|
|
|||||||
| About Us | April 95 | October 95 | January 96 | May 96 | February 98 | March 99 | September 00 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
INSIDE President's Message
History shows that our forefathers left their homeland not by choice, but under adverse circumstances, to make new homes in foreign lands. They brought with them their heritage and work ethic. Even though they took on the citizenship of another country, they made sure we understood and appreciated these things. Today whether we speak the language or participate in Ukrainian cultural activities, we feel a connection to a people left behind. Because of this "connection", in 1981, a group of Chicago Police Officers of Ukrainian descent, organized the Ukrainian/American Police Association. In 1991, our organization was revitalized when two members traveled to Ukraine making contact with police agencies (militia) in Kyiv, Lviv and Ternopil. The common bonds of law enforcement and Ukrainian heritage made this trip very successful by opening up doors never before opened. The warm welcome and acceptance by the Ukrainian Ministry of Internal Affairs, began a line of communications which culminated in the First International Police Conference held in Kyiv in August of 1994. Because of the acceptance of UAPA by the militia in Ukraine, a new commitment was begun. We would like to extend the benefits of a professional Ukrainian Law Enforcement organization to others. Thanking you for your continued support and participation, I welcome
you to our first newsletter.
Berkut, the Ukrainian word for eagle. In America, the eagle stands as a symbol of freedom. In Ukraine, it is the name of a 150 man tactical unit formed to protect the freedom and right's of its citizens. The Berkut officers have many responsibilities some of which include: patrolling neighborhoods, responding to civil disturbances and providing protection for V.I.P.s. These duties sound familiar to the beat cop, but they have one more responsibility that most of us don't. These cop's take on the Ukrainian Mafia. Ever since the Ukrainian people chose independence over communism, the mafia has grown into a very powerful entity. They are ruthless and care less for their own people. The average Militiaman can do very little against them. That is why Berkut was created. Berkut is not for the squeamish or faint of heart. Their physical regiment is equivalent to any successful para military organization found in the world. Their training consists of many hours of physical training, including instruction in the martial arts. Honesty and the refusal to succumb to the temptations of the mafia are common character traits of all officers in Berkut. With the economic instability in Ukraine, the black market flourishes. Fortunes can and are made by controlling the available goods and products. Berkut protects these controls by intimidation and unbridled force. What started as a task force has now become a professional group of
Law Enforcement Officers that can proudly stand next to other organizations
and be looked upon as true fellow officers.
THE BEGINNING- How our work in Ukraine started: Many people have asked how we started our work with Ukrainian Law Enforcement. It began innocently enough with a visit to America by a cousin of mine from Lviv. During one of our many discussions I told him how interesting it would be to visit the police there and share with them our war stories and experiences, something unheard of in the past. He happened to know a militia major, Ihor Cikalo from the Shevchenko Rayon(district) in Lviv. Shortly after he returned home, a formal letter of invitation arrived from Major Cikalo inviting myself and other "American" police officers for an official police visit. Through my brother John Shep, the director of Thoughts of Faith -Ukraine, a religious/humanitarian organization, I met Andy Durbak a Lieutenant with the Chicago Police Department. We formed a strong friendship and partnership that took us to Ukraine in 1991. We arrived the Monday morning of the now famous coup. We observed how the militia stood by against orders from Moscow to break up any and all demonstrations. These actions helped the nation break free from communism and start on the road to freedom and independence. We began to lead formal and informal discussions on American policing to officers in Kyiv, Lviv and Ternopil. With contacts already made, we again traveled to Ukraine in 1992 and continued our bridge building efforts making contact with the SBU (Security Services of Ukraine). At the same time we started arranging for small groups of law enforcement personnel to visit the Evanston and Chicago Police Departments while attending the Northwestern University Traffic Institute. Other police officers became involved as the word spread. This led to discussions with the Interior Ministry about hosting an International Conference in Kyiv during the summer of 1994. With a great deal of help from everyone involved, the conference was held during August of 1994. In our estimation, it was a great success. More than 250 delegates attended representing 32 countries, including 23 representatives from the United States. We are currently in the process of assisting the Ministry of Internal
Affairs in the planning and execution of another conference which is tentatively
scheduled for September of 1995.
Months of hard work and effort on the part of the conference committee in Kyiv, our international coordinator Volodymir Luciw of London, and members of our association were handsomely rewarded by the professional quality of the conference setting and reflected by the 32 countries that sent delegates. The conference site was the Ministry of Internal Affairs complex. The first day consisted of an orientation session, an informal reception and welcoming speeches given by government and city officials. The president of the Ukrainian/American Police Association gave the following welcoming message to the assembly. "Dear Colleagues: The members of the Ukrainian/American Police Association have looked forward to this day when Kyiv would host the first international law enforcement conference dealing with organized crime and narcotics trafficking. We wish this conference great success. It is only under the conditions of law and order in a democratic society, with international cooperation in the struggle against trans-national crime, that Ukraine will be able to secure its economy and become a full partner in the community of nations. May God bless us in our efforts." The conference theme and objective was to formulate a strategy to combat illicit drug trafficking and organized crime. This conference stressed the grave situation concerning Ukraine's steady increase in organized criminal activity. Organized criminal activity affects certain parts of government and its executive agencies and this leads to corruption, embezzlement of national wealth and threatens national independency. In order to achieve the objectives stated, it was recognized that the most important step for Ukraine was for Ukraine to strengthen its international cooperation with law enforcement agencies of other countries and to borrow on their experiences. The importance of this conference to Ukraine was that its law enforcement institutions were recognized as participating agencies in the international community. Hosting a conference of this size and scope has helped to increase the stature of this developing , democratic nation. True to the tradition of Ukrainian hospitality, the Ministry provided the participants with sightseeing and cultural activities, including a trip down the Dniepro River by boat and a barbeque in the forests surrounding Kyiv. We learned a new tradition at the barbeque. A toast has to be given every 45 seconds . We did our best to keep the tradition alive!!!!!!
MINISTRY OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS DANCE ENSEMBLE: As part of the opening ceremonies for the International Law Enforcement conference, a concert was performed by the song and dance ensemble of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. This ensemble includes a choir, dancers and an orchestra, all full time members of the ministry. The performance given by these entertainers was exceptional, conveying personal enthusiasm and patriotic zeal. This ensemble is the ministry's showcase effort that performs at state functions. Because of the professional level of production and quality of presentation, our association along with other Ukrainian organizations is exploring the possibility of having this ensemble tour the United States this coming fall. As a result of the contacts made at the Kyiv conference, the conference chairman General Alexander Ishtchenko was invited to attend the Chiefs of Police Conference held in Albuquerque, New Mexico in September of 1994. This invitation was of special interest to General Ishtchenko as he is the First Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and a Lt. General in the Militia. The General was very impressed by the large number of participants and exhibits. There is nothing like it in Ukraine. After the generals visit to New Mexico, he made a stopover in Chicago. The general was honored with a dinner hosted by the association. General Ishtchenko was given a plaque from the association thanking him for his help and support in making the Kyiv conference a success. The last stop of his trip was Washington D.C. where thanks to an association member he had two days of talks with the director of the F.B.I. Topics discussed were mutual assistance , cooperation and training.
In 1991, Lt. Andres Durbak of the Chicago Police Department and Off. Michael Shep of the Evanston Police Department traveled to Ukraine where they observed police operations in the cities of Kyiv, Lviv and Ternopil. They soon realized that crime and community problems were much the same as they experienced back home, but the scope and structure of Ukrainian police was very different from that of the United States. The Ukrainian Police (Militia) inherited from the former soviet system an autocratic and centralized command structure that operated under the concept of a national police force. The police authority powers descend from the government's Ministry of Internal Affairs in Kyiv. These powers are channeled through the different oblasts (states) that are administered by higher ranking generals. Each oblast is broken down into various rayons (counties) both rural and some larger cities have rayons within their boundaries. The city of Lviv has five rayons or districts within the city. Each Rayon (county) is commanded by a Colonel or Lt. Colonel. The city districts could be commanded by a major or higher person in rank. Training is conducted at the main police Academy in Kyiv or one of the smaller academies in the larger cities of Ukraine. Specialized training in the field of investigations or other related fields can take up to two years to complete. When completed, the officer leaves with a college degree and elevated rank. The ranks parallel that of the military, with over nine levels to reach the rank of general. Entry level requirements for police recruits are minimal in education and background often being filled by those leaving the military service. Upon reporting for work, they are issued their duty weapon which they have to turn in at the end of their shift every day. They usually work in pairs and are dropped off in their patrol areas. While we are accustomed to having computers in our vehicles, they are lucky to have vehicles in the first place. In the smaller cities and towns, it is not unusual for the police to commandeer a private vehicle to respond to a major crime. They also use public transportation when necessary . For some routine criminal matters in outlying areas of the rayons it may take 2-3 days to finally get there and take the report. Traffic enforcement is the responsibility of the DAI (Division of Auto Inspection), the equivalent of a national highway patrol. It's centralized in Kyiv and administered by a general. DAI is the only police authority on the roadways outside the cities. DAI officers set up speed traps and have fixed outpost-station roadblocks. A large part of their responsibilities is to verify car and driver checking for stolen vehicles and contraband. While traveling between Kyiv and Lviv we observed DAI checkpoints approx 100 Km apart. These checkpoints were controlled by barricades or a hand signal from the officer would tell which driver had to pull over. Several times we observed parked next to the check, station a military type of personnel carrier with a 50 cal. machine gun mounted on top. After 2200 hrs all traffic is stopped and inspected by units of the Berkyt. They are armed with auto machine pistols and have orders to shoot, if a vehicle does not stop for them after 2200 hrs. Our experiences with this unit during road checks showed that they were conducted in a professional and courteous manner. Members are invited and encouraged to participate in future newsletters. Articles or news clips of police related matters in the Ukrainian community or about Ukrainian/American/Canadian officers are welcome. Members are welcome to share their experiences about travel to Ukraine. Please submit all material to the newsletter address on the front side of newsletter. Your comments and suggestions on how to improve this newsletter are appreciated. For active members, UAPA has the following items for sale bearing the
association emblem. The emblem is embroidered in blue and gold.
All items are dark blue in color and price includes shipping. |