US training of Haitian police underway, ahead of $48M to fight crime, official says

A United States Department of State official said a police advisor and trainers are in Haiti to begin the process of specialized training for Haiti’s National Police, as the federal agency prepares to give Haiti $48 million more to develop its law and order infrastructure and, notably, combat rampant gang violence. 

The trainers with the U.S. Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement are focused on developing SWAT units, improving security at courthouses and continuing the support for violence prevention and anti-gang initiatives, according to the State Department.

“U.S. legislation prohibits the direct transfer of weapons and ammunition to the Haitian National Police using U.S. funds,” said Brian A. Nichols, Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs, during a July 8 call with media. “However, the State Department and the Department of Commerce have in the past, and will in the future, approved commercial purchases of weapons and ammunition by the government of Haiti.”

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