CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, Japan -- The Provost Marshall’s Office hosted police officers and officials from the Okinawa Prefectural Police for a tour of PMO facilities Oct. 22 aboard Camp Foster.
The visit was part of an effort by PMO and OPP to learn about one another’s operations and build upon an already fruitful partnership between the two organizations, according to Sgt. Hiroki Ashitomi, an officer with the 2nd Criminal Investigation Section, OPP.
“We requested the visit, so we can learn more about how PMO operates, which will help us work together easier and stop crime as it occurs,” said Ashitomi.
The visit included a tour of the PMO office and brig along with displays of equipment used by the Special Reaction Equipment and military working dogs’ capabilities.
While the focus of the visit was to show off PMO operations, the Marine police officers also learned a great deal about Japanese law enforcement, according to 1st Lt. Brian Faust, the officer in charge with the Special Enforcement Section, PMO, Headquarters and Support Battalion, Marine Corps Installations Pacific-Marine Corps Base Camp Butler, Japan.
“Though we generally have the same mission, the way we function as a law enforcement unit is extremely different from the way local law enforcement does,” said Faust. “Whether it is the way they conduct sobriety checks or how they handle traffic accidents, there are many differences. Visits like this really allow both parties to have a better understanding of each other.”
Along with countless joint training exercises, these visits will continue to redefine and improve MCIPAC’s critical relationships throughout the Asia-Pacific region and promote peace and security for our partners while providing uninterrupted, superior support to the operating forces.