IPR Center collaborates with multi-country attaché group
WASHINGTON – The National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center hosted a group of police and customs attachés representing the embassies of Dominican Republic, Honduras, Bolivia, Chile, Peru, Ecuador, and Panama. All of the attachés are assigned to Washington D.C. on behalf of their respective countries. An International Trademark Association (INTA) representative also participated in discussions addressing challenges and ideas on future collaboration with the Center.
Homeland Security Investigations’ (HSI) worldwide attaché network is part of its International Operations Division which is also the Department of Homeland Security’s largest investigative presence overseas. Division personnel serve as liaisons to governments and law enforcement agencies across the globe and work side-by-side with foreign law enforcement on HSI investigations overseas.
The division’s attachés have a variety of duties, including relationship building and providing assistance on active investigations and repatriation efforts. Attaché offices have a unique dual reporting structure. They report to HSI leadership, but are also responsible to U.S. ambassadors.
The mission of International Operations is threefold. It supports domestic operations by coordinating investigations with foreign counterparts; disrupts criminal efforts to smuggle people and materials into the United States; and builds international partnerships through outreach and training.
International Operations consists of International Operations East, International Operations West and International Programs.