NPDF Hosts Italian Police Conference

 The National Police Defense Foundation graciously accepted an invitation by the Italian State Police, (Polizia Di Stato) to host an international police conference in Treviso, Italy from September 21st through 26th. High ranking police officials from the Italian State Police and representatives of other police organizations, the International Police Association of Italy and European Council of Police Trade Unions, were in attendance. The conference was coordinated by NPDF Delegate Michelle Mastrosimone, who is a State Police Officer assigned to Treviso, Italy. The subjects of discussion were numerous and varied in such common areas of interest as Illegal Immigration and organized crime, port security, fraud investigations and the effect of September 11th on individual police departments as well as international transportation facility security. Featured speakers were the NPDF officials attending the conference including NPDF Director Joseph Occhipinti, V.P. John Hickey, Secretary Sgt. Michael Barry and Delegate’s Jack Russo, Anthony Marceca and Edward Martino.

The conference was opened with special proclamations from US Senator Arlen Specter and the Governor of the State of Pennsylvania. There was a moment of silence for three (3) Italian State Police Officers who were killed in the line of duty the very same day as the conference. Executive Director Joseph Occhipinti took the opportunity of this sad occasion to offer the NPDF’s Safe Cop Award to our Italian counterparts in an effort to offer a $10,000 reward for information leading the arrest and conviction of anyone who shoots an Italian police officer. The NPDF’s Special Achievement Awards were presented to Treviso Mayor Gain Paolo Gobbo, Italian State Police Chief Carmine Damiano and Deputy Chief Gino Balbinot. In exchange, NPDF officials received similar awards from the Italian State Police, IPA and Mayor Gobbbo that included the “Key to the City.”  Sergeant Mike Barry, our Secretary, received the Crest of Treviso in recognition of his being an active duty police Sergeant assisting European law enforcement with his expertise through this conference.

The highlight of the conference included a special tour of Venice, Italy by the Italian State Police and IPA officials via a police launch. Due to this conference’s incredible success, it was agreed that another would take place in Genoa, Italy in May of 2009. The issues facing the police in Genoa are similar to those in the United States and elsewhere with special needs and considerations that the NPDF will focus on.  At present, the NPDF has dues paying members in Italy from the Polizia Di Stato, Carabinieri, Polizia Municipale, Guarda Di Finanza, among others and we trust that this conference was the beginning of a long and fruitful relationship between the NPDF and Italian law enforcement. Bravo to our colleagues in Italy!