Several Panama National Police Commissioners Were Trained On Milwaukee Policing

Milwaukee Police Department was hosting a police training session on policing for several high ranking Panama National Police Commissioners.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

October 23, 2015

Milwaukee, WI - On Thursday, several Panama National Police Commissioner Gilberto Samaniego and Sub-Commissioner Ricardo González attended the groundbreaking of the $55M Freshwater Market Plaza project in Milwaukee's Southside. In August, Commissioner Samaniego was appointed the Police Commander for the Western District of La Chorrera, Capira, Chama and San Carlos. Both Samaniego and González on Thursday met Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker (R), Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barret and community leaders and public officials at the groundbreaking ceremony.

According to a news release by Jon Riemann, the Media Producer from the Office of Police Chief Edward Flynn, the members of the Panamanian National Police (PNP) force were visiting Milwaukee and the Milwaukee Police Department this week to learn more about policing in America.

The visit was arranged through the U.S. Department of State's Central American Police Reform Initiative, which has focused on MPD's mission of establishing a Department that is community-oriented and data-driven.
The PNP delegates have learned the different ways on how crime data comes into MPD, including Computer Aided Dispatch and the ShotSpotter system. Samaniego and González also observed MPD's weekly COMPSTAT where District Captains examine crime trends and discuss solutions with fellow Officers.

During their time here, they've also visited various Milwaukee attractions and community organizations. Speaking Spanish, they spent an entire day with Milwaukee Police Officers and community partners in the Milwaukee 2nd District Police Station. There they also attended a groundbreaking ceremony for a new Cermak Fresh Market grocery store at S. 1st Street and W. Greenfield Ave. They had the opportunity to meet city and state officials too.
The MPD would like to thank everyone who was involved in making their visit a success as they explored MPD and the City of Milwaukee, Riemann reported.