The European Union (EU) has introduced in Myanmar a model project for community policing and best practice in crowd management as part of its support of the country's police reform.

The project, funded by the EU with up to 10 million euro (13.6 million US dollars) will last 18 months, EU Ambassador to Myanmar Roland Kobia told the press Friday.

With this project, EU wanted to contribute to improve the human rights performance of the Myanmar Police Force and initiate the development of a community based police service that is trustworthy and at the service of Myanmar people, Kobia said.

Kobia pointed out that the recent violence in Myanmar underlined the need for the police to change the way they operate.

Police reform is a crucial step in Myanmar's transition to a democratic society based on the rule of law, he added.

The project is being carried out in a pilot area of Mingala Taung Nyunt Township in Yangon.

So far 400 police officers have been trained in best international practice in crowd management under the project, he added.