9 August 2009
Guadalajara, Mexico
The Challenge
Certain cities and regions of Mexico have emerged as a nexus for international drug cartels. These cartels pose a serious security threat to Mexico, while fuelling much of the illegal drug trade in both Canada and the United States.
There has been a sudden and shocking increase of violent crime in Mexico as rival drug cartels compete to control of access to the lucrative North American market while intimidating the local population. In 2008 alone, the Mexican Government estimates that 6,000 people died in drug-related violence, almost double the 3,042 who died in drug-related violence in 2007.
The Anti-Crime Capacity Building Program (ACCPB)
The Anti-Crime Capacity Building Program (ACCPB) will provide up to $15 million per year to enhance the capacity of key beneficiary states, government entities and international organizations, to prevent and respond to threats posed by international criminal activity throughout the hemisphere. Crime and lack of security undermine democracy and economic progress. By strengthening capacity to fight crime, the ACCBP will contribute to the full range of Canada’s interests in the Americas.
Building on project delivery via multilateral and regional partner organizations, the ACCBP will expand Canadian law enforcement and criminal justice capacity building assistance to targeted states in the Americas. Assistance will be provided for projects that reflect Canada's policy priorities and obligations within the key international anti-crime conventions. This includes illicit drugs, corruption, human trafficking, money laundering, security system reform and crime prevention.
The Training Program in Mexico
The Government of Mexico requested technical assistance with its Federal Police Recruitment and Training Program. As an acknowledged leader in law enforcement, Canada is helping Mexico with police training to support the implementation of that country’s new policing model and establish an effective, well-trained and professional police service.
Spanish speaking RCMP instructors will go to Mexico to provide basic training to Mexican Federal Police recruits, as part of a joint project with the United States and other international partners. It is anticipated that 1,500 newly recruited police officers will be trained in Mexico during the summer of 2009. The training will take place at the Mexican Federal Police Training Academy in San Luis Potosi. Each course will include one international trainer and one Mexican trainer/shadow for 30 students; a total of 150 students will be trained per session as part of five courses.
Canada will provide training for 300 mid-level officers. This training will be delivered in conjunction with the US and other international partners.
Canada will also provide training to 32 new police commanding officers in police management, decision-making, investigation and intelligence skills at the Canadian Police College. The new police chiefs will be responsible for consolidating Mexico’s new Police Model and implementing the necessary actions for crime prevention and fighting organized crime in each of Mexico’s 32 states.
The objective of this project is to provide technical assistance to Mexico in support of its security system reform and its fight against organized crime. The identified priority areas for enhanced cooperation include policing, crime prevention, corrections and justice reform.
The training of Mexican police will help establish and sustain an effective, well-trained and professional police service in Mexico. This program is an excellent opportunity for Canada, the United States and international partners to contribute police expertise and strengthen the North American fight against drug smuggling and organized crime.
