Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
10SANSALVADOR5
2010-01-06 14:27:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy San Salvador
Cable title:  

El Salvador December Merida Initiative Implementation Report

Tags:  PGOV SNAR PINS ES KCRM KHLS XK 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0000
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHSN #0005/01 0061427
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 061427Z JAN 10
FM AMEMBASSY SAN SALVADOR
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0202
INFO WHA CENTRAL AMERICAN COLLECTIVE
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
RHEHNSC/WHITE HOUSE NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC
RHMFISS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC
RHMFIUU/DEPT OF HOMELAND SECURITY WASHINGTON DC
RHMFIUU/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHINGTON DC
RHMFIUU/FBI WASHINGTON DC
RUEABND/DEA HQS WASHINGTON DC
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC
RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA
RUEHME/AMEMBASSY MEXICO 0001
RUEKJCS/OSD WASHINGTON DC
RUEPWAI/ATF INTEL WASHINGTON DC
RUMIESS/SOUTHCOM IESS MIAMI FL
UNCLAS SAN SALVADOR 000005 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV SNAR PINS ES KCRM KHLS XK
SUBJECT: El Salvador December Merida Initiative Implementation Report

REF: 09 STATE 114752

UNCLAS SAN SALVADOR 000005

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV SNAR PINS ES KCRM KHLS XK
SUBJECT: El Salvador December Merida Initiative Implementation Report

REF: 09 STATE 114752


1. The following summarizes El Salvador Merida Initiative
implementation activities for December 2009.




2. Prison Security Upgrades: In December INL San Salvador
completed installation of twelve body orifice scanning system (i.e.
BOSS) chairs in eight correctional centers that house the majority
of El Salvador's transnational street gang inmate population. The
BOSS chairs, used in conjunction with earlier supplied hand-held
cell phone detection units, should enable the prison system (DGCP
in Spanish) and National Civilian Police (PNC) to reduce the number
of cell phones, chips, chargers and other contraband smuggled into
the prison system. Four cell phone chip readers recently procured
by the INL Regional Gang Advisor (INL/RGA) will allow PNC gang
investigators to gather useful intelligence from cell phones and
chips seized from incarcerated gang members. Increased security
within the prison system, coupled with improved analysis of
information contained on seized cell phones and chips, should help
to curb the flood of extortion calls coming from El Salvador's
prisons.




3. Community Policing Training: From December 14-18 INL/RGA and INL
San Salvador hosted a regional community policing course for
officers from El Salvador, Belize, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and
Panama. Instructors from the St. Petersburg College (FL) Community
Policing Institute developed the course in conjunction with INL/RGA
and INL San Salvador after the instructors conducted an on-site
assessment of community policing challenges in El Salvador in
summer 2009. During the week-long program, held in San Salvador,
the St. Petersburg Community Policing Institute instructors
discussed law enforcement strategy and reviewed best practices for
suppressing crime and violence at the neighborhood level. The
curriculum included a day trip to the INL-funded Lourdes Model
Precinct, and significant interaction with Salvadoran officials
engaged in community policing. Students were required to create an
operational plan addressing the principal public security issues
confronting the communities in which they work. Future courses
will focus on public security and community policing challenges
unique to each participating Central American country.





4. Improved Police Equipment: INL San Salvador took delivery of
272 desktop computers procured for the PNC. This equipment
provides a desperately-needed upgrade to the PNC's rudimentary IT
foundation. Pending purchase of specialized software (i2, Penlink)
will enable to PNC to more effectively analyze and disseminate
operational information, as well as complement the PNC's expanding
use of its INL-funded automated fingerprint identification system
(AFIS). INL San Salvador also took delivery of two cargo vans,
which are in the process of being outfitted with specialized
equipment for the PNC Anti-Narcotics Division (PNC/DAN) mobile
inspection team.




5. The Month Ahead: INL San Salvador is sponsoring hand-held cell
phone detector training for the DGCP and the PNC Transnational
Anti-Gang Unit (TAG) in early January. We anticipate completing
procurement of equipment for additional prison security upgrades
(razor wire, cell phone jammers),as well as signing an agreement
to provide polygraph training and equipment to the DGCP Inspector
General's Office and developing a comprehensive training agenda for
newly-appointed prison staff. INL and INL/RGA are also working
with the newly-arrived ATF Regional Fire Arms Advisor to organize a
homicide and gun violence reduction training program, slated to
begin in San Salvador in May, as well as to prepare for the

upcoming visit of an ATF assessment team.
BLAU