UKRAINE-CRISIS-ODESSA POLICE New US-trained police prepares to get down to work in Odessa

Record ID: 146181

  • Title: UKRAINE-CRISIS-ODESSA POLICE New US-trained police prepares to get down to work in Odessa
  • Date: 24th July 2015
  • Summary: ODESSA, UKRAINE (RECENT) (REUTERS) KIEV POLICE OFFICERS STANDING NEAR POLICE CARS POLICE WOMAN STANDING IN BETWEEN CARS RADIO SET POLICE OFFICERS STANDING NEAR CARS (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) FIRST DEPUTY INTERIOR MINISTER OF UKRAINE, EKA ZGULADZE, SAYING: "Selection was very competitive, it was rather tough. It is difficult to pass this selection process. But the work will be
  • Embargoed: 8th August 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Ukraine
  • Country: Ukraine
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA7DZB49G7HA3YAHPXP07ICA2YY
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: In the Ukrainian Black Sea resort of Odessa 400 men and women are preparing to get to the streets as new police officers.
    This police force is being trained by the US policemen and will gradually replace often corrupt and unpopular militia across the country.
    Men and women willing to join the new law enforcement body started training on July 1 and some of them will be patrolling streets of Odessa as the new traffic police already at the end of August.
    The police reform was launched on the initiative of the first deputy interior minister of Ukraine Eka Zguladze. It is probably the most visible break yet with Ukraine's Soviet past since the Maidan protests ousted President Viktor Yanukovich in February last year.
    "Selection was very competitive, it was rather tough. It is difficult to pass this selection process. But the work will be difficult as well because we will monitor (professional) qualities of these guys (new policemen) every minute. They cannot upset expectations that exist," Zguladze said.
    New policemen will have to work hard to convince Ukrainians that the government is serious about fighting corruption.
    The new police force is being trained by four American police officers with more than 20 years of experience. They carry out patrol training, share technical expertise, teach how to stop and check cars, handcuff detained person and act when attacked.
    "American instructors show us, in general, how patrol police functions in America. We listen to them, of course, but we have a bit different reality. It means we try to adapt to our reality what they say. We are learning a lot of interesting from the Americans - both in theory and in practice," said police trainee Alexander Rudoy.
    "We are mostly focusing on some of the tactics, interacting with the community, being of service to the people, keeping themselves safe," sergeant Christin Jacobs from California Highway Patrol said.
    Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Department of State William R. Brownfield said that bringing American trainers to Odessa was a part of U.S. support programme to Ukraine which amounts to15 million dollars worth of equipment and training.
    Through this project, U.S. supports the Ukraine's effort to transform the relationship between citizens and police and create police force focused on protecting and serving the public.
    "They (citizens) want them (police officers) to be honest, effective, respectful and courageous. They want police who serve the community, not a community that serves the police," Brownfield said after watching training.
    New Odessa police officers were chosen from almost 4,000 candidates.
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