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September 28, 2014Washington, DC, United StatesOperational

HSI participates in international training

Members of HSI San Diego SRT and GS Tom Welch, HSI Phoenix, pose for a group photo with HSI Rome Attaché Unzueta and FSNi Coppolo during in European Police Services Training in Vicenza, Italy. GS Tom Welch, HSI Phoenix, receives a certificate for his contribution to European Police Services Training in Vicenza, Italy. Members of HSI San Diego SRT participate in European Police Services Training in Vicenza, Italy. Members of HSI San Diego SRT participate in European Police Services Training in Vicenza, Italy.

For two weeks in September, four members of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) San Diego special response team (SRT) and an HSI Phoenix human trafficking subject matter expert (HTSME) contributed their insight and expertise to European Union Police Services Training in Vicenza, Italy. 

This joint effort was coordinated by HSI Rome, after receiving an invitation from the European Union Police Services Training Center, through the Carabinieri General Headquarters to participate in the training, which took place from Sept.15-26.

"The EUPST was a great opportunity for HSI agents to share their expertise and to interact with police officers from over 40 countries throughout Europe and Africa,” said HSI Rome Attaché Mike Unzueta. “Our agents were recognized for their professionalism and leadership in combating transnational criminal organizations."

The training exercise included both classroom presentations and field exercises, and covered various aspects of law enforcement, including, but not limited to, maintaining public order; convoy escorts; investigations; technical detection; explosives; VIP and witnesses protection; swat teams; protecting human rights in policing; and the protection of vulnerable groups, disabled persons, rights of minorities in civilian police missions.

The training is designed to increase European and African nations’ law enforcement capabilities in times of crisis.  Over 300 participants from 45 law enforcement agencies representing 35 countries participated in the training. To date, approximately 1,385 police officers have attended the training, which will have a total of seven sessions in both Europe and Africa.

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