Europe and Eurasia

In Europe and Eurasia, the International Criminal Investigative Training Assistance Program (ICITAP) is focusing its assistance efforts on strengthening border security, building capacity to conduct complex investigations, and improving regional cross-border law enforcement cooperation. Through ICITAP’s efforts to strengthen the rule of law and secure stable environments, the countries in this region have become stronger partners to the United States and more active participants within the international community.

ICITAP receives funding and partnership support from the State Department's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), Bureau of Counterterrorism (CT), and the Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation (ISN) Export Control and Related Border Security (EXBS) program.  ICITAP also receives funding and partnership support from the Defense Department’s U. S. European Command (USEUCOM).

ICITAP works in close collaboration with other bureaus within the State Department, other U.S. agencies, and a diverse range of international and regional organizations in Europe, including the United Nations, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), and the European Union (EU).

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

Current Programs

Albania*

Since 1997, ICITAP has worked in close partnership with Albania’s security and law enforcement community to support efforts to professionalize and modernize the capacity and skills necessary to effectively combat transnational organized crime as well as increase police accountability. ICITAP’s assistance supports the Albania’s goal of integration into the European Union (EU) and advances interoperability with U.S. and international law enforcement agencies.

For more than two decades, ICITAP has partnered with the Albanian State Police (ASP) in their efforts to reform its organizational structures and ethos. Currently ICITAP’s efforts are focused on building the capacity of the National Bureau of Investigations and the Service for Internal Affairs and Complaints.

ICITAP’s work has been instrumental in helping the ASP build investigative capacity in narcotics, human trafficking, undercover operations, and computer forensics. The establishment of a nationwide drug demand reduction program and increasing gender diversity were also significant achievements, as were the expansion, training, and equipping of the Counterterrorism Unit. The implementation of IT systems that allow information to be shared across agencies have contributed to visa-free travel, improved protection of human rights, detection of terrorist movements, and successful participation in international law enforcement activities.

Bosnia-Herzegovina*

ICITAP has been working in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) since 1996 and is currently providing training and material assistance to the majority of the 17 state, entity-level Cantonal law enforcement agencies as well as the three police training academies. 

ICITAP aids law enforcement in BiH in the development of core law enforcement capacities necessary to address corruption, organized crime, and emergency response. ICITAP efforts help to advance the rule of law in BiH and enable police agencies to meet standards required for BiH membership in the European Union. ICITAP assistance to BiH police agencies is grounded in democratic policing principles and international best practices.

Croatia

Since 2001, ICITAP has been developing law enforcement capacity to combat organized crime both within Croatia’s borders and in partnership with other countries in the Balkan’s region. Currently, ICITAP is working with the Croatian government to share their experiences in security sector reform and European Union (EU) accession with partner nations in the region. ICITAP supports the development of regional law enforcement partnerships and interoperability by bringing together law enforcement officials from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia to engage in workshops, seminars, and conferences. 

Kosovo*

Since 1999, ICITAP has been at the forefront of developing rule of law institutions in Kosovo. From 1999 to 2008, ICITAP led the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe’s (OSCE) and United Nation’s mission to establish and train the new Kosovo Police. Since 2008, ICITAP has continued to work to strengthen security in Kosovo and build the capacity of Kosovo’s law enforcement institutions, including the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MoIA), the Kosovo Police (KP), the Police Inspectorate of Kosovo (PIK), the Kosovo Correctional Service (KCS), the Kosovo Forensic Agency (KFA), the Emergency Management Agency (EMA), and the Kosovo Academy for Public Safety (KAPS).

North Macedonia *

Since 2001, ICITAP has provided assistance to the Ministry of Interior (MOI) and the Public Security Bureau (PSB) in the achievement of reforms identified in the Ohrid Framework Agreement, as well as advance North Macedonia’s law enforcement efforts to thwart and investigate transnational crime, terrorism, radicalization, and violent extremism that threaten both North Macedonia and the United States.

ICITAP law enforcement assistance focuses on the development of police managers; the promotion of non-corrupt behaviors; the introduction of modern policing systems and practices; and the ability of the police to engage effectively and professionally with the communities they serve.

Montenegro*

ICITAP has assisted the development of Montenegro’s law enforcement capacities since 2004, when the country was still in a political union with Serbia. Following Montenegro’s independence in 2006, ICITAP has worked with the National Police Directorate and the National Police Academy on a number of projects enhancing the capacity of the police to investigate serious and organized crime. ICITAP often works in tandem with the U.S. Embassy’s Rule of Law Program. The ICITAP Team is embedded within the Ministry of Interior and the National Police Directorate (NPD).

Serbia*

Since 2004, ICITAP has worked in close partnership with the Serbian National Police (SNP). ICITAP aids the SNP leadership in advancing the agency’s capacity to investigate and detect complex crimes, institutionalize organizational change, and effectively and efficiently manage a large police agency. ICITAP’s goal is to assist the SNP in becoming an elite modern policing agency, capable of cooperating and coordinating with regional and international law enforcement agencies, with the goal of EU accession.

ICITAP also works closely with the Ministry of Interior (MOI), Police Directorate, the Border Police, the Customs Administration, Police University, and the Republic’s Public Prosecutors Office (RPPO).

Ukraine

Since 2005, ICITAP has maintained a full-time presence in Ukraine providing assistance to multiple Ukrainian law enforcement agencies to include the National Police of Ukraine (NPU), the Patrol Police Department (PPD), the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU), the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine (SBGSU) and the Counter-Narcotics Department (CND). ICITAP assistance includes training and mentoring, infrastructure construction, equipment and materials donations. ICITAP efforts are focused on the design and implementation of policies, procedures and modern law enforcement strategies that support sustainable institutional reform.

Selected Past Programs

Armenia

From 2003 to 2011, ICITAP provided training in civil disturbance management, combating domestic violence, and internal affairs development. ICITAP also partnered with the Armenian national police to build a firing range and provided firearms training.

Bulgaria

ICITAP worked with the Bulgarians from 2003 to 2007 as part of the Regional Criminal Justice Initiative—an effort to improve coordination among police, prosecutors, and judges in the prosecution of criminal cases, including organized crime and corruption cases. ICITAP also provided technical assistance in the development of community policing programs. From 2010–2011, ICITAP worked with the Ministry of Interior, the Prosecution Service, and the State Agency for National Security to improve the capacity of a newly formed interagency organized crime task force through targeted training and equipment.

Georgia

Following the Rose Revolution in 2003, ICITAP provided assistance to Georgia's police academy—including management training, the development of standard operating procedures and curriculum, and the donation of equipment and uniforms.

Kazakhstan

ICITAP began work in Kazakhstan in the late 1990s as part of the effort to support law enforcement reform in the newly independent (former Soviet Union) states. ICITAP helped introduce community policing and develop the police academy. From 2005 to 2007, ICITAP provided technical assistance in the area of trafficking in persons.

Kyrgyzstan

From 2004 to 2016, ICITAP provided assistance in organizational development and anticorruption in Kyrgyzstan. ICITAP worked with the Kyrgyz Republic’s drug-enforcement service, particularly in the development of mobile drug-interdiction teams; the Kyrgyz Republic’s Traffic Police Service to develop strategies to fight corruption; and the Ministry of Internal Affairs to restructure the internal security services and train personnel in international standards for handling complaints of misconduct. ICITAP also assisted in renovating the Kyrgyz Republic’s primary police training school.

Moldova

From 2001 to 2012, ICITAP worked with Moldovan law enforcement institutions on training, academy development, and anticorruption initiatives. ICITAP partnered with the Ministry of Interior and the Customs Service of Moldova to reduce opportunities for corruption and increase transparency and accountability in Moldova's customs and police administration. ICITAP also worked with the Ministry of Interior to develop their criminal investigative capacity.

Tajikistan

From 2004 to 2009, ICITAP provided assistance in police reform and institutional development in Tajikistan. Working with the State Department and other partners, ICITAP helped establish a drug control agency to enhance Tajikistan’s antinarcotics trafficking effort. ICITAP also provided training and technical assistance to help improve intelligence analysis capabilities and assisted in equipping and training forensics and border control professionals.