On August 20, 2024, in Vientiane, Lao PDR, the 31st Joint ASEAN Police Senior Officer Course (JASPOC) took place, with ASEANAPOL Secretariat Executive Director David Martinez Vinluan and Police Senior Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Huu Ngoc, Director for Plans and Programmes, in attendance. The event was hosted by the Lao Police Force under the chairmanship of Ms. Vanpheng Phommixay, Head of the International Police Department of the Lao Ministry of Public Security.
The opening ceremony was officiated by Police Brigadier General Kongsavath Bounlieng, Deputy Chief of the Lao Police Force under the Ministry of Public Security, who served as the guest of honor. He highlighted JASPOC's importance as a key training program aimed at enhancing cooperation among ASEAN member countries in addressing various forms of crime.
Senior police officers from the 10 ASEANAPOL member countries participated in the event, representing the Royal Brunei Police Force, Cambodia National Police, Indonesia National Police, Lao Police Force, Royal Malaysia Police, Myanmar Police Force, Philippine National Police, Singapore Police Force, Royal Thai Police, and the Office for Investigation Police Agency of Vietnam.
Key presentations on topics such as Trafficking in Persons, Cybercrime, Illicit Drug Trafficking, and Telecom Fraud were delivered by invited resource persons from the Homeland Security Office of the US Embassy in Lao PDR, the Australian Federal Police, the Russian and Chinese Embassies, and the Lao Police Force.
In his opening remarks, Police Brigadier General Kongsavath Bounlieng underscored that the JASPOC training was critical for promoting collaboration in combating transnational crime, sharing best practices, and learning from the experiences of other professionals in the field. He emphasized that the training offered an invaluable opportunity for senior officers from ASEAN member countries to gain insights and acquire expertise, which will be essential for future challenges.
The 31st JASPOC spans three days, from August 20 to 22, 2024, and includes four sessions focused on vital crime-related issues. In October 2024, the chairmanship will be passed on to the Myanmar Police Force at the 42nd ASEANAPOL Conference.
The course fostered a creative and collaborative atmosphere, encouraging open discussions and the exchange of lessons on anti-crime strategies. Topics included crime prevention, anti-drug trafficking, human trafficking, telecom fraud, cybercrime, and the fight against transnational terrorism. The forum also provided an opportunity for member countries to discuss and facilitate cooperation on mechanisms for mutual assistance and support within ASEAN and beyond.
“Together We Keep This Region Safe"