A Bit of Birmingham Headed to Belarus

If you noticed Birmingham Police Chief Don Studt's cap had a bit of red trim last week, it is not because of a new uniform change at the department.
 
The veteran chief exchanged hats with a member of a contingent of visitors from Belarus that recently toured the department as part of the Community Connections Program for the International Visitors Council of Metro Detroit.

The program is funded through the United States Agency for International Development's Bureau of Education Growth and Trade Office, and aims to strengthen communities to drive positive societal change.

Former Birmingham City Commissioner Eleanor “Coco” Siewert has a long affiliation with the organization and arranged for the special tour in Birmingham among the group's visits to the Detroit Institute of Arts, the Detroit Historical Society, the Henry Ford Museum, Greenfield Village and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.

“The group’s primary purpose here was to learn about our nonprofit system and how nonprofits get access to government programs for funding,” said Siewert, who has served as one of the host families more than two dozen times.  

Andrei Saladgunikau, the Director of the Center for Missing and Exploited Children in Belarus, prompted the trip to Birmingham’s Police Department after expressing an interest in the tour, and also his desire to exchange hats with Birmingham Studt. Saladgunikau collects hats as a hobby, and was thrilled when Studt
obliged, officials said.

"It's not a common request, but it happens, and we were happy to participate," Studt said. The cap from Belarus is now featured in the department's display case, alongside hats representing departments from England, South Africa and Germany.

Studt said the group's visit included an informal tour of the department, a close look at a police cruiser, and brief meetings with officers and department employees. 

“The group really enjoyed their time here. They were amazed to learn about all the volunteers and docents we have in the U.S. who volunteer their time without expecting anything in return,” said Siewert.