SHUT DOWN…. What kind of luck is this? Because of the
political in-fighting just 40 miles away in D.C. we are stuck in a “holding
pattern” described by our staff as a “Tactical Deferral” I’ve heard it
described a lot more “colorfully” by my suite mate from Philadelphia (but I
can’t print that)
Section 3 met in our “Home-Room” (yep, just like in high
school) and listened to our limited options. We can go a few days and get some
of the many “housekeeping” items done that didn’t require classwork such as
Class Photos and Committee Assignments. I volunteered to the “Law Enforcement
Memorial” Committee as we are due to tour this somber memorial in 2 weeks. Most
students are glued to their laptops or PDA’s hoping for some kind of
breakthrough. We have 24 students from other countries that can’t just “drive
home for the weekend” so we get together in our Sections and “huddle up”
The FBI and University Of Virginia co-sponsor this course
with the Instructors being Special Agents, being “vetted” and accredited
through UV. So…quick decisions aren’t going to happen. They “gave us the day
off” to do as we wish, exercise, laundry or “on our own” as a good deal of
their staff were sent home.
Suleyman HANCERLI, Branch Chief of the Turkish National
Police, was looking around as were most of the International Students trying to
figure out why we were stopping because “our government was arguing.” I tried
unsuccessfully to explain, then after failing said “hey lets go get our
groceries!” My car quickly filled as International students have no vehicles.
We took my car to the ‘Marine version” of Walmart and picked up supplies. Suleyman
(pronounced Sue-lee-mahn) proudly
explained that his name meant “Soloman” in our language and even more proudly,
that he was names after “SOLOMAN” whom conquered the ancient OTTOMAN Empire. We aptly nicknamed him “Sully” which he
immediately disliked! but it stuck.. We
spent the day, traveling, dining and exercising with other foreign students
such as Gatis Zvirbulis of the Lavtian Security Police and Andrew from Uganda
whom I found has a city of 10 MILLION under his watch. Wow! (and I thought I
had problems!)
Last night (Tuesday) we had an assembly where we strategized
if/when this might be resolved and if/when it wasn’t at what point do we
disband and return home. The FBI handlers, although extremely remorseful and
optimistic had little encouragement as to how we would resolve without FBI
Instructors and Medical Staff on site. Questions were posed and suggestions
made from the gallery of 250 Law enforcement executives from around the world.
In the true spirit of police responding to adversity (not
caused by themselves) and figuring a solution of their own, someone from the
Ukraine made the suggestion to the FBI handlers.
“Sir, we are all some of Law Enforcement’s most elite,
educated and professional officers in the world, most having advanced degrees,
many with much more than our scheduled instructors. Why, do or can’t we teach
our own curriculum? (approved by FBI) We each have a unique and necessary skill
or niche’ we could bring to the table.”
Sayesh (from Pakistan) offered to teach an advanced course of Terrorism,
Suicide Bombers and mindset of Terrorists. It was wildly received by all and
immediately stunned the FBI staff whom, although taken aback by the suggestion,
liked the idea.
“I will have to pass it up the chain for approval by my
superiors in D.C.” uh oh…. Here we go….
