Altoona PD Officer Exchange Program
Donation protected
Starting July 30, 2017, The Altoona Police Department will be hosting six German state police officers for a 2-week long program in cooperation with the STAR International Police Exchange organisation.
During the ride alongs and trainings with the various agencies, the German officers will have the opportunity to engage with their American colleagues and to learn from each other. They will respond together to calls for service and will assist as much as possible. While shadowing local and state police officers, they will understand the similarities and differences not only between German and American law enforcement, but also the similarities and differences of all participating agencies. Of course this also presents a unique opportunity for the participating American officers to gain valuable insights into the training and operating procedures of another country.
Very few police departments in the U.S. have created similar exchanges, most of them are in large jurisdictions such as the Austin Police Department or the San Bernadino County Sheriff's Office in California. We hope to create an annually reoccurring program that promotes an international learning experience and friendship with other STAR member countries. Eventually our law enforcement officers will hopefully also be able to travel overseas to enjoy the same opportunities.
We would like to reach out to our local businesses for donations and support. The German officers have to pay for this trip out of their own pocket, which is why we are trying to help them out with their lodging, food, and transportation expenses. Since we already have host families for all participants, we would like to offer food vouchers and certificates to the participants. We would also like to use some funds to subsidize travel costs for our officers if they choose to travel overseas for a similar exchange program in Germany or other countries.
Feel free to check out this media report about the program, in which STAR board member and Hamburg State Police K9 Officer Christian Knaack visited Altoona to assist in implementing the program:
http://www.weau.com/content/news/Exchange-program-brings-German-officer-to-Altoona-414122873.html
Please don't hesitate to contact me with any questions, suggestions, or concerns!
Officer Edward Bell
[email redacted]oona.wi.us
During the ride alongs and trainings with the various agencies, the German officers will have the opportunity to engage with their American colleagues and to learn from each other. They will respond together to calls for service and will assist as much as possible. While shadowing local and state police officers, they will understand the similarities and differences not only between German and American law enforcement, but also the similarities and differences of all participating agencies. Of course this also presents a unique opportunity for the participating American officers to gain valuable insights into the training and operating procedures of another country.
Very few police departments in the U.S. have created similar exchanges, most of them are in large jurisdictions such as the Austin Police Department or the San Bernadino County Sheriff's Office in California. We hope to create an annually reoccurring program that promotes an international learning experience and friendship with other STAR member countries. Eventually our law enforcement officers will hopefully also be able to travel overseas to enjoy the same opportunities.
We would like to reach out to our local businesses for donations and support. The German officers have to pay for this trip out of their own pocket, which is why we are trying to help them out with their lodging, food, and transportation expenses. Since we already have host families for all participants, we would like to offer food vouchers and certificates to the participants. We would also like to use some funds to subsidize travel costs for our officers if they choose to travel overseas for a similar exchange program in Germany or other countries.
Feel free to check out this media report about the program, in which STAR board member and Hamburg State Police K9 Officer Christian Knaack visited Altoona to assist in implementing the program:
http://www.weau.com/content/news/Exchange-program-brings-German-officer-to-Altoona-414122873.html
Please don't hesitate to contact me with any questions, suggestions, or concerns!
Officer Edward Bell
[email redacted]oona.wi.us
Organizer
Edward Bell
Organizer
Altoona, WI
