The Russians are coming: the Kansas training experience.

In 1989, the world watched incredulously as the Berlin Wall crumbled. In 1991, it witnessed the breakup of the Soviet Union, as one by one, the republics declared their independence. Even the experts could only speculate what event might occur next.

For the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center (KLETC), this event came when five police officers from the Leningrad Region of Russia attended the center to study the equipment and techniques of U.S. police officers. This occasion marked the first time Russian police officers had received law enforcement training in the United States.

Background

During an official visit to Russia, the governor of Kansas laid the groundwork for this history-making exchange. Not only would Russian police officers train at KLETC, but a delegation from Kansas would also visit Russia. But first, extensive preparation would be required.

Coordination

The Kansas Department of Commerce and Housing served as liaison with St. Petersburg, the U.S. Department of State, and KLETC, coordinating the exchange and handling any official preparation required, such as visas and background checks. KLETC's director headed the academy's effort and formed a committee, dubbed "The Russian Committee," which was tasked with identifying and addressing every conceivable issue that might arise in connection with the Russian officers' visit. The committee's work contributed greatly to the success of the project.

Besides working to identify issues, KLETC's director placed two conditions on the program. First, the Russian officers must speak fluent English to eliminate the need for interpreters. And, second, they must attend an unmodified basic training class, so that they would receive the exact training as new Kansas law enforcement officers.

In November 1992, the Trade Division of the Kansas Department of Commerce and Housing selected five Russian officers to attend the training center: Major Sergei Vladimirovich Fedorov, age 38; Captain Vladimir Ivanovich Zharinov, age 33; Captain Gennadiy Victorovich Nadezhkin, age 30; Major-Lieutenant Helena Leonidovna Levanenko, age 28; and Major-Lieutenant Svetlana Nikolaevna Golubeva, age 25. They would become known at the academy and, in fact, across the Kansas law enforcement community simply as Sergei, Vladimir, Gennadiy, Elena, and Svetlana.

Sergei, the highest-ranking officer in the group, served on the Priozersk, Russia, Police Department, near the Finnish border. While at KLETC, he would be promoted to assistant chief of his department of more than 200 officers.

Elena worked as a criminal investigator in the Gatchina, Russia, Police Department. Vladimir served as chief of a department of less than 50 officers in Kirovck, Russia. Both Svetlana, a criminal investigator, and Gennadiy, a traffic and patrol officer, worked in the Tosno, Russia, Police Department. Gennadiy was the only officer with a military background, although police officers in Russia are all known as "militia."

Planning

With the visitors confirmed, KLETC's director arranged for an expert from Kansas University's International Studies Department to conduct a cultural awareness seminar at the academy. For 8 hours, the entire academy staff--ranging from assistant directors to maintenance personnel--studied Russian history, communication, and customs.

Next, the director contacted every cadet scheduled to attend this particular session of the academy, as well as their administrators, in order to advise them of the historical significance of the training class and to inform them that they could possibly have a Russian roommate. By surveying the class, the director discovered that one of the recruits spoke Russian. As a result, he was chosen to room with Sergei. The other four Russian officers would also have American roommates, as they requested.

Weekend accommodations for the Russian officers required extra planning. Because the training center closes each Friday at 6 p.m., the Russian officers would need a place to stay through Sunday evening. This problem was easily rectified, as more than 60 law enforcement agencies volunteered to host the visitors on weekends. Host departments were eventually chosen solely on the basis of whether their locations afforded the officers the opportunity to tour the State and to observe as many different law enforcement agencies as possible.

In addition, local motels donated free rooms so that the officers could spend a few weekends alone. On these weekends, the Kansas Sheriffs' Association and Kansas Peace Officers' Association provided funds for the officers' meals.

Showtime 

On March 7, 1993, the Russian officers arrived at KLETC. Now, all eyes were on the academy, and everyone involved would soon discover if 6 months' planning had been enough.

The 1-day cultural awareness seminar proved invaluable to academy employees. They had learned that International Women's Day, March 8, is one of the three most important Russian holidays. By coincidence, the Russian officers would attend their first day of instruction on that very day. In honor of the occasion, KLETC's director presented each female officer, Russian and American, with a card and a red rose. The women were both surprised and pleased, and even the Russian men seemed impressed. Thus, the 126th session of KLETC's basic training class was off to an auspicious start.

Training

The actual training proved to be the easiest part of the entire endeavor. The

Russian officers were enthusiastic, dedicated, and cooperative. Although they had already received basic training in Russia, they showed genuine interest in all aspects of the academy's program, which included firearms training, felony vehicle stops, defensive tactics, crime scene investigation, and searches and seizures, to name a few. They studied Kansas Criminal Code and Procedure with Kansas officers and tackled U.S. Supreme Court decisions and the Miranda Rule.

Because only Gennadiy knew how to drive, the Russian officers could not complete the Emergency Vehicle Operation Course. However, they did go through the course as passengers/observers with Kansas officers.

Difficulties

To be sure, a few minor problems occurred during the Russian officers' trip; however, they had been anticipated by the academy and were quickly resolved. First, although the Russian government paid for the officers' airfare, and KLETC had arranged for tuition, training, and room and board, the officers arrived with little spending money. After the Federal Government denied the State's request for a grant, the director secured the money from the Kansas Sheriffs' Association, the Kansas Peace Officers' Association, the Derby, Kansas, Police Department's Fraternal Order of Police, and the Overland Park Police Department. These agencies generously donated "scholarships," which the Russian officers--after much encouragement by the academy's director--graciously, but reluctantly, accepted.

And, as expected, there were a few communication problems. Although all of the officers spoke English, some were more proficient than others. However, these difficulties decreased with time as the participants became acquainted with one another's language and customs.

Lessons Learned

Both the American and the Russian officers developed a better understanding of their comrades. The Kansas officers learned that organized crime, juvenile delinquency, drug violations, street gangs, and property crimes--especially burglary and auto theft--are on the increase in Russia.

In turn, the Russian officers were appalled at the profusion of guns faced by American police and thankful that violent crime in Russia has not yet reached U.S. levels. They were impressed with the quality of U.S. equipment and overwhelmed by the number of automobiles in American society and police agencies.

Despite these differences, American and Russian police officers do share many attitudes. Sergei confirmed this the first week of class when a reporter asked him to identify the major needs of Russian law enforcement. Without hesitation, he responded, "More officers, better equipment, and more logical laws." Few American officers would disagree with that statement.

Media Attention

This historic event did not escape the attention of the media. Local, national, and international news organizations requested interviews from the Russian officers during their 10-week stay at the academy. The director consented only to the interviews that would not create an unnecessary disruption to the training class.

Sergei, who had studied in England and spoke English fluently, handled most of the interviews, doing so confidently and professionally. For example, during Sergei's very first interview, a reporter asked, "What misconceptions do American law enforcement officers have about the Russian police?" Sergei tactfully answered, "Inasmuch as this is only my second day with American law enforcement, I have not yet identified their misconceptions, if any, regarding Russian police." Overall, the Russian police officers were helpful and candid in their dealings with the media.

Leisure Activities

When the officers were not in class, they were busy touring the State, observing the operations of various law enforcement agencies. In addition, they visited prisons, colleges, and shopping centers. Finally, they attended a professional soccer game, a college basketball game, a rodeo, and several barbecues.

Conclusion

At the end of the 10-week program, the First Deputy Head of the Leningrad Administration, accompanied by a delegation of government officials, attended the academy's graduation ceremony. He presented each of the five Russian officers with new watches and then, through his interpreter, told the large audience that Russia was very grateful for the opportunity the State of Kansas had given its police force.

The second half of the exchange program occurred when a delegation representing Kansas law enforcement spent August 1993 in St. Petersburg with Russian police officials. KLETC administrators and the Russian government are studying the possibility of future exchanges.

The end of the Cold War brought profound changes to Eastern Europe. Although, in many ways, the former Soviet republics are now in turmoil, the benefits realized may some day outweigh the sacrifices made.

Both the Russian and American officers recognize the value of the free exchange of ideas that exists between the republic and the United States, which made the Kansas-Russian exchange possible. Perhaps Sergei expressed it best when he addressed his American and Russian classmates and the audience at the graduation ceremonies, "This experience will be in our hearts, in our souls, in our memories forever."