JSSP’s First Training Class in Southeast Afghanistan Celebrates Graduation
Gardez, Paktia Province, Afghanistan
On April 23, twenty-four students of the State Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) Focused District Development-Law class were honored at a graduation ceremony in Gardez, Paktia. This was the first training class of INL’s Justice Security Sector Support Program (JSSP) to graduate in the southeast region of Afghanistan. The Focused District Development-Law class mirrors the same districts as those in which police are trained through the Focused District Development program. These classes, in bringing prosecutors and investigative police together for comprehensive training, help to integrate all professionals within the criminal justice system of Afghanistan. Although Paktia is a predominately Pashtun region, the class of 24 students, comprised of 10 prosecutors and 14 investigative police officers, was ethnically mixed with Dari speakers and was taught bilingually. Students came from five provinces: Paktia, Paktika, Khost, Ghazni, and Zabul. One student drove over 200 kilometers to attend the training, demonstrating the type of dedication to learning and improving investigative skills that will help Afghanistan become a country of which citizens and their partners may be proud. INL looks forward to continuing training programs in Paktia and the neighboring provinces to develop and sustain the rule of law in Afghanistan.