ARUSHA - Chiefs of Police from partner states of the East African Community (EAC) have underscored the value of establishing a regional forensic centre, saying this will intensify efforts aimed at fighting against crime in the region. 

The officials made the remarks during the first meeting of the EAC Partner States’ Chiefs of Police in Arusha, Tanzania on Friday.

They said that the centre would address the evolution in continued crime, requiring investigations by use of scientific methods.

In her remarks to the officers, the Deputy Secretary General (Political Federation) Beatrice Kiraso, said that German experts visited the region earlier this year and expressed interest to offer assistance in the area of forensic services.

The EAC is also pushing for the expeditious conclusion of mutual legal assistance on criminal matters to facilitate expeditious legal exchange of prisoners, criminal commodities and other critical support elements.

"The terror attacks on Kampala in July 2010 remain a reminder of the urgent need for such an instrument,” Kiraso said during the meeting.

The Police Chiefs undertook to activate co-operation in areas such as exchange of crime intelligence and establishment of cross-border communications, among others, under the EAC’s Strategy for Regional Peace and Security.

The meeting of the Police chiefs is part of the 4th meeting of the EAC Sectoral Council on Inter-State Security.

The Sectoral Council will consider reports of the meeting of the EAC partner states Chiefs of Police, Heads of Prisons/Correctional Services, Heads of Counter Terrorism Co-ordination entities and Heads of Disaster Risk Reduction Co-ordination entities.

The ministers will also receive progress reports on the conclusion of the EAC Peace and Security Protocol; conclusion of the EAC Early Warning Mechanism (CPRM); and development of the EAC Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution (CPMR) Framework.

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