ICITAP Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

As a result of the United States Congress passing legislation to expand a waiver to Section 660 to include “programs to enhance investigative capabilities conducted under judicial or prosecutorial control,” Section 534(b)(3) of the Foreign Assistance Act authorized the establishment of ICITAP in January of 1986. ICITAP was established to help gain prosecutions in key human rights cases in El Salvador and to bolster the criminal investigative capacity of Latin American security forces. For the remainder of the 1980s, ICITAP provided training in criminal investigations, forensics, police management, and combating violent crime to established law enforcement agencies throughout the Western Hemisphere. Since 1986, ICITAP has strengthened national security by advancing U.S. law enforcement operations abroad through training, mentoring, and technical assistance in 117 countries worldwide. See ICITAP’s Historical Milestones.

ICITAP works in close partnership with and receives funding for its overseas missions and programs from the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Department of Defense, and the U.S. Agency for International Development.

ICITAP is an international development organization that works with foreign governments to develop strong law enforcement, forensics, and correctional institutions through technical assistance, mentoring, and training. ICITAP’s mission is to strengthen national security by advancing U.S. law enforcement operations abroad. ICITAP incorporates principles of human rights and transparency into all its activities. Program areas include Academy and Instructor Development; Basic Police Services; Community Policing / Engagement; Corrections / Prison Management; Countering Violent Extremism; Counterterrorism; Counter-trafficking; Counter-transnational criminal organizations; Criminal Investigations; Criminal Justice Coordination; Cyber and Intellectual Property Crime; Emergency Communications; Forensics; Information Systems; Marine and Border Security; Organizational Development; Public Affairs / Strategic Communications; Public Integrity and Anticorruption; and Specialized and Tactical Skills. For more information, see ICITAP Fact Sheet.

One of the primary missions of DOJ is to support the U.S. national security strategy in combating international terrorism and transnational crime. To help accomplish this, the United States must have effective partners abroad. ICITAP—which is part of DOJ's Criminal Division—uses its technical assistance, mentoring, and training expertise to reinforce DOJ's national security and criminal justice objectives. The equation is straightforward: by helping to strengthen the rule of law and law enforcement capacity in foreign countries, ICITAP helps strengthen the national security of the United States.

In designing and executing international law enforcement development programs, ICITAP often partners with other DOJ agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Drug Enforcement Administration; the U.S. Marshals Service; the Bureau of Prisons, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. ICITAP also partners with DOJ's Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and Training (OPDAT). Working together, ICITAP and OPDAT help host countries build integrity, professionalism, and accountability in the three pillars of criminal justice: police, courts, and corrections. ICITAP also collaborates with agencies from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Department of the Treasury.

Vacancies for ICITAP federal positions are posted on www.usajobs.gov. In addition, ICITAP works closely with its prime contractor, Amentum, to ensure recruitment, selection, and deployment of law enforcement, Corrections, and forensics subject matter experts of the highest caliber. Contact Amentum at 205-826-4433 about working with ICITAP and search for ICITAP opportunities at www.amentumcareers.com/jobs/search

ICITAP maintains full-time missions and programs in many countries around the globe.  View the locations of ICITAP's programs and field offices.