AKIPRESS.COM - A letter of intent on organizing activities to support the police of Kyrgyzstan in fighting organized crime was signed on 24 April 2014 by the OSCE Centre in Bishkek and the Lithuanian Criminal Police Bureau.

According to the letter, the Police Department of Lithuania jointly with the Kyrgyz Police will research organized crime in Kyrgyzstan and prepare recommendations on how to combat this type of criminal activity.

The agreement also paves the way for on-the-job consultancies, training seminars and workshops for developing institutional capacities of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and specialized law enforcement agencies of the Kyrgyz Republic in combatting organized crime and other serious crimes. This activity will form part of the project “Strengthening Law Enforcement capacities to fight organised crime and serious crimes” of the OSCE Centre in Bishkek Police Reform Programme.

The training will be conducted by Lithuanian experts with the support of the OSCE Centre and will eventually see almost 100 Kyrgyz police officers trained on topics including the use of preventive measures, proactive investigation techniques, intelligence-led policing, protection of victims and witnesses, comprehensive assessment of the organized crime threat and links between organized crime and terrorism.

According to the letter, the Lithuanian support will also include the provision of consultancy and expertise in the implementation of a comprehensive police reform in line with democratic policing principles and best police practices.

Previously the Lithuanian Criminal Police Bureau hosted 10 Kyrgyz police officers on a study tour to share professional expertise and best practices in combating organized crime; to develop communication and discuss a framework for future co-operation.