NUPD on exchange trip to Germany

By KURT NESBITT

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- The latest group in the ongoing exchange between New Ulm police and law enforcement officers in Bersenbruck, Germany, is due home in roughly one week.

This group includes New Ulm police officers, a Brown County deputy sheriff and three Winona police officers.

The late Bert Schapekahm started the exchange during a trip to Germany in 1990. He was a NUPD sergeant at the time. The last group of German visitors left New Ulm in September 2002.

New Ulm Mayor Joel Albrecht called the relationship "an educational exchange for both sides," This year's trip includes a full tour of the U.S. embassy in Berlin. Officers also take part in training, fire a variety of weapons and stun guns and do riot control.

The Americans also learned a few lessons at a German military training camp and officers attend lots of briefings about methods of policing in the two countries.

"Each nation has a different way of doing it," Albrecht said.

New Ulm police helped Bersenbruck solve the murder of a young girl using DNA evidence and a connection to the FBI.

The exchange is funded entirely by police officers in New Ulm and in Bersenbruck. Neither city funds the exchange.

New Ulm has other exchange programs with German cities, including an intern exchange and student exchange programs in schools.

"I think they're very worthwhile," Albrecht said. "Over the years, a lot of very good friendships have been made."

New Ulm Police Investigator Jeff Hohensee was one of the first Americans to go to Bersenbruck in 1992. Officers toured German police and correctional facilities and rode along with Bersenbruck officers on patrol. Exchange officers don't actually do any police work, he said.

Unlike in the U.S., German police departments have closer ties to the county's military and have access to military equipment like water cannons.

"You can look at it and say you make great friendships because there's not that much that's different. We're all cops, we've all got the same complaints, so we're not beating our heads against the wall," he said, adding that there is a significant difference in laws when comparing America to Germany.

The New Ulm visitors, including NUPD Chief Erv Weinkauf, Sgt. Gerry Losinski, Cpl. Steve Depew, Ofcr. Charles Rasche and Brown County Deputy Larry Wall, will return on April 25.