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.
