U.S. Embassy Sends the First Group of ISF Members for Training in the United States

August 11, 2008

Internal Security Forces (ISF) members selected to participate in the U.S. sponsored ISF Police Training Visitor’s Program.

The first group of Internal Security Forces (ISF) members selected to participate in the U.S. sponsored ISF Police Training Visitor’s Program, departed Sunday, August 10 for the United States, after receiving a warm send off from Bill Grant the Deputy Chief of Mission. 

The ISF Police Training Visitor’s Program honors high-achieving students, instructors and officers who have participated in the U.S. sponsored police training program.  This new bi-annual visitor program will strengthen the knowledge the trainees have gained, complement the academy’s training and allow the ISF participants to meet with their professional colleagues in the United States.

The group will spend ten days visiting law enforcement agencies in various cities throughout the United States. The visit will begin in Washington D.C. with a welcome briefing by the U.S. Department of State’s officials responsible for law enforcement assistance programs.  The participants will then visit model police departments, academies, and criminal investigations units in Washington D.C., Virginia, North Carolina and Florida to observe operations and to exchange best practices.

These high achieving students and officers will bring their knowledge back to the ISF, where they will use their skills to benefit Lebanon, and share their new knowledge with their professional colleagues in the Lebanese Internal Security Forces. 

The U.S. Government has been assisting the ISF in its development since October 2006 through several programs.  The professional development of the ISF is critical for Lebanon’s sovereignty and security.  The U.S. Government is committed to supporting Lebanon, the ISF and the Lebanese people.