Turkmen Law Enforcement officers completed English language training course

Experience shows that the knowledge of the English language by law enforcement officers gives them a certain practical advantage, which they lose in the absence of such.

This includes the opportunity to communicate and interact with colleagues abroad, obtaining information firsthand, and not through translation services, as well as additional opportunities for self-development using materials available in their original language.

At the same time, a lack of knowledge of foreign languages and English, in particular, results in miscommunication and loss of time which consequently affects the effectiveness of the cooperation between law enforcement and critical information exchange in countering transnational organized crime and may impede the process of ensuring public safety.  

For this purpose, as well as to strengthen the English language proficiency of Turkmen law enforcement and justice sector practitioners overall who are responsible for international cooperation in criminal matters, UNODC and the US State Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) organized two rounds of 7-months long intensive English language training course conducted from February 2021 to June 2022.

“The main goal of our language courses is to increase the level of English proficiency among Turkmen practitioners who are responsible for international cooperation in their respective ministries and agencies. We focus on law enforcement officers mainly, but staff from financial monitoring institutions and forensic laboratories also participate. This will make it easier for them to work with foreign partners, which is crucial for mutual legal assistance and international cooperation on criminal matters”, - said Mr. Koen Marquering, UNODC International Program Coordinator in Central Asia. 

Totally, over 95 law enforcement and justice professionals from 12 agencies of Turkmenistan were engaged in the English language training course.

“The course has proven its effectiveness, as evidenced by the feedback received from the course participants, as well as by the fact that many agencies expressed interest in continuing the training. Most of the participants have significantly improved their knowledge and skills, and the acquired knowledge and vocabulary will help them in the future in performing their official duties while working with foreign partners,”-mentioned Ms. Mahym Meredova, English language tutor

The training course has received positive feedback from countries authorities and course participants.

“I can say for sure that knowing and understanding English is as important as being an expert in your field. Knowledge acquired will give me more confidence while communicating with English speakers without using interpreter services,”- shared her views Ms. N. Gurbanova, Customs Officer     

Following the course completion, the most successful nine participants from the first and second rounds of the course, representing the General Prosecutor’s Office, Ministry of Justice, State Migration and Customs Services, Central Forensic Bureau of Turkmenistan, as well as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs enjoyed the opportunity to visit UNODC HQ in Vienna, to learn about the work of UNODC and its thematic sections, discuss UNODC current activities to prevent and counter transnational organized crime globally and in Central Asia in particular, as well as to visit and meet the team of International Anti-Corruption Academy in Vienna.