‘We want to give something back’
German cops clean up Art Wall
Members of of the Bersenbrück, Germany Police Department paint over the Art Wall Park Monday as part of a service project. Each visit, the officers complete a service project for the community. This year they cleaned up the Art Wall Park. Left to right: Christian Steffen, Tim Lünnemann, Constantin Knuf and Hermann Steffen
Members of the Bersenbrück, Germany Police Department stand in front of the freshly whitewashed Art Wall Park in New Ulm. From left to right: Stefan Stoll, Marvin Schwedhelm, Stefan Stoll, Jan Hendrik Holthaus, Christain Steffen, Reiner Schröer, Constantin Knuf, Julian Dresmann, Hermann Steffen and Tim Lünnemann. Submitted Photo
Marvin Schwedheim of Germany spray paints the Art Wall for a service project in the German-American police exchange program. Schwedheim is a second-generation police officers in Germany. His father was one of the founding members of the German-American police exchange, 36 years ago. Schwedheim said he loves the program an is excited to see it continue. Photo by Clay Schuldt
German police officer Christian Steffen leads the team on the whitewashing service project. Steffen said it is is important for the visiting officer to do some community service for New Ulm. “We want to give something back,” he said. Photo by Clay Schuldt
Members of of the Bersenbrück, Germany Police Department paint over the Art Wall Park Monday as part of a service project. Each visit, the officers complete a service project for the community. This year they cleaned up the Art Wall Park. Left to right: Christian Steffen, Tim Lünnemann, Constantin Knuf and Hermann Steffen
Members of the Bersenbrück, Germany Police Department stand in front of the freshly whitewashed Art Wall Park in New Ulm. From left to right: Stefan Stoll, Marvin Schwedhelm, Stefan Stoll, Jan Hendrik Holthaus, Christain Steffen, Reiner Schröer, Constantin Knuf, Julian Dresmann, Hermann Steffen and Tim Lünnemann. Submitted Photo
Marvin Schwedheim of Germany spray paints the Art Wall for a service project in the German-American police exchange program. Schwedheim is a second-generation police officers in Germany. His father was one of the founding members of the German-American police exchange, 36 years ago. Schwedheim said he loves the program an is excited to see it continue. Photo by Clay Schuldt
German police officer Christian Steffen leads the team on the whitewashing service project. Steffen said it is is important for the visiting officer to do some community service for New Ulm. “We want to give something back,” he said. Photo by Clay Schuldt
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NEW ULM - Monday, the City of New Ulm had a new volunteer work crew paint over the graffiti in the Art Wall Park.
The new volunteers all hail from Germany and all carry a police badge.
Last week, 10 officers from the Bersenbrück Police Department came to New Ulm as part of the German American Police Program (GAPP).
New Ulm Police Investigator TJ Ibberson said GAPP was first started in 1990 under former New Ulm Police Chief Egbert "Bert" Schapekahm. As part of the program, officers from Bersenbrück visit New Ulm every four years. The German visitors stay with members of the New Ulm Police Department (NUPD) and Brown County Sheriff's Office (BSCO).
Ibberson said part of the visit is educational. It is a chance for the German Police to learn about NUPD and BCSO, and the communities they serve. However, friendship is another reason for the visit.
After 36 years of the program, the two law enforcement agencies have grown close to each other, which is why, when they visit, the German officers complete some type of service project for the community.
Four years ago, the German officers moved items for Ivy House; this time the group helped Park & Rec whitewash the graffiti wall. In addition to painting the wall, some of the officers removed overgrowth from the wall.
Park and Recreation Director Joey Schugel said the Art Wall is typically whitewashed once or twice a year depending on need. Sometimes area artists will do it themselves before painting something new.
Schugel said the wall was due for a fresh new surface. He said the officers from Bersenbrück certainly helped the parks department.
"It is important for us to do this community service," Officer Christian Steffen said. "This visit is not just about partying at Oktoberfest. We want to give something back because everyone here has been so nice."
The overall purpose of GAPP is to build relationships between the two departments. Steffen confirmed there has been a general friendship formed between the two departments. In between visits the officers remain in contact, sending emails and phone calls.
"The friendship is the most important part of this," Steffen said.
Several of the officers have visited New Ulm multiple times and have many friends in the community.
Christian Steffen said he is actually a second-generation officer to take part in this program. His father, Hermann Steffen, was one of the first to visit New Ulm. Hermann continues to take part in the program. In fact, Hermann was standing side-by-side with his son, helping paint the Art Wall.
Bersenbrück officer Marvin Schwedhelm is another second-generation officer. His father was one of the founding members of GAPP and among the first to visit New Ulm.
This is Schwedhelm's second visit to New Ulm. He admitted he never expected he would be painting over a graffiti wall in the United States, but he was happy to help.
"Dad helped start the program and he loved it," Schwedhelm said. "I like seeing it continue to go on."
The next time Bersenbrück officers visit New Ulm will be in 2030. It will be the 40th anniversary of the program and a unique international bond among law enforcement.