Police chiefs from Ukraine arrive in Jersey (10/05/97)

Police chiefs from Ukraine arrive in Jersey

MANALAPAN, N.J. - This past May, Chief Undersheriff Walter Zalisko and 14 other law enforcement specialists traveled from New Jersey to Ukraine to spend four weeks teaching at police academies there. In September, 15 chiefs of police from Ukraine arrived in the United States to visit with local police agencies. They were to spend three weeks traveling through Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and Washington.

As part of the program, which Mr. Zalisko coordinated, the officers will visit with the New Jersey State Police, a number of municipal police agencies, as well as various Prosecutor's Offices.

This program brings together the police departments in Ukraine and the United States to exchange ideas about fighting crime. The program will expose the Ukrainian police to American law enforcement at the local and state levels, with special focus on community policing.

According to Ukrainian police sources, teen crime, car thefts, larceny and the growing influence of organized crime are the biggest problems that face society in Ukraine. Much of the crime revolves around the demand for western commodities. Members of the delegation will work joint patrols, attend seminars and will experiment with the latest technology available in fighting crime.

The Ukrainian delegation were to have stayed in the homes of American police officers, adding a unique dimension to their experience. Members will spend a few days in Massachusetts and one week in New Jersey before traveling to Washington to attend FBI seminars.

Mr. Zalisko said Ukrainian American community activists Orest Fedash, John Burtyk, Stefan Tatarenko, John Bortnyk and Jaroslaw Fedun were instrumental in setting up local programs for the visiting officers, providing the delegation from Ukraine with a taste of Ukrainian American hospitality, that no doubt will be memorable for them.

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