NON-FORMAL EDUCATION AS A FACTOR IN SELF-IMPROVEMENT OF THE EMPLOYEES OF THE NATIONAL POLICE OF UKRAINE

Abstract

The article is devoted to the issue of self-improvement among the employees of the National Police of Ukraine through the implementation of non-formal education. In the context of ongoing reforms in the law enforcement system, there is an increasing need for a new type of police officer – competent, proactive, and capable of continuous learning and development of both professional and personal qualities. The emphasis is placed on the fact that the effectiveness of police activity largely depends on the level of development of an officer’s ability to independently acquire new knowledge, improve professional skills, and adapt to the dynamic conditions of service. The purpose of the article is to define the role of non-formal education as a component of the professional development system for police officers, and to identify its main forms and directions of implementation in the professional training practices of the National Police of Ukraine. Methodology. The research employs theoretical methods of analysis, generalization, and systematization of scientific sources on the problems of non-formal education and professional police training, as well as concepts of continuous professional development. Based on the conducted analysis and considering the specifics of police professional activity, various forms of integrating non-formal educational practices (self-education, participation in training sessions, professional communities, online courses, etc.) into the system of professional advancement of police officers are proposed. Scientific novelty lies in defining the theoretical and practical foundations for the use of non-formal education as a tool for developing the personal potential and professional competence of police officers, as well as in suggesting directions for improving the mechanisms of its implementation. Conclusions. It is concluded that non-formal education serves as an effective means of enhancing the professional performance of police officers, fostering their readiness for self-learning, critical thinking, and adaptive response to the challenges of modern society. The introduction of a systematic approach to the development of non-formal education within the framework of professional training and retraining of the National Police of Ukraine is an essential condition for shaping a highly professional, morally resilient, and socially responsible law enforcement officer.