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Four U.S. Police officers volunteered on their vacation time to teach 70 Uruguayan National Police Officers in “Safe Patrol Techniques.” The officers also donated U$S 30,000 in safety equipment, including bullet-proof vests, to the Uruguayan police.

Accompanied by Bill Koleszar, director of the International Center for Democratic Policing of the University of Florida, the U.S. officers traveled to Uruguay Dec. 6 and stayed until Dec. 14. The trip was arranged by the U.S. Embassy, Montevideo. The officers were flown to Uruguay, courtesy of American Airlines.

Speaking at press conference at the U.S. Embassy, Montevideo, Koleszar said he hand-picked four U.S. officers whose expertise in training matched the needs of the police in Uruguay.

The officers, who all hail from Florida, are: Lt. Tony Fannin and Sgt. Chad McDaniel, of the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office, Andy Lazerton and Daniel Soto, of the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.

The officers were able to provide expert advice on dealing with tourism, as those counties in Florida are home to Disney World, Sea World and other large-scale tourist attractions.

“We were able to share information with the Uruguayan police on officer safety, how to create safe areas for the public. That includes traffic stops, shooting skills and defensive tactics for police,” Fannin explained. “We found out the Uruguayan police are not only extremely professional; they are extremely well-trained.”

The officers addressed questions from the media, including how U.S. law enforcement has changed since Sept. 11, 2001, similarities and differences between law enforcement in Uruguay and the U.S., and crimes rates in the two countries.

The officers said they face the same issues in both countries and often take the same measures, such as adding patrols on the streets in tourist areas during peak season.

“The experience of police is the same all over the world,” said Uruguayan Police Officer Jose Suarez. “We all speak the same language, even if we don’t speak the same language. We all have the same experience and problems. It’s a brotherhood.”

Florida officers visit Uruguay to train, share safety information with Uruguayan police.	Uruguayan and U.S. officers offer congratulations and thanks after graduation ceremony at the end of the weeklong training course.

 

 

 

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