Staff Reporter:
The US Embassy in Dhaka in collaboration with Bangladeshi law enforcement agencies yesterday launched a comprehensive Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Threat Finance (AML/CTF) training program at the Police Staff College.
This initiative led by the US Secret Service and funded by the US Department of State’s Bureau of Counterterrorism, aims to enhance the investigative and technical capabilities of Bangladeshi officials in combating financial and cyber crimes.
The inauguration ceremony included 60 law enforcement officials from 11 Bangladeshi agencies, mark-ing the commencement of a year-long training initiative that integrates formal seminars, online training, and practical investigative exercises, a US embassy’s press release said.
“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 program.
“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 multifac-eted threats, which encompass financial crimes, human trafficking, and terrorism.
The year-long training will cover critical techniques for financial investigations, including open-source intelligence and cryptocurrency tracing, equipping Bangladeshi law enforcement officials with interna-tional standards for evidence gathering and case presentation.
This program reaffirms the U.S. Embassy’s commitment to bolstering Bangladesh’s capacity to counter financial crime and cybercrime, thereby promoting a safer Indo-Pacific region and a more secure global financial system.
Since 2011, the U.S. Embassy has supported training of over 25,000 Bangladeshi police and approxi-mately 250 officials of other law enforcement agencies in Bangladesh, focusing on crime scene man-agement, countering violent extremism, leadership, and human rights.
This includes specialized sessions on topics like virtual currency investigations and social media strategy, with additional international training opportunities through programs like the International Association of
Chiefs of Police Conference and Women’s Leadership Institute.
The U.S. assistance has strengthened Bangladesh’s capacity in law enforcement and corrections, promot-ing professional development and enhanced security practices across the country, said the embassy.
