Raising awareness: For better law enforcement, UN introduces e-learning

This computer-based training programme is a part of the UNODC's capacity building initiatives

KARACHI: The e-learning programme introduced by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has been most effective in Pakistan as compared to other countries, said UNODC representative César Guedes.

While speaking at a seminar organised by the UNODC on Tuesday, he added that he felt this was true as the number of law enforcement agencies, number of participants being trained and the number of training hours was at an all time high.

The seminar, 'UNODC e-Learning Programme: Enhancing the Law Enforcement Knowledge and Skills', was organised in collaboration with the directorate general of training and research at the old Customs House.

This programme is a part of the UNODC's capacity building initiatives and is available in English, Urdu and Pashtu. It is a computer-based training platform that delivers standard information to as many as 20 of Pakistan's law enforcement agencies, including the police, who deal with criminal activity and organised crime on a daily basis.

"We have been working here [Pakistan] and have developed 94 different modules since 2010," said Guedes. "Experts from around the world have helped design the modules." He added that these modules included delaying tactics, search techniques, risk management, basic intelligence, analysis and gathering digital evidence.

While discussing how they monitor a trainee's progress and impact of what is being taught, Guedes said that they were providing law enforcers with elements to do their job better. "We are empowering them," he said. "We don't keep a track on what they are doing on ground. We know they feel much more prepared." He added that the Anti-Narcotics Force, for example, found the trainings useful and had intercepted more quantities of drugs since.

According to Guedes, the UNODC had been working with Pakistan Customs to increase cooperation at other ports in Pakistan and abroad. "Port Control Units have been set up at nine locations in the country," he said. They are located on main road and rail arteries running from the sea to Pakistan's main cities and industrial areas."

Sindh Education Minister Nisar Khuhro was present at the seminar as chief guest. He claimed that the e-learning programme was beneficial for the law enforcers.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 1^st, 2015.