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OSCE Mission trains Moldovan police officers in fighting human trafficking
CHISINAU 11 February 2005
CHISINAU, 11 February 2005 - The OSCE Mission to Moldova has awarded certificates today to 18 Moldovan police officers, recognizing their successful completion of a training course on investigation techniques to combat human trafficking.
During the two-week training programme, sponsored by the Mission, the police officers simulated a criminal investigation of a trafficking case and learned how to discover, analyze, and use evidence without any witness testimony from the trafficking victim.
"The inter-active training methodology of 'training by doing'used in the course - originally developed by the OSCE Spillover Monitor Mission to Skopje - is completely innovative", said Ryan Grist, the Mission's Deputy Head.
The course included field exercises such as live surveillance, a house search, and interrogations. The police officers had to defeat another a team of police who acted as criminals trying to subvert the investigation. Working together with representatives of key national non-governmental organizations, the officers learned how to improve co-operation and maximize resources.
Afterwards a public prosecutor assessed the evidence collected and offered his opinion on the likelihood of a successful prosecution.
"Rather than having the participants listen to experts, our aim was to let them discover local solutions for local problems", said Josh Court, an OSCE law enforcement trainer from the United Kingdom.
The simulated investigation evolves in an organic way in response to the unique skills, infra-structure, resources, and knowledge available to the participants.
"I am impressed with the innovative problem-solving skills of the Moldovan police officers", said Hubert Staberhofer, an OSCE law enforcement trainer from Austria. "I could easily fit them into my team at home."
Four police officers were singled out for individual achievement, such as strategic analysis and management and leadership. They received special praise at the closing ceremony from Moldova's Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, Vladimir Botnari, the Head of the Anti-Trafficking Unit, Ion Bejan, and the General Prosecutor, Eugen Rusu.
During the two-week training programme, sponsored by the Mission, the police officers simulated a criminal investigation of a trafficking case and learned how to discover, analyze, and use evidence without any witness testimony from the trafficking victim.
"The inter-active training methodology of 'training by doing'used in the course - originally developed by the OSCE Spillover Monitor Mission to Skopje - is completely innovative", said Ryan Grist, the Mission's Deputy Head.
The course included field exercises such as live surveillance, a house search, and interrogations. The police officers had to defeat another a team of police who acted as criminals trying to subvert the investigation. Working together with representatives of key national non-governmental organizations, the officers learned how to improve co-operation and maximize resources.
Afterwards a public prosecutor assessed the evidence collected and offered his opinion on the likelihood of a successful prosecution.
"Rather than having the participants listen to experts, our aim was to let them discover local solutions for local problems", said Josh Court, an OSCE law enforcement trainer from the United Kingdom.
The simulated investigation evolves in an organic way in response to the unique skills, infra-structure, resources, and knowledge available to the participants.
"I am impressed with the innovative problem-solving skills of the Moldovan police officers", said Hubert Staberhofer, an OSCE law enforcement trainer from Austria. "I could easily fit them into my team at home."
Four police officers were singled out for individual achievement, such as strategic analysis and management and leadership. They received special praise at the closing ceremony from Moldova's Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, Vladimir Botnari, the Head of the Anti-Trafficking Unit, Ion Bejan, and the General Prosecutor, Eugen Rusu.