Mexico City - On September 23, 2011, as part of his initial courtesy calls, United States Ambassador Anthony Wayne met with Mexico’s Secretary of Public Security, Genaro Garcia Luna, at the latter’s headquarters in Mexico City.

During his visit, Ambassador Wayne toured the Federal Police Intelligence Center, where he witnessed how the technology used by the institution is serving as a tool in the early detection of illegal activities. The center processes information about fugitives, arrest warrants, narcotics flows, and networks, among other categories.

Ambassador Wayne discussed the security situation in Mexico with Secretary Garcia Luna, as well as the new abilities of the Federal Police and the results they have achieved. They also discussed the deep and mutually beneficial law enforcement cooperation that currently exists between Mexico and the United States, and agreed that future collaboration between US and Mexican law enforcement agencies will remain essential to successfully combating and defeating Transnational Criminal Organizations on both sides of our shared border.

Ambassador Wayne said, "Under Secretary Garcia Luna’s leadership, the Secretariat for Public Security has developed into a dynamic, well-resourced, and technologically sophisticated law enforcement agency. We are proud of the role that Merida Initiative assistance has played in that development, and will continue to be reliable partners for the SSP."

During the meeting, Garcia Luna described for the Ambassador the SSP’s increased emphasis on scientific policing, ethics training, and overall higher educational standards for officers. Criminal forensics is just one focus of the 664 courses provided with Merida Initiative funding. Over 16,000 Mexican security personnel, including over 7,000 SSP employees, have been trained under the Merida Initiative.

Ambassador Wayne was impressed to learn more about the ambitious and holistic reform of Mexico’s federal penitentiary system — which has led to Mexico being regarding as a regional and international leader in prison reform — and the United States’ supporting role in that effort. Finally, the two discussed how key resources transferred under the Merida Initiative (including aircraft, Non-Intrusive Inspection Equipment, and trained canines) are being successfully utilized by SSP and other federal agencies in combating Transnational Criminal Organizations.