FINANCIAL POLICE ACADEMY TRIP TO U.S.

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ASTANA 000949 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR INL/AAE, INL/C, SCA/CEN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL SNAR KCRM KCOR KZ SUBJECT: FINANCIAL POLICE ACADEMY TRIP TO U.S. ASTANA 00000949 001.2 OF 002 ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: INL sponsored a visit to the United States by General Major Tleukhan, director of the Academy of the Financial Police. Tleukhan had the opportunity to study the structure and programs of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) in Glynco, Georgia, and the FBI Academy. He was also briefed on current trends in financial crime and corruption investigations. Upon his return to Kazakhstan, Tleuklhan requested INL's assistance in developing a new training program for financial police officers. END SUMMARY. BACKGROUND ¶2. (SBU) The Financial Police Academy (FPA) was established in 1999, under the Agency for Combating Economic and Corruption Crimes (Financial Police, or FinPol). Graduates from the FPA primarily become FinPol officers, but also become customs officials or lawyers. The FPA delivers up to four sessions a year, ranging from the basic FinPol course to more advanced courses in investigative or operational work. ¶3. (SBU) INL Astana has worked closely with the FPA since 2005. Training sessions have been conducted for financial police officers by instructors from the Department of Treasury and the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC). Six graduate students from Kazakhstan attended the International Banking and Money Laundering course at FLETC, where INL equipped a computer classroom and language lab with specialized software. LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE UNITED STATES ¶4. (SBU) Major General Tleukhan, Director of the FPA, and Captain Kazhenov, Head of Faculty, visited FLETC, the IRS, and the FBI Academy from April 6-10. The delegation visited the United States to learn more about law enforcement training and current trends in financial crime and corruption. ¶5. (SBU) During the visit to FLETC, the delegation discussed ways to improve FPA's program, including the curriculum, accreditation of FLETC programs, and how to keep training programs up to date. The delegation observed significant differences between its program and FLETC, many due to the fact that the FPA does do not require a college degree of its cadets. Furthermore, the FPA is required to meet educational standards set by the Ministry of Education and is not as flexible as FLETC in setting its curriculum. The FPA has not ruled out developing a new pilot program for full-time students in the future. ¶6. (SBU) However, the delegation discovered that FPA's instructor evaluation process is very similar to FLETC's, although the FPA has complained of bias in student evaluations. The FBI Academy relies on experts to evaluate its instructors. Now that they have seen different approaches, the FPA may be more willing to reform its instructor evaluation system. ¶7. (SBU) Tleukhan was also interested in comparing procedures for criminal investigations in Kazakhstan and the United States. He studied these issues during his review of IRS training methods at FLETC, and again during meetings in Washington with criminal investigators from the IRS; FBI special agents covering terrorist financing, public corruption crimes, health care fraud, financial institution fraud; and a representative from FinCEN. Each of these agencies explained its role in combating economic and corruption crimes. Tleukhan was pleased with the overview of U.S. federal law enforcement and was impressed with the transparency of criminal procedures and the quality of investigations. ¶8. (SBU) Tleukhan said the most useful part of his trip was the visit to the FBI Academy and he praised the FBI's exceptional work. ASTANA 00000949 002.2 OF 002 He said he was amazed that the FBI not only investigates crime, but also has special analytical departments to develop preventive measures. Tleukhan extensively discussed with the FBI the use of informants and undercover agents in investigations. NEXT STEPS OF COOPERATION ¶9. (SBU) Tleukhan was impressed by what he saw at the FBI Academy and FLETC, particularly their use of technology and the competence of their instructors. He acknowledged the importance of having a training program that balances theoretical and practical exercises. Tleukhan is looking for financial support to improve his academy and provide better practical training. He is already in the process of building a training area for customs officers. ¶10. (SBU) Tleukhan was inspired by his trip to improve the FPA's curriculum and in-service training program and has already received approval from the Agency on Combating Economic and Corruption Crimes to implement changes. A new training program is scheduled to be introduced to senior officials in late September to correspond with the tenth anniversary of the FPA. The first group to experience the new training methodology will be the heads of the Financial Police departments. ¶11. (SBU) INL would like to thank the FLETC, IRS, FinCEN, and FBI officials who made this visit a success. HOAGLAND