Bay Police Chief to represent Ohio at UN function
By Jeff Gallatin
Bay Village
Published March 29, 2006

A relationship forged through the job has resulted in an international honor for Bay Village Police Chief David Wright.

Bay Village Police Chief David Wright

Wright will be representing the Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police tomorrow at the United Nations in New York at a ceremony celebrating the 161st anniversary of the Turkish National Police. There will be UN, international, federal, state and municipal police officers at the ceremony. Wright has been to Turkey as part of an exchange program with the Turkish National Police while his department also served as a host to a Turkish exchange officer last year.

“We’ve developed a great relationship with the Turkish National Police, and it’s something we’re very proud of both in the Ohio chief’s group and in our city police department,” Wright said. “I’m very honored to be able to represent all the Ohio police chiefs, the Westshore and our city.”

At the ceremony, Omer Onhon, consul general of Turkey, and Sir David Veness, undersecretary for safety and security for the United Nations, will be the main speakers at the ceremony. Wright, as the immediate past president of the OACP, and Dr. Todd N. Wurschmidt, the OACP’s executive director, will be the Ohio representatives.

“I’m sure we’ll get a chance to say how much we appreciate being there and how we are honored by the good working relationship we’ve developed with the Turkish National Police recently,” Wright said.

He said that relationship has both short and long-term benefits.

“We learned quite a bit in the initial exchange programs,” Wright said. “The national police force there is one of the best in the world and is considered one of the leading ones in the world on how to deal with terrorism and the problems resulting from it.”

Wright said in today’s political climate, knowledge gained from their Turkish counterparts is invaluable to Ohio and Westshore police departments.

“Unfortunately, it’s a different world out there now then it was a number of years ago,” Wright said. “We have to be aware of a lot more potential problems and how to try and deal with them.”

Area officials said Wright’s honor and his long-term contacts with the Turkish National Police Force are great benefits.

“We’re very proud of him here in the city,” said Bay Village Mayor Deborah Sutherland. “He deserves the honor because he’s worked very hard at developing this relationship and putting it to good use.”

Westlake Police Captain Guy Turner, who also has been to Turkey on the exchange program, said it puts the entire Westshore area in a good light.

“It shows that not only Bay and the Westshore but all of this area is part of a global village where we have to work together on problems like terrorism and other crime which crosses international borders.”

North Olmsted Police Chief George Ruple said Wright is well-suited for the job.

“Dave is very good at working with different people and developing rapports with them,” Ruple said. “His contacts will benefit all of us in the area.”

Wright noted that the relationship between Ohio and Turkish officers will continue with additional exchange programs.

“It’s going to be ongoing, and I would anticipate that we’ll be learning a more from their officers for a number of years,” Wright said. “I’m looking forward to working with them and maintaining the friendships.”