(Washington, DC) The Office of Police Complaints (OPC) recently hosted a group of eight federal prosecutors from Brazil interested in the work of the agency. OPC staff met with the Brazilians on December 4, 2006, as part of the US Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program.
OPC’s executive director, Philip K. Eure, deputy director, Thomas E. Sharp, chief investigator, Clifford C. Stoddard, assistant chief investigator, Kesha Taylor, and public affairs specialist, Melanie Deggins presented information to the Brazilian delegation on the role of the District’s police accountability office and the importance of similar agencies throughout the United States.
The OPC representatives explained how the agency investigates and adjudicates police misconduct conduct complaints. They also emphasized the importance of OPC’s community outreach program in educating the public about the agency’s complaint process and services.
The prosecutors from Brazil, who asked many questions, were particularly interested in OPC’s investigator recruitment and training process, as well as the relationship between the agency and other government agencies that are part of the District’s police accountability system.
“The State Department’s program is a wonderful opportunity for our agency to confer with government officials from around the world on ideas and strategies for combating police misconduct,” according to Mr. Eure. “These international sessions remind us that accountability in policing is a central feature in democratic societies.”
During their visit, the group planned to meet with other government officials in Washington and Philadelphia. According to the State Department, the International Visitor Leadership Program each year brings foreign nationals from around the world to meet with their professional counterparts in the United States. The visitors are current or potential leaders in government, the media, education, business, and other fields and are selected by American Foreign Service Officers.
For additional information on the International Leadership Program, you may visit the State Department’s website:
- US Department of State International Visitor Program