EQ in criminal justice: participants of the JustLearn program explored the power of emotional intelligence

Developing emotional intelligence helps us to understand ourselves better, respond more quickly to the emotions of others, and be effective in emotional circumstances. This is particularly important for law enforcement officers, whose work requires self-control, an understanding of human emotions, and the ability to communicate effectively, even in conflict situations.

In JustLearn’s training programs, such as Investigative Interviewing and Criminal Investigation Standards, we pay attention not only to professional skills but also to the development of soft skills. We are convinced that communication, critical thinking, and the ability to work with emotions are an integral part of professionalism in the criminal justice sector. 

The above-mentioned and JustGroup’s previous experience of working with Den Dubravin, a practical psychologist and emotional intelligence trainer, inspired the design of the “EQ: Mastery of Emotions” short-term program. It is created for those who want to better understand and manage their emotions. 

This program consisted of three interlinked sessions, which allowed for a more in-depth understanding and better practice of new skills. We are pleased that the program brought together 40 practitioners from 7 regions of Ukraine — representatives of various criminal justice system institutions. Participants joined both offline and online. 

“In difficult, often tense situations, the ability to recognize and regulate one’s own emotions, as well as to understand the emotional state of others, helps to maintain professionalism and to act in a balanced and effective manner. Emotional intelligence is not just a ‘soft skill’ but a critical tool that impacts security, communication, leadership, and public trust. By developing these skills, we not only increase the personal resilience and professionalism of our people but also strengthen and improve the law enforcement system as a whole,” says Den Dubravin, program trainer.

Thus, together with trainer Den Dubravin, the participants learned effective emotional self-regulation techniques, talked about empathy, active listening, and constructive communication. This experience is about developing emotional maturity, which helps to better understand oneself and others, reduce team tension, and build trust in the work environment.

“We are confident that this program has become a starting point, after which we see a demand for continuation: participants express interest in a deeper dive into the topics of a deeper understanding of empathy, emotional burnout and stress management. For the future, we are considering launching a full-length program, a series of practical workshops, or incorporating individual blocks of emotional intelligence into existing programs. For us, this is not only about personal development, but also an important step towards building a more people-centred, resilient and emotionally competent law enforcement community,” emphasizes Anna Petrovska, coordinator of the JustLearn hub.

We share the impressions of the participants because it is their words that best convey the value of this experience.

The program is developed and implemented by the JustLearn development hub, supported by JustGroup, with the support of the Transformational Recovery for Human Security in Ukraine project, funded by the Government of Japan and implemented by UNDP Ukraine.

Photo: Anna Putylina