OSCE concludes canine training course on explosives detection in Kazakhstan

ALMATY, 28 August 2015 - A three-week advanced training course on effective use of dogs in countering transnational threats to the country’s security concluded today in Almaty.

Five canine specialists representing the State Revenue Committee, National Security Committee, State Protection Service, Border Guard Service and the Ministry of Internal Affairs received training conducted by the Head of the Canine Centre at Austria’s Ministry of Internal Affairs. They were familiarized with some of the most advanced techniques and methods of training dogs and dog-handlers through hands-on training on detection of explosives. Participants were instructed on how to later act as multipliers and share the knowledge acquired with law enforcement colleagues at their respective duty stations.

Speaking at the closing ceremony Mirco Guenther, Deputy Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Astana, said: “Dogs have proved their unique abilities to serve law enforcement agencies in preventing a variety of crimes, in particular those of a transnational nature. Since sharpening the service dogs’ skills requires a lot of time and effort, the more efficient and effective way is to apply best international practices in canine training.”

Ryspek Smakov, Head of the Customs Control Committee Cynology Centre in Almaty said: "The State Revenue Committee Cynology Centre willingly supports interagency and international co-operation aimed at combating threats to security. The training course which was launched last year in Almaty and continued in Austria with an international trainer has proven that such co-operation can bring good results not only for the trainers, but for our canine colleagues.”

The training course was co-organized by the OSCE Programme Office in Astana, the Canine Centre of the State Revenue Committee and the US Embassy in Kazakhstan concluded today in Almaty.

It is a follow-up to a similar training event held in October 2014 as part of the Office’s multi-year activities aimed at enhancing Kazakhstan’s capacity to counter transnational organized crime and terrorism.