US trains Mindanao cops

From the Sun Star-Zamboanga (Jun 14): US trains Mindanao cops

MINDANAO policemen are set to improve their law enforcement capabilities especially on basic police operations, mid-level management, and crime scene preservation.

This is made possible through the International Criminal Training Assistance Program (ICITAP) of the United States Department of Justice.

A total of 68 policemen who are undergoing training came from Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Cotabato, and Marawi, according to a statement released Friday by the U.S. Embassy.

They are being trained by policemen who have undergone instructor development training provided by the U.S. Department of Justice through ICITAP.

Since establishing the program in the Philippines in 2006, ICITAP has trained more than 21,500 Filipino policemen throughout the country. 

ICITAP provides training for enhancement of basic police skills, as well as specialized training in investigations and forensic science throughout the Philippines.

All of ICITAP’s classes reinforce the democratic policing principles of ethics and human rights.

A majority of the funding for ICITAP training is provided by the International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs Bureau of the U.S. Department of State.

ICITAP works with foreign governments to develop professional and transparent law enforcement institutions that protect human rights, combat corruption, and reduce the threat of transnational crime and terrorism; and provides international development assistance that supports both national security and foreign policy objectives.

It works in close partnership with the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Agency for International Development, the Department of Defense, and the Millennium Challenge Corporation.

In the southern Philippines, ICITAP has provided funds for the development of training centers in Basilan, Cotabato, Tawi-Tawi, Sulu, and Zamboanga as part of a series of initiatives aimed at improving the efficiency and quality of service provided by the Philippine National Police.

ICITAP, in conjunction with other U.S. Government agencies, has also built a crime laboratory in Zamboanga City.

The ICITAP resumed the conduct of the training last June 3 after taking a two-month break in training activities for the election season.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/zamboanga/local-news/2013/06/14/us-trains-mindanao-cops-287419