Training to protect and serve effectively

The „Police Academy”. in Budapest turned 20 years. There is no change in goals: to protect and serve more effectively and fight criminal groups which have become more global, sophisticated and technically advanced than ever before.

Forget the famous movie 'Police Academy'. In the  'Budapest version' everything and everyone are serious. All share a common goal: to protect and serve more effectively and fight criminal groups which have become more global, sophisticated and technically advanced than ever before.

The Budapest-based International Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) has become a useful institution to train young officers to fight international organized crime. Twenty years have passed since the opening and more than 21, 000 students have graduated. They represent 29 countries from Central and East Europe, former Soviet republics and Asia. Interestingly, in the Graduation Ceremony, held mid July, one former graduate who was sitting on the stage as a dignitary was the Minister of Interior of Macedonia.

'That is not a surprise, other graduates are also members of their governments. And this is absolutely achievable' - Assistant U.S. Secretary of State for the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs William R. Brownfield noted in his speech. Later he gave a short interview to Diplomacy&Trade and said: There were three goals 20 years ago. To create stronger institutions, improve capabilities and increase cooperation among law enforcement organizations across the globe. As he noted: this goal has been achieved but the job is not over as criminals are more active than ever before.

He mentioned proudly that since its start the ILEA project has involved more than 85 countries and 55,000 graduates. 'That means everyone is a member of a huge special network. If someone has a problem, they do not have to hesitate to call a fellow graduate to solve it. This is just one of the many advantages of studying at ILEA'- ha added.

Asked about the way the US can help filter the enormous flow of immigrants into Europe and especially Hungary he said: Hungary is in the crossroads of drug traffickers. Criminals may enter Hungary on their way to West Europe. It is simple. Everyone has to Cooperate, Cooperate, Cooperate. Cooperation is vital among Hungarian institutions, cooperation with partner organizations in neighboring countries and cooperation on European and global levels.'

Diplomacy&Trade was given a rare chance to meet a real FBI chief before the Graduation Ceremony. FBI Executive Assistant Director Robert Anderson Jr.(Criminal, Cyber, Response, and Services Branch) was very straightforward and open to our questions related to the ways FBI assistance in Hungary. He said the worldwide legal attaché program perfectly serves the FBI's needs: there are 83 such attachés in 123 countries around the world, including Hungary. These are FBI's frontline agents who work closely with the relevant institutions of the given country. They help identify potential criminals and collect and share data and experiences.

He was particularly pleased with the progress of ILEA in Budapest. He was referring to former FBI head Lewis Free, who was one of the instigators of ILEA 20 years ago. 'Looking back on these two decades we can only say: we could not fight organized crime effectively without this project'.

ILEA adjusts the curriculum to the quick changes and development of international criminal groups. According to Anderson they are not teaching something that would have been relevant two years ago. 'When it comes to cyber crime or international crime, the speed at which the bad guys move is very quick. So our instructors are current and up to date and that makes this place very great.'

Special courses

1. Airport Interdiction Seminar

Course topics include establishing/enhancing an interdiction unit that will/is operate at a nations transportation hubs; identifying characteristics/behaviors routinely found in persons involved in criminal activity; using interview and interrogation techniques that have proven effective in a transportation environment; developing an initial seizure/arrest into a large scale investigation;

2. Environmental Enforcement and Prosecution

This course provides training for prosecutors to provide them with an understanding of the intricacies involved in prosecuting an environmental criminal case and the methodologies and resources available which can lead to a successful resolution of the case. The course is highly interactive with the students, including several practical exercises.

3. Intellectual Property Rights

Classroom and practical training covering various aspects of intellectual property rights investigations. Including but not limited to: border enforcement, commercial fraud, cyber investigations, money laundering fundamentals, investigative techniques, and undercover operations.

4. Small Arms Trafficking

This course addresses security in terms of firearms trafficking, beginning with the proper identification of firearms and ammunition, the tracing of firearms from manufacturer to initial purchaser, interview concepts as they relate to firearms trafficking investigations and operational security issues during all phases of these investigations.

5. Trafficking in Persons

The TIP focuses principally upon the identification, collection and presentation of probative evidence. The topics addressed during the course include: International law, current situation, world views on trafficking in persons, trends and consequences, victim identification, interviewing techniques, evidence collection.