The European Council of Police Unions (CESP) participated on the High Level Conference “Zero Tolerance to Violence Against Police Officers”, organised by the Lithuanian Police Union – LPPS (Lietuvos policijos profesinė sąjunga) on June 10, 2026 in the Lithuanian Parliament in Vilnius.

The conference brought together high-level political representatives, law enforcement leaders, academic experts and police trade unions to address one of the most urgent challenges facing police officers and public safety personnel across Europe: the increasing violence against those who protect citizens, public order and the rule of law.

The event was held under the patronage of Mr. Juozas Olekas, Speaker of the Seimas, Parliament of the Republic of Lithuania. It included important contributions from Gintaras Aliksandravičius, Deputy Minister of the Interior; Arūnas Paulauskas, Commissioner General of the Lithuanian Police; Prof. Dr. Snieguolė Matulienė, Advisor to the Dean of the Public Security Academy of Mykolas Romeris University; and Massimo Denarier, CESP President.

In his address, CESP President Massimo Denarier underlined that every attack against a police officer is not only an attack against an individual, but also an attack against the State, democratic institutions, public safety and the rule of law.

He stressed that violence against officers is no longer an isolated national issue, but a growing European concern requiring a coordinated and structural response. Among the key priorities highlighted were:

• stronger legal protection for officers;
• recognition of policing as a high-risk profession;
• classification of attacks against police officers as Eurocrimes;
• reliable national and European data on attacks against law enforcement officers;
• modern protective equipment and technologies;
• body-worn cameras to protect both citizens and officers;
• psychological assistance, rehabilitation, compensation and family support after incidents.

During the conference, a Resolution was adopted calling for systemic measures to strengthen the safety and protection of officers.

CESP Executive Bureau members also held a separate meeting-reception with Mr. Juozas Olekas, Speaker of the Seimas, Parliament of the Republic of Lithuania, where the protection of police officers, European cooperation and the need for stronger institutional support were further discussed.

The message from Vilnius is clear: those who protect our citizens must themselves be protected.

Zero tolerance for violence against police officers must become a common European standard.