Regional further training
Challenges in the investigation of environmental crime
From 22 to 23.05.2023 the training took place in the Uvurkhangai province and from 25 to 26.05.2023 it was successfully conducted in the Darkhan province. A total of 41 environmental police officers from the provinces of Bulgan, Darkhan, Selenge, Tuv, Arkhangai, Bayankhongor, Uvurkhangai, Umnugobi and Khuvsgul took part in the training and increased their expertise and knowledge.
The Environmental Police, the main partner for the environmental law projects of HSS Mongolia, deals with the prevention and combating of environmental crime in Mongolia and increases the environmental awareness of the public and law enforcement with its activities. For this reason, it is necessary to qualify the relevant specialists in the fight against environmental crime. In this context, last year, the Hanns Seidel Foundation, in cooperation with the University of Internal Affairs, developed a short-term training program for the qualification of environmental police officers and environmental officials. This year, the Foundation organized two trainings based on the developed training program. The training courses, which were aimed at improving the theoretical and practical knowledge of environmental police officers, were led by speakers from the environmental police, the public prosecutor's office and the University of Internal Affairs. The following topics were discussed:
- Current status of sentencing and adjudication of environmental crime and the challenges involved
- State environmental policy in relation to the prevention of environmental crime and cooperation between authorities
- Classification of environmental crime offenses and the challenges involved
- Challenges and issues to be considered in the investigation process of illegal exploration, exploitation and extraction of minerals
- Challenges and issues to be considered in the investigation processes of illegal harvesting of rare plants and deforestation
- Challenges and issues to consider in the poaching investigation process
- Case studies and practical exercises relating to environmental crime
The training was organized by the Hanns Seidel Foundation Mongolia and the Coordination Committee for Crime Prevention in Mongolia in cooperation with the Environmental Police. The training participants emphasized that the training was very effective and practice-oriented, as well as in line with the needs of environmental police officers.
The independent institution IRIM conducted the KAP study with the aim of processing and improving the program content and teaching methods. According to the results of the study and the observations made during the training, the program should be further developed so that it can be offered on a regular basis. We discussed this with the administrative management of the environmental police and exchanged our opinions.
Additionally, we plan to develop a handbook for the practical application of environmental police officers, in cooperation with the environmental police, based on the program content, aimed at enhancing the qualification of environmental police officers.
