REMEMBRANCE - SERGEANT GLENN HUTTO, JR.

Sergeant Glenn Hutto, Jr.

“Sergeant Glenn Hutto, Jr. spent the final moments of his life doing what he was best known for. Standing beside his subordinates and showing them what it means to protect and serve.”

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On April 26 2020, Baton Rouge Police received a tip that a suspect who had just shot and killed his girlfriend’s stepfather earlier in the day was inside of a residence in the city’s Howell Park neighborhood. Officers from the First District knocked at the front door to try and make contact with the offender. Sergeant Glenn Hutto, Jr. and one of his officers made their way to the backyard of the property to secure a possible point of exit. The suspect was waiting and callously ambushed them with a rifle. Sergeant Glenn Hutto, Jr. was killed in the attack. Corporal Derrick Maglone was critically wounded but survived. The gunman was later arrested after a standoff with police.

For his sacrifice in the line of duty, Sergeant Glenn Hutto, Jr. was posthumously promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. He spent much of his two-decade career with the Baton Rouge Police Department working as a crime scene investigator before shifting to uniform patrol supervisor. He is remembered as man of true courage who led from the front.

DESERTED: DOCUMENT NOW

Deserted: Document Now
By: George Beck, Ph.D

On March 25, 2020 when NYPD Detective Cedric Dixon was admitted into North Central Bronx Hospital with flu-like symptoms, the coronavirus was raging through the NYPD and support staff. 

Three days later Detective Dixon, 48, was dead from COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. His coworkers described Detective Dixon, a 23-year veteran of the force assigned to the 32nd precinct in Harlem, as a great officer with a heart of gold, who went out of his way to help friends repair their broken electronics and technology.

As of this writing, over 6,700 officers are out sick— nearly 19% of the department—and the numbers keep climbing. Seven civilian employees have also died, and among the approximately 1800 infected officers are two chiefs and the deputy commissioner in charge of counterterrorism. As the coronavirus continues to decimate the ranks; the NYPD and many departments around our nation are on the verge of collapse. 

Officers and other first responders are asked to do what others will not. Being on the front lines, they do not have the comfort of quarantining to protect themselves and their families from a virus that is twice as contagious as the flu and spreads like wildfire during the dry season. They do not lockdown, sheltered in their homes, while the casualties pile outside their windows. 

Officers are out there risking their lives to stop the spread of this virus.  In these uncharted waters, they are enforcing social distancing orders and shutdowns, while handling the routine police workload, which includes arresting people and increased contacts with many civilians—many of whom have been exposed to the coronavirus. Also, several officers were targeted by lunatics with the virus who used their illness to assault the police. The rate of exposure in this unsafe battlefield environment is exponentially higher than the general public; yet, many departments are not adequately equipped to meet these grave demands. Many lack the required personal protective equipment and training to perform their job safely. 

Are officers expendable? Many agencies did not have adequate stockpiles of necessary supplies such as N95 masks, protective gowns, hand sanitizer, gloves, and disinfectant wipes. To assume a pandemic of this magnitude would not happen is negligence. Therefore, unprepared agencies saw their supplies evaporated within the first few days of the coronavirus outbreak.

Agencies frantically sought to create a stockpile to meet the demands, but it was too late. 

Officers sought to mitigate the dangers on their own, purchasing supplies out of their pocket, but it has become nearly impossible to privately buy hand sanitizer, an N95 mask, gloves, or even a bottle of Zinc vitamins. So while their departments have failed them, the workload continues, and they are placed at higher risk without the proper equipment or training.

Therefore, while working in this unsafe environment, an officer must document every interaction, especially those with known carriers of the coronavirus. Why? Because soldiers exposed to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War, burn pits during the wars in the Middle East, and toxic exposure during the recovery efforts of 9/11, and other negligent exposures, involved monumental health and legal battles in instituting safety protections and monetary compensation for victims and their survivors. The response efforts to the coronavirus pandemic have similarities that we cannot ignore.  Again, document everything.

Future generations of officers will learn valuable lessons from the illness and deaths of the officers who have gone before them like Det. Dixon, who died a hero on the frontlines serving and protecting the community he loved.  The Blue Magazine offers its most profound and sincere condolences to the family of Det. Dixon and the honorable men and women of the NYPD who are forced deeper into harm's way.  We will get through these challenging times, but the lessons learned will be higher than anyone expected.

Officer Dixon was not expendable. His life mattered. May he rest in peace. 

BLUE SUICIDE - A Real Life Interview

The Blue Magazine interviewed Erika Vicente, an 18-year veteran of the Paterson Police Department. She is a cop who enjoys interacting with different people and meeting with a variety of situations each day. However, there is more to Erika than that which shows on the surface. In this interview, Erika explains how she came to be in a dark place in her life, and, like many others, found ways to hide it until someone noticed.

The Blue Magazine: What was life like before you sought help?

Erika: Work was my escape, but I was depressed at home. The ability to push my feelings away and concentrate on the job made me a better cop. I wanted to be the first one on hot jobs. I was easily angered, almost aggressive. I would explode when I was home, making it evident that there was an issue. There was plenty of crying and sleeping. My family noticed, but I disguised it by blaming it on exhaustion from working. I wanted to be left alone.

The Blue Magazine: When did you decide to get help?

Erika: It peaked about a year ago. It began to affect my eating and sleeping. I didn’t want to go to work, eat, or shower. I wanted to sleep in order to keep my feelings away. I didn’t want to wake up. Various people noticed my puffy eyes and asked if I was alright. At this point, I stopped working. I had the flu multiple times. Although I refused to talk about it, a friend saw what was happening. Rather than asking if I was okay and allowing me to say “yeah” and avoid the conversation, they looked me in the eyes and genuinely cared. They put everything aside, leaned over the table, took my hand, and said, “You’re not okay”.

The Blue Magazine: Can you describe the Florida House Experience?

Erika: I was there for a month and a half. With encouragement, I realized I needed help, called the Florida House, and booked my plane ticket. I was surprised when the doors of the House locked behind me. I had expected a resort and felt manipulated, hating everyone involved with getting me there. Others there had dependency issues, and I felt that I was better than them because I didn’t have those issues. To me, it was an eating disorder and sadness. The more I learned, the more I understood that we all have the same underlying issues but at different levels. It all starts with mental health. I was nasty to the staff for days until another first responder came in to speak to me. She related exactly to the way I felt. I realized that our problem was the same at the core: mental health. Dependency is just a symptom of it and a way to hide the problem. After several days, I saw we all had the same issues with work, family, and stress. Those problems are all intertwined with PTSD and mental health.

The Blue Magazine: Did they teach you anything else?

Erika: The first thing they addressed was my eating disorder. Later, it was discovered that the issue was PTSD Hyper-vigilance. There are several things they do including therapy, questionnaires, and tests in order to find your diagnosis. I have Hyper-vigilant, Anxiety, and Compound PTSD as well as a brain injury. They teach that First Responders are always hyper-vigilant, and we tend to go into our careers predisposed. Florida House is a safe environment because you’re with First Responders, and you can talk realistically without being judged. The employees were all former addicts or former mental health patients and experienced it first hand. I didn’t figure out what made me depressed. I think it’s the way I am. Depression is something many of us have. It’s always there but sometimes gets aggravated. Some of us are prone to it, and some of us aren’t. I don’t regret going. In the beginning, my ego outweighed the truth of my mental health issues. I was ashamed when I first got there but not when I left. I am happy to be living contently, enjoying myself, and helping others.

The Blue Magazine: Is there any advice you’d like to give?

Erika: It’s been fourteen months since Florida House. I’m alive today because of Florida House, and the people who got me there. I’d like to encourage officers in a dark place to try Florida House. Approach an officer in need. We hear rumors about others, but we don’t speak to that person. I think that would make a big difference. We need to stop thinking it isn’t our problem and make it our problem. It is our brother or our sister, and maybe they need that helping hand. We need to save lives, and we need to start with those of our brothers and sisters. I believe a solution starts with being proactive. Perhaps counseling would be effective as long as it’s kept confidential.

The Blue Magazine: What is your objective with the Moment of Silence organization?

Erika: Moment of Silence was the friend I spoke about. They were the ones who were able to reach me after years of being unreachable. They hold dinners, and that is where I first got wind of asking for help. I encourage officers to attend, observe, and try to feel comfortable speaking. Anyone is welcome. We will not judge you.

The Blue Magazine: Is there anything that you would like to say that I left out?

Erika: Yes. I used to think that people who went to Florida House were officers that were weaker in some way because they're not able to deal with their sh*t. Then I realized they're actually strong because they're opening up and letting people in their world and tell them “yeah, I have a problem, but I did something about it”.
Let me help you. To me that was an eye-opener and that helped me there. I saw the other officers doing that and I said, you know what “I'm going to do that. I'm going to pay it forward instead of being quiet and just doing it for my benefit and being ashamed and that stigma following me”. I'm not going to allow that because we need to break it. We need to save lives out here and we need to start with our brothers and sisters.

Gay in Law Enforcement: Equality

Equality: Interview with Sgt. Tommy Reyes
By George Beck, Ph.D.

Blue Magazine recently sat down with Sgt. Tommy Reyes for an exclusive interview. Sgt. Reyes is a 14-year veteran of the City of Miami Police Department, currently serving as their FOP Union president. Before becoming a cop, Sgt. Reyes had dreams of working with animals, applying to become the elephant keeper at the local zoo with hopes of one day becoming a veterinarian. However, as Sgt. Reyes tells, he sort of “fell into” law enforcement, and ever since his first days at the police academy, he’s never looked back. Sgt. Reyes proudly tells how being a cop is a self-fulfilling career as a community helper, and he wouldn’t trade it for any other profession in the world. It’s the brotherhood, the camaraderie that motivates Sgt. Reyes to be the best officer and union leader for his fellow brothers and sisters in Blue. In this uncensored interview, Sgt. Reyes discusses his experiences as an openly gay officer and how his “coming out” has helped many others in similar situations become comfortable with who they are in the career they choose. Blue Magazine thanks Sgt. Reyes, for his professionalism and commitment to our profession.

The Blue Magazine: How long did you keep your sexual identity to yourself before you came out at work?

Sgt. Tommy Reyes: I think back when I was younger, I guess I thought being gay was a phase, and I thought it’ll go away. I'll grow out of it. I was already on the job for about four years before I came out. And it wasn’t like one day I just decided to come out as some people do — it just sort of happened little by little. I didn’t make a big announcement or send a department-wide email. I just didn’t hide who I was anymore.

So, who's the first person you came out to?

My ex-wife. She really helped me become comfortable with who I am, and it helped that I had a supportive family. After my wife knew, I started, you know, coming out to the family.

Did you suspect she had known?

Yeah. I think she kind of knew — she kind of had an idea. When she found out she took it, I think better than anyone would expect. She has a gay brother, so she doesn't have any issues with gay people.

How did it feel when you were married, and hiding your true sexual identity?

Well when I married her, I didn’t really know I was gay. It was a great time for both of us. We loved each other very much, and I believe we still do. It’s just not a romantic kind of love. We also have our daughter. We are both very lucky to have our daughter, and I’m very lucky to have an ex-wife that doesn’t hate me like a lot of other guys have to deal with. Mutual respect is the secret to that.

Is your partner on the job??  What’s the deal?

My partner is not on the job. He works in the airline industry.

How were you treated by your department before and after you came out?

I think I've gotten more props for being as comfortable as I am. But I believe other departments are way more progressive than we are. Miami is still an old-school machismo Cuban community — we still have a lot of people that think like that. So, I guess I was the first gay guy in my department to come out. We had tons of lesbians, and that's been somewhat more accepted, at least from my point of view. But I think we still have the old boys club, right — that thinking that the lesbian is going to do her best to fight with the boys. But you know, the queer, the fag, is not going to hold his own. But I don't think the young guys think like that. There may be a few old-school guys, but it's not like in a hateful way. However, still, there are specific terms and words that people use, and they don't necessarily mean it in a harmful negative way. They'll say it around me, and then they'll realize, oh shit.

Have you felt any resentment from being openly gay?

Well, there's a particular police website that is festering garbage. It’s called Leo Affairs. It's a rather popular website. They do articles, but where they make their money is the message boards and cop space. They talk shit about each other. It’s disgusting. It's all anonymous. It’s just nasty. They say the stuff the cowards are too afraid to tell you to your face. They go on there and talk shit. There was some stuff on there about me —derogatory comments about me being gay. But what bothered me the most was  when they lie — you know, they call me a fag and queer and I’m like, yeah, OK, but I'll tell you recently when I was running for union president the most hurtful thing that was said is when they called me slug. That means you don't do shit. I’ve worked hard my entire career, and they know it.

What do you say to officers out there who are bullying or harassing somebody because of their sexual identity? Speak directly to them.

I think a lot of it has to do with your own insecurities. Whether it is because you are gay or have gay tendencies, I think a lot of it has to do with that. You're insecure with who you are, and whether or not you are gay; you feel the need to mess with other people. So, get over your own insecurities.

Workplace harassment in general. How big is the problem of workplace harassment, in general, against everyone?

From a union president's point of view, I think nationally it varies by department and region. It depends where you are and where you work and the culture of the department. Yeah, some departments just breed that kind of stuff. And other departments are poorly led, and the culture of the department permits that horrible stuff. Everyone who is being harassed should stand up and fight back — whether because you are gay or not — harassment of all kinds is unacceptable, and we need to end it.

Is it harder to tell somebody you're gay or harder to tell somebody you're a cop?

I think it depends on the crowd. I guess you could say, looking at me, I am not the one that screams, “Hey look at me, I’m gay.” I wear cop shirts all the time. So, if the event is appropriate, yeah, I'll wave a gay flag. I don't care, but I'm not the guy, you know, I don't have bumper stickers. I meet people  all the time that don't know I'm gay. But being a cop, most people introduce us to other people as a cop, so I guess it depends on the crowd. In today’s day and age, you have to be more cautious about who you tell that you’re a police officer versus being gay. I feel like our country is moving in a direction that it is acceptable to be gay, no matter which side of the political aisle you stand on. But many on a particular side of the aisle are not accepting of anyone in law enforcement. That’s unfortunate. Your profession or your sexual identity should never give anyone the right to hate or judge. As a society, we are much better than that kind of nonsense.

Were you ever in a dark place struggling with your sexual identity?

Um, yeah, I think maybe for a little while, but I don't believe it took me too long to get out of it because I saw the support I had. As I said, there was a lot of support  from my family, which was really good. My coworkers were excellent. I had a boss who was a lesbian, and she took good care of me. I went and saw a therapist, although, for only one session, it helped. It is totally anonymous unless they feel that you are, in fact, a danger to yourself or somebody else. And with our contract, we're entitled to up to six sessions for free and at no cost to our insurance. But yeah, it’s normal, I guess. I got through it. If you need outside support, do not be afraid to seek it. Help is out there!

Speak to that officer right now out there somewhere in America who's struggling with his sexual identity and might be in a dark place.

I’d tell him or her that there are others out there. You're not the only gay cop. There are lots of us out here, and I found that I've got gay police friends in probably every major city in this country and a lot of small towns, too. And I think that's the important thing is to know is that you're not the only one. Even if you are struggling with the stress of exposing your true sexual identity, you're still probably not the only one in your department. You may be an excellent example for somebody else. Since I came out, at least a handful of other guys also did. I've had cops come to me and tell me they appreciated it. We even walked in Pride together. I took the initiative to talk to the Chief and got us the approval to march in Pride for the first time two years ago. This will be our third year walking in Pride. I invited a lot of those guys to join me. So, I also say there are supportive people out there. It's not just you struggling, and you don't have to worry. As long as you're a good cop, that’s what matters.

How do organizations like Moment of Silence and BBO help offset blue suicide? Do they help?

These organizations are essential. Moment of Silence is attacking the stigma of blue suicide. Until recently, nobody spoke about police suicides — they weren’t even tracked. They are helping to bring the problem to the light and showing officers who are struggling that there is support out there.

Brothers Before Others is an amazing organization. There are a few things that we are working on when it comes to police suicide, but I think the most important thing is just the support from brothers and sisters. Sometimes it’s hard to speak to people you work with. BBO exposes us to like-minded people that are not associated with your department, thus sometimes making officers feeling more comfortable talking with them. From an LGBTQ viewpoint, they do an amazing job as showing that it’s OK to be LGBTQ and are extremely supportive.

Let's talk about unions. What's your view on the overall power of unions? Are they as strong as they used to be?

I don't think they’re as powerful as we usually think. But, I guess it depends on the state because obviously, the laws vary by state. What's happening now is everybody's catering to the social media warriors or the Circuit Court of Facebook, and they make decisions based on that and not on due process. Although we have the due process rules set up, a lot of times, there are administrators on the city's side or whatever agency you work for who don't want to follow due process because they're afraid of what social media is going to say.

It seems like many union leaders come in with the best intentions. But once they get elected, it switches where now their number one job is staying elected. If they can do that and help the membership, that's great. But if they have to choose between staying elected or helping the membership, staying is sadly what many leaders choose.

I've seen that before. Yeah. I'm not that type of person because I love being on the road.  I'll go back to being a patrol supervisor. I’d be a happy guy if my phone stopped ringing. I also think it depends on the union. I believe in the past, my lodge was run by people like this. It appeared to many that their primary function was being re-elected and using their positions for personal gain. I have strong beliefs that my job as FOP president should not be used for personal gain. In actuality, up until this point, I feel like it has actually stunted my advancement.

When dealing with politicians, do you consider yourself more of a fighter or a diplomat?

I'm definitely more of a diplomat. If I have to fight, I'll fight them. I'm not afraid to fight. But if we can sit down and have a drink and come to a reasonable conclusion for both sides, I am OK with that, too. In my short time thus far as president, I have led demonstrations at city hall and filed ethics complaints on a commissioner. I would much rather sit and discuss things with leadership and try to work out our issues in the best way possible for my members and the residents of our city.

Any role model union leaders you would try to mold yourself after?

Yes, we have a guy who's one of our past presidents. He is one of the smartest people I've ever met, and he got a lot done for us in the ‘90s, and he is still around. His name is Al Cotera. He's our pension chairman, and he will tell you the exact numbers of our pension and how it works and where the money is invested and how it's done. Then he'll recite your phone number from memory. He's been retired for a while, but he's still very active. He’s still very involved. He’s the first person that comes to mind. However, I have several excellent examples of what a union leader should look like.

President Donald Trump. Good or bad?

Oh, yeah. Listen, I'm a Trump supporter. I think he's doing good things for us as a whole. I mean, do I like everything he’s done? No, but I don't think we ever agree a hundred percent with anybody. Especially a politician.

Do you believe Pres. Trump’s support for the gay community is real, or is it publicity driven?

I think his support is genuine. I think it shows because he's not out there like preaching it, rubbing it in our face. Right? Yeah, it's just he does what he does. I don't expect him to be running around waving the rainbow flag. Trump’s not like that. I guess to him being gay is normal, just like everyone else. And that’s a good thing.

Do you find your views and support for the president, conflict drastically with other members of the gay community?

Oh yeah, big time. I get a ton of pushback. Yeah. I think even among the gay cops. I think it’s split, really. Yeah, it's definitely split, and it's hardcore. But I think the people who are the most hardcore against Pres. Trump don't do their homework, and they just hear the media and regurgitate that nonsense. They're not open to listening. As much as I am a Trump supporter, and I did vote for him, I still listen to what the Democrats have to say with their arguments. It’s all about keeping a level head and an open mind. Also, Trump is definitely rough around the edges, he's definitely arrogant, but he's doing good things. The economy is up. He's making good deals, and nobody else was arrogant enough to beat Hillary Clinton.

What are the differences living as a straight or gay male?

I think not being gay would’ve made my  life easier. But I don’t think easier is always better. I think the question I’ve been asked before and I’ve asked myself is “what if my kid is gay?” As a parent who loves their child, I hope not, because being gay isn’t always easy. There is still some hate out there along with stupid people. But that being said I don’t really care as long as she is happy.

And really, from a relationship perspective, being gay is the same as being straight. “The Gay Agenda” is pretty much the same as the straight one, find someone who loves you for you. Settle down with them and spend the rest of your life with him of her. Some want to have kids and a family, and some don’t. Relationships are pretty much the same a straight ones, we argue and fight over stupid stuff, we nag and get nagged. I’d say the biggest lesson I haven’t learned yet is, “Can you put your dirty clothes in the hamper and not on the floor next to it!”

Any last words?

I'd like to close by telling everyone, to be yourself, be comfortable with who you are. If you are having problems, reach out for help. There are people in and out of law enforcement that will listen and support you. Seek the support of family, friends, and co-workers, and if none of those is an option, reach out and seek professional assistance. You deserve to be happy. You deserve to have a great career and all the benefits that come with being a good cop.

Blue Magazine surveyed active and retired officers from across the United States. The responses to the five key questions offer insight on views toward equality for all officers regardless of their sexual identity.

When asked if the current American police culture is tolerant of gay officers, a resounding 82% percent felt it is. Although the percentage is not 100%, this clearly shows that nationally law enforcement culture is working toward equality for all officers—an encouraging sign that one day soon, we will achieve this.

Next, survey takers were asked if they believed someone’s sexual identity matters in law enforcement. 95% of respondents reported that someone’s sexual identity does not matter, while 5% thought it did. This shows how close we are as a profession to reaching equality for all officers.

The third question asked if gay officers should be encouraged to come out. 83% felt they should, while 14% disagreed, and 3 % were unsure. Although like in the first question, the American police culture is tolerant of one’s sexual identity, 14% of officer’s surveyed felt encouraging officers to come out was not necessary. This shows there is more work that needs to be done in this area.

When asked if officers taking the survey believed administrations discriminated against gay officers, 100% indicated they did not think so. This result suggests the discord is among the rank and file, and more attention in this area needs to be addressed.

And lastly, survey takers were asked how they felt about a department adorning their vehicles and patches with rainbows for gay pride month? 95% reported they did not want their vehicles and patches to be altered with gay pride insignia, while 5 % of respondents were unsure. There are multiple ways to interpret this response. However, it appears after speaking with officers who took part in the survey, tradition is a significant part of law enforcement, and they felt their traditions should not be compromised for any reason.

Editor's Point of View : George Beck, Ph.D.

There should be no doubt about where we stand on one of the most pressing issues of our day. It’s on our cover. We are not afraid to speak, and speak loudly, for what’s right. Throughout our country, many gay officers serve with honor but, at times, face difficult situations at work because of how they identify. Harassment in law enforcement based on sexual identity, or for any other reason, is unacceptable.  Officers with that kind of hate must find a way of overcoming it and be the best officer for our communities or find a different line of work. The stakes are too high.

 Blue Magazine thanks City of Miami Police Sgt. Tommy Reyes for sharing his story in our exclusive and uncensored interview. Sgt. Reyes’ “coming out” has helped many other officers feel at peace with who they are as officers serving and protecting our communities. We are all human beings with the right to live openly and with dignity.

As I write this, clueless agitators in New York City are lashing out against the police for “over-policing” in the subways. Meanwhile, in the courts, bail reform is placing victims and society at great risk.  Criminals are given hugs and kisses for their bad behavior. Mets baseball tickets are handed out for pinky-promises lawbreakers to entice them to appear in court. Really? There are laws set up to correct irresponsible behavior like failing to appear in court. Enforcing the law sends a clear message that wanton disregard of the law is not acceptable. A free ticket to a Mets game sends an entirely different message. It’s pathetic that people who call themselves intelligent act and think this way. It’s a slap in the face to victims and law-abiding residents. New York City and many areas in our country are upside down.  We’ve reached a point where the cops are perceived as the bad guys, the criminal’s victims, while real victims and law-abiding residents do not matter to lawmakers and politicians who offer the criminals cover.

 Blue Suicide is spiraling out of control. Social media law enforcement groups are a powerful source of information because they allow us to discuss incidents that are either not reported or underreported in the media. Every few days, like clockwork, we hear of an officer committing Blue Suicide. This is unacceptable. Blue Magazine and our sister organization Moment of Silence are continuing the fight. We encourage all active and retired officers to attend our upcoming Blue Suicide event at the Village Inn (Wayne, NJ) on March 19, 2020. Let’s work together to fight Blue Suicide. We hope to see you all there!

 Once again, this issue is packed with excellent articles written by the best law enforcement voices on the local and national stage. Our writers are fearless. They speak up when many others will not.  Why? Because fear is a powerful emotion that can control lives, limit potential and pervert justice. My hope for 2020 is that officers across the country step up and push back against all injustices. Blue Magazine is your voice. If you are compelled to tell your story, reach out. We have a team of writers and editors available to help you.

Fette Ford Answers The Call

Fette Ford Answers The Call

Whether you run a business or a charity, funding is among the top priorities of either. As the saying goes, “Money isn’t everything, but try do anything without it.” What often gets overlooked is the connection that sponsors or donors bring with them. Too often, businesses and charities fail to recognize that there is more to the aforementioned than simply dollar signs. The QUALITY of a sponsor or donor will reflect on the recipient. That is why it’s important that the quality men and women behind the scenes be recognized.

On December 10, 2019, Jersey City (NJ) Police Detective Joe Seals was killed in the line of duty as he interrupted two individuals who, while already wanted in connection to a murder that had occurred days earlier, were mustering plans before carrying out a much larger attack on Jersey City residents. While lives were lost that day, Detective Seals’ proactive police work and ultimate sacrifice undoubtedly saved hundreds of lives. Detective Seals left behind a wife and five children. 

Detective Seals’ oldest daughter, 18-year-old Hailey, has been commuting back and forth to college using mass transit or rides from friends and family as her family’s budget simply didn’t allow for her to own a vehicle. Enter Troy Mol and John Fette of Fette Ford (Clifton, NJ). Already well versed in her father’s heroism, when both were made aware of Hailey’s need for her own vehicle, there was never a question; they were making sure she had one. 

On February 13, 2020, Hailey was taken to Fette Ford under the guise that her parents were looking for a new car. Once there, she was seated in a brand new Ford Ecosport when she was met by Troy who informed her that the vehicle she was sitting in was actually hers.

The generosity of both Troy Mol and John Fette serves as a perfect example of the kind of sponsor/donor that businesses and charities should aim to surround themselves with. These men are more than simply sponsors, they are family; a concept that the law enforcement community specializes in. The fact that both men understood the need to take care of the child of one of our own, lost in the line of duty, demonstrate just how seriously they take their role in this that we do. That kind of loyalty and care is unmatched and precisely why our members have followed Troy Mol wherever he has gone.

Yes, money is something. But you can always find money. You can not always find someone like Troy Mol. As anyone who has ever sat with him and taken advantage of his services and expertise will tell you, Troy treats you with the same level of care and concern as he would one of his own. As such, on behalf of the members of Seals family, we collectively wanted to take this opportunity to thank both Troy Mol and John Fette for their unparalleled level of benevolence and concern for the law enforcement community and the families that support them.

Yes Virginia, the governor really does want to take your guns

“Yes Virginia, the governor really does want to take your guns.”
By Kirk Lawless

While Americans are distracted by the daily news and what they are being spoon-fed by the left-wing media, there are sinister forces at work.  Folks need to start paying attention, and all eyes should be on the state of Virginia and its Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam, his personal attack on the 2nd Amendment, and what it means to the law enforcement community.

Like Beto O’Rourke and his “Hell yes, we’re going to take your AR-15,” Northam has decided to attack and begin chipping away at the constitutional rights of the folks living in his Democrat-controlled state.

For some reason, Democrats want to disarm law-abiding American citizens, and the reason is simple.  It’s about control. 

My permit to defend my family comes from God, not man (although, it is endorsed by the signatories of the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights).  I’m a firm believer in “An armed society is a polite society.”  I don’t need permission from anyone to protect my family or anyone else who needs protection from a predator.  I would never relinquish the very tools that I would use in defense of myself or my loved ones. Only a fool or coward would do that!

Many large Democrat-controlled cities are falling apart.  Idiots are in charge and criminals roam about freely with little or no consequence, and the answer is always “Let’s take away the guns!”  The notion that someone can walk into a gun show and buy a gun (handgun, long gun, or shotgun) under the table is total bullshit!  I’m in St Louis.  I’ll go with you. It won’t happen.  Somebody would probably beat the shit out of you just for asking.  It might be the dealer or another person attending the show. I invite anyone who believes that they can walk into a gun store and try it, to come with me and do it, so I can video record you getting tossed through the door and onto the pavement!

I may sound like a broken record, but why not arrest the folks committing crime with guns and start putting them in prison? Mandatory sentencing.  Build more prisons. I don’t believe that locking someone in a cell for 10 years does anything but keep the community safe for 10 years and makes the inmate mad as hell.  I believe they should be afforded the opportunity to learn a trade perhaps. If recidivism rears its ugly head, put ‘em back in! Fuck ‘em.  Some folks learn and some will never.

The bullshit prosecutors need to quit coddling these criminals and do their jobs. Just the other day, 2.7 miles from my house, three thugs tried to rob two technicians who were servicing an ATM at a credit union.  They jumped out of their sled with one shooting at the technicians … bad idea!  Both technicians were armed and shot back at their attacker. He died at the scene. His confederates were in the wind. One was captured a few days later, leaving one out there.  The dead bandit was out on bond, awaiting sentencing for guess what? Armed robbery!

Do not demonize those who operate within the law and punish them!  The criminals are the ones who need to be punished and held accountable for their actions.  How dare you imply that law enforcement officers are going to do your illegal dirty work?  There are enough folks standing ready to harm or kill us without a careless politician hanging another target on our backs!

Every law enforcement officer in the country should revisit the United States Constitution and The Bill of Rights and its Amendments.  When you raise your hand and swear an oath to defend the Constitution, you should know what you are swearing to protect.  I’ve always said the 2nd Amendment protects the 1st, and without the 2nd all other amendments would be in jeopardy.  As cops, we know the importance of freedom of speech.  Hell, we go into harm’s way to protect people who protest and exercise that right.  The 4th Amendment becomes the “rule of the day;” unreasonable search and seizure is so ingrained in cops, it is adhered to without second thought, along with the 5th Amendment (life, liberty and property), 6th Amendment (rights of accused persons in criminal cases).  Keeping the Bill of Rights in mind, will you as a sworn law enforcement officer, obey an unlawful and unconstitutional order to violate the rights of citizens in your community by forcibly entering the homes in your jurisdictions and seize their firearms? It’s a serious question, and you may want to think about your answer.

Remember the element of control.  Without weapons, the populace is easier to control.  When folks are reduced to “toothless dogs,” those on the far left can sit back and watch “your” once-enjoyed liberties go swirling down the shitter, one by one.

There aren’t enough cops to do this; the politicians know this. That’s why folks of Northam’s ilk start talking about bringing in the National Guard to do their dirty work.  The politicians won’t be on your porch demanding you turn over your weapons, kicking in your door to take them by force! Northam won’t be there.  Is he foolish enough to believe the local police, state troopers, sheriffs and their deputies would partake?

In all probability there would be blood, lots of blood; it would be a blood bath and who would be bleeding?  Folks on both sides, the citizens protecting their rights and property and those foolish enough to attempt following the unconstitutional orders of a madman.  What would come next, a second Civil War? Riots? The possibilities are endless.

Could it be attempted? Remember the incident on King Street?  It began there, in Boston on March 5, 1770.  The catalyst of the American Revolution, the deaths of five colonists: Samuel Gray, James Caldwell, Crispus Attucks, Samuel Maverick and Patrick Carr, killed by British soldiers.  A bit earlier in 1768, British troops were sent to Massachusetts to enforce laws on the colonists, and they weren’t ready to drink what King George of England was pouring.  The colonists were getting their balls taxed off: The Stamp Act, among items heavily taxed were paper, newspapers and magazines (what the colonists used for news and correspondence) an official attempt to control the media, and The Sugar Act, a spin-off of the Molasses Act.  A post script to this was “Turn in your weapons, or we will take them by force.”  Sounds eerily familiar, yes?

Present-day Virginia is the latest “litmus test” to determine how many citizens will comply with a demand to surrender their weapons.  It is also a test to determine the resolve of LEOs throughout the state in matters of following unconstitutional orders by enforcing forcible confiscation.  The Posse Comitatus is not viable as being violated in the case of Virginia, because the governor didn’t make noise about using regular US Army troops should there be a “mandatory” forcible confiscation attempt. That’s why he invoked the name of the State National Guard.  Another test? You bet.  Ask around to friends in the armed services, the government keeps statistics on and ask questions such as, “If ordered to do so would you fire on U.S. Citizens?”  That’s correct, “if ordered to do so?” This is not a joke, folks.

I invite Gov. Northam to look only to his state’s official seal for his questionable acts and words, and further, his beliefs and oath of office. Virtus (figure of peace), holding a sheathed sword in one hand a spear in the other, standing with a foot on the chest of a man, supine, a broken crown near his head, a whip in one hand and a broken chain in the other.  The motto “Sic Semper Tyrannis” (Thus Always to Tyrants), on the reverse a likeness of Libertas (protector of individual liberties), Ceres (Goddess of agriculture), and Aeternitas (representing eternity).  He is a perfect example of tyrannical government, which I have laid at your feet. He doesn’t operate using the state seal as a guide.

Perhaps Northam aspires to be more like King George?

Yes, I am pro-gun. I am a lifetime member of the NRA. I’m pro-Constitution, pro-life (unborn babies didn’t do anything to anyone), pro-death penalty (murderers did). I am a Christian and a patriot.  I will not comply with an unconstitutional law, nor did I ever follow an unconstitutional order during the 28 years I spent as a police officer.  Many sheriffs have openly declared they would not participate in such a heinous act.  I believe most cops feel the same way, but there are a few who have, or will, imbibe from the same cup once offered by King George.

My question to all LEOs and military members is, “If something as stupid as this pops off, where will you stand?”  I know exactly where I’ll be standing!

Two Kinds of Guys: Interview Techniques

Two Kinds of Guys
By Lt. Joseph Pangaro (Ret) CPM, CSO

It doesn’t matter what your role in law enforcement is. The need to establish a relationship with the people we interview, wherever we find them, is paramount to our success as officers. This story is about that kind of a relationship and how we can use a personal relationship to gain trust, build a bond and get a confession.

When I was a young patrolman, I was assigned to drive a young man into HQ from the field.  He had been arrested for the theft of an old woman’s purse at a shopping center. The detectives were on scene and I was told not to speak to the man, just drive him into the station and have him sit in the interview room of the detective bureau.

The detectives were investigating a series of these purse thefts from older women in the vicinity and it was clear this man was most likely the suspect responsible for all 10 strong-arm robberies. In a couple of the robberies the women, who were in the 70s, were injured when the suspect forcibly took their purses from them. There was no forensic evidence and the victims could not make positive IDs from photos or sketches.

On the ride in I could tell he was nervous.  He was in his late 20s and looked like a pretty strong guy. He was asking me what was going to happen to him, he even said he found the purse on the ground and was stupid for taking it. This was obviously his attempt to distance himself from the strong-arm robberies and try his story out on the first cop he could tell it to.

I told him I couldn’t talk to him, but he should just tell the truth when he spoke to the detectives. I knew enough to butter him up a bit and let him know the detectives were good guys, hoping it would help them when they spoke to the guy.

We got to HQ and I sat him down in the interview room and waited for the detectives. While we waited, I deflected his crime questions and tried to just talk about sports and family stuff to kill the time. He seemed to calm down. Eventually the two detectives came in and relieved me. I waited out in the bureau writing my report while they interviewed him.

After about an hour they came out saying the guy was sticking to his story and wouldn’t budge. He said he found the purse at the curb and took it. He ran when he saw the cop car because he knew the purse wasn’t his. One of the detectives asked me to go sit with him while they discussed what to do next.

I went back in and sat down. He seemed OK, but still nervous. He said he told the detectives the truth, but they don’t believe him. He said they were trying to pin a bunch of robberies of old ladies on him that he didn’t do. He said he had a grandmother and he would never do something like that to old ladies.

I listened to him and made a decision that could have gotten me in big trouble. I decided to try and talk to him a little more. I figured if the detectives didn’t get anywhere with him, what would it hurt? I didn’t know what a possibility was at the time, or what diminishing was, but I thought I might be able to get him to talk to me just based on the way he reacted to me.

My thought was this; he was scared to admit what he did because it was really a terrible thing to do. I also took note that he mentioned he had a grandmother and I figured he might feel guilty for targeting these older women as well.

Here’s what I said:

“You know I’m not a detective and I don’t know what you talked about with them, but I do know that they believe you did take the lady’s purse. The way I see it is this: There’s only two kinds of people that would be involved in something like this.”

He was not answering me, just listening. 

“The way I see is there one kind of guy that doesn’t care who he hurts. He wants money and he figured a good place to get money is from old ladies that can’t fight back.”

As I said this, I held my right hand, palm up at about face level. He looked at my hand and I saw revulsion on his face.

“The other kind of guy is somebody that needed money for something, money for medicine or food for their kids, whatever.  This guy would never purposefully hurt anyone, especially old ladies. This guy didn’t intend to hurt anybody he just needed the money”

As I said this, I held my left hand up, palm up just above my stomach, creating a real difference between the two hands.

The suspect stared at my hands-
“What kind of guy are you?”  I asked him.

What was interesting with this approach was that I only gave him two guilty choices. If he admitted to either one, he was admitting to robbing the victims. The difference was that one of the choices was morally reprehensible; the other was not so much.

I didn’t say anything; I just held my hands there. After a second he looked right at my lower left hand and said:

“I’m the kind of guy that didn’t mean to hurt anyone.”

Inside my head I was jumping up and down. I couldn’t believe he confessed to me. But I maintained my composure and said:

“That’s what I thought too.”

He shook his head up and down and asked me, “None of them ladies are hurt, are they?”

In reality, two of the 10 ladies did get injured, though they were not life-threatening injuries.

“No, none of them were hurt real bad. A couple of the ladies had sore arms when you yanked their purse away, you’re a big guy”

I then asked him if he would tell the detectives what he told me. He said he would.  I then said: “You know those ladies had a lot of things in their purses that they would like to get back, like pictures of their families and other personal things. Can you tell me where the purses are?”

He shook his head yes and said: “Yeah, they’re in the woods next to my house, I’ll take you to them”

I thanked him and shook his hand. As I was leaving he said, “Hey officer, will you tell the judge what kind of guy I am?”

I said I would and then I told the detectives what had transpired. I really thought they would be angry, but instead they were thrilled, telling me I did a good job.

Besides the satisfaction of solving the crime and getting the confession, I realized how much I loved talking to suspects and I wanted to do it better. I also realized that the way I talked to him was probably the most important part of that interview. Even without formal training what was obvious was that the suspect felt comfortable talking to me, and then I just tried to make it seem that what he had a reason to do what he did besides just being a dirtbag.

This story is an excerpt from my forthcoming book “The Art of Interview” from Loose Leaf Law Books.

Ending Blue Suicide is Not a Lost Cause

Ending Blue Suicide is Not a Lost Cause
By Danielle Crosson

Blue suicide is a growing epidemic. As a college student, I had learned about blue suicide and wanted to share some of what I had learned on the topic with the hope that perhaps an officer out there would read this and know just a little more and hopefully get the help they need to get through their dark period. Also, my hope is that more is done to solve this epidemic.

Due to increases in crime, more mental health issues are arising within the law enforcement community. Also, many officers tell of a lack of support from their departments which makes it hard for them to feel comfortable asking for help. This is common knowledge, so more needs to be done to address this because higher stress levels and anxiety lead to burnout, an early retirement or, unfortunately, blue suicide. Due to the stigma that is behind officers seeking help, many internalize this emotional and mental pain, and many officers do not seek help because they fear they will be tested for their fitness for duty, have their gun taken away, or placed on modified duty. Our officers deserve better for the work we ask them to do every day. They risk their lives for ours and deserve to have stigmas removed and access to mental health readily and acceptably available. 

In most circumstances regarding blue suicide, there are warning signs before the officer makes the ultimate decision to end his or her life. The first symptom tends to be stress, which leads to depression, or the officer begins to act out of the ordinary. Due to the stress, and possible dependency on harmful substances, the officer tends to struggle with intimate relationships such as family and friends and may even have marital problems. This is all part of a downward spiral that needs intervention as soon as possible. If a fellow officer sees any signs their brother or sister officer is struggling, they must have the courage to speak up and get the officer help. When blue suicide strikes the opportunity for intervention has passed.  Dismissing warning signs is too great of a chance to take.

As far as the research goes on blue suicide, I noticed there had been some discoveries; however, most times, the sample sizes are too small to provide any resourceful data. There is also a multitude of gaps within the research, which leaves many questions unanswered. Also, the research shows very little data about a spiritual component that, sadly, many people do not believe is a vital component to solving this issue. I believe understanding this untapped spiritual component will help not only in the analysis of why so many officers commit suicide, but will also work toward prevention. It’s worth looking into. 

Over the years, many helpers have been saving lives. Helplines such as Cop2Cop are great resources. Moment of Silence, Blue Magazine, and Brothers Before Others are excellent organizations that have been saving many lives over the years. These groups are the type of lifelines that save officers thinking about committing suicide and leave them feeling as if there is hope and that they can overcome whatever mental and physical struggles they are going through. There are also professional therapists out there who treat officers, and many find their assistance crucial to their overall health and well-being. 

Although I am still growing with my knowledge on this topic, I support the men and women in uniform and sincerely hope my brief article here helps and that more work is done toward solving the blue suicide epidemic. Ending blue suicide is not a lost cause. Every officer’s life is worth all the effort invested in solving this epidemic. 

CHRIST, COPS AND PRESIDENT TRUMP

Christ, Cops and President Trump

By: Chris Amos

We are living in difficult and divisive times, and none are more aware of that than the men and women of law enforcement. You face daily what anyone in their right mind, when given a choice, chooses to ignore. Life is unfair, unjust and often unimaginable to many living in their self-created “safe zones.”  The reality is, apart from the presence of law enforcement officers, the very thought of a “safe zone” for one’s life, let alone their fragile psyche, would be non-existent. The safety that we enjoy in this nation we owe to the grace of God and the faithful service of over 800,000 law enforcement and corrections officers. 

We are a year away from an election that may redefine America, and in doing so redefine what a law enforcement officer can or cannot do. Look no further than Portland, Oregon or Seattle, Washington to see police departments so handcuffed by their political leaders that they cannot provide the very services they swore an oath to provide.  

What has prevented this from sweeping the nation was the unexpected election of President Trump. Could there have been a greater swing in attitudes toward law enforcement than that of the Obama and Trump administrations? Five years ago, Obama was sending representatives to the funeral of Michael Brown, a thug, bully and robbery suspect, shot and killed while attacking a police officer. Two years ago, Trump was signing an executive order stating, “This first executive order will place the government firmly on the side of federal, state, tribal, and local law enforcement. This will ensure that funding supports officers on the street, and anyone who tries to do them harm will be aggressively prosecuted.”  

President Trump has breathed life and respect into an occupation that has been grossly and unfairly misrepresented in the mainstream media to great effect. Both the POTUS and the VPOTUS have time and time again gone out of their way to personally thank LEOs detailed to their respective events, as well as in general. 

Now what does Jesus Christ have to do with any of this? If you look at Jesus’ interaction with Roman soldiers in the gospels, you will find He treated them with respect, going so far as to laud one Roman’s centurion’s faith above all in Israel [Matthew 5:8-13]. Now, the Roman soldiers were an occupying police force during the time of Jesus. They were the LEOs of His time. In fact, John the Baptist baptized a group of these hardened men and when asked what they were to do now, he responded to serve righteously and justly. Not intimidating or using their power and authority for selfish gain [LUKE 3:14]. He did not say, lay down your swords and spears and pursue another line of work. Quite the contrary, it was known then as it is now that LEOs are critically important to maintaining a civil society. LEOs have much authority and must give an account of how that authority is used, but have the authority none the less. Authority that ultimately comes from God, ROMANS 13:1-4. 

People are quick to paint God as a loving, passionate, merciful God which He most assuredly is. But often it is at the expense of God’s attributes as holy, righteous and just. God and God only has the authority to display JUSTICE – getting the punishment we deserve, MERCY – not getting the punishment we deserve, or GRACE – getting the blessings we do not deserve. In God’s economy He uses LEOs to exercise His justice; this is why abuse of His justice is so destructive and accountability so important. 

What am I trying to say, friends? You play a very important role in what God is doing in our nation today. Your role and significance will only increase in the coming months as will the opposition. No matter what comes your way follow the advice of John the Baptist, “Serve righteously and justly. Not intimidating or using your power and authority for selfish gain.” Friend, do that and you will overcome the self-proclaimed experts, media critics, and coffee-serving haters across the country.    

Undercover work: Jay Dobyns

Undercover - Exclusive Interview: Jay Dobyns
After 27 years and over 500 undercover ATF operations, retired Special Agent Jay Dobyns retells his wild ride.
By Eddie Molina

Undercover work ... I can’t do it, not many people can. I would stumble a hundred different ways to put myself in harm’s way. Just thinking about running into a suspect from “my undercover life” (while out having breakfast with my family) is stressful.

It is not just another assignment. It’s a lifestyle that consumes you and completely takes over. Only a special kind of person can successfully navigate the dangerous waters of a long-term undercover operation. Exactly what kind of man or woman can successfully pull it off?

"Research indicates that individuals that are particularly adept at handling dangerous situations have greater control of emotions. These attributes can provide a distinct advantage under pressure, allowing certain individuals to think rationally where others might not be able to," according to psychologist Dr. David Barker of Rutgers University.

Makes sense to me. That would explain why some people choose to climb Mt. Everest, others jump out of perfectly working airplanes and some go deep undercover (UC) inside criminal organizations.

And that’s exactly what Jay Dobyns did. After graduating from the University of Arizona in 1983, it wasn’t long before he ended up with a federal law enforcement agency.

“I was an All Pac-10 football player in college. I planned on playing for the NFL but when I went to the NFL combine where college prospects are tested, it wasn’t long before I knew my life’s goals were going to change. I was grouped with Andre Reed and Jerry Rice, who were simply better, more dynamic athletes. I knew I needed a new Plan A,” said Jay.

And voila - his life would change forever.

In an exclusive interview, the Blue Magazine sat down with Dobyns to get the full scoop on his 27-year career as an UC federal agent. We talked about his brushes with death, the thwarted plots of domestic terrorism and, most notably, his two- year UC operation infiltrating the Hells Angels outlaw motorcycle gang. This incredible journey was brilliantly recaptured in his NY Times bestselling book entitled No Angels.

The Blue Magazine: You were shot and survived a serious gunshot wound on your fourth day on the job. How did that affect your future with the ATF?

Jay Dobyns: With absolutely no training whatsoever, I was taken hostage and shot in the back. The bullet went through my lung and exited my chest. I was dying. Luckily, I quickly received emergency medical treatment. Liability attorneys were guaranteeing me millions of dollars if I would allow them to sue the government. I refused. All I wanted to do was get back to work and be better.

That night you were shot, you were held hostage inside a vehicle with the suspect and chose to drop your car keys to lean down and give your team an opportunity to shoot. Tell us about that experience.

I can’t offer heroic advice; I was scared. I decided that if I was to die, it would be while my partners had an opportunity to help me or gain retribution, not by assisting the suspect to escape only to be assassinated on my knees 20 miles down the road. My first thought was to floor it and ram us into a telephone pole. That plan would likely leave me shot, and crushed, so I decided on a simpler plan and rolled the dice.

In your book, there were a lot of parallels between your UC experience and that of Joe Pistone as Donnie Brasco. There were several moments in the movie that showed Donnie temporarily believing he was "one of them (mobsters)." Were there any moments where you felt the same way?

Joe is a legend, a friend and a hero to me. If there was a Mt. Rushmore for UC officers, Joe’s face would be the first one carved in the granite. While UC I developed close, personal relationships. There is no doubt in my mind that while in a role, some of the suspects I had befriended would have stepped in front of a bullet for Jaybird (his UC role). But I never lost sight of who’s team I was on.

What would you tell someone considering long-term UC work in regard to managing their family life?

This is my biggest regret in life. My UC role became more than what I did, it became who I was. That is very dangerous. I am humiliated to now have to admit that I abandoned and betrayed my own wife and kids in exchange for some false, hero-worship legacy that never came true. In the end, the people who loved me the most, Gwen, Dale and Jack, I treated the shittiest. That is something I am still trying to overcome.

During your UC operation of the Hells Angels, your book mentions the binge-drinking, drug-fueled parties. How did you control your alcohol intake?

When I drank, I did my best to stay in moderation. If I let myself get out of control, I would create a real threat to my beloved team. They could die trying to save me from my own bad decisions. That was always on my mind. Were there times when I had one too many? Yes. But I was smart enough to surround myself with amazing partners who could fix problems better than I could.

Surely drugs were offered to you. What was your strategy to avoid doing drugs without looking like a chump?

There are laws, policies, and ethics that say we can’t. The experts learn ways to avoid those compromising situations and maintain their cover. It is a skillset that is acquired over time and with experience.

How important are confidential informants?

Very. Informants can often open doors quickly. With their assistance comes the issue of managing their conduct and maintaining their loyalty. I held a tight leash on them and when they broke free, they understood they were on their own. For them to trust me, I had to extend equal trust in them. Their lives were on the line just like mine was. I always respected that.

What was one decision where you later told yourself, "I'm definitely not doing that again?"

I was in a bar trolling the Sons of Silence (SOS) biker gang in Colorado with an amazing team of UC agents. Our goal was to create a confrontation, be ordered to remove our fabricated gang clothing, and leave town. It would serve as an intimidation/extortion predicate act toward a RICO case. The SOS found us in their bar! The critical threat was delivered and recorded and the case was made.

But I overstepped. They outnumbered us 5 to 1. The right move was to follow their orders. But no, I started a massive bar brawl that resulted in us being locked inside and having the dogshit beat out of us with pool cues and brass knuckles until they became bored with kicking our asses. They let us leave and I am fortunate no one was killed.

How did you build a reputation as a murder-for-hire (MFH) without actually killing anyone?

Tricks of the trade. MFHs are the most serious investigations we undertake. Some people’s wires become so crossed with jealousy, rage, retaliation, that they have convinced themselves they have the right to play God with someone else’s life. Those cases are delicate and require urgent patience.

What is the worst thing a UC can do to ruin a case they're building?

Refusing to walk away. I placed so much pressure on myself to close the deal that at times I agreed to terms that no real criminal would. In reality, criminals decline deals and pass on terms; that is real life on the streets. Once my confidence rose, people began to trust and believe in me and my decisions and I became better at the walk-away.

What was it like seeing your family during an UC operation?

On one occasion I came home and my wife Gwen told me, “You can’t just show up at this house and speak to me and the kids like we are your people on the street.”

I answered, “I’m not a light switch. I can’t turn this person (Jaybird) on and off. People who do what I do and treat it like a hobby get dead.”

Gwen’s reply, “You better install a damn dimmer switch and turn that attitude down and if you can’t, don’t come back until you can.” That was the harsh truth of how I was treating my family.

Any other operations that went virtually unnoticed by the media?

My partner Louie Quinonez and I infiltrated a faction of the Aryan Brotherhood and purchased 100 improvised explosive devices over 100 days. The suspects believed the explosives were being used in debt collections and murders. 

In another case, my partner Vince Cefalu and I infiltrated and disrupted a scheme to blow up three Las Vegas casinos – The Mirage, Treasure Island and Golden Nugget – using remote controlled C-4 devices. Both of those investigations, along with the Hells Angels infiltration are featured in Joe Pistone’s Deep Undercover program on Netflix. 

What are you up to these days?

I re-connected with God. That is the most important thing for me now.

I’m not a hero. My life is full of regret, shame and embarrassment. I’ve lost many people from my life by my own hand, word or action. I must live with that, God forgives it.

I believe this, for anyone in our profession out there, if the only time you are talking to God is when you are in trouble… you are in trouble. God is first, family, friends, others are second… and I AM THIRD. I only wish it hadn’t taken 50 plus years to realize that.

What is your opinion of law enforcement being labeled as “part of the problem” in America?

Copland was betrayed and villainized by Obama, Holder and Lynch. They painted all lawmen and women as hateful, racist, bigoted, abusive enemies of the people. A few unfortunate and unacceptable events were used to cast disrespect and doubt over an entire profession while millions of civilian/criminal/violent police contacts were peacefully and safely resolved without fanfare.

We are the underappreciated, who go underpaid to do the unthinkable for the often ungrateful. Every day lawmen and women put their feet on the ground, drink a cup of coffee, kiss their family’s goodbye with no guarantee they will ever see them again. They report to duty knowing that they will be hated, despised, ridiculed, filmed, taunted, spit on, assaulted, sometimes murdered… and THEY STILL GO!

Is there anything else our readers need to know?

UC work was the most amazing experience and time in my life but it is not for everyone. I sought out opportunities to be used, to contribute, sometimes big, sometimes small, to help an investigator and friend like Joe Slatalla.

I was a shit-talking street hustler disguised as a debt collector from your local trailer park. I knew my role. It was always my honor and privilege to do what I was capable of to advance the greater good of an investigation for the sake of justice.

Jay Dobyns’ incredible journey went full circle to where he began as a young adult. He now finds himself engaged in another passionate activity, football. He is the head coach of Tanque Verde HS football team in Tucson, Arizona.

I can’t imagine a better way to finish off a wild career; coaching and mentoring our youth to be brave, disciplined and focused on anything but crime.

Check out his other book Catching Hell, available on Amazon. A special thank you to Jay Dobyns for sparing his time for the Blue Magazine.

Writer Eddie Molina specializes in leadership theory and practice but covers everything related to law enforcement. For updates, sneak-peaks, and articles follow him on Twitter @ohwowleadership

Blasted: A February Storm to Remember

A February Storm to Remember

Here's the National Weather Service account of the February Blizzard of 1983:

"The Blizzard of 1983 was at the time the second greatest snowfall for Baltimore since records began. The storm set a new 24 hour snowfall record at Baltimore with 22.8 inches. For a couple hours of the storm, snow fell at an amazing rate of 3.5 inches per hour. Thunderstorms intensified the snowfall in some areas. Winds gusted over 25 mph all day on February 11 causing drifts up to five feet. The heavy snow and winds paralyzed the region. The cost of clearing the snow from roads was in the millions of dollars." – National Weather Service

By now I was a 23-year-old living in my first very own apartment in Baltimore’s Ten Hills neighborhood in the southwestern police district a little over a 4-mile drive from the western district police station were I was assigned and my roll calls were held. Much to the chagrin of my sergeant, I called off from my scheduled 4x12 shift the first day of the blizzard. Even though I had tried to plan ahead, my personal car was completely plowed in, buses were stuck and not moving and my attempts at walking were unsuccessful. It turned out that a state of emergency had been declared as it was later estimated that 90% of the businesses on the west side of the city were being looted. The National Guard had been activated and I requested a transport in to work but to no avail.  The Guard was too busy clearing snow, rescuing stranded motorists and assisting with patrols throughout the city.

By day two of the blizzard, I got up really early and spent more hours digging out my car which was even further plowed under. It took about two and a half hours more to drive the four miles to work through snow drifts and around other cars and buses stuck on various inclines. Once at work, I learned that the only vehicles out for patrol were our own four-wheel drive Jeep, Ford and Chevy paddy wagons and the National Guard vehicles that had been deployed. I was assigned to ride in a National Guard six-wheel drive deuce and a half. My sergeant decided to ride along as well. I was seated in the middle between the sergeant and the guardsman who was our driver. The driver introduced himself to us and immediately informed us that he had been awake for over 24 hours straight. Up and down, up and down, up and down. I was not sure if we were being driven over high snow drifts or parked/stranded cars or whatever else you could imagine because we were atop a white blanket of heavy wet snow everywhere we would go!

Gunshots were being heard everywhere as store owners were trying to defend their turf against looters. This was the only time I ever experienced anything like this. Everywhere that we looked, numerous looters were carrying items stolen from stores and delivery trucks. Many of the looters were falling on the ice and snow. I remember seeing several people carrying stolen whole chickens which had been readied for store delivery at the slaughterhouse nearby. We had the guardsman stop and exited the vehicle, arresting as many looters as possible while slipping and sliding and placing them into the back of an overly crowded paddy wagon. We repeated this over and over again. To this day I have no idea how these people were charged or with what. I was never required to complete any paperwork or submit any evidence on them. We were just told to stay on this patrol. I am of the belief that they must have been charged only with curfew violations by the desk sergeant and his crew in violation of the state of emergency which had been declared.

It wasn’t until the snow was able to eventually be cleared that we were able to reclaim our streets and neighborhoods once again on Baltimore City’s west side.

Having now resided for the last quarter century in mountainous and snowy Preston County, West Virginia, where it has been said that there are two seasons “winter and getting ready for winter” it is amazing to see how snow can negatively impact a city like Baltimore to such a great degree. Two different worlds … and that’s a good thing.

Joel E. Gordon is a former Baltimore City police officer and was Chief of Police for the city of Kingwood, West Virginia. He has served as vice-chair of a regional narcotics task force and is a 2020 candidate for Preston County West Virginia Sheriff. An award-winning journalist, he is author of the book Still Seeking Justice: One Officer's Story and founded the Facebook group Police Authors Seeking Justice. stillseekingjustice.com

Lester Glenn Auto Group Hosts Bucks for Pups Event Benefitting Manchester Township Police Department

(TOMS RIVER, NJ – January 15, 2020) In January of 2019, Lester Glenn Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM FIAT's Sales Representative, Steve Regan, made a pledge to raise funds to support the Manchester Township Police Department's K-9 Unit.

With each vehicle Regan sold in 2019, a portion of the vehicle sale was added to his year-long fundraiser's total. In addition to his personal contribution, Regan also accepted donations through online fundraisers as well as in-store from community members, customers and colleagues.

After discussing his fundraising campaign and his passion to help the community with Lester Glenn Auto Group owner and President Adam Kraushaar, Lester Glenn Auto Group pledged to match the donations Regan would generate through his 2019 fundraising campaign.

The Bucks for Pups Event marked the one-year anniversary of Regan’s pledge to raise money for the Manchester Township Police Department’s K-9 Unit. The event featured a series of on-site demonstrations completed by K-9 Officers Marc Micciulla, Steven Wendruff, Storm and Lynk. After fielding a series of questions asked by community members and Lester Glenn team members in attendance at the event, Lester Glenn Auto Group and Regan presented a check for $10,000 to the Manchester Township Police Department.

“It was an opportunity to assist the community that provides so much for my family and I,” said Regan. “It all started with an idea to help a local law enforcement department and that idea grew and grew with the help and support of my customers, colleagues and my organization.”

All funds donated will go to support the K9 Unit of the Manchester Township Police Department.

Additional Information on the Manchester Township K9 Police Department:

The Manchester Township Police Department has two K-9 officers among its ranks. Both German shepherds, K-9 Officer Storm was welcomed to the department in January 2014 and K-9 Officer Lynk came on board in August 2015. K-9 Officer Storm resides with K-9 Officer Marc Micciulla and K-9 Officer Lynk resides with K-9 Officer Steven Wendruff. Both K-9 officers are trained as dual-purpose K-9s which include training in the areas of police patrol operations, such as tracking and locating missing persons, suspects and evidence as well as in narcotics detection.

Additional Information on Lester Glenn Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM:

Lester Glenn Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM is a family-run new and pre-owned vehicle dealership as well as vehicle service center. It is part of the Lester Glenn Auto Group Family of Dealerships located in Toms River, NJ. Its core values of customer service and giving back to the community represent pillars of the Lester Glenn organization since opening in 1956.

Caution: Spineless, Disingenuous, and Loathsome “Friends” Will Hurt Your Well-being.

Caution: Spineless, Disingenuous, and Loathsome “Friends” Will Hurt Your Well-being.
By Anthony Mikatarian

From a young age, we begin to develop the necessary tools and skills that are crucial for our survival. One of the most basic and essential skills to develop is to decipher who or what is a friend and who is not.

We, as humans, are naturally wired to crave positive and rewarding personal relationships which we use to build our pyramid of family, friends, work associates, acquaintances and foes. At times this is easy to build, but it can also be complicated, tricky and misguiding. This especially relates to understanding and navigating the difference between someone acting friendly versus someone who is an actual friend.

In law enforcement, knowing the difference is vital. When beginning this career, many officers naively believe that everyone will automatically have a unique and dependable bond between each other because of the nature of our profession and the constant referencing of the thin blue line. New officers also think that civilians will always respect them. However, it doesn’t take long to realize the interpersonal in-house and out of house relationships developed come with all types of positive, neutral and negative tones which can be misinterpreted or even missed.

So let’s discuss this further. When someone is acting friendly toward you, it doesn't automatically mean they want to be your friend. Instead, they may feel neutral about you, are jealous of you, or dislike you for whatever reason. These friendly behaviors toward you can be out of courteousness, respectfulness and professionalism and are easy to perceive as genuine, but there are many evil and cowardly wolves in sheep's clothing out there who will use every lowly tool for their selfish gain. Of course, many people are friendly and genuinely mean it, but always reserve approval until finding out their real motive(s).

Through experience, I’ve learned how to understand the difference between friend versus friendly. Yet there is no perfect science to navigating this minefield because there are real slick actors out there who can, and probably will, fool you at times.

When someone is disingenuous and acting friendly, they will usually give the appearance of being approachable, helpful and courteous, especially when there is an audience. They will spend time with you when it is only convenient for them to do so. They shoot the small talk while laughing and joking with you. But be on guard, because these interactions can be used as a cowardly and calculating weapon to mask their mean-spirited fraudulent friendliness with the ultimate goal to degrade, discredit, bully and embarrass you; like I said, especially in front of an audience. These scoundrels diabolically use this tactic in the hopes of deflecting from their own deficiencies and/or as leverage to lift them higher than you. You will know your assessment of the person was right when they abandon you. These spineless, loathsome frauds will always leave you when their own needs are satisfied.

A true friend is very different. True friends build a dependable and enjoyable relationship with each other. These relationships are unconditionally bonded based on such things as trust, loyalty, reassurance, dependability, values, commonality, reliability and good-willed enjoyment. It's making a wanting and conscious effort to nurture and maintain these relationships. This includes encouragement and support through all the good times, bad times, sad times and the unfortunate horrific times. Real friends pay attention to the small things. True friends genuinely appreciate spending time with each other and will always have the courage to tell the truth, even when it hurts. They will genuinely be there through thick and thin. They will motivate and encourage each other. If needed, they will sacrifice their blood, sweat, and tears. A true friend is someone who truly wants to bring the best out of you and see you achieve while wanting nothing in return. Through it all, a true friend will always stand by your side and will have your back.

So make the right decisions in your life. Misjudging who you let in as a friend is unhealthy and dangerous to your well-being and self-esteem. Despite who we communicate with, we naturally forecast expectations on these relationships. We must ensure these expectations are both realistic and not rushed in their development. Spending time with the wrong ones will drain the valuable time you should be spending with the right ones. They will suck the life out of you and will damper both your quality of life and enjoyment.

Although we start our careers thinking that everyone is or should be a friend, we learn the truth as we mature and experience life's highways. To have a better quality of life, develop the skills to determine who is a friend and who is not. This will give you more time to spend your energy and attention on your genuine relationships. It’s worth the effort to learn the differences because you will live a more enriched and enjoyable life.

As always, God bless and stay safe...

Pardoned: Army 1st Lt. Clint Lorance speaks out

Army 1st Lieutenant Clint Lorance
By Eddie Molina

After spending six years at Ft. Leavenworth, Clint Lorance is pardoned by Pres. Trump and now speaks to Blue about the injustices of the legal system

What is your personal worst-case scenario as a law enforcement officer while on duty? The first answer is most likely getting shot and killed by a suspect. Then there are other tragedies; getting into a serious car accident during a high-speed pursuit, being held hostage in a prison riot or having a human being (God forbid a child) die in your arms. Those are all tragedies that could occur, and we pray that they never do.

But what about the scenario of a split-second decision that could be the difference between life and death—or the difference between being hailed a hero or getting indicted?

There is often a lot riding on the line of a split-second decision. For example, say you have a suspect who’s fumbling around inside his jacket even though you continually tell him to show his hands. You’re thinking … Is he rattled and just nervous? Does he have a lethal weapon he’s reaching for? What’s his intent? It’s nighttime and I can’t see well. Whatever I do, I better decide quickly! That entire conversation is going on in your head in a matter of seconds.

That is a very real part of law enforcement that carries enormous legal and life-threatening consequences. The best-case scenario is your instinct was right and your actions were perfectly appropriate in the eyes of the law and public opinion. The worst-case scenario is you made a controversial decision—a decision your department is pressured to call ‘the wrong decision’ and now you face charges. It is then left in the hands of an unpredictable jury in a social climate geared toward a growing anti-police state.

That’s what happened to Army 1st Lieutenant Clint Lorance. On July 02, 2012, Lt. Lorance and his platoon were on patrol in an area of Kandahar province, Afghanistan, known for enemy combatants masquerading as civilians who are hell-bent on killing Americans and our way of life.

Members of Clint’s platoon observed three individuals on a motorcycle approaching the patrol. Given the frequency of Vehicle Born Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIEDs) and suicide bombers in that area, Clint, with only moments to decide, ordered his soldiers to fire on them, leading to the death of two and the capture of the third.

That is the fog of war.

Clint stands by his decision, but the upper echelon of the Army’s chain of command disagreed. Clint was later charged and found guilty of two counts of murder and sentenced to 20 years at Fort Leavenworth. The case made national headlines and was recently featured as a documentary on the Starz Channel entitled Leavenworth.

It wasn’t until November of 2019 (six years into his sentence) that President Trump called Fort Leavenworth to speak directly to Clint to give him a full presidential pardon.

In an exclusive interview, Blue Magazine sat down with Clint to get the full story on what happened that fateful day and the events that followed it. We covered everything; his leadership philosophy, his theory on government officials and top brass politicizing incidents (sound familiar?), and much more.

Blue: Tell us about your military experience.

Clint: I enlisted into the Army as soon as I turned 18 and chose to be an MP (military police). I deployed to Iraq and then decided to go to college while I was in the Army. Once I finished school I went into OCS (Officer Candidate School).

Blue: Where did the desire to serve in the military come from?

Clint: I did it because of this city right here (New York City) due to the events of 9/11. I really wanted to be a Texas state trooper. Even though they don’t make much money, they are highly respected in Texas. But I don’t know if I would do that now because of the way police get treated.

Blue: Prior to becoming an officer in the Army, had you considered the fact that you may have to make a split-second decision that carries enormous legal and life-threatening consequences?

Clint: Yes. While I was in Iraq, I saw it all the time. I saw officers making critical decisions that were later scrutinized. I felt I could handle it because I know I’m a good guy, I loved the Army and I love America. Like most people, I never wanted to kill people. That was a war where you would have to make impossible decisions.

Blue: The incident occurred on your third day with the platoon. You were selected to take over the platoon after the original platoon leader was wounded and sent to the rear. Why you?

Clint: My commander at the time told me the platoon seriously lacked discipline and that they needed someone like me to clean it up. He told me that when he sees them, they’re not shaven, they don’t wear their body armor when they’re supposed to, they’re running around in their underwear, they’re calling the platoon leader by his first name … and that is simply unacceptable.

Blue: That is unacceptable. I specialize in leadership theory. Subordinates who call their leader by their first name degrade discipline and the leader’s authority. In law enforcement, that jeopardizes public safety.

Clint: And when you have soldiers that stop shaving (one of the most basic military requirements), what else are they going to give up on? Stop loading their magazines? Or stop calling in reports? That all starts with discipline.

Blue: From a leadership perspective, when a new lieutenant arrives to his or her unit for the first time, the soldiers already there will be very cautious, critical, and even uncooperative to a certain degree simply because the lieutenant represents change and fear of the unknown. How do you feel that played a role with several of your soldiers disagreeing with your decision, even testifying against you?

Clint: They should have been skeptical; I would be skeptical too. You have a new guy who’s giving you orders, making you work more, who’s making you do your job compared to the last guy who, in my case, hasn’t even read the book. When I walked into the guard tower and soldiers didn’t have their helmet or body armor on, I told them to put it on. And they didn’t like that, they didn’t like taking orders like that, but I was brought in there to enforce the standard.

Blue: From the moment you were made aware of an incoming motorcycle to the moment you gave the order to fire on them, what was going through your mind? What emotions were you experiencing?

Clint: I remember my mindset at that time because I had six years (in prison) to think about it. The day before the incident, day 2, I sat down with everyone to get to know them; what their goals are, their backgrounds, and so on. When the call came in requesting to fire on the motorcycle that I couldn’t even see from a soldier I knew was a police officer before the army, I said yes. During those few seconds I had to decide, I was thinking about the intelligence reports that I was very familiar with and how the Taliban would place C-4 explosives under the seat of the motorcycle in such a way you couldn’t even see it. They typically didn’t carry rifles or grenade launchers so it’s not really obvious. I had a duty to react to that because if I didn’t, I could’ve been sending soldiers home in a body bag. That’s the thing with war; you have to know what the enemy could potentially do.

Blue: That’s an extremely difficult thing for the average civilian to understand.

Clint: The generals that are in charge have no clue what the reality of combat is on the ground. The ones that served in Vietnam are all gone; the generals now are paper pushers. Those who served in Iraq are not old enough to be a general.  They may have served in Desert Storm, or Panama or Kosovo, but they have no idea what it’s really like.

Blue: Use of force is a critical component of law enforcement. Do you feel the Rules of Engagement for the Use of Force were appropriate for that area of operations?

Clint: No. We were at a point where if the Taliban shot at us with small arms fire, like an AK-47, we would have to radio back to higher headquarters to get permission to fire back. That’s ridiculous.

Blue: Regarding the trial, was there any surprising testimony?

Clint: What did surprise me was when Deputy Brigade Commander Colonel Alstead came and took the stand on my behalf and spoke highly of my character.

Blue: How, if at all, do you feel your case and trial was politicized?

Clint: The military has been social engineering for a long time. For example, you have Senator Gillibrand, among other politicians, who tells the Pentagon, ‘You have a problem with sexual assault. My voters want you to fix it.’ Senators then put pressure on the Pentagon and when generals are up for promotion and it goes for Senate confirmation, senators like Gillibrand will say no unless the generals pushed their agenda to help them secure votes to get re-elected. And that’s what happens with cases like mine.

Blue: What advice do you want to give law enforcement officers when it comes to facing criminal charges and going to trial?

Clint: My first advice is, don’t say anything to anyone other than your PBA rep. One of the things I did right was when CID (Criminal Investigation Division) walked into the room, I said I want to talk to JAG (Judge Advocate General) and that’s it.

Blue: What about your attorney?

Clint: If I could go back, I would take out a second mortgage, sell everything I own and get a better attorney. You want an attorney who actually cares and doesn’t have a huge caseload. Do your homework and pick the right attorney.

Blue: What was it like at Ft. Leavenworth?

Clint: I actually told the president that the American people should be proud of how the military treats its prisoners. They (Ft. Leavenworth staff) go out of their way to make sure everything is as fair as possible.

Blue: What now, what does the future hold for you?

Clint: I want to go to law school and be a part of the solution. Too many politicians push their own agendas and justice gets moved aside and that’s crap! I want to dedicate my life to helping people and pursuing justice and fairness.

Also, if I may, I have to mention UAP, United American Patriots (www.UAP.org). They are a nonprofit organization whose employees dedicate their lives to help servicemen and women fight the injustices of the military legal system. They still have several cases ongoing….

Clint and I ended the interview talking about how much has changed in six years. Although that is time he will never see again, he spent it building the conviction needed to pursue real change in the military and civilian justice system. We hope he gets there and makes the changes the justice system desperately needs so our heroes in the military and in Blue avoid becoming political puppets and, instead, get recognized for their dedicated service.

About the writer: Eddie Molina specializes in leadership theory and practice but covers everything related to law enforcement. For updates, sneak-peeks, previews and articles follow him on Twitter @ohwowleadership

Taken too Soon: P.O Katie Thyne

Officer Katie Thyne
Article & Artwork by Jonny Castro

“If you ever saw Officer Katie Thyne, you saw her with a smile ...a ll she did was smile. That smile was the love of life, family and service to a community and the city she called home.”

Katherine Thyne loved the job. She was a dedicated and active officer who was deeply involved with the community. On Jan. 23, Officer Thyne was conducting a traffic stop when the driver was asked to step out of the vehicle. The suspect refused and instead fled the scene, trapping the officer between the open car door. She was dragged for a block before the suspect crashed into a tree. Officer Thyne was pinned between the car and the tree and suffered fatal injuries. She passed away at the hospital later that evening.

Officer Thyne had served the Newport News Police Department’s South Precinct for just seven months and had made a huge impact in the short time she was assigned there. Prior to her time in law enforcement, Officer Thyne served five years active duty in the United States Navy as a Logistics Specialist 3rd Class at the Naval Station Norfolk and aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier. Officer Thyne leaves behind a 2-year-old daughter. She was 24 years old.

Policing as a Martial Art

Policing as a Martial Art
By: Joseph Petrocelli

Policing will never change if police do not change

The basic unit of policing is the police officer.  Police administrators, critics and academics are forever attempting to devise more efficient ways to deploy police; they ignore the fact that if an improperly trained officer is responding, no new system deployment will work.  As policing went from reactionary policing to proactive policing to Community Policing to Broken Windows theory through Intelligence Lead Policing into Evidence-Based Policing, there is more attention paid to the structure rather than the basic block on which the structure is built.  If the street officer is improperly trained or enters a scene with the wrong mindset, it doesn’t much matter how he or she was deployed.

For generations of U.S. policing, police officers have been told they are warriors.   Police were recruited from the ranks of the military.  They attended a military-style academy.  They were trained in the tactics and mindset of a warrior.  They enter a para-military profession.  They were repeatedly told they were warriors entering battle.    Police are forever fighting a war; a war on crime, a war on drugs, a war on terrorism.  They enter the profession and approach each call as a warrior being dispatched to vanquish an enemy. 

This paradigm does not work in our society.  From the earliest days of modern policing, when Sir Robert Peel stated “The police are the people and the people are the police,” it has been recognized that the police must form a trusting alliance with the community in order to efficiently deliver police services.  The police must be the ethical, righteous arm of enforcement, especially in besieged communities.

Choosing a profession where you are putting yourself between good people and evil is an honorable choice.  No citizen ever calls the police when things are good; police are only called to deteriorating situations that require clear thinking, patience, ethical application of policy and of the law and occasionally the use of force.  Law enforcement must develop and perpetuate an identity of respect, humility, discipline, level-headed confidence and ability to judiciously use force when required. These characteristics are more reflective of a martial artist than a warrior. Police officers should be trained not as warriors but as martial artists.

The martial arts have much to lend to law enforcement. A martial artist is unfailingly humble, courteous and respectful to all.  Martial artists are trained to develop a high level of self-control, knowing that losing control can be disastrous in a dangerous situation. Martial artists develop a strong sense of integrity resulting in an ability to recognize and act on right and wrong. Martial artists train to develop an indomitable spirit grounded in honesty and modesty. This equips the artist to recognize injustice, then confront and subdue it in a legitimate manner. These attributes of the martial arts would serve law enforcement officers well in every community.

Society demands policing be a profession prepared to use force. The title ‘Law Enforcement’ implies force must sometimes be used. Force itself is not evil; how force is used by some police can be evil. The mindset of the police officer using force must be changed.

Force must be an available option but the last option.  Force is not the option of the bully or of the panicked.  When used, force must be dispensed in a measured, reasonable and justifiable manner.  This will ensure no citizen will live in fear of the criminal element or of the police. 

The training and mindset of a martial artist are more closely aligned with the goals of a police officer.  Martial artists are trained to be respectful of all people they meet—especially their opponent.  Martial artists are trained to remain calm in the face of an adversary and to use only the force necessary to mitigate the threat.  Martial artists are trained to display respect and compassion to a vanquished foe.  Martial artists train throughout their lifetime to attain the level of discipline and skill required to defeat an attacker with a minimal amount of force. 

A martial artist mindset would prepare police officers to handle any violent offender they encounter.  In anticipation of a use of force encounter, police would receive ongoing training in efficient empty hand control, non-lethal techniques.  Along with tactics, police would also learn the quiet respect and humility integral to the martial arts.  Martial artists train to be fully in control of their emotions and have the maximum amount of respect for their art and their opponent. Police should be trained along these lines.  The discipline, respect, humility and control associated with the martial arts would become the hallmark of policing.  Police would no longer be warriors doing battle against members of the citizenry; they would be viewed as measured professionals using the life-protecting tools they have mastered to subdue a problem thereby protecting society.  The police would be the best example of the values a community cherishes.  This would bridge the current chasm between the police and good citizens.

Adopting a martial arts mindset would require an enormous shift in paradigm.  Police would endeavor to change how they are viewed and how they view themselves.   Implications would be felt in recruiting, pre-service academy training, departmental Standard Operating Procedures, in-service training, modeling behavior, community outreach and professional expectations.

Society cannot survive a war within itself.  Communities demand a change in the way police services are delivered. Failure to change the mindset of police means deploying resources in the same way that has failed so many on so many previous occasions. A warrior mindset does not serve policing or those policed in the 21st century.  Training police as respectful, courteous, ethical officers who calmly and effectively deliver justice and force in the community will benefit the profession and society.

PLANTAR FASCIITIS - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

PLANTAR FASCIITIS - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
BY Gregory Tamagnini, DPM

Searing pain in the arch of your foot when you stand up in the mornings? It might be plantar fasciitis. As an ankle and foot care specialist and surgeon, it is one of the most common conditions I see. It occurs when the foot develops tears in the plantar fascia ligament along the bottom of the foot. The result is inflammation and pain.

Most sufferers feel it in the morning because the fascia ligament tightens up during the night while we sleep. When we climb out of bed and place pressure on the foot, the ligament becomes taut and the pain is particularly acute. The pain usually decreases as the tissue warms up but may easily return again after long periods of standing or weight-bearing, physical activity or after getting up after long periods of sitting down.

What Causes Plantar Fasciitis?

The plantar fascia ligament is like a rubber band and loosens and contracts with movement. It also absorbs significant weight and pressure. One of the most common causes is excessive physical activity, exercise or repetitive use. Athletes are particularly prone to plantar fasciitis and commonly suffer from it. Excessive running, jumping or other activities can easily place repetitive or excessive stress on the tissue and lead to tears and inflammation, resulting in moderate to severe pain.

Arthritis is another common cause of plantar fasciitis. Certain types of arthritis can cause inflammation to develop in tendons, resulting in plantar fasciitis. This cause is particularly common among elderly patients. A person is also at a greater risk of developing plantar fasciitis if they are overweight or pregnant due to the added strain on the body.

How Do you Treat Plantar Fasciitis?

In most cases, plantar fasciitis does not require surgery or invasive procedures to stop pain and reverse damage. Conservative treatments are usually all that is required. However, every person's body responds to plantar fasciitis treatment differently and recovery times may vary. Treatment for plantar fasciitis should begin with rest, icing and over-the-counter medications for pain and inflammation.

If rest does not help, there are other options to consider. Your doctor may recommend custom orthotics which can be slipped into your shoes to add support and distribute weight during movement.

Night splints are worn for an extended period of time, keeping the plantar fascia stretched to promote healing.

Physical therapy has also become a common option for treatment of plantar fasciitis. With this conservative treatment alternative, a physical therapist designs an exercise plan intended to address your specific needs in order to promote healing.

More invasive procedures to treat plantar fasciitis are usually considered only after conservative treatment options have failed to produce desired results. Corticosteroid injections deliver medicine into the injured fascia to reduce pain. It’s important to note this helps temporarily relieve the pain but does not cure the condition.

Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) is another option to treat this condition. Extracorporeal shockwave therapy is basically a high-intensity ultrasound that breaks up the inflammatory cells and stimulates blood flow to the area in order to increase healing. I’ve personally had great results with this technology and my patients have responded very well to it.

Surgery is the final option for those suffering from chronic or severe plantar fasciitis. There are of course things you can do to help avoid this condition. Minimize walking barefoot, wear shoes that are supportive, always warm up properly before exercise and don’t forget to cool down afterward. The importance of stretching cannot be over-emphasized.

I often find my patients respond very well to treatment and they are able to resume normal activity in a reasonable timeframe. Remember to warm up gradually when working out, and if pain persists, listen to your body and call your doctor.

There are many options available to you if you suffer from this condition. It’s important to see a doctor if this pain persists because left untreated, the ligament will continue to worsen.

Dr. Tamagnini is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island and the New York College of Podiatric Medicine in New York City. He completed his residency training at New York Downtown Hospital (now known as New York Presbyterian / Lower Manhattan Hospital) in New York City where he was honored as Chief Resident. Dr. Tamagnini currently practices at Metro Ankle and Footcare Specialists in Totowa, New Jersey.

Supervisors: Am I Making The Right Decision?

Am I Making The Right Decision?
By: Lt. James Rotundo

Decisions. Life and law enforcement are full of them. Many decisions that can affect your career and life must be made correctly and quickly. Therefore, knowing how vital decision-making is, how do we become more efficient in making them? Ask yourself if you are the kind of person who finds it hard to make a decision. If so, what’s holding you back?

Over the years, I have seen officers afraid, for any number of reasons, to make a wrong decision. Sometimes this can be the direct result of poor leadership where officers are micromanaged and where every move they make is second-guessed and criticized. An environment like that will result in paralysis not only in decision-making ability but also in proactive policing. Often no decision is the result of negative environments, and in my opinion, no decision is always the wrong decision. So what can we do to solve this? Here are four tips.

Preparation: Seek a good foundation of education. What you learned in the police academy and from your field-training officer can only go so far. Enroll in every class you can. Always ask questions from those who have been in awkward positions before. Develop a network of officers who have expertise in a specific field and keep asking questions. Preparing before you are in a difficult situation can make all the difference when that time comes.

It should be noted that although no situation is the same, the similarities linking situations can help build your knowledge base. Reading and understanding case law also helps to show what other situations have been challenged and what the outcomes were. Case law is not just for lawyers! Case law is continually updating, so it’s essential to stay current with it.  

Resources: Know what you have at your disposal. Why put everything on you to fix when there are people who are experts waiting to help? Make a list of your resources and highlight what each has to offer and also identify their capabilities. Keep a file or binder of them, and make sure you include contact names and phone numbers, like the old days of compiling a Rolodex. Create relationships with the people involved in these resources and organizations. Having a quick reference sheet can help when offering support to someone in need or when you need a quick answer to a question that may arise. Also, knowing the specialized positions other officers in your department are assigned is essential because they are most likely your fastest reference to information.

Policies: Know your SOPs and SOGs inside and out. Know the Attorney General Guideline, too. Know what you have to do and what you are allowed to do in certain situations. Make sure you identify whom you have to contact during and/or after an event. Taking the time to read and understand the pages set forth by your department and your state’s attorney general will be worth it. A lot of the time, you have procedures and guidelines written in black and white for you to fall back on. Keep a copy of them in a convenient place. 

Plan: Developing a plan is paramount to success. I know the saying, “The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry,” but the truth is the ones without a plan are often the ones who make wrong decisions and find themselves in situations they cannot get out of. If your plan is on point, you will know the resources you can use, and the things you must do and can do. Making a plan will help you make decisions quickly.

Working to make the right decision that could affect your life and the lives of others forever is worth the effort. You will increase your confidence in our chosen profession. Your coworkers will respect you. You will also inspire younger officers to be better, and your superiors will trust you. Decision-making is only as difficult as you make it. Put the time in to improve your ability. You and your department are worth it. Good luck, and always stay safe out there!

James Rotundo is a lieutenant in a northern New Jersey police department. In his police career, he led the detective bureau for several years before becoming a Patrol Tour Commander. He is the President and Founder of the Forgotten Brothers Motorcycle Club, an organization that honors fallen members of the military and public safety organizations.

Growing Up Cop

“Growing up cop”
By Chris Gialanella

Growing up the son of a cop is both a privilege and a curse. It is an evolving dynamic that opens and closes the doors of your future. You are forced to grow up in an environment that brings you to the pinnacle of adrenaline and the perils of your worst emotions. The roller coaster of being a cop’s child will leave you with the darkest of scars and the brightest of smiles. The world becomes a barometer of smiles and cries. The key is to learn to smile more than you cry, at least on the outside.

Most children grow up in a warm, loving environment with two parents who fill their home with loving family photos. Dinner time is spent talking about their respective days and sharing quality loving milestones. Making memories that will serve as a blueprint to a normal life for the children to use as a template and carry on the American Dream. A cop’s son has a little different path. My father was a grizzled homicide detective born and raised on the mean streets of Newark where he then played police for nearly 30 years. He is a baby boomer whose way of life growing up in an Italian family was a mix between cops and criminals.  Born to Italian immigrants, his morals and ideologies were thrust upon me with a steady flurry of his hard stance on skullduggery behavior.

My home was filled with autopsy photos, crime scene investigations and dinner time stories of the most heinous acts of humanity imaginable. My childhood was spent passing tests of integrity, lectures of driving safety, flashbacks of gun lessons and the ever-irritating phrase, “Son, nothing good ever happens after 11 p.m.”  My toys were empty holsters, spare bullets and steel handcuffs. Cops and robbers replaced hide and go seek.  Visits to the police station were my Disney World. Sitting in the back seat of an old Crown Victoria on a crime scene was my movie theater. To me growing up, the only option was to become a cop.  It was all I knew, and it was the coolest job ever.

Being a homicide detective, my father missed many holidays, school and sports events, family dinners and visits from Santa Claus. The special occasions were missed so my father could give a voice to the dead when no one else would.  To me this was the norm and my father was a hero. I didn’t take his absence as he didn’t want to be with us, but that he was a larger-than-life figure I needed to share with the world.  My mother didn’t always understand that, but she would always put on a brave face and begrudgingly attempt to explain his absence with a “G-rated” version of his account.

I remember sitting in my grandmother’s home listening to the police scanner waiting to hear my father’s voice like the children before me would sit around the radio for a “fireside chat.” This forum was my Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Superman and Batman all in one. Hearing the men and women service the community provided me with a perspective unmatched by any of my non-law enforcement friends.

Being a cop’s kid made you the cool kid on the block. Your house became a playground of mystery and fantasy all in one.  Kids came from all over the neighborhood to be a part of something that they couldn’t experience in their own home. We had uniforms, knives, handcuffs, night sticks and holsters for whatever adventure we could dream up.  My family had a connection for any topic that came before us. We had mechanics to fix our cars, plumbers, electricians, and construction workers to work on our houses and business owners to help us with any purchase we needed. These were the perks of the trade. Everyone wanted to have a cop on their side.

I learned this later in life when I eventually became a cop myself and people would go above and beyond to make me happy. The feeling was contagious and a very powerful tool that needed to be regulated. 

As I got older, I began to realize that these childhood experiences of joy would soon make me become the warped and over-exposed young adult who was cynical of the world and questioned everyone’s motives. It affected my relationships, my personal and professional encounters, my ability to show and have compassion and an all-around simplistic view. You were either right or wrong based on the foundation of the law of a cop’s son.

I now look in the mirror and see my father. I carry on all his traits and I parent with a lot of the same hang-ups that I was taught.  I consider being a cop’s son a badge of honor, and I say it with all the pride as I take up the challenge not to repeat history but embrace the life.  To all the kids out there, “growing up cop” our futures became pre-determined whether we liked it or not. 

Christopher Gialanella is a 23-year police veteran currently holding the rank of police captain in the Special Operations Division for the City of Newark, NJ. He holds degrees in criminal justice and Homeland Security. Chris is the owner of Wide Eye Security Systems—a private security consulting company focusing on the need for innovative solutions pertaining to real-time security issues. Chris is the son of a cop who grew up in the industry and has dedicated his life to protecting those who can’t protect themselves. Follow him on Twitter @GGialanella