DUSHANBE, March 7, 2011, Asia-Plus -- The U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe funded a crisis negotiation course for law enforcement officers in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, State Committee on National Security, and the Drug Control Agency. Ten officers learned new techniques for resolving hostage situations.

According to the U.S. Embassy Foreign Affairs Officer Eric Hamrin and Senior Law Enforcement Advisor Dennis Cosgrove participated in the closing ceremony for the officers.  The total cost of the training was approximately $30,000.The U.S. Embassy''s Office of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement organized and fully funded the one-week crisis negotiation course for law enforcement agencies.  The course was conducted by two Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agents from the United States.  The course was designed to help to develop a professional cadre of crisis and hostage negotiators for Tajikistan.  The training course covered the philosophy of negotiations, as well as crisis intervention, interviewing and listening skills. The course used role-playing to simulate a real hostage environment.

The United States Government is committed to continuing its support for Tajik law enforcement agencies.  Since 1992, the U.S. Government has provided more than $900 million in assistance programs that support the law enforcement and security systems, economic growth, democratic institutions, health care and education of Tajikistan.