Today, the US Embassy in Dhaka, along with Bangladeshi law enforcement, opened the Police Staff College with an extensive Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Threat Finance (AML/CTF) training program.
Under the direction of the US Secret Service and with funding from the US Department of State’s Bureau of Counterterrorism, this program seeks to improve Bangladeshi officials’ technical and investigative skills in the fight against financial and cybercrimes.
According to a press release from the US embassy here, 60 law enforcement personnel from 11 Bangladeshi agencies participated in the inauguration event, which signalled the start of a year-long training program that combines formal lectures, online instruction, and hands-on investigation activities.
“The United States and Bangladesh face common challenges from transnational criminal networks that operate across borders,” stated US embassy’s Chargé D’affaires Megan Bouldin while inaugurating the training programme. “Through our joint efforts, we can disrupt these networks and foster a safer, more secure environment for our citizens,” she added.
The Charg‚ d’Affaires underscored the significance of bilateral cooperation in addressing these multifaceted threats, which encompass financial crimes, human trafficking, and terrorism.
In addition to providing Bangladeshi law enforcement personnel with international standards for gathering evidence and presenting cases, the year-long training will cover crucial tactics for financial investigations, such as open-source intelligence and cryptocurrency tracing.
By strengthening Bangladesh’s ability to combat financial and cybercrime, this initiative reinforces the U.S. Embassy’s commitment to fostering a more secure global financial system and a safer Indo-Pacific region.
More than 25,000 Bangladeshi police officers and over 250 representatives of other law enforcement organisations have received training from the U.S. Embassy since 2011, with an emphasis on human rights, leadership, crime scene management, and combating violent extremism.
Along with extra international training possibilities offered by initiatives like the Women’s Leadership Institute and the International Association of Chiefs of Police Conference, this also includes specialised courses on subjects like social media strategy and virtual currency investigations.
According to the embassy, U.S. aid has improved law enforcement and correctional capabilities in Bangladesh, encouraging professional growth and improved security measures nationwide.
