German cadets will work with Carson City deputies

Carson City is about to experience a German influx.

Two police officers in training from central Germany will be working with the Carson City Sheriff’s Office for the next two weeks to learn about how policing varies in different parts of the world.

“We are very excited for them to be here for two weeks,” said Sheriff Ken Furlong. “Our intentions are to show them a crash course in everything we do here.”

The two cadets will arrive Saturday and will jump right into working with the Carson deputies. They will be riding in plain clothes with deputies, simply observing how American policing works, but not enforcing any laws while in Carson.

“We would like to see how the police in Nevada and Carson City operates and are eager to compare this with our education,” said Christian, one of the two officers. “(We want) to get an insight into the work of the deputies of Carson City. What are the main problems in this city? How do they handle it? How is the handling of the public to the police? Do we have similar challenges?”

Christian, along with his partner Tobias, will experience every shift and every unit in the next two weeks as a part of their observation. This is not only a learning opportunity for the German officers, but also for the Carson deputies.

“This will be a challenge for us, but we relish in the opportunity,” Furlong said. “In exchange we get the added comfort of exposing our people to the way business is done around the world. That sharing of information is invaluable in an officer’s career.

“Our way isn’t necessarily the right way, but it is our way and to learn how other law enforcement operates is an added value to us.”

Christian said the two are ready for everything they will experience here in Carson.

“In short, we want it all,” Christian said. “Most interesting to us is the equipment, the service in general and dealing with the various application layers and of course the training to become police officers in Nevada. And the different fields of work of course (like the) dogs, horses, specialists, etc.”

Though it’s not required for officers in training to travel to a different country to graduate from the police academy, the two are hoping this training is going to be a way to improve their own careers back in Germany.

“But we like to take a look outside the box,” Christian said. “Furthermore we’re interested in global police missions in the future. Getting information about how police works abroad might be important.”

Furlong hopes to help enhance their training by separating the two cadets over the next two weeks.

“We don’t want them working the same schedule because then they can get two different perspectives (of their time here),” Furlong said.

Having foreign trainees isn’t unusual for the area; Washoe has been participating in these trainings for quite some time, Furlong said. But Christian said it was Carson’s views that solidified their destination.

“Honestly, we are really interested in the landscape surrounding your city,” Christian said. “That’s why we choose Nevada. Then the Sheriff of Carson was the first who confirmed our request in a very hearty way. So we decided Carson (was for us).”

It’s an interesting time coming to America in a time where the police are being targeted on a national level, however the Germans said they are prepared to form their own opinions on American policing, good or bad.

“When you live abroad the USA, the only information you’ll get about police work is, firstly the current problem with police violence and second, police officers making funny videos for YouTube,” Christian said. “We want to see the reality and get our own impression. We think that a main reason for a possible different way of working in both countries might be because of a different law on firearms. But this we’ll find out in our stay in Carson.”