Tokyo, Japan -- In a significant move to enhance international investigative capabilities, Department of the Army hosted the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC), Introduction to Criminal Investigation Training Program (ICITP) in Tokyo, Japan, from June 17 - 27, 2024. This Mobile Training Class marked a milestone in international law enforcement collaboration, providing comprehensive training for a variety of different agencies from the Department of the Army’s local investigators and other Foreign Service National Investigators (FSNIs).
The course was particularly notable for being the first formal exposure to U.S. criminal investigation techniques for many of the attendees. Participants hailed from multiple nations, including Korea, Thailand, and various regions across Japan, underscoring the event’s wide-reaching impact.
“I came to ICITP to enhance my investigative technique and knowledge not only the technique but also U.S. judicial system,” stated Masaki Takagi, Special Investigator, Office of Special Investigations, 9 Field Investigations Squadron, Detachment 62, one of the attending participants.
ICITP’s curriculum was designed to bridge the gap between different investigative approaches and ensure smoother collaboration between local and U.S. investigators. Among the core modules covered in the training were Report Writing, Investigative Techniques, and Cognitive Interviewing—areas that address common challenges faced when working with diverse international investigative procedures.
Delivered in support of professionals actively working as local national investigators or liaison officers for the U.S. government, the program required participants to be proficient in English. This prerequisite ensured effective communication and maximized the training's impact.
“In this export of ICITP we are teaching our foreign partners modern U.S. investigative techniques, and legal processes. It’s a great learning experience for the instructors as well, I am very proud to have been a part of this joint Investigative Operations Division (IOD), Cyber Division, and Behavioral Science Division team,” stated IOD Senior Instructor Sterling Infield.
Special additions to this iteration of ICITP included a financial investigation block and an extended 12-hour module on cybercrime, enhancing the standard curriculum and equipping attendees with a broader skill set compared to typical ICITP courses.
The program’s broader objective was to strengthen ties and improve collaborative efforts between FNSIs and U.S. investigators. By focusing on the role of the criminal investigator and emphasizing crucial skills such as interviewing techniques and understanding legal requirements, ICITP aims to streamline and fortify investigative operations across borders.
Overall, the 2024 ICITP in Tokyo represents a crucial step toward international cooperation in law enforcement, promising long-term benefits in terms of enhanced investigative operations and stronger relationships among global investigative bodies.
FLETC Partner Organization representatives l should contact their agency training officer to register for training, contact FLETC Admissions with any additional questions, or call (912) 267-3447. State, local, and tribal officers requesting training should register online. If organizational support is required or you have additional needs, please contact FLETC Admissions. International (non-U.S.) personnel should email FLETC-intlrqst@fletc.dhs.gov.
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