UNODC conducted a two-day webinar for officers of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and State Border Guards Service of the Kyrgyz Republic

On 25-26 November, UNODC conducted a two-day webinar on the merits of intelligence-led policing and the use of software for 21 mid to senior-level officers from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and State Border Guards Service of the Kyrgyz Republic.

The objective of the webinar was to enhance the crime analysis capacity of the agencies in combating illicit drug trafficking and explain the concept of intelligence-led policing for the investigators and operative officers from the law enforcement agencies of the Kyrgyz Republic. The workshop also aimed to increase the potential of law enforcement agencies on intelligence gathering and information management.

“The webinar will enhance the links between intelligence-led policing and analysts’ work that will contribute to the improvement of the quality and reliability of intelligence in support of investigations. In addition, it will assist in working more effectively with the law enforcement analysts, as well as with the Central Asian Regional Information and Coordination Center based in Almaty, Kazakhstan,” said Mr. Rasoul Rakhimov, Programme Manager of the UNODC Programme Office in Tajikistan in his opening speech.

Mr. Simon Ramsden, an international consultant, outlined the importance of an “intelligence-led” philosophy which needs to complement and support current investigation practices. “It is necessary to identify and gather relevant, timely and accurate intelligence on different parts of the criminal enterprise. Intelligence-led policing assists targeting activities where they are most effective in disrupting, dismantling criminal networks, arresting, and prosecuting the most serious offenders,” he said.

The participants were introduced to the concept of intelligence-led policing, effective intelligence-led policing and intelligence cycle, investigative interviewing, human rights and civil protections, and complementarity of community and intelligence-led policing. The webinar explored the rights of suspects, witnesses and citizens, and the civil safeguards and protections. It highlighted the importance of ensuring all intelligence-gathering activities were fully compliant with national laws and international human rights commitments, and the use of a more community-based approach to intelligence-led policing.

The participants discussed the relevant Kyrgyzstan legislation, including the “Criminal Procedure Code” (2019) which was enacted in January 2020 across the country to guide all law enforcement officers in their duties and responsibilities. The training provided is invaluable as part of an incremental and sustained effort to build operational capacity and effectiveness, set against the importance of engaging ethically with the communities.

The webinar was organized as part of the “Drug law enforcement systems for criminal intelligence collection, analysis and exchange, and intelligence-led policing” component funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) of Sub-programme 1 “Countering transnational organized crime, illicit drug trafficking and preventing terrorism” of the UNODC Programme for Central Asia.

 

For additional information please contact

Nurangez Abdulhamidova,

Communication and External Relations Officer

UNODC Regional Office for Central Asia (Dushanbe)

Email: nurangez.abdulhamidova[at]un.org