The Inauguration of the Turkish Institute for Security and Democracy Takes Place in Washington, D.C.

The Turkish government began TIPS – the Turkish Institute for Police Studies – in 2003. This project was based at the University of North Texas, and brought Turkish National Police (TNP) officers to the United States to get graduate degrees. TIPS also organized a variety of conferences which served to build bridges between law enforcement agencies in different countries through the sharing of practical experience and academic research.

Based on the recommendations of participants at the first Istanbul conference and the TIPS advisory board, the Turkish National Police made the decision to move TIPS from Texas to Washington, D.C.

After he received his Ph.D., Mr. Teymur returned to Turkey and was appointed by the Ministry of Interior in October, 2007 to move TIPS to Washington, D.C. The Turkish Institute for Security and Democracy (TISD) was opened as an umbrella organization, in connection with TIPS. The whole moving process finished on April 10, 2008, the day which was also the 163rd anniversary of the Turkish National Police.

Dr. Teymur, President of TISD

The opening ceremony was held at TISD’s new premises at 1625 Massachusetts Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., at 7 pm on April 10, 2008.

More than one hundred guests joined TISD President Samih Teymur for the opening ceremony.

The First Counselor of the Turkish Embassy, Burak Akcapar, the Dean of American University’s School of International Service, Louis W. Goodman, and the Second Vice President of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, Chief Michael J. Carrol were present to speak as well.

In his speech, Dr. Teymur discussed the past successes and most recent work of TIPS - organizing conferences, publishing academic articles, and most of all, making connections between law enforcement agencies in different countries through the exchange of field experience and other activities. He finished by outlining TISD’s future plans.

First Counselor of the Turkish Embassy Burak Akcapar spoke about the strong, long-time partnership between Turkey and the United States. The first important step in this partnership was the 2006 signing of the strategic partnership agreement between the two countries, and the second, the sharing of information about the PKK terrorist organization. The opening of TISD, he stated, he saw as the next important step in this partnership.

Louis Goodman, Dean of the School of International Service at American University, discussed the “astonishing success” that TIPS has had in its program of bringing students to the US, and specifically the program at his university. Calling the project very useful, he suggested that it should be transferred to other countries as well.

Chief Michael J. Carrol, the Second Vice President of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, wrapped up the ceremony by commenting on the success of the conference. He pointed out that we now live in a globalized world and need to work together, cooperate, and share information to achieve the main purpose of all law enforcement agencies – the safety of their citizens. He called TIPS and TISD examples for global cooperation and understanding, and he expressed the IACP’s desire to work with TISD.

The ceremony ended with the presentation of a short video about the Turkish National Police as guests enjoyed a variety of traditional Turkish specialties.