Hamilton County, TN – This past week, Sheriff Jim Hammond along with several other HCSO and local law enforcement personnel had the distinct privilege to help host an Albanian Police Officer from the City of Tirana, Albania.

The officer, Arta Shurbi, serves as the Police Inspector of Road Patrol for the Tirana Police Department and has the distinction of being the first female police officer in Albania. She has received many distinguished awards since her career began more than two decades ago including awards from the United States Ambassador to Albania and the U.S. State Department.

The exchange program was sponsored by the Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers (FCPO) and is designed to help create lasting partnerships and communication exchanges between U.S. and international law enforcement agencies. Several HCSO personnel visited Albania four years ago as a part of this program as well.

During her time in Chattanooga, Inspector Shurbi has visited with members of the HCSO Traffic Division, Red Bank Police Department, Hamilton County 911 Communications Center, and the Chattanooga Police Department. Several opportunities for learning have been offered to her during her visit including a hands-on firsthand look at what tools, resources, and software programs are being used in law enforcement operations in Hamilton County. She also had the opportunity to tour Brainerd High School with HCSO School Resource Officer Marty Ray to learn more about how this valuable program works and affects the lives of our young people. She also had the opportunity to sightsee around Hamilton County and visit some of our landmark tourist attractions.

Also visiting with Inspector Shurbi is her son and interpreter, Mario Shurbi. Mario is a 2nd year college student in Albania studying pre-law. He has hopes of becoming a law enforcement officer himself in the future. Mario’s ties to law enforcement run deep as not only his mother in law enforcement, but his father is a detective in the Albanian Police force as well.

"I am very proud of the relationship we have created with Officer Shurbi and the Albanian Police Department," stated HCSO Sheriff Jim Hammond. "I look forward to many more productive visits in the future and building upon our international relationships in the law enforcement community. I also want to thank the Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers (FCPO) for making this unique and enlightening exchange possible."