Swedish Police
HopeComms has a long history of collaboration with the Swedish Police, working at national, regional, and local levels across Sweden, as well as with the Police International Unit.
This work has included gender equality and inclusive leadership training both in Sweden and internationally, including collaborations with police institutions in Serbia, Jordan, and Moldova.
Viktoria has also evaluated the International Police Officer Course (IPOC) in relation to UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, for police peacekeepers from countries including Sweden, Finland, Jordan, Sierra Leone, and Zambia.
Her work has supported multi-year leadership initiatives on gender mainstreaming and intersectional inclusion for senior police leadership in Sweden, including through the Gender Coach Program for the Stockholm Region Police Chief and the Head of the National Operative Unit (NOA). The work has combined strategic advisory services with training across multiple units and leadership levels, including leadership coaching, gender budgeting, inclusive communications, recruitment and succession planning, and operational responses to issues such as domestic violence and sexual exploitation.
Kind words
Brigader General Hana Mahmoud Ali Alafaghani,
Brigader General Fawwaz Alma'aitah,
Lt. Colonel Mohammad Shabsogh,
Cap. Moayad Jundiyah
PKOTC, Jordan
Thank you Ms. Viktoria Saxby for the very fruitful discussions on how to enchance gender equality in the Jordanian Police Force (including in the Zaatari Refugee Camp).
Thank you very much for your support and we look forward to staying in touch.
International Unit of the Swedish Police Department
in collaboration with the
Interior Ministry, Serbia
Viktoria Saxby/HopeComms assisted the International Unit of the Swedish Police and the Ministry of the Interior of Serbia in starting up a Gender Coach Program for gender-responsive leadership (GRL) for the highest leadership of the Serbian Police Department.
Viktoria helped put together the curriculum and also held training sessions and workshops both for the Serbian Gender Coaches, and during the kick-off seminars with the Serbian Police leadership.
We are very pleased to conclude that the Serbian Police Department Gender Coach Program proved successful and led to substantial improvements within the department, both in regard to the internal organization and the external core operations.
Simon Häggström
Police Inspector, Prostitution Unit,
Stockholm North Police Dept / Author
Within my work as a police officer, I have had the privilege of working with Viktoria on issues related to prostitution and human trafficking for sexual purposes.
Viktoria has a deep commitment to these issues and her willingness to work to help society's most vulnerable people is very inspiring.
With her long experience and broad knowledge of prostitution and trafficking issues, Viktoria has been a great asset to me and my colleagues in the Police prostitution unit.
Course Director
International Police Officer Course
Viktoria Saxby was commissioned by the Division of International Affairs of the Swedish Police and SWEDINT to participate, review, and give recommendations for improvements to the curriculum of the IPOC, or International Police Officer Course.
The course aims to prepare participants for their role as International Police Peacekeepers in UN, EU, and OSCE missions.
In addition to the report with her recommendations, Ms. Saxby also conducted master training for all IPOC instructors on the Gender, Peace & Security agenda in relation to inclusive international police peacekeeping.
Madeleine
Police Officer, Youth Coordinator,
Sollentuna Unit, Swedish Police Dept.
I've downloaded your PowerPoint now. WOW, it really feels like you understood and included EVERYTHING!
Thanks for challenging us with new thoughts and reflections - the entire staff has continued to discuss the content of your lecture also after the training. Thank you so much!!
Ulf Johansson
Police Region Chief, Stockholm/Gotland, and participant in the Gender Coach Program, Swedish Police
Participating in the Gender Coach program, a leadership program on gender mainstreaming, diversity, and inclusion - has given me the opportunity to become a better leader for all employees, and to ensure that our organization can better safeguard diverse groups and the safety of all citizens. The change needs to start with the top leadership.
For example, in less than 5 years, my region went from 26% to 36% women in leadership positions. Having multiple perspectives has made us a stronger and better organization.
Implementation
HopeComms provided training and strategic advisory support to the highest leadership within the Swedish Police as part of a three-year initiative on gender mainstreaming and intersectional inclusion. The work focused on integrating gender equality and diversity perspectives across the organization and its core operations, including long-term advisory support and one-on-one leadership coaching.
The work included training and advisory support for multiple departments and leadership groups, including:
- The Leadership Team of the Stockholm/Gotland Region
- National Operative Leadership
- Training of more than 100 leaders and managers across new units and regions
- The Communications Department (inclusive communication)
- The Finance Department (gender budgeting)
- Recommendations, specific issues, changes during festivals such as We Are Sthlm, Prostitution units, etc.
Additional units included:
Prostitution Unit:
Advisory support and training for leadership and field staff to strengthen resources, increase training capacity, and support the establishment of prostitution units across Sweden.
PSEAH – Protection against Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment:
Development of guidelines on sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), including preventive approaches such as work around festivals and public events.
Domestic Violence and Gender-Based Violence Units:
Support to strengthen resources and develop new working methods, including the establishment of the unit Operation Gryning. The initiative connected police leadership with women’s rights civil society organizations and contributed to increased resources, new measures, and improved investigation methodologies related to domestic violence and SGBV.
IPOC – International Police Officer Course:
HopeComms reviewed the Women, Peace and Security (UNSCR 1325) components of the International Police Officer Course (IPOC), organized by the Swedish Police International Unit together with SwedInt and the Nordic Centre for Gender in Military Operations.
The assignment included participation and observation of the three-week course, with participants from Sweden, Finland, Sierra Leone, Jordan, and Zambia.
The work resulted in:
- A report with recommendations for improvements
- A presentation and workshop for the leadership of the Swedish Police International Unit
- Training sessions for IPOC facilitators and trainers
International Leadership Programs:
Jordan Police Department – Zaatari Refugee Camp
Training for the Jordan Police Department, including both male and female branches, as well as leadership from the Zaatari Refugee Camp, on how to develop a Gender Coach leadership program to strengthen gender mainstreaming and intersectional inclusion in policing and camp management.
Serbian Police Department – Gender Coach Leadership Program
Training for the Serbian Ministry of Interior Affairs on developing and implementing a Gender Coach leadership program. The work included designing the program curriculum, conducting a Training of Trainers, and delivering lectures and workshops during the first session of the six-month leadership program. The initiative has contributed to an increase in both female police staff and actively serving female police officers.
Moldovan Police
Inclusive leadership and gender equality training for senior leadership within the Ministry of Internal Affairs, conducted in collaboration with the Swedish Police and the Folke Bernadotte Academy.