ILEA-SOUTH AFRICA

Discussions are currently underway at the DOS and the Government of the Republic of South Africa to locate an ILEA in South Africa and/or to provide Law enforcement training support to an existing detective academy operated by the South African Police Service (SAPS). This Academy would serve the region, allowing other countries to participate. It is anticipated that the FBI will be asked by the host government to lead this initiative.The FBI conducted a training needs assessment in South Africa in September 1997 and concluded the following:

• South African law enforcement has already identified a significant need for better training of detectives, particularly in fighting complex commercial and organized criminal enterprises.
• Prosecutors desire assistance, training and better cooperation from other role players in criminal justice system, but they generally agree that improving the abilities of prosecutors and magistrates will be of little use if the investigative and docket preparation phase of the system is not improved.
• Improved training, particularly from internationally recognized experts like those that U.S. law enforcement agencies can provide, will address to some degree the management, incentive, and morale problems identified within the criminal justice system.
• Intensive, on-site courses, whether of two-, four-, or six-week durations, will foster the international "cop-to-cop" and "prosecutor-to-prosecutor" bridges that the Director of the FBI and his colleagues from other federal law enforcement agencies have identified as most effective in the fight against international criminal organizations.
• Putting U.S. resources into the establishment of a well-run, well-resourced and professional training structure is more sustainable and of greater long term value than the "one-off" training that is currently commonplace.
• A training structure and well-designed curriculum can be adapted to a variety of changing needs and clients. For example, southern African law enforcement agencies who seek training in border control or arms trafficking could be accommodated at the Academy. Similarly, if South Africa wishes to take advantage of training offered by a non-U.S. agency with recognized expertise (e.g., Belgian public order policing, German VIP protection, etc.), these too can be accommodated and administered at a facility designed for set up for criminal justice system training.
• A facility well suited for this purpose already exists and is available. The Justice College, located in Pretoria and designed to teach courses to magistrates, prosecutors, and law candidates, boasts lecture rooms of various sizes, high-capacity copying facilities, administrative offices, and a central location. It is currently operation at a well below its maximum capacity. The chief director of Justice College has indicated her support of the proposed joint training concept and is willing, pending the Justice Minister's approval, to make the facility and staff available for this purpose.