Washington, DC /eNewsChannels/ — On Tuesday, January 12, U.S. Ambassador to Tajikistan Kenneth E. Gross Jr. cut the ribbon at a ceremony to re-open renovated classrooms at the Tajikistan Ministry of Interior’s Police Training Academy. This $400,000 project included a complete overhaul of several Soviet-era classrooms that were in need of repair. The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) funded this project, and will also work with the Academy Director to augment the Academy’s curriculum to include classes focusing on real-world policing needs and emerging criminal threats. In addition, INL currently funds an embedded advisor at the Ministry of Interior to work on institutional development and training.
As one of Afghanistan’s northern neighbors, Tajikistan is on the front lines for northbound drug shipments. Tajikistan is a critical ally in the international effort to stem the flow of illicit narcotics and a strong partner of the United States. To help strengthen Tajikistan’s capacity to respond to these threats, the U.S. provides substantial training, technical and material assistance.
