Botswana Police Service (BPS) officers recently began specialised training in Gaborone on the INTERPOL International Child Sexual Exploitation (ICSE) Database.

The five-day training, facilitated by INTERPOL experts, marked Botswana’s first connection to the system. The ICSE platform enables police worldwide to identify victims, track offenders, and link cases across borders using digital evidence.

Opening the training, Director of Gender and Child Protection Branch, SACP Goitseone Ngono, emphasised that the initiative is about protecting children and ensuring justice for victims.

INTERPOL facilitator Ms Samantha Chanetsa urged participants to approach the training with commitment, noting that every case represents a real child in need of protection.

Director of Criminal Investigations Department, SACP Victor Mabina, highlighted that the tool will strengthen investigations, help identify unreported victims, and support evidence-based prosecutions.

The training is conducted under INTERPOL General Assembly Resolution 5/2022, which encourages member countries to connect to and actively use the ICSE Database.