THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, March 23, 1995 TAG: 9503210120
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY SCOTT McCASKEY, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 83 lines
The job is familiar, but the streets and language aren't.
On a beat halfway around the world, three Japanese police officers are in Norfolk to study how the city's police force operates. They've toured the jail, witnessed court procedure and watched police training operations. Now, they're riding in patrol cars, getting a firsthand look at actual crime.
``American city is dangerous,'' Patrolman Tetsuji Kanada said.
``In Japan, young lady can walk the street at midnight,'' Patrolman Isao Ebi added.
But crime in Japan is rising, and the visiting policemen are hoping to get some tips on how to help curb growing problems of gun-related violence, drug abuse and the Yakuda, the Japanese mafia.
``Drug and gun problem getting worse,'' Sgt. Takahiro Kato said. ``Many more gun murders in last five years. Now, ordinary citizens can get guns more easily.''
Although Japanese civilians are not allowed to own guns and suspects rarely put up a fight, the officers are still taking a close look at arrest techniques.
``Suspects carry guns in America,'' Kanada said. ``We're impressed with how American police approach suspects. It will help us with our safety in future.''
The group will study every phase of the department and return home to report on what they've seen, said Joe O'Brien, Norfolk police training and development manager and coordinator for the study program.
The visit was arranged through the Japanese Embassy in Washington. Since 1971, Japan has been sending its police to the United States, Canada and England to learn about other law enforcement systems. This marks the first time officers have come to Norfolk. There are other Japanese police currently in Charlotte and Alexandria. The idea is to study medium-sized American cities.
For Kato and Ebi, it is their first visit to this country. Kanada took a vacation to Los Angeles several years ago. The policemen arrived in Norfolk in January and will remain until late April. They speak functional English and can read the language on a fairly competent level.
``We used translators at first, but language hasn't been the barrier we expected,'' O'Brien said.
While the officers said the two nations' law enforcement systems are alike, due primarily to similar constitutions, they are alarmed at the scale of crime in America. At home, they work for the Aichi Prefectural Police, a force much like the Virginia State Police. Last year, there were 64 murders in the Aichi's territory of more than 6 million people. In 1994, Norfolk had 61 murders in an estimated population of 245,000, according to police and city figures.
The next phase of study will be in narcotics and vice. The officers want to see how a long-term drug investigation is handled and the ways intelligence is gathered. Before they leave, O'Brien hopes to have them meet with the FBI and the Virginia State Police.
``We will take back what we've learned to our superiors,'' Kanada said. ``They will decide if useful.''
The group is also getting an inside look at the American family. Though they've been staying in a motel, they soon will be spending weekends in the homes of Norfolk police personnel.
``It's a way to expose them to American family culture and sharpen their English skills,'' said Crime Prevention Officer John Richardson, who has been helping acclimate the visitors to the city. Richardson's wife is Korean. His mother-in-law speaks fluent Japanese and acted as a translator when the policemen first arrived.
The officers also are experiencing other aspects of American life.
``Here, we can buy anything cheap,'' Kanada said. ``In Japan, a cup of coffee is $3.''
The officers noted they have been treated kindly and made to feel welcome in Norfolk. O'Brien, a civilian employed by the police department, agreed that the arrangement has worked out.
``I think police are pretty much the same all over the world,'' he said. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by L. TODD SPENCER
From left, Officer John Richardson, Isao Ebi, Tetsuji Kanada,
Takahiro Kato and Joe O'Brien.
by CNB