09-13 September 2019 - Under the framework of the CRIMJUST project, which aims to strengthen criminal investigation and criminal justice cooperation along drug trafficking routes, the United Nations Office in Cabo Verde carried out a training on Basic Investigation Techniques, focused on Investigation Methodology and Interview Techniques, in Mindelo, Sao Vicente Island, Cabo Verde, to strengthen the capacity of the police and of public prosecutors in investigation and procedures techniques of criminal investigation.
The opening ceremony was attended by the Regional Commander of the National Police in Sao Vicente, Mr. Alírio Silva and the Senior National Coordinator of the UNODC Programme Office in Praia, Ms. Cristina Andrade. In his remarks, Mr. Silva mentioned that "one of the priority objectives considered by the Cabo Verdean government is to prevent and repress crime". He stressed that "security forces face a multitude of increasingly complex criminological factors and realities, and in order to respond to growing and complex challenges, the best option for police institutions is to invest in capacity building, raising the level of preparedness, training and the technical and scientific rigor of their human resources, which constitute their best strategic resource".
Ms. Andrade echoed Mr. Alírio's words by saying that "organized crime is a multifaceted phenomenon that manifests itself in different types of crimes (…) stressing that UNODC has worked closely with governments, international and civil society organizations to strengthen institutional structures and the rule of law for effective control of organized crime and drug trafficking". She also expressed appreciation for Cabo Verde's efforts to combat organized crime and especially drug trafficking, highlighting the important role that the authorities here have played in it.
The training, implemented by the National Police of Cabo Verde and UNODC, was financed by the U.S. Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) and attended by around 40 participants from the Public Prosecution Service, the Judicial Police, the National Police and UNODC. Experts from the Judicial Police and the Attorney General's Office of Cabo Verde, the Boston Police Department in the United States and the Federal Police in Brazil facilitated modules on procedural instruction, evidence and precautionary measures of criminal investigation, suspect interview and interrogation, among others.
The curriculum of this training was based on the results of the evaluation of the training held in April this year on Basic Criminal Investigation - Investigation Methodology and Interview Techniques, when the participants requested a more practical-oriented training. Therefore, the modules were conducted with an eminently practical methodology, allied to the conceptual content, containing presentation, analysis, and discussion of practical cases. This important activity contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goal 16, to promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, to provide access to justice for all and to build effective, responsible and inclusive institutions at all levels.
CRIMJUST is funded by the European Union under the framework of the "Cocaine Route Programme" and by the US Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL). It seeks to enhance law enforcement and judicial counter-narcotic strategies beyond interdiction activities and to foster transnational responses targeting each stage of the drug supply chain.
For more information, please visit:
- United Nations Office in Cabo Verde
- Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL)
- European Union "Cocaine Route Programme"