The Kingdom, which became one of the 24 founding nations of INTERPA, signed the protocol in Riyadh Saturday.

"This initiative aims to strengthen cooperation among the police forces across the globe and offers an opportunity to increase cooperation in several areas confronted by policemen locally, regionally and globally," said Maj. Gen. Fahd Ahmad Al-Shalan, director general of the Riyadh-based King Fahd Security College (KFSC).

Al-Shalan signed the protocol on behalf of the Ministry of Interior, following approval by Prince Naif, second deputy premier and minister of interior.

Spelling out the details of the initiative, Al-Shalan said INTERPA would "serve as a forum for nations to present their police training methods and share their experiences, achievements and challenges" in several areas, which will help improve the performance and capabilities of police forces across the world. This will also meet the demands for more action against crime throughout the region in particular, he added.

The KFSC chief said the International Union of Police Academies would extend all possible help "to boost relations among security education institutions, introduce innovative police training programs and promote the exchange of information and expertise." He said the KFSC, which is the main educational institution in Saudi Arabia that teaches security and criminal sciences, will serve as the nodal point on behalf of the Kingdom.

The KFSC currently ranks as a major academy providing the country with all its policing personnel. This Riyadh academy will work closely with the proposed Istanbul international academy, whose establishment has already been endorsed by 23 other countries earlier this month. These countries signed the protocol in a ceremony organized in Istanbul. The ceremony was attended by representatives from all 24 founding countries.