RAMALLH, July 1, 2011 (WAFA)- Within his recent visit to the West Bank, Canadian Public Safety Minister, Vic Toews, met with the Palestinian Chief of Police, Hazem Attallah, and with EUPOL COPPS’ Deputy Head of Mission, Jesper Friedrichsen. The meeting was also attended by the two EUPOL COPPS Police Advisors seconded by Canada, Friday said an EUPOL COPPS press release.

The meeting took place at the Jericho Police Training School (JPTS), the Academy of the Palestinian Civil Police (PCP). The minister was then taken on a tour of the facility and shown the two buildings that Canada has directly funded – the Gymnasium and the Learning Centre.

Canada CAD 2.4 million contribution for the new JPTS is part of its commitment to support the Palestinian Authority’s security and justice sector reform efforts through a five-year assistance package of CAD 300 million announced in 2008. This effort is also reinforced through the deployment of two Canadian police officers to the EU Coordinating Office for Palestinian Police Support (EUPOL COPPS), an important addition to the Police's training capability.

Canada and EUPOL COPPS will continue to work with the Palestinian Authority and the Palestinian Civil Police to develop projects that will enhance their support for security system reform and reinforce the respect for human rights, as well as principles of transparency and accountability. 

F.R.