Press Releases 2005
U.S. Donates Forensics Equipment to Montenegrin Police Laboratory
December 14, 2005
On December 15, U.S. Consulate Podgorica’s Principal Officer Arlene Ferrill will formally transfer equipment for the police forensics laboratory at the Ministry of Interior in Podgorica to the Head of the Criminal Department of the Montenegrin Police Ivan Masulovic.
The equipment transfer is valued at $303,000 and includes sophisticated machines for fingerprint identification, 15 digital cameras, 8 photo printers, testing kits for narcotics, other equipment necessary for the work of the forensics laboratory, and training for police and staff. The project is part of a $600,000 grant from the American people through the Department of State and the Department of Justice aimed at equipping the forensics laboratory and training laboratory staff.
U.S. International Criminal Investigative Training Assistance Program (ICITAP) Program Manager Gary Bennett, Senior Police Advisor to Montenegro Larry Plott, Senior Advisor on Forensics Terry Mills, and the Head of the Forensics Laboratory of the Ministry of Interior Ratko Jankovic, will also attend the ceremony.
Assistance for the forensics laboratory is part of the 2005 U.S. Assistance Program for Police Reform in Montenegro which provides training and equipment valued at over $2.5 million to support the reform and modernization of Montenegro’s police. This assistance also includes a Resident Police Advisor to the Police Academy and the Ministry of Interior; the renovation of and equipment for classrooms and other facilities of the Police Academy; and training for police officers in investigating trafficking and other organized crime.
Journalists interested in covering the event should be at the Ministry of Interior in Podgorica no later than 14:45 on Thursday, December 15.
For more information on the U.S. Government’s programs in Montenegro, please visit the Consulate's web site at http://podgorica.usconsulate.gov/