AUSTRALIA DONATES EQUIPMENT TO BOOST CAPACITY OF PNP TO IDENTIFY CRIME PERPETRATORS
The Australian Government today marked the 25th year of Australian Federal Police operations in the Philippines with the handover of new equipment to the Philippine National Police to enhance the agency’s criminal investigation capacity.
Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Jesus Verzosa formally received the three Computerised Composite Illustration System equipment donated by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) during a reception at the Australian Embassy residence.
“The assistance is part of Australia’s continuing commitment to support Philippine law enforcement agencies prevent and respond to security threats and transnational crime”, Australian Ambassador Rod Smith said.
The computerised Composite Illustration System, also known as ‘Facefit’, produces images of crime suspects using a bank of over 700 stored facial images. It delivers more realistic images, in less time, than the old system of hand-drawn sketches. In 2009 alone over 180 criminal investigations utilised this technology to identify offenders responsible for serious crimes in the community. The technology can also be applied in many other activities within the law enforcement environment such as facial depiction of missing persons.
“This equipment complements existing equipment provided earlier by the AFP to boost capacity of the PNP to fight crime throughout the Philippines,” Ambassador Smith said.
“It has been helping law enforcement agencies in major localities in the Philippines to address crime and to maintain order in the community, and this latest addition now provides a capacity for all regions to utilise this state-of-the-art equipment.
“The AFP also provided training to PNP personnel to ensure the equipment is utilised to its maximum potential. More than 100 PNP officers are now highly trained to use this technology, ensuring there is at least one qualified officer capable of using the equipment in every region in the country.”
Since it commenced operations in the Philippines in September 1984, the Australian Federal Police has forged and continues to enhance strong links with its Philippine counterparts. The AFP provided forensics, intelligence and investigation support to the 2004 Superferry 14 bombing, the 2005 Valentine’s Day bombings and other counter-terrorism and transnational crime investigations.
The AFP has also trained more than 1,000 law enforcement officers in various disciplines, including intelligence reporting and analysis, investigations management, surveillance, hostage negotiation, CT operations, command and control, critical incident management and leadership.