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Dear Director Martinez,

I have just recently returned from Poland after participating in the study abroad program offered by Sam Houston State University (SHSU). In attendance were ten undergraduate students from SHSU and six police officers. Despite the fact that the group was very diverse in age, background, education, and experiences we all were able to quickly establish camaraderie.

First let me say that the program offered through SHSU was an excellent one. It was well coordinated, structured, and definitely enlightening. Even though Poland and the United States are thousands of miles apart and do not share a common history it was interesting to learn that we are very similar in our training programs, the issues that we face, the problems we encounter, and the various philosophies and beliefs as they pertain to law enforcement.

Poland recently became independent a little over ten years ago. Within that short time frame they appear to have embraced and implemented quite a few of the programs practiced here in the states. Some of these are police officers in the schools, a comfortable room in which to interview victims of crime, and community oriented policing philosophies and practices.

I firmly believe and have always encouraged officers to seek out continuing education, either through in-service schools or through colleges and universities. By doing so they broaden their knowledge and networking base, which in turn benefits not only the officer and their Department but the law enforcement profession as a whole. Education is the catalyst in which the word "Profession" will some day truly coincide with "Law Enforcement". This has been an endeavor of both academia and Law Enforcement for the past several decades.

I hope to continue to participate in future study abroad programs either through the university or through LEMIT. I also will be supporting these programs and encourage my officers to attend if possible. I hope that all Law Enforcement Agency Leaders will lend their support in every way possible in order to ensure that this program continues and thereby foster increased and improved relations with officers from Texas and abroad. It is through these types of interactive programs that our efforts in crime prevention in this country and others can be realized.

Sincerely,