Joint Hungarian-American Police Training Exercise

In the near past, one of the company commanders of the American Contingent has turned to the Hungarians with the request that he would like his soldiers to get a basic level preparation course on police responsibilities. As he said, the American soldiers do not possess the adequate skills and knowledge to be able to execute technical measures as professional police officers. The reason for that is that they serve primarily in reconnaissance positions, and though they have been prepared for all possible real combat situations, they do not have sufficient experience for the arrest of the incidental intruders.

The Hungarians willingly complied with the request, and it was also made clear during the pre-course discussions that the preparation exercise should focus on the topics of identity check, inspection of clothing and packages, handcuffing techniques, and vehicle search.

From the Hungarian side a police officer and a soldier conducted the instruction. On the first day of the joint training exercise, the participants acquired the basics of identity check, then the handcuffing techniques, and the stratagems of the inspection of clothing. The most important issue of the second day was the full search of vehicles, and forcing the person putting up resistance out of the vehicle.

The theoretical and practical sessions of the preparation course were characterised with a friendly atmosphere, and even the commanders expressed their appreciation about the course. The Americans emphasised that the knowledge of the peacekeepers of the two nations can provide a basis for many a joint training exercises in the future. Among others, a discussion is already underway between the commanders about the performance of joint weapon proficiency and a so-called “combat stress- shooting drill".

Photos by Captain László Tóth, Sergeant Major Attila Rehák, Lt Brent Craycraft