Internal Security Forces Officers Graduate from U.S.-ISF Community Policing Program

July 15, 2011

On July 12, 2011, 130 Internal Security Forces (ISF) officers graduated from the joint U.S. and ISF Community Policing training program, an 8 week training course taught by U.S. and Lebanese police instructors with the assistance of legal professionals.  ISF officers learn the latest policing, law enforcement and community relations skills -- and how to implement them effectively in real situations. 

Congratulating the graduates, Deputy Chief of Mission Candace Putman explained that this specialized training program was designed as a pilot project for a single ISF police unit.  However, recognizing the wide-ranging benefits of community policing General Rifi and the ISF leadership took the decision to implement community-oriented policing practices throughout Lebanon, developing partnerships between law enforcement agencies and citizens and organizations in order to solve problems and increase trust in the police.

The $132 million U.S. law enforcement assistance program in Lebanon to supports Lebanese law enforcement sector reform by strengthening the capacity of the Internal Security Forces to enforce the rule of law and to protect the Lebanese people. The U.S. instruction team has trained over 7,600 ISF members in basic and advanced leadership courses since January 2008.