86 ARMM cops undergo scientific investigation training

ZAMBOANGA CITY - Eighty-six policemen from the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) have started undergoing a scientific investigation training funded by the US Department of Justice, its embassy announced Friday.

The US Embassy in Manila said the mid-level management and crime scene preservation training has been ongoing since the second week of June after taking two months break-in training activities for the 2013 election season.

The classes in Basilan, Cotabato, Jolo, Tawi-Tawi and Marawi City have been conducted by members of the Philippine National Police, who underwent an instructor development training provided by the U.S. Department of Justice through its International Criminal Investigative Training Assistance Program (ICITAP).

A majority of the funding for ICITAP training is provided by the International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs Bureau of the U.S. Department of State.

The ICITAP has trained more than 21,500 police officers since the US Department of Justice established the program in the country in 2006.

The ICITAP provides trainings for enhancement of basic police skills, as well as specialized training in investigations and forensic science while being reinforced with the democratic policing principles of ethics and human rights, the embassy statement added.