The Delaware Attorney General’s office is lending its expertise to a State Department program which trains and advises foreign justice departments.
Attorney General Beau Biden signed a Memorandum of Understanding Tuesday that formalizes work began last fall when prosecutors from his office conducted criminal justice workshops in Montenegro.
“Our staff will serve as a legal resource to law enforcement agencies in emerging democracies across the globe. I applaud the Secretary of State, Secretary Kerry, the ambassador, and the President of the United States for their commitment to fostering transparent government, independent judiciaries and the rule of law among fellow nations," said Biden. "And, I want to thank them for seeking out and relying on state and local law enforcement agencies – just like ours – to provide training, guidance, and best practices on the rule of law to foreign partners.”
[audio:http://www.wdde.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/brownfield.mp3|titles= Listen to WDDE All Things Considered host Joseph Leahy's interview with Asst. Secretary of State Bill Brownfield.]
Bill Brownfield, Assistant Secretary of State for Narcotics and Law Enforcement says the partnership will benefit Biden’s efforts to curb drug trafficking in Delaware as well.
“He is able to develop that network of contacts that he and his prosecutors can call that ties them into foreign countries and communities that may be the source of the illicit drugs that are entering Delaware communities," said Brownfield “The extent to which they make connections on drug-related issues, on gang related issues, on money-laundering and financial crime related issues -- it will have an impact on the streets of Wilmington and the other cities and communities of Delaware for years to come.”
Brownfield says the Federal government will cover all costs related to deploying personnel from Biden’s office overseas.
Delaware joins more than 50 state and local agencies in the U.S. that provide security and justice sector skills to foreign countries through the State Department.
