Criminal intelligence analysis: OSCE and INTERPOL join forces to support Kyrgyz police officers

From 20 to 24 November, the OSCE Transnational Threats Department and INTERPOL in co-operation with the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek and the Ministry of Interior of the Kyrgyz Republic, conducted a training course on criminal intelligence analysis for Kyrgyz police officers.

The training course introduced nineteen participants to available channels for international police co-operation, trained them in the full criminal intelligence cycle and provided them with expertise to conduct criminal intelligence analysis as part of application of intelligence-led policing (ILP). The course built on the knowledge gained in two previous OSCE introductory courses on ILP and its effective implementation.

“The Ministry of Interior of the Kyrgyz Republic appreciates the deep-rooted co-operation between the OSCE and Kyrgyz law enforcement authorities and the expansion of co-operation with INTERPOL, which will bring real added value to our national authorities,” said Deputy Minister of Interior Abdiev Nurbek Takabaevich.

“The event was a unique opportunity for our two organisations to join forces to pilot an activity that can pave the way for future collaboration, and a great personal experience for me to work with such engaged participants,” said Ash Smith, Coordinator, Operational Analysis, Criminal Analysis Sub-directorate, INTERPOL.

“I am very honoured that we were able to support this event. Watching the participants was a great opportunity to see the steep learning curve of everyone present and also to learn something myself,” stressed Constantin Zelenty, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Bishkek.

The series of capacity-building events is part of an ongoing effort to assist Kyrgyzstan in its police reform process including implementation of ILP, following an in-depth needs assessment conducted jointly by the OSCE and the Kyrgyz authorities.

The training course, funded by Germany, was delivered as part of the extra-budgetary OSCE project “Building intelligence-led policing capacities on regional and national levels in the OSCE area”.