VOCATIONAL TRAINING OF POLICE VETERANS WITH ACQUIRED FUNCTIONAL LIMITATIONS: FROM LEGISLATIVE GUARANTEE TO FUNCTIONALLY DIFFERENTIATED TRAINING MODEL

Abstract

The article examines problems of professional training for police officers who are veterans and have acquired functional limitations due to illnesses, wounds, concussions, injuries or disabilities sustained while defending Ukraine. The exemption of such persons from physical fitness testing when applying for police positions determined by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine is positively assessed as a measure of state support, professional reintegration and preservation of human potential. The study identifies a functional inconsistency between Article 50 of the Law of Ukraine “On the National Police” and departmental regulations governing professional training, postgraduate education, in-service training and physical fitness assessment. Mechanical application of uniform standards may endanger the health of police veterans and undermine the legislative guarantee, while complete exemption from necessary physical and tactical training may create risks for police officers and the public. Based on the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the British job-related fitness testing model and the United States concepts of essential job functions and reasonable accommodation, a functionally differentiated model of professional training is substantiated. Its elements include classification of positions according to actual physical requirements, essential-functions profiles, individual functional assessment, reasonable accommodation, personalized training programmes, equivalent assessment and periodic review of restrictions. Proposals are formulated to amend Orders of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine No. 50, No. 90, No. 105 and No. 1625. The proposed approach balances veterans’ right to police service, state reintegration obligations and the need to maintain standards and operational safety.