Region 4 welcomes the following visitors to the Chicago area. Also listed are any get-togethers planned for our visitors, and the location. Please feel free to attend and help us welcome them to the U.S. Check back often as this list will be updated as soon as we are notified of a visit.
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Britta Voller's Visit
GERMAN OFFICER ON OFFICIAL CHICAGO VISIT
Officer Britta Voller a 10 year veteran of the German National Police has just completed an 8 week Police internship/exchange program with the assistance of IPA Region-4 Chicago. Britta is presently enrolled in a German National Police College to earn the rank of Sgt. Part of the program is to complete an 8 week internship with a Foreign/National Police department.
Britta's German IPA president contacted Chicago-Region# 4 back in March requesting assistance in setting up her Police schedule. Deputy Chief Rich Hammer from Rolling Meadows Police met her while in Munich, Germany in June, to set up what she wanted to see and main points of interest to learn about. Britta spent 3 weeks with Rolling Meadows Police and 4 weeks with Chicago Police. Lt. Robert Flynn Jr. Chicago Police set up her very interesting Chicago schedule. Britta enjoyed her many ride-alongs with with Homicide, Narcotics, Sex Crimes, Gang crimes, Tactical, Marine unit,K-9, Patrol, Traffic and 9-1-1 center. Britta also completed tours of Cook County Jail, Cook County Boot Camp, FBI Regional headquarters in Rolling Meadows and a RMPD sponsored trip down to Disney World.
IPA-Region-4 had Britta as their honored
guest during their August 31st meeting in Evanston, IL. Click here to see
pictures !!!
Britta will return to Bremen, Germany pop. 550,000 to complete her studies.
Britta wanted to send along her best wishes to everyone for their hospitality and showing her many interesting things.
She will never forget her visit to Chicago.
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The Village of Addison, Illinois is sister cities to Traggiano (Bari) Italy. During the month of October various representatives from Italy, including Antonio Villonio, President of the Italian Section of the IPA, visited and were hosted by the Village of Addison and given tours of the area. On October 15, 2004 a closing ceremony was held at the city hall to which all members of IPA Region 4 were invited. Richard Hargreaves, 2nd Vice President of the region and his wife Valerie Parris attended. Upon seeing Richard's IPA embroidered patch, Antonio made a beeline for him, ignoring the other dignitaries who had been waiting to meet him. Although Richard and Valerie speak no Italian, and Antonio speaks no English, the IPA created a bond between all of them which transcended language. In the end, Antonio was given the patch, and IPA gifts were exchanged. Diane Shapiro, President of Region 4, who does speak Italian, assisted with interpreting. All of Addison's elected officials, police chief, fire captain, etc. were present to participate in the festivities. Many beautiful gifts, handcrafted in Italy, were given to the village, and it is expected that this exchange will be done again, this time in Italy. Richard Hargreaves was contacted directly by the village of Addison as he is extremely active in the community where he lives. Thanks to Ed Mottola, IPA Associate Secretary to Italy, for making the official notification to Region 4. Deanna Maldonado, IPA Region 4 member, was able to communicate with our guests because she is fluent in Spanish, and found that the languages were sufficiently similar. We of Region 4 made sure to represent our Section and the National proudly. Home hosting was offered to the Italians upon their return to this area.
(Pictured, Diane S. Shapiro, President Region 4, Antoio Villonio, President Italian Section IPA)
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