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The Canada Initiative for Security in Central America
In keeping with this commitment, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced the establishment of the Canadian Initiative for Security in Central America (CISCA) on April 15, 2012, during the Summit of the Americas in Cartagena, Colombia.
Managed by DFAIT, CISCA will build on Canada’s existing security programming in Central America by disbursing $25 million over five years through Canada’s Anti-Crime Capacity-Building Program (ACCBP) and the Stabilization and Reconstruction Task Force (START).
Projects funded through CISCA will focus on police training, border security, enhancing regional dialogue, strengthening justice and security institutions, promoting human rights, supporting conflict resolution and reconciliation processes, and prevention of and intervention in cases of violence against vulnerable groups, such as women and youth.
The following projects, worth over $7.7 million, are currently being implemented as part of CISCA:
Specialised Equipment to Support Law Enforcement in Central America
Implementing Partner: Canadian Commercial Corporation
Funding announced: $3,160,500
Timeframe: March 2012-June 2012
This project supports an ongoing Canadian-funded project in Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala that aims to develop advanced technical capabilities to strengthen their criminal justice systems. Training is being provided on Special Methods of Investigation through specialised equipment to police and investigation units, including advanced wiretapping, ballistic forensics, surveillance, and intelligence analysis capabilities.
Equipment for Costa Rica Police Academy (Phase II)
Implementing partner: Canadian Commercial Corporation
Funding announced: $1,204,500
Timeframe: March 2012-June 2012
Building upon an initiative announced in Costa Rica by Prime Minister Harper in August 2011, this project will provide the Costa Rica Police Academy with bullet proof vests, helmets, and surveillance vehicles. The Police Academy requires this equipment due to the increase in recruits expected in the Costa Rican police force who need training on both surveillance and the proper conduct of operations.
Central American Ballistic Information Network (CABIN)
Implementing partner: Forensic Technology, Inc.
Funding announced: $2,084,044
Timeframe: March 2012-June 2012
This project is being implemented in Belize and Costa Rica, and involves the deployment of Integrated Ballistic Identifications Systems equipment, which reads bullets and bullet cartridges and facilitates the identification of weapons used in crimes. CABIN complements existing regional capabilities and is aimed at developing an Integrated Ballistic Information Network across Central America. Data collected through this network can be shared with other law enforcement communities via national and regional networks, such as INTERPOL. This will allow for better cross-jurisdictional coordination and investigations, helping to solve cross-jurisdictional crimes.
Support for OAS - Belize Police Commissioner Project
Implementing Partner: Organization for American States
Cost: $422,620
Timeframe: April 2012-March 2014
Canada is working in a cost sharing arrangement with the Government of Belize to support a foreign commissioner of police who will lead the police department, implement initiatives and mentor future commissioners of police. This project will support Belize’s objective of reforming and modernizing its police force. Fundamental to these efforts will be the implementation of sustainable programs and processes that focus on identified needs, such as criminal investigation, human resource management, and accountability amongst the senior ranks of the police department.
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on technical security cooperation between Canada and Colombia
Cost: $1,000,000
Timeframe: April 2012-March 2014
Announced on April 13, 2012, Canada and Colombia signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on technical security cooperation that will facilitate our work together as partners to help strengthen law enforcement systems in Honduras and Guatemala.
Additional Information on the Anti-Crime Capacity-Building Program (ACCBP) and the Stabilization and Reconstruction Task Force (START)
Managed by Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, the ACCBP provides training, equipment, technical and legal assistance to states to prevent or mitigate transnational criminal activity, and the START is designed to help answer the growing international demand for Canadian support and involvement in complex crises and to coordinate whole-of-government policy and program engagements in fragile states.
