The U.S. Embassy’s Office of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) and the Organization for Security and Cooperation (OSCE) co-sponsored a Community Policing Round Table which inaugurated seven Public Councils in Tajikistan. U.S. Ambassador Susan Elliott, Minister of Internal Affairs Lt. General Ramazon Rahimzoda, and Acting Head of the OSCE Office in Tajikistan Sean McGreevy officially opened the event on April 27. In their remarks, the dignitaries highlighted the importance of police and public cooperation. Public Councils were created by the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) in collaboration with civil society activists to improve the MIA’s capacity to serve Tajik citizens in a manner compliant with human rights. Public Councils are composed of police, local government, political party representatives, civil society leaders, lawyers, and community members. About 130 police and Public Council members from all regions of the country learned about the community policing strategy, partnership building, problem solving and crime prevention and also had an opportunity to network and exchange ideas. INL and OSCE plan to provide further assistance in capacity building to Public Councils to aid them in contributing to the National Police Reform process.
The U.S. Government is committed to supporting Tajikistan’s law enforcement and border security agencies and justice sector institutions. Since 1992, the American people have provided over $1 billion in programs and humanitarian aid that support Tajikistan’s democratic institutions, health care, education, security, and economic growth.
