My name is Karsten, born in the early 70iger years (...oh my God!!!) in Baden-Württemberg (Southpart of Germany). In 1988, I decided to become a "Cop". Said - done! After resulted education, I quit my service in order to study law. Later I apply for the command service in the police of the State Baden-Württemberg in Germany again, because I missed my beloved dream occupation as a detective. The entry in the police took place in the beautiful town, called "Freiburg in the Breisgau" (Southwest of Germany), in the criminal investigation department. Since then I have pass through different offices in different States of Germany in their criminal investigation department and the Federal State Office of Criminal Investigstions.

In a "fateful" GER (State Investigation Office - narcotic Unit) party in the LKA Baden-Württemberg (1998), I met the woman of my dreams, Yvonne, that I was allowed to marry only a few month later.

In 1999, my change to the LKA Saxony resulted, in spite of more multiple "seriously warnings" of my colleagues. I didn`t believe that.....my biggest mistake in my life! Also my wife of the criminal investigation department of Stuttgart II to the country police of Saxon changed 2001, because we want to live together and not 400 miles away from each other.

LKA is in every german State the State Office of Criminal Investigation.

In the frame of different courses and studies, my wife and also I (unfortunately however separated) was allowed to travel, for the period from 7 weeks, officially to Canada and into the USA in order to visit there different office. Herewith we became acquainted with country and people and were able to clear the prejudices that also we had doubt-less, totally. Yes, we assessed even that we found these countries so fascinating, that we traveled repeatedly annually (since 2002) into the countries and Canada in order to graduate there "practical trainings" in different offices again.

Colleagues, I only can recommend you to seek and to use the opportunity, in order to experience these experiences themselves! God bless America!

Why the Canadian or US-American colleagues are so motivated and why there the words like team spirit, cooperative leadership system and consistency are no foreign words, or where in the serious differences to the German police are...sorry, it is not allowed for me to write it here.... damned..:-)... hey, US- and Canadien cops...you have the right to be proud!

My passion of the gathering of police patches and Zippos developed from the incredible positive experiences of my official time in the United States of America and Canada.

Guys, if you know, if there is the possibility for my wife (she is a detecitve lieutenant in a narcotic unit) an me to become a cop in the USA or Canada, please let us know! Please help us!!!!

Take care!