Global Partners in Justice: Tulsa Welcomes Law Enforcement Professionals

IVLP “U.S. Judicial System” participants from African countries with Tulsa Police Chief Dennis Larsen and Tulsa Fire Chief Michael Baker.

In early April, TGA hosted two separate, yet equally important U.S. Department of State International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) groups focused on law and justice– police, who investigate crimes, and judicial officials, who manage court systems.  These are their stories.

April 2-7, six police officials from Albania, Belgium, Croatia, Germany, Portugal, and Romania came to Tulsa to learn about “Regional Collaboration to Combat Transnational Crime.”  A week later, April 9-14, ten judicial officials from Ethiopia, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Senegal, Tanzania, and Uganda visited with the theme “U.S. Judicial System.”  

Tulsa Police Chief Dennis Larsen with IVLP Judicial Offficials from African Countries

TGA is very grateful for the cooperation of partners in law enforcement and the legal sphere throughout Oklahoma for meeting with these two groups, including the Tulsa County District Attorney’s office, Texoma HIDTA, Sac and Fox Nation Police Department, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Oklahoma, Tulsa Police Department, Tulsa Ports, Tulsa International Airport, Tulsa Ports, Tulsa County Court Clerk’s office, David L. Moss Criminal Justice Center, and Cherokee Nation Marshal Service. The European also had the opportunity to ride along with officers of the Tulsa Police Department for an afternoon, observing a typical day in law enforcement in Tulsa and gaining valuable insights into police work here.

Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler with European Law Enforcement IVLP participants.

Andy Selfridge, Chief of Police of the Sac and Fox Nation, said this about the visit: “The opportunity to meet and converse with law enforcement and justice officials from various other countries has been one of the most rewarding experiences in my professional career. Although visits were short in duration to accommodate a large itinerary, I could have spent days exchanging ideas and hearing experiences from these elite guests.”  Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler noted, “Finding truth and seeking justice transcends borders and backgrounds.  Our office is so glad to partner with other members of law enforcement across the world to unite around the principles of human dignity.”

During the weekends, both groups enjoyed dinner in the homes of local families, and their cultural activities included visits to Philbrook Museum of Art, Greenwood Rising, Woolaroc, and hiking at Turkey Mountain.  The European law enforcement officials also had a tour of the exhibits at the Museum of Tulsa History from Executive Director David Goldenberg.  

TGA appreciates the assistance of all of our volunteers and professional resources in building safer and stronger communities around the world through citizen diplomacy.

U.S. Judicial System IVLP group at David L. Moss Criminal Justice Center