Protecting, donating, saving lives: Police College students join forces in a solidarity blood donation event

Police officers help people every day, often going above and beyond the call of duty. One such example was the exceptionally high turnout at a blood donation session organised by students of the Police College in the gymnasium of the Police Academy on 3 February 2026.

More than a hundred students, future police officers, donated something that is priceless to many and can save lives – their blood. This was the first time such a large number of students from the Police College participated in a blood donation session. Some employees of the Police Academy also joined the campaign, and the participants were encouraged by the presence of the friendliest police officer, our mascot Pika.

Andrej Jug, assistant director of the Police College, noted that the first- and second-year students had shown great courage, compassion, and empathy for the plight of their fellow human beings. "They demonstrated that they can help people in other ways as well, not just by exercising police powers. We are proud of them, as they have proved that they understand well what lies at the heart of the police profession and mission – a dedicated concern for the well-being, safety, and lives of their fellow human beings."

Boštjan Novak, Blood Donors Recruitment Senior Officer at the Slovenian Red Cross, was also pleased with the overwhelming response from the future police officers: "We hope this campaign at the Police Academy will become a tradition, one of the approximately 405 field campaigns we carry out every year in collaboration with the blood transfusion service across Slovenia. There are many young, healthy people here today, and we hope they'll keep donating blood in the future. This kind of support at the organisational level is of national importance for Slovenian healthcare."

As Polonca Mali, M.D., specialist in transfusion medicine, from the Blood Supply Department of the Slovenian Institute for Transfusion Medicine, noted at the event, blood donation is one of the most widespread organised humanitarian activities in our society and represents an indispensable part of the healthcare system. "Sincere thanks to all blood donors who regularly donate blood and respond to calls from the Red Cross and the transfusion service. You are the unsung heroes without whom modern healthcare could not function," she added.