UNDP and U.S. have donated equipment for a total value over US$73,000 to train the employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs

The respective lot covers different types of individual and group equipment to be used during training lessons provided by the JLETC. These would be training helmets with full-face protection, knee pads, arm pads, stab-proof vests, metal detectors, traffic control batons, tactical belts, mannequins for rescue training etc. The MIA employees will use them to develop more physical and tactical skills that they need while carrying out their duties, such as rescue interventions in critical situations, interception, giving formal notice, body search, use of special means, including rubber baton, handcuffs, tear gas, etc. At the same time, thanks to the equipment donated by UNDP and U.S., the JLETC trainees have the possibility to maintain their health in good condition, by developing their speed, strength, resistance, but also to prevent certain health problems which might emerge as a result of the professional effort.

Currently, 247 sub-officers are attending a four-months initial training programme organized by the JLETC. In the context of COVID-19 pandemic, the lessons are being held online. According to Police Development Strategy, the center is envisaged to provide initial and continuous training to over 600 sub-officers during the current year. Every MIA employee should undergo a specialized training once in three years, according to the law.

“Establishing a fully functional Joint Law Enforcement Training Center is an important part of the national Police Development Strategy for 2016-2020. This donation demonstrates the commitment of the U.S. Government to support the Ministry of Internal Affairs to implement this plan,” mentioned Timothy Buckley, Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Section director, U.S. Embassy.

"We are glad that thanks to joint projects, we already have good results, and these special means will raise the quality level of professional training for sub-officers, who come to the initial training within the JLETC. We thank the U.S. Embassy and the United Nations Development Programme for all their support, and we wish for the continuity of the project", mentioned the Secretary General of the Ministry of Interior, Ianus Erhan.

“This activity is meant to build the professional skills of the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ employees and to implicitly contribute to better enforcement of public order for all women and men in the Republic of Moldova,” mentioned Alexandru Cocirta, UNDP Moldova Programme Analyst.

JLETC was established in 2018 and recently in 2020 merged with the Academy of Police. The institution organizes and carries out initial and continuous professional training of the Ministry of Internal Affairs staff, law-enforcement institutions, and other beneficiaries.

In 2019, JLETC benefited from assistance for a total value of $59,000 from UNDP and U.S. to operationalize its training process.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Republic of Moldova’s Police have a long-term collaboration with the U.S. Government and UNDP, during which a number of activities were carried out to build the institutional and professional capacities of police staff, with the purpose of ensuring a safe environment for all men and women in the Republic of Moldova and increasing the level of trust in police. The assistance provided by U.S. through UNDP accounts for about $3 million, during 2014-2019.

The “Support to Law Enforcement Reform in Moldova” Project is implemented by UNDP with the financial support of the U.S. Government.