Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and Training Program Support (OPDAT) | Worldwide
In 1991, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) created the Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development Assistance and Training Program (OPDAT) in response to the growing threat of international crime. OPDAT helps foreign countries combat terrorism, human trafficking, illegal drugs and weapons, corruption, and financial crimes.
Challenge
OPDAT places legal advisers around the world to conduct technical assistance programs. Those advisers and programs require support services in the areas of training, personnel and procurement.
Solution
Since 2005, Louis Berger has assisted OPDAT under two consecutive rapid response worldwide support contracts. The firm’s work with OPDAT has involved the implementation of more than 500 task orders, including:
- In Malawi, conducting training on police procedures, money laundering, trial advocacy, plea bargaining and human trafficking.
- In Ukraine, creating internal investigative units within various ministries.
- In Serbia, advising local prosecutors on forensic accounting and anti-corruption procedures.
- In Afghanistan, providing counternarcotics police mentors.
- In Kyrgyzstan, conducting an anti-corruption public awareness campaign.
- In the Middle East and Africa, providing counterterrorism and anti-money laundering expertise.
- In Morocco, providing logistics support and legal assistance.
- In Colombia, developing a victim assistance program for the Prosecutor General.
- In Mexico, supporting the strengthening of law enforcement agencies to combat organized crime and drug trafficking.
- In the Dominican Republic, collaborating with the U.S. Marshall Service in asset recovery activities.
- In Puerto Rico, supporting the Judicial Studies Institute to strengthen judicial administration in Latin America.