DUSHANBE, July 8, 2011, Asia-Plus Dushanbe, Tajikistan, July 8, 2011 – The United States Embassy sent six senior-level officers from the Public Order Directorate of the Ministry of Interior (MoI) to California, June 24–July 1, to learn about emergency response management, the U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe said.

The tour was part of the Embassy’s International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs’ (INL) Crisis and Disaster Response project implemented by The Emergence Group (TEG).

Participants visited police and sheriff departments, training institutes, and emergency operation centers in Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Port Hueneme.  They observed live emergency management training exercises and crowd control drills, studied incident command and mutual aid systems, and participated in the Annual California Emergency Management Symposium, where law enforcement and civilian agencies work together to enhance emergency response planning and operations.

Head of MoI’s Public Order Directorate, General Mumin Zinatov, remarked, “The U.S. incident command and mutual aid systems are impressive, especially interagency cooperation, joint operations, tactical training, and planning.  This collaborative approach could be successfully applied in Tajikistan. Working with communities, directly and through mass media to minimize the impact of natural and man-made disasters, is also essential for community safety.”

The United States Government is committed to continuing its support and assistance to the Tajik law enforcement community.  Since 1992, the U.S. Government has provided more than $984 million in assistance programs which enhance law enforcement and security systems, economic growth, democratic institutions, health care, and education in Tajikistan.