The Missouri National Guard State Partnership Program hosts Panamanian group on recent US visit

By: Johnathan Lemons
Unit Public Affairs Representative





KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Missouri National Guard State Partnership Program recently welcomed a group of Panamanian lawyers to Kansas City.

The focus of the visit was for the group to learn how the justice system works in the United States on the local, state and federal level.

"The program is one of the best tools that combatant commanders have to provide stability and security in their respective areas of responsibility," said Lt. Col. Rebecca Segovia-Johnson, Missouri State Partnership Program director. "It provides a venue to build capabilities for both U.S and Panamanian partners while building and strengthening relationships."

The group included Iris Guerra from the National Police, Isaias Ellis from the Border Patrol, Johany Diaz and Mannel Vargas from the Justice Department and Brucela Jaramillo from the Navy and Air Force.

The first day included touring the new Kansas City Police Shoal Creek station and Regional Police Academy. The tour included the weapons training facility, classrooms and physical training area. Police officers demonstrated the training they do on an annual basis to prepare for an active shooter situation.

The group asked questions on police use of force protocol, how the justice affects officer actions and different kinds of discipline used in the police force.

"The way the police are disciplined is different than how we do in Panama," said Guerra. "I'm hoping to take back some of the things I have learned to improve our system."

The next stop on the tour was the Kansas City Police crime lab. Demonstrations included crime scene procedures, ballistics analysis and DNA processing.

The second day of the tour focused on the federal justice system. The group met with judges and members of the U.S Marshalls at the Robert J. Dole United States Courthouse in Kansas City, Kan. The Panamanians learned the difference in the functions of the federal, state and local court system. The system differs from the one in Panama, so many in the group had question on what types of crimes are prosecuted at each level.

Other stops during the visit included the Jackson County Correctional Facility, General Services Administration and Environmental Protection Agency.



Posted: 4/16/2010 8:47:15 AM