ICITAP works with host countries to design and implement assistance programs that address their unique needs. Countries with which ICITAP works generally are experiencing at least one of these development challenges:

Emerging democracy and developing country

In emerging democracies and developing countries, ICITAP focuses on helping build the capacity of law enforcement institutions to deliver effective responses to citizens' needs, treat citizens fairly, and be accountable for their actions. In many countries, ICITAP helps transition police organizations, previously under military control, into independent, civilian-led police forces that support democratic governance.

ICITAP helps to build capable, transparent, and accountable law enforcement institutions in emerging democracies and developing countries through technical assistance and training in the areas of:

Basic investigative skills
Instructor and academy development
Professional standards and ethics
Anticorruption investigation
Human rights standards and use-of-force protocols
Organizational development
Civil disorder management
Crime prevention and community policing
Traffic management and accident investigation
Transnational crime investigation

Post-conflict reconstruction and international peacekeeping mission READ MORE

ICITAP works with other U.S. agencies and international donors to develop law enforcement institutions in the context of post-conflict reconstruction or international peacekeeping operations. Since its first post-conflict development program in Panama in 1990, ICITAP has played a critical role in efforts to establish stability and rule of law in war-torn countries.

ICITAP's goal in post-conflict reconstruction assistance is to hand over the administration of law enforcement institutions to the host government. To do this ICITAP trains civilian police, corrections, and support personnel in basic skills and human rights to prepare them to deliver law enforcement services in a free society. To ensure the sustainability of these efforts, ICITAP also provides the comprehensive, long-term development of law enforcement institutions focusing on:

Recruitment and vetting
Training academy and instructor development
Budgeting, planning, payroll, and procurement
Facilities and equipment maintenance
Internal affairs
Command and control structures
Leadership and management skills
Critical incident management capabilities
Design of new police stations, prisons, and training academies

Partners in combating terrorism

ICITAP provides assistance in countries that are key to U.S. counterterrorism strategies. ICITAP assists host country law enforcement institutions in developing the tools and capacity to combat transnational crime and terrorism. Throughout, ICITAP promotes rule of law and respect for human rights and advances opportunities to build law enforcement partnerships between the host country and the United States.

Depending on the circumstances in the host country, ICITAP builds on its emerging democracy and developing country model or its rebuilding and international peacekeeping mission model with these additional components:

Border and marine security
Information systems and investigative, forensic, and criminal databases
Special investigative techniques, such as computer forensics and cybercrime, post-blast, and kidnapping investigations
Unit-level, high-risk tactical training, including bomb disposal and specialized weapons and tactics (SWAT) procedures