In 1994, the International Criminal Investigative Training Assistance Program (ICITAP) initiated its first law enforcement development project in the Africa and Middle East region—a “whole of police force” development effort in Somalia. Since then, ICITAP has delivered a wide range of technical assistance and specialized training programs in nearly 30 countries throughout the region. Today, ICITAP’s law enforcement development focuses on combating human-trafficking, gender-based violence, public corruption, and terrorism.

ICITAP receives funding and partnership support from the U.S. Agency for International Development; the State Department's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, and Office of the Coordinator for Counterterrorism (S/CT); and the Millennium Challenge Corporation.

Learn more about ICITAP's programs in this region (*indicates field office):

Current Programs

Algeria*

In 2010, ICITAP began a three-year, comprehensive training and technical assistance program designed to build the capacity of the Algeria Gendarmerie Nationale to fight terrorism and transnational crime. The program focuses on three strategic areas: forensics, criminal investigations, and border security.

Iraq

Since 2003, ICITAP has played a major role in helping to restore the criminal justice system in Iraq. ICITAP led an advance team shortly after major conflict ended to assess the condition of local law enforcement institutions. Under the Coalition Provisional Authority, ICITAP assisted with the establishment of Iraq's Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Justice, and Department of Border Enforcement, and also designed and implemented training and organizational development programs for these institutions. ICITAP's efforts are currently focused on building Iraq's law enforcement capacity in the areas of corrections and anticorruption investigations. Previously, ICITAP supported law enforcement development programs for police, border security, forensics, and judicial investigations. 

Kenya* & Tanzania

In 2011, ICITAP initiated a regional forensics program in East Africa, working in Kenya and Tanzania. The Kenya project will deliver design plans for a state of the art forensic science institute. The Tanzania program focuses on providing training in disciplines such as crime scene investigation, questioned documents, drug chemistry, latent prints, and digital evidence, in addition to mentoring in laboratory management.

Morocco

In 2009, ICITAP conducted an assessment of the Morocco Royal Gendarmerie Laboratory and the National Police Laboratory and will provide training and technical assistance to aid both labs in their pursuit of international accreditation.

Nigeria

Since 2002, ICITAP has provided training on civil disorder management and election security in Nigeria. ICITAP also provided technical assistance on recruiting and training criminal investigators for the Police Service Commission, a civilian oversight body for the Nigerian police force. ICITAP is working with the State Department to deliver a program to combat trafficking in persons.

Sierra Leone

In 2011, ICITAP began providing technical assistance and training to the Sierra Leone Police in the area of election security. ICITAP is working with the police to help develop a sustainable capacity to maintain peace before, during, and after elections. ICITAP is working with police and civil society organizations to develop and implement a civic education program to improve citizens' understanding of the role of law enforcement in election security.

South Africa

Since 2003, ICITAP has worked with the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) to help them become a full-service police organization. Working with senior JMPD officials, ICITAP developed a complete standard operating procedures and policy manual, and provided support for the development of basic recruit and in-service training. South Africa is one of four African countries in which ICITAP provided training and technical assistance—under the Women's Justice and Empowerment Initiative—to combat gender-based violence.

South Sudan*

Since 2007, ICITAP's work in South Sudan has focused on establishing stable law enforcement institutions that support the rule of law. In 2010 ICITAP launched a new information-led policing program. ICITAP's goal is to help the government of South Sudan and the Southern Sudan Police Service become more effective in combating crime and extremism, and to strengthen governance in vulnerable areas.

Past Programs

Benin

From 2002 to 2011, ICITAP provided training and technical assistance in criminal case management and investigations. Benin is one of four African countries in which ICITAP provided training and technical assistance—under the Women's Justice and Empowerment Initiative—to combat gender-based violence.

Gabon

ICITAP began working with the State Department in 2007 on a program to combat trafficking in persons. ICITAP conducted an assessment and provided training and technical assistance.

Gambia

ICITAP began working with the State Department in 2007 on a program to combat trafficking in persons.

Ghana

In 1999, ICITAP began providing training and technical assistance to Ghana's police service on civil disorder management, sex crimes investigation, first responder training, and community policing. The comprehensive program—which included instructor development, mid-level management, basic criminal investigations, media relations, narcotics investigations, and internal affairs—was part of a major democracy-building initiative in Ghana.

Madagascar

ICITAP began providing human trafficking investigations training to law enforcement investigators throughout Madagascar in 2008. The project focused on establishing the first nationwide interagency law enforcement unit dedicated to combating trafficking-in-persons.

Mozambique

ICITAP's work in Mozambique contributed to the development of law enforcement capabilities in three critical areas. The initial project, in 2003, assisted the Academy of Police Sciences in creating training requirements for the Mozambican police and created a training forensics laboratory at the academy. The following year, ICITAP initiated a community policing project that included the creation and deployment of bicycle patrol units.

Rwanda

From 2009 to 2011, ICITAP provided technical assistance, training, and mentoring to the Rwanda National Police in the area of internal affairs. ICITAP helped the police develop comprehensive reporting and internal investigations processes to improve accountability.

Senegal

In 2002, ICITAP initiated a three-pronged law enforcement development program focused on mid-level management training for officers in Senegal's gendarmerie and national police, and on drug investigation training, including drug testing techniques and laboratory management. More recently, ICITAP launched a project to help establish a community policing program and an office to combat trafficking in persons.

Tanzania

ICITAP's assistance to Tanzania began in 2002 in response to the 1998 terrorist bombing of the U.S. Embassy in Dar es Salaam. ICITAP's support focused on civil disorder management and election security, basic police skills, criminal investigations, police training and curriculum development, anti-human trafficking, and the establishment of a criminal forensics laboratory.

Uganda

Since 2003, ICITAP has helped the Ugandan police force improve its basic and criminal investigation skills, including forensics capabilities, and has assisted in building criminal intelligence management systems. ICITAP recently completed a highly successful program designed to combat trafficking in persons. The passage of a comprehensive anti-trafficking law combined with ICITAP's training and technical assistance is strengthening the government's capacity to increase prosecution of trafficking cases.

Zambia

ICITAP began working with the government of Zambia in 2007. Zambia was one of four African countries in which ICITAP provided training and technical assistance—under the Women's Justice and Empowerment Initiative—to combat gender-based violence.