Ambassador Tefft And Georgian Minister Of Internal Affairs Launch Mobile Police Communication Project
On June 15, Ambassador John Tefft joined Minister of Internal Affairs Vano Merabishvili in a press conference held at the Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs (MOIA) marking the installation of a new mobile police communication system. This $1 million pilot project gives Georgia’s patrol police the ability to access the Ministry’s motor vehicle registration database from their patrol cars using on-board computer consoles. The project has improved the quality of the MOIA’s database so police can quickly and accurately identify stolen vehicles and assist motorists.
The Mobile Police Communication Project was financed by the Department of State International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Bureau and developed in conjunction with the Ministry and United Global Technologies (UGT). The next phase of the project, budgeted at $1 million, will expand coverage in Georgia and increase the scope of the project to include information about wanted persons and criminals. Since 2001, the United States Government has allocated $19 million to strengthen police and prosecutors in Georgia.
On the evening of June 15, President and CEO of UGT, Giorgi Chirakadze, along with Ambassador Tefft and Minister Merabishvili, presented a police patrol car installed with the new on-board computer console at the Hotel Sheraton Metekhi Palace, Tbilisi, to an audience of approximately 100 people. Ambassador Tefft and Minister Merabishvili were able to test first-hand the on-board computer in front of media and guests. The afternoon press conference and the presentation of the police car were covered by the leading Georgian national television stations. |
