildren. The course was particularly significant as it marked the renewal of the Federal District’s Training Center (CT – DF) after the challenging COVID-19 pandemic.

The D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) and PROERD (Programa Educacional de Resistência às Drogas e à Violência) training program is well-known for its commitment to fostering positive relationships between law enforcement officers and the communities they serve, with a focus on equipping children with the skills necessary to make responsible decisions, drug prevention and violence reduction among youth. This program is crucial in Brazil, as it not only educates children about the dangers of substance abuse but also strengthens the bond between law enforcement and the public.

During the two-week training period, 16 police officers from four different state agencies were certified, representing the states of Goiás, Paraíba, Acre, and the Federal District. These officers are now equipped with the knowledge and tools needed to implement the PROERD curriculum in their respective regions, impacting the lives of countless young people.

The training program covered a wide range of subjects and curricula tailored to different age groups, including Kindergarten, 5th, 7th, and 11th grades. Additionally, workshops were conducted with doctors, educators, and specialists from various fields to provide officers with a holistic understanding of the challenges faced by today’s youth and the best practices for addressing them.

Lieutenant Dieter, who coordinated the training, expressed her pride in the successful completion of the course, stating, “Our commitment to building safer communities and preventing drug abuse and violence among our youth has never been stronger. These newly certified officers are now ambassadors of hope and positive change in their respective states.”

Lieutenant Colonel Renata, who directed the program, added, “We believe that through the PROERD program, we can empower our youth to make informed decisions and lead healthier lives. We are excited to see these officers return these valuable lessons to their communities.”

The recommencement of the PROERD officer training program in the Federal District serves as a beacon of hope, reinforcing the commitment of PMDF and others law enforcement agencies across Brazil to safeguarding their communities and fostering a brighter future for the nation’s youth.