Places visited by the National Preventive Mechanism in 2011 the time for post-dinner rest in sleeping rooms and the time for lights out. On the other hand, the Minister announced that due to the specific nature of such establishments and to the short period that juveniles stay in such establishments, which makes it impossible for them to attend school, there is no need for police officers on duty in ECCs to complete special training, allowing them to conduct educational activities with juveniles. In response to the above-mentioned letter from the Ministry, the Human Rights Defender addressed the issues raised therein115. The Human Rights Defender explained that the recommendations by the National Preventive Mechanism, included in the 2010 Report, were reflected in international standards and international law, thus it would be necessary to amend national provisions. Quoting the Beijing Rules, stating that juveniles shall receive care, protection and all necessary individual assistance – social, educational, vocational, psychological, medical and physical, that they may require in view of their age, sex and personality116, the Defender declared that it was necessary to legally regulate the question of medical examinations of each newly arrived juvenile, the maximum time of their stay, and the conditions which the ECC should meet, as well as the regulations of juveniles stay therein. Quoting the Recommendations of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe on the European Rules for juvenile offenders subject to sanctions or measures117, the Human Rights Defender also explained the meaning of educational competencies of police officers on duty in ECCs. According to these Recommendations, staff responsible for the implementation of community sanctions and measures and the deprivation of liberty of juveniles shall have adequate initial training, dealing with theoretical and practical aspects of their work, and be given guidance that will enable them to have a realistic understanding of their particular field of activity, their practical duties and the ethical requirements of their work.118 Next to the requirement which obliges the staff to undergo initial pedagogical training, the Defender also thinks it necessary to introduce a rule which states that police officers on duty in ECCs should systematically improve and develop their professional competencies by participating in further trainings. Adequate level of staff ’s competencies as well as ensuring legal regulations on the functioning of ECCs are extremely important in the context of protecting juveniles’ rights. In 2011, the National Preventive Mechanism visited 10 police emergency centres for children119. Supervision over juveniles detained in ECCs is the responsibility of officers who are also their tutors. These people are faced with a difficult task of playing at the same time the role of a police officer and of a tutor. Due to the dual nature of their job and to the regulations of Polish legal system, there is a risk that juveniles in ECCs may be abused. The National Preventive Mechanism, guarding the rights of juveniles and aiming to ensure that  RPO-R-071-32/11.  See: Rule 13.5 in: Standard Minimum Rules for the Administration of Juvenile Justice. Resolution of General Assembly 40/33 of 29 November 1985 (The Beijing Rules). 117  CM/Rec(2008) 11. 118  See: Rule 129.1 CM/Rec(2008) 11. 119  Bydgoszcz, Gorzów Wielkopolski, Lublin, Tarnów, Radom, Kielce, Elbląg, Olsztyn, Poznań, Ostrów Wielkopolski. 115 116 67