The work being done by the Clarksville Police Department recently earned international attention, as the department was selected not once, but twice to host delegations from around the world.
The visits gave Clarksville officers an opportunity to share their approach to policing while also learning from leaders with very different experiences and perspectives.
The first international visit came through the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program, which brought five police leadership representatives from Kenya, Bulgaria, Nepal, Jamaica and Guyana to Clarksville.
Clarksville Police was selected to participate in the program based on the success of its narcotics division and the strong relationships the department has worked to build within the community.
During approximately six hours with CPD, the visitors received a detailed tour of the station and learned about the practices that contribute to the department’s success. They also joined patrol officers for ride-alongs, watched a K-9 demonstration and had the opportunity to ask questions about policing in Clarksville and the United States.
Following the visit, a State Department representative shared that, after visiting several police departments across the country, he was particularly impressed by Clarksville’s approach to community relations. He indicated that the department’s efforts were something he hoped to share during future visits and with colleagues in Washington, D.C.
The exchange was equally valuable for Clarksville officers. While the purpose of the program was to give the international participants a closer look at policing in the United States, CPD officers also had the opportunity to learn about different leadership styles, policing practices and community challenges from around the world.
Not long after that visit, Clarksville Police was once again selected to welcome international guests.
Through the Congressional Office for International Leadership’s Open World Program, a delegation from the Vietnamese National Assembly visited the department for a tour and professional exchange.
During their time in Clarksville, the delegation met with officers from several areas of the department and learned more about their responsibilities and day-to-day work. Officers shared how the different divisions within CPD work together to serve and protect the Clarksville community.
Being selected twice to host international delegations is a unique distinction for a local police department and a reflection of the professionalism, leadership and community-focused work taking place within Clarksville PD.
The visits also demonstrated that while communities and policing systems may look very different around the world, many of the goals remain the same. Law enforcement leaders share a commitment to building trust, strengthening their organizations and finding better ways to serve the people who depend on them.
For the Clarksville Police Department, these visits provided an opportunity to share what is working here at home while also gaining new ideas and perspectives from international colleagues.
For the Town of Clarksville, it was a proud reminder that the work taking place in our community is being recognized far beyond our borders.