Turks learn U.S. policing

In the last two months, they have added a chapter to their education in law enforcement. The two Turkish National Police officers have been observing the Miami Township and Loveland police departments.
Lt. Ekici, 24, is an instructor in Istanbul at Turkey’s largest two-year police academy, and Lt. Pamuk, 27, works at Interpol in the financial crimes division. They’re visiting the U.S. along with six other Turkish officers in Ohio and 11 Turkish officers in Texas through an exchange program.

“I think policing is pretty much the same all over the world,” Lt. Pamuk said. “But here, we’re seeing more drug problem and sex crimes. In Turkey, drugs are not common, especially in schools.”

But the two officers, who will eventually serve as provincial police chiefssee those crimes on the rise and are hoping to bring back knowledge about how to combat them.

“Like you’re new to dealing with terrorism, something we have experience with, we’re new to dealing with drugs,” said Lt. Ekici, who teaches classes on terror groups, police ethics and state security.

“For me, the knowledge I bring back means that nearly 1,000 police officer candidates each year will learn from the experiences I had here. I have the opportunity to share those experiences,” he said.

The two officers will be in the Cincinnati area until February and will visit Washington, D.C. and Chicago before returning to Turkey. They’ve already been to New York City. The program became possible after Capt. Tuncay Durna of the Turkish National Police, who is studying for his doctorate at Kent State University, worked with the university’s police chief and the Ohio Association of Police Chiefs. Miami Township and Loveland volunteered to host officers.

Miami Township Police Chief Steve Bailey said the education has gone both ways.

“We’ve learned not only about policing techniques, but also a little about geography and world international politics,” Chief Bailey said.

Loveland Police Chief Dennis Rees said the program has also helped improve the relationship between the two neighboring police departments.

“Just the interaction between the officers at both departments and the two officers from Turkey has been a great side benefit of the program,” Chief Rees said.
In addition to information about technology and the way U.S. officers conduct themselves, Lt. Ekici learned about the Citizens Police Academy, from which both officers graduated this month.