On 2 – 6 August and 9 – 13 August, UNODC conducted a training course on improving search, inspection and profiling skills for 42 law enforcement officers of Interagency Mobile Teams(IMTs).
“The high-level international conference ‘Central and South Asia: Regional Connectivity. Challenges and Opportunities’ held on 15-16 July in Tashkent is a vivid example of the state support and high relevance of international regional cooperation in countering new threats and challenges, as well as in ensuring border security. The support of the UN initiative provided under this project is also a successful example of international cooperation,” said Yusuf Kurbonov, the UNODC International Programme Coordinator, in his opening remarks.
“This training is taking place at a critical juncture. The situation in neighboring Afghanistan poses a formidable threat to Central Asian countries. Strengthening knowledge and skills in advanced profiling techniques will enable officers to effectively identify potential traffickers and counter drug trafficking and terrorism,” noted Shakhboz Isamuddinov from the State Customs Committee of Uzbekistan.
The training provided both theoretical and practical knowledge and skills to the participants. The trainees learned about psychological aspects of profiling, psychological characteristics of criminals, establishing psychological contact, innovative communicative technologies, interviewing methods, behavior in difficult communicative situations, among others.
During practical sessions, the participants learned how to profile and identify potential traffickers and criminals at checkpoints. Furthermore, the trainees visited the Kosonsoy border crossing point on the border between Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan to take part in drills.
The training was delivered by psychologists and expert profilers from Kazakhstan - Lola Shakimova and Akmaral Abdukeeva and UNODC expert from the Kyrgyz Republic Mr. Azamat Sabyrbekov.
IMTs and their coordinating structure – the Operations Coordination Team (OCT) - are comprised of the responsible officers from the State Security Service, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the State Customs Committee, Department on Combating Economic Crimes under the General Prosecutor’s Office and the National Information-Analytical Center on Drug Control under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
IMTs aim to enhance the operational capacities of the law enforcement agencies of Uzbekistan to promote a safe, healthy and secure society.
The training course was conducted within the framework of “Countering trafficking of Afghan narcotics and synthetic drugs in Uzbekistan through the establishment of Interagency Mobile Teams” component of Sub-programme 1 “Countering transnational organized crime, illicit drug trafficking and preventing terrorism” of the UNODC Programme for Central Asia. The component is funded by the Government of Japan.
For further information, please contact:
Nurangez Abdulhamidova
Communication and External Relations Officer
UNODC Regional Office for Central Asia
Email: nurangez.abdulhamidova[at]un.org
