A chilling echo of the past reverberated this week in Kraków, Poland, as 130 police leaders from around the world gathered at Auschwitz. The unprecedented initiative unfolded alongside the annual March of the Living, a solemn journey to confront the horrors of the Holocaust and learn from its devastating lessons.
For 37-year law enforcement veteran Paul Goldenberg, the trip was profoundly significant. He emphasized that their presence wasn’t merely symbolic, but a reaffirmation of their oath – a commitment to protect *all* communities, regardless of background. In a world facing escalating challenges, he believes police hold a crucial role in safeguarding democratic values.
The three-day program was a deeply immersive experience. Officers walked the streets of Kraków’s historic Jewish Quarter, Kazimierz, and then confronted the stark reality of Auschwitz. They heard firsthand accounts from Holocaust survivors and those impacted by recent antisemitic violence, culminating in participation in the March of the Living and a return to the grounds of Auschwitz-Birkenau.
Goldenberg underscored the unique nature of the Holocaust – a state-sponsored campaign where police forces were complicit. The core lesson, he explained, is the terrifying power of dehumanization, and how it enabled such atrocities. The goal is for these leaders to return to their departments equipped to better train officers, support victims, and understand the weight of their responsibilities.
The urgency of this mission is starkly apparent. Armed guards now protect synagogues in Western nations, and specialized police units are deployed to safeguard Jewish institutions in the United States and Canada. This isn’t a distant threat; it’s a reality unfolding within the fabric of our own societies.
Abbie Talmoud, a director at the Embassy of Israel to the United States, knows this fear intimately. A survivor of a terror attack in Washington, D.C., she spoke of the growing difficulty of feeling safe, even in America. She believes systemic change is needed, starting with education and a firm rejection of antisemitism at all levels.
Catherine Szkop, also from the Embassy of Israel, shared a deeply personal connection to the Holocaust. Discovering a page filled with her family name in the Book of Names at Auschwitz brought the past into terrifying focus. She now lives with a heightened awareness, a constant vigilance born of recent trauma.
Jeanne Hengemuhle, superintendent of the New Jersey State Police, emphasized the importance of proactive engagement with communities. Her agency prioritizes early intervention and collaboration to prevent hate-related incidents from escalating. She believes law enforcement must recognize its role as a vital first line of defense.
Hengemuhle cautioned against complacency, noting that the Holocaust didn’t erupt overnight. It was a gradual process, a series of incremental changes. She urged participants to identify early warning signs and intervene before they lead down a dangerous path.
Responding to this threat, senior police officials from Europe and North America signed a landmark agreement in Berlin, launching “Not on Our Watch – The Democratic Policing Initiative.” This transnational effort aims to strengthen intelligence-sharing and coordinate responses to extremist threats.
Sheriff Jim Skinner of Collin County, Texas, stressed the fundamental responsibility of law enforcement to serve and protect *all* communities equally. Despite political divisions, he believes officers must remain steadfast in their commitment to justice and safety.
A recent visit to Kibbutz Be’eri in Israel, shortly after the October 7th attack, profoundly impacted Skinner. He returned with practical lessons for his organization and a renewed understanding of the pervasive nature of hate. He is determined to ensure his department is prepared to prevent such tragedies within his own community.
The March of the Living, Skinner concluded, is a powerful tribute to the victims of the Holocaust and a vital reminder of the consequences of intolerance. It’s a message he intends to instill in everyone he influences – a call to stand against violence and defend the principles of a just and equitable society.
