Conceptual foundations of national-patriotic education of police officers in the system of national security of Ukraine

The article examines the theoretical and legal foundations of national-patriotic education of police officers as an integral component of Ukraine’s national security system. It is substantiated that in the context of the armed aggression of the Russian Federation, the annexation of Crimea, and the full-scale war, patriotic education of law enforcement personnel acquires strategic importance, ensuring the ideological resilience of the staff, readiness to counter hybrid threats, maintenance of public order, and strengthening public trust in the police. It has been proven that the patriotic education of law enforcement officers serves not only as a component of their professional training, but also as a tool for strengthening national unity, enhancing the state’s resilience to external and internal challenges, and shaping a corporate culture of service to society and the state. The main tasks of such education are defined as: the formation of an active civic position, legal culture and respect for the Constitution, the assimilation of historical and cultural heritage, the development of spiritual values, as well as psychological and physical readiness to defend the state. The current legal framework is analyzed, including the Law “On the National Police,” the Law “On National Security,” the National Security Strategy, and the Concept of Military-Patriotic Education of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine. The role of the police oath is highlighted as a moral and legal core of professional activity and a means of preventing collaborationism and treason. Examples are provided of the negative consequences of the lack of patriotic consciousness and the positive impact of patriotic-minded personnel on the resilience of the state and civic unity during wartime. It is emphasized that national-patriotic education is not only an element of ideological protection but also a factor in enhancing the efficiency of police work, its interaction with the population, and the formation of a positive image of law enforcement agencies. The article concludes on the necessity of comprehensive implementation of patriotic education measures within the system of police training and retraining, the integration of best European practices, the development of interdepartmental cooperation, and the improvement of educational programs to ensure the long-term resilience of the state.