Law enforcement may get a little bit better here in Costa Rica. The European Union has donated €13 million ($16 million) to the Costa Rican Ministerio de Seguridad Publica (Ministry of Public Security). The funds are supposed to go to the construction and equipment of a new National Police Academy (Escuela Nacional de Policia) in Guapalis.

Reports say that the new academy should be ready to train officers in about one year. Marcela Chacón, the Vice minister of Government and Police will directly oversee the new training facility. The Europian Union’s donation will be deposited wholly into the account of the Ministry of Finance as it will be the job of the Ministry to ensure that the entire sum of money is used properly. It was also stated that an undisclosed portion of the funds will be used for increasing community patrols.

The Costa Rican police force is severely under trained. This new academic facility for the creation of law enforcement officers will hopefully elevate the standard throughout the country and create true, professionals. At least, that is the objective.

“The intention is to seek to promote security and social peace in a context of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms of individuals as well as in strengthening institutional capacity for prevention, police training, and response to crime and criminality” said Security Minister Mario Zamora at Monday’s announcement of the new academy.