Seeking Support during COVID-19: Help Yourself So You Can Help Others

While many people tout our healthcare workers as the heroes of the pandemic — and rightfully so — law enforcement also plays a critical role in our nation’s safety during the crisis. COVID-19 is pulling our officers in several different directions, taking an invisible toll on their mental state — one that they often may not register until they wrap up yet another grueling shift.

Even for officers who “have seen it all,” the traumatic loss of life on such a major scale is undoubtedly having an impact. Dealing with the virus and its associated challenges can cause heightened anxiety, depression, substance abuse and grief, especially in areas that have been hardest hit by the pandemic like New Jersey and New York. Our officers are dealing with conflicting information surrounding use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and prior to that they were faced with shortages. Social distancing guidelines and regulations brought on by COVID-19 have also complicated procedures for responding to crises in the community at every turn. Even as things seem to be slowing down, there is speculation around a “second wave” and officers continue to worry about contracting the virus themselves and bringing it home to their families.

It’s not always easy to reach out for help, especially when you have been trained to prioritize helping others. But mental health symptoms that go unchecked can lead to chronic challenges including PTSD, anxiety, depression, substance abuse and suicidal ideation. I’ve personally trained enough officers (over 500 in northern New Jersey) to know firsthand how hard it can be to seek help. But asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

In 2018, the Fraternal Order of Police and NBC New York anonymously surveyed nearly 8,000 active and retired police officers across the U.S., and 90% of respondents said there is stigma in law enforcement around seeking help for behavioral health concerns. I know there are many officers who may think they need some support but are hesitant to reach out for help because they would rather handle it on their own or are worried others might see them as weak. But that is simply not the case — in fact, it is quite the opposite.

In New Jersey, the tragic loss of life in our state has well eclipsed that of Sept. 11. While collectively our state is feeling the emotional impacts due to the unfathomably high death toll associated with the virus, officers dealing with it firsthand day in and day out are disproportionately impacted. Officers on the front lines of the virus are dealing with unprecedented concerns and high-stress situations, making it more important than ever to make sure they are taking care of themselves. You can only help others if you take the time to help yourself first.

My organization CarePlusNJ recognized an enormous need to support our local officers during these uncertain times. As a leading provider of integrated behavioral health services in the community, we established The HERO Warmline (1-551-800-HERO), a free, confidential mental health warmline for Bergen County, New Jersey’s law enforcement officers and first responders. The specialized service was implemented to help local officers’ process emotions, cope with trauma and connect them to rapid access support and services so they can prioritize their own health and wellness and continue to help others in the community.

When our local officers call the line, a clinician, with specialized trauma and first responder training, picks up the call. We know privacy is paramount, which is why our licensed professionals are ethically and legally bound to keep all conversations confidential. First responders, law enforcement and healthcare professionals in Bergen County, New Jersey are encouraged to contact The HERO Warmline at 1-551-800-HERO (4376) Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. for free, confidential support and services. This is an invaluable resource that we hope our local officers continue to take advantage of if they need support during this crisis.

Many communities have similar resources in place to help support law enforcement as they navigate COVID-19 and all the obstacles that accompany it. I encourage any officer who may even be considering talking to someone for support to research the community resources available near them.The only way to come out of the pandemic stronger is to make sure we take care of ourselves and those we care about as much as possible.

Amie Del Sordo is Senior Vice President of Hospital and Community Services at CarePlus NJ, a leading provider of integrated behavioral health care in Paramus, New Jersey. Amie spearheads the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) program in Bergen County, a police-based training on safely, compassionately de-escalating and assisting a person in a mental health crisis. She has trained more than 500 local officers.

Taking Responsibility: BLM and their counterparts ANTIFA are Anti-American garbage

Recently I watched a PSA shot in black and white (for a more dramatic effect, I suppose) a smarmy attempt at genuine concern by addressing a serious problem in our country. The PSA was a montage of Hollywood types, actors I'm assuming (although I only recognized one from a few movies) taking tums, some misty-eyed for the lens and arms crossed over their hearts. "I take responsibility," they each took a turn. I thought to myself, "responsibility for what?" 

So, I watched on, and eventually the mystery topic was revealed, "It's time to step out and end police brutality," one said. Another said, "Black people are being slaughtered in the street," and "I stand against hate," and "Shopping in a store should not be a death sentence," and then the punch line, "Killer cops must be stopped, they are murderers and must be prosecuted!"

That did it for me! I have news for you folks who think because you have portrayed a character in a film you have the right to start even more bullshit when our bullshit tank is filled to capacity. Even if one of the characters you have portrayed in a movie was a police officer, you are not a police officer!

You want to side with the Marxist terrorist groups BLM and ANTIFA and chime in on how the police are randomly targeting people of color and murdering them? Your judgment lacking as much foundation as are your skills as actors.

And don't you dare invoke the name of the criminal who started this traveling shit-show in Ferguson, the catalyst for the "Hands up, don't shoot!" false narrative fueled by then sitting President Obama and Attorney General Holder. That entire storm helped morph the Black Panthers into the New Black Panthers, who had a baby and named it "Black Lives Matter" and that cute little bastard grew into the hellish, criminal, communist monster it is today. They married their first cousin. "ANTIFA" and God only knows what the offspring of that coupling will be named. 

Keep it under your hats, but the police aren't the ones shooting folk off their porches for shits and giggles to show off their prowess with firearms. Many cities, thanks to you and folks like you that perpetuate the hate against the police, are seeing increases of over 100% in the past month in shootings and homicides and again, it's not the cops. You have enabled these folks and now it's "Anarchy rules." 

For those of you who want to defund the police, the politicians like Mayor DeBlasio (who spent quality time playing with the Sandinista Liberation Front in Nicaragua before returning to the U.S. and changing his name) who learned how to apply his Marxist Leninist tactics on the citizens of New York, I say this and I'll say it to your face, when I get the chance. Go fuck yourself You have the blood of police officers on your hands, and you might as well have tossed every bottle, brick and Molotov cocktail, personally. Painting "Black Lives Matter" on 5th Avenue with Al Sharpton the race-baiting FBI informant is a kick in the nuts to every member of the NYPD. You're a fucking hack and you should just go away.

I agree 100% that Mr. Floyd should not have died for his arrestable offense, but he did play a very small role in his own death by committing a felony. Had he not done that, he might still be alive.

Mike Brown chose the wrong path and it cost him his life. That's fact. It was proven that the entire case was built on a lie and a false narrative and it didn't spawn "civil unrest" (that's a soft, bullshit term). It spawned anarchy, looting, burning and rioting, and it got folks hurt. It elevated the shit show to new heights and the cops not only got free tickets: they got front row seats. Cops took bullets and continued to do so. Cops suffered traumatic brain injuries from getting hit with bricks and frozen water bottles. We are dying every day, because of you bastards! We are being murdered "Anybody in Hollywood hear that? I saw your responsibility video. Step right up!"

There's a lot to take responsibility for. You can go into any inner city and protest the hundreds of aborted fetuses ripped from their mother's wombs and dismembered while still alive.

You say black people are being slaughtered in the street? That is fact! But, the cops aren't the butchers. The data is available from numerous sources, news, crime stats and universities. Just search and you'll find the numbers, but chances are you won't be happy. "Is there a problem? Yes! Are the police the problem? Absolutely not!"

Kirk Lawless is a 28 year, decorated, veteran police officer from the St Louis area. He's a former SWAT operator, narcotics agent, homicide investigator, detective and Medal of Valor recipient. Off the job due to an up-close and personal gunfight, he now concentrates on writing. He's a patriotic warrior, artist, poet, actor, musician, and man of peace.

Exclusive interview with Five Finger Death Punch's Drummer Jeremy Spencer - Alcohol abuse, Rock an Roll and unwavering support for law enforcement

Five Finger Death Punch founding drummer Jeremy Spencer talks to Blue about the perils of being a rock ‘n’ roll star with an addiction to drugs and alcohol

There are many things law enforcement officers are good at: solving crimes, responding to domestic violence calls, driving like a stunt man. But one of my favorites we’re good at is partying. Although closing bars are a thing of the past for me (thank you wife and children), I manage to get my fun time in with a few cold beers on my regular days off.

But there’s a limit. How much is too much? At what point does it go from casual and social drinking to problematic and disturbing?  Anyone who wears a badge knows what goes on in the world. From dealing with the decay of society to working odd hours, there are more than enough reasons to grab a beer after a tour of duty. Sometimes that does go too far. If the only way you cope with a stressful day is to drink alcohol and if it’s affecting the people you love most, you may need help.

I boasted to a couple of officers in our department about how I landed an interview with a rock star, founding drummer of Five Finger Death Punch Jeremy Spencer. I told them that the focus of the interview was his rehab stints due to his drug and alcohol addiction. They each responded with, “Oh yeah, I went to rehab, too.” It was a sobering moment and a stark reminder of the seriousness of this issue.

JEremy Spencer From FIve finger death punch

Jeremy Spencer chronicled his life in a book entitled Death Punch’ D. He talks about having his first drink at the tender age of 6, his daily blackout drinking, smoking and snorting anything worthwhile and his two near-death experiences. It’s a classic tale of struggle, success, fame, struggle, and rehab … twice. Now he’s clean and sober and took the time to tell Blue Magazine about his journey.

The Blue Magazine: Officers experience a lot of stress from the job, which is often mitigated by alcohol abuse -- some go to rehab because of it. What is your advice to get through rehab and more importantly stay clean afterward?

Jeremy Spencer:  Personally, I wanted to go to rehab and get better.  That’s kind of what it boils down to. Do you want to get better or not?  It’s all a choice.  Humans are resilient, it’s just a matter of sticking it out and opening yourself up to be helped and staying with it no matter how hard it gets. 

Who, if anyone, do you blame for your drug and alcohol abuse? Family? Friends? Touring?

I’ve been addicted to everything my whole life. I blame no one. It’s easy to look for an excuse to blame our using on, but I take full responsibility. Those people are a blessing because they helped mirror what I needed to fix about myself, and without those situations I wouldn’t have grown and learned.

Many addicts have childhood trauma connected to their adult behavior. In your book, you seem to have a healthy home environment growing up.  What happened? 

I think I’m just one of those people who can’t have chemicals in their body.  It doesn’t mix with my brain chemistry for whatever reason. I also had some self-esteem issues, not unlike most people.  I didn’t consciously use to feel better about my low self-esteem, I just used because I thought I liked to party and have “fun.”

What were some of the warning signs of drug/ alcohol abuse that you recognized but chose to ignore?  What’s the most important warning sign you want to tell law enforcement officers to look out for? 

Every time I drank or used, I wanted to keep going and have more. I never wanted to be done.  I loved drinking. I would drink until I couldn’t anymore. During the day I couldn’t wait to be able to drink at night when I was done with my responsibilities. Some might say that’s a functioning alcoholic, but I was still abusing myself.

We all know someone with an addictive personality. They tend to replace one addiction with another, good or bad. Since you gave up drugs and alcohol, has anything taken its place?

I was addicted to chaos for a while, pretty much any way I could get the juice.  Be it through relationships or anger or whatever.  I finally have a handle on that and am living the most peaceful life I’ve ever lived.

How important is family during the rehabilitation process? 

It’s very helpful. You need as much support as you can get.  It’s a fragile time when you’re trying to get sober and the more support you can get, the better.

Since you've been given a second chance at life, do you give back at all?

I talk to people when they seek me out.  It usually just happens. A lot of people have said my book Death Punch’ D helped them with their situation.

Was there ever a time you wished you had a regular life -- a simple job, happily married, an addiction-free personality, etc. Would you go back and trade everything for that?

I’ve experienced what many consider a normal life.  I wasn’t born into playing sold-out arenas. I worked day jobs I didn’t like, I was married, I felt trapped with no hope of having my dreams realized, etc. I wouldn’t trade any of it. I’m where I’m at because of it and I’m happy with that person.

A lot of people dream of fame, fortune and a wild rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle. Is it overrated? 

It’s an amazing life. It’s everything I hoped it would be and nothing like I thought it would be. There’s so many perks and so many pitfalls.  But it basically enhances what your problems are, so if you’re a troubled person, it’s magnified tenfold. Life is in a fish bowl, so if you’re messed up, the world gets to watch and that’s not easy.

Several of your music videos feature scenes showing support of first responders and the military. Where did this support come from? 

We were always supporters of the military and first responders. Some of us came from families of service men and women. It was always a cause we wanted to support because we know how important you men and women are.

Have you had any interactions with law enforcement as a result of your behavior?

I was a young, dumb kid who got drunk and tried to steal stuff from a convenience store when I was around 15 years old and got arrested.  It was humbling and embarrassing.  I just remember my mom crying when she came to pick me up from the police station. That affected me the most. I got sober a few months later when I checked myself into rehab.

You understand the addictive behavior. What do you want to tell any officers who fit this profile?

You’re not alone. There’s always help available. You have to want it and accept it. I know it’s a tough life and addiction is a tough period, but it’s something that can be worked through. It’s all a choice, no matter how difficult it seems.

Suicide is also a growing concern within the law enforcement community. Your book hints at it a bit. What do you want to tell someone who’s thinking about taking his or her own life?

Things may seem so bad that there’s no way out except to take your life and that’s so not true.  There’s help available at every turn. The people that kill themselves permanently solve a problem that could have been so temporary and everyone else in their circle who was close to them still living has to deal with the suicide the rest of their lives. It’s an awful situation, but talk to someone, it all starts there. Help is available and no matter how it seems today, it can all change tomorrow. Suicide doesn’t have to be the answer.

Is there anything else you want the law enforcement community to know?

Thank you for everything you sacrifice and do for the world. It’s people like you that make the world a better place and a lot of people don’t even know how much you do so they can live their daily lives. I truly thank you for your service.

Jeremy’s incredible life was brilliantly captured in his book Death Punch’ D. It’s a perfect blend of what it’s like to be a rock star coupled with a serious drug and alcohol addiction - all leading up to a happy ending. Jeremy has since retired from drumming due to medical reasons. He took up singing and started a new band called Psychosexual. It’s that same great hard rock sound complemented with music videos …with a bit of naughtiness. Subscribe to his YouTube page Psychosexual and follow him on Instagram @officialjeremyspencer

Eddie covers everything law enforcement. He recently partnered with a law enforcement podcast- End of Watch with Bootsy and Sal. The podcast has already interviewed several high- profile law enforcement figures. Check out and subscribe to their YouTube channel by searching End of Watch with Bootsy and Sal or by scanning the QR code with your phone.

President Trump and Police Reform: Trump has our backs

“There is no more noble and important profession than law enforcement. A free and safe society requires a trusted and capable police force to safeguard our rights to life and liberty… Together, we will examine, discuss, and debate how justice is administered in the United States and uncover opportunities for progress, improvement, and innovation.” – William P. Barr, Attorney General of the United States of America

On Jan. 22, 2020, the attorney general announced the establishment of the Presidential Commission on Law Enforcement and the Administration of Justice. President Trump had previously signed Executive Order No. 13896, authorizing and designating the attorney general to create the Commission that would explore modern issues affecting law enforcement that most impact the ability of American policing to reduce crime.

This timely Commission and its mandated resulting recommendations will require a team effort. In forming the Commission, the Department of Justice has brought together the expertise and experiences of all sectors of the law enforcement community—urban police departments, county sheriffs, state attorneys general and prosecutors, elected officials, United States attorneys and federal law enforcement agencies.  Additionally, while this Commission is for law enforcement and for the purpose of bettering the profession, it is acknowledged that it is important to hear from voices and consult perspectives outside law enforcement.  Civil rights organizations, civic leaders, defense bar associations, victims’ rights organizations government social service partners, and community organizations will be given opportunities to provide advice, counsel and input to the Commission in its study of the relevant issues and solutions. 

The Executive Order instructs the Commission to conduct its study by focusing on the law enforcement officers who are tasked with reducing crime on a daily basis. It also directs the Commission to research “important current issues facing law enforcement and the criminal justice system,” and recommends a variety of subjects for study such as(but not limited to:

• The challenges to law enforcement associated with mental illness, homelessness, substance abuse and other social factors that influence crime and strain criminal justice resources

• The recruitment, hiring, training and retention of law enforcement officers, including in rural and tribal communities

• Refusals by state and local prosecutors to enforce laws or prosecute categories of crimes

• The need to promote public confidence and respect for the law and law enforcement officers

• The effects of technological innovations on law enforcement and the criminal justice system, including the challenges and opportunities presented by such innovations

Now more than ever, this commission must more clearly define the role of law enforcement in our society. Law enforcement can no longer be all things to all people. Societal ills that we cannot arrest our way out of such as mental illness, homelessness and substance abuse, for example, can no longer be subjects that government and its people look to law enforcement to solve. Other professionals in appropriately trained disciplines must now become engaged in seeking solutions to the problems we face. It is not about “defunding” but rather about allocating resources in the most effective manner and allowing law enforcement to further remove ourselves from a societal expectation that we should be largely untrained social workers rather than professional law enforcers. Isn’t that what we’ve been saying in law enforcement all along?

Recognizing this, President Trump has in the interim signed an Executive Order which will immediately focus on policy and funding for independent credentialing for use-of-force training, improving officer retention and recruitment practices and will prioritize “co-respondent services” intended to more deeply involve social workers in responding to certain nonviolent calls — such as those involving mental health, drug addiction and homelessness issues — rather than cops alone..

The level of understanding from those implementing reforms MUST go even further. It is essential that we be able to protect ourselves and others when faced with physical attacks. We must move away from the Police Executive Research Forum recommendation of such things as encouraging departments to“adopt policies that hold themselves to a higher standard than the legal requirements of Graham v. Connor.” Without the Graham v. Connor Supreme Court ruling, which established a clear objective reasonableness standard for when an officer can legally use force on a suspect and speaks to what level of force can be used, where does it leave the officers on the front lines of enforcement and our society as a whole?

Reasonable expectations and guidance that are rooted in our Constitution, court precedent and common sense with officer and community safety in the forefront must now be given and appropriate actions must follow.

Joel E. Gordon is a former Field Training Officer with the Baltimore City Police Department and is a past Chief of Police for the city of Kingwood, West Virginia. He has also served as vice-chair of a multi-jurisdictional regional narcotics task force. 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. Look him up at stillseekingjustice.com

Police Reform: Training is What Reform Should Be if Society Wants Better

Aaron Howard goes through rigorous BUD/S training, the beginning of a long military training culture.

Police reform. It's coming and there's nothing that is going to stop it. With all the government leaders cowering to unrealistic public opinion and letting mainstream media control their actions, we must all begin to prepare for police policy reform.

But how it will things change? 

There's plenty of talk that change is needed but very little talk of how things will and should change aside from defunding police (which by the way is irresponsible). 

Below are some ideas of what training should be incorporated to a police officer’s routine to better equip them with the changes of today's troubling times. Mind you, however, these are not groundbreaking ideas and some departments already incorporate these concepts into their training. But these training suggestions should be included into regularly scheduled training sessions, not just the academy or the bi-annual training periods.

In the military, a recruit goes to basic training, graduates and reports to their unit where they continue training. In law enforcement, recruits go to the academy, graduate and go live. They’ll go back to the range next year, and if they’re lucky, a day or two of classroom instruction -- that’s it!

“It’s not like riding a bike. Police need repetition. There’s no excuse for police officers to not have training available to them year-round.” Navy Seal Team 6 Petty Officer 1st Class Aaron Howard tells Blue Magazine. “Police are the ones risking their lives day in and day out so we can be safe.”

If police departments need reform, it should come in the form of additional and constant training in these following areas:

• Leadership for everyone in management. From sergeants to the chief, every supervisor should get continuous and thorough training in leadership. Effective leaders know how to communicate and connect with people. When you can connect with people, everything you do and say will resonate far better with your audience. Subordinates challenge and resist ineffective leaders’ directives, which is not conducive to policy change.

• The psychology of mob mentality. What is it about the mob mentality that turns a normally law-abiding citizen into a raging lunatic? This type of person loses their personal identity and takes on the identity of a group. This subject gets much deeper from a social psychology perspective. Training on this subject would give the law enforcement officer, both seasoned veterans and recruits, a better understanding of how mob mentality can shape the landscape of a developing incident. It could also prove useful in determining appropriate social and tactical decisions to prevent a growing peaceful crowd from becoming destructive rioters.

• Maintaining personal control over civilians antagonizing police. Countless videos are emerging showing civilians taunting police, yelling profanities and invading personal space in an effort to antagonize police. Police officers are expected to remain calm and be professional at all times despite that. That’s easier said than done. It is normal human behavior to challenge anyone who’s in your face. Although police academies teach professionalism and poise, regular training on how to use effective techniques on controlling your emotions is a great start.

• Understanding how social media affects civilian decision-making. Everyone wants to post the next viral video. The first action most people take when something is about to go down is to pull out the phone and record what’s happening. This new-age reality should be incorporated into training scenarios as part of the decision-making process when responding to incidents.

• Effective communication techniques. Words are a small part of the communication process. In fact, body language tells the whole story far better than the words people use. This communication also works both ways; the person in distress and the officer who is trying to control the situation. What the officer says and the body language they display is a significant factor in how someone in distress responds.

• Understanding criminal mentality. Most criminals are irrational, impulsive and will act aggressively when they believe they’ve been ‘wronged’ in some way. The most common mistake I see in new recruits is they assume criminals act and think rationally and logically. Recruits make this assumption because they’ve been around rational people their entire lives. Having a better understanding of the common criminal mindset would help an officer better understand and predict a situation as it’s developing.

• Understanding mental health issues. Many people with mental health issues don’t have intent to break the law, they just have a skewed sense of right and wrong. Having a better understanding of how mental health problems manifest themselves in everyday public interaction would better equip officers with communication response techniques.

• Use of force de-escalation. One of the most difficult elements of law enforcement is to de-escalate a situation when you are directly involved. When an officer is struggling with a dangerous person, adrenaline pumps through veins as a survival technique. To just simply come down from that and de-escalate is not simple or even realistic. Responding officers need to understand this dynamic to help the officer de-escalate.

These areas should be the focal point of training scenarios because the police academy is just not enough training. Coupling that with spineless politicians who want to sacrifice a well-intended officer to appease extremist groups and to stay in office is not the solution.

This country was founded on law and order and remains stable because of it. If the public wants police reform, it needs to come in the form of continuous training. That’s the key to better police and policing

Eddie Molina was deployed to Iraq as a Platoon Leader- one of the most challenging roles in modern warfare. His experience and education made him a leadership professional and he blogs about it on his website. In his spare time, he submits articles for the law enforcement, first responder and military community to keep them informed on important issues facing America today. His book, A Beginner's Guide to Leadership, is expected to be published in September 2020. For more information, go to his website at www.eddiemolina.com

The Real Bruce Lee: Tribute to fallen officer Bruce Lee, gone but not forgotten

Bruce kevin lee (photo credit: Bonnie Fortney- Wichita)

May 13, 2003 was a regular work day for me. I woke up early, went into the kitchen to make tea and have a bowl of cereal before I left for work.

I turned on the television to listen to what passes for news in Los Angeles. The news readers were doing the usual, talking about events that had occurred in southern California in the last few hours. I was sort of listening to the news reader when I heard, "Deputy killed in Indio." It had been 22 years since I had worked in Indio. I didn't think there was much of a chance that I would know the officer the news reader was talking about. I sat in my chair and waited for the commercial to end. The news came back on and I looked at a picture of a deputy who I had trained when he was a rookie and I was a field training officer.

Bruce Lee was a good trainee and had visited me in Los Angeles in 1981, after I had screwed up by leaving the sheriff's office. I had introduced him to my new captain, who thought that I was kidding when I said, "Skipper, I want you to meet a friend of mine, Bruce Lee." The captain thought that he was going along with the joke. He replied, "Bruce Lee, I've heard of you before."

The news reader went on to say that Bruce had answered a disturbing the peace call in La Quinta, near Indio. A suspect named Kevin Diablo (real name) confronted Bruce at the scene and took Bruce's baton away from him, inflicting several blows to Bruce's head and neck, causing the severe trauma that killed him. The 23-year-old suspect was known to have mental problems, but the news did not say if anyone told the sheriff's dispatcher that fact when they called the station. A back-up deputy arrived to find Bruce's motionless body on the ground and was confronted by Mr. Diablo, who was wielding Bruce's baton. The deputy fired his service weapon and killed the deranged man.

It was a sad day for me as I drove to work, listening to the radio. Trying to find any information about Bruce Lee's murder I would later find out that Lee had recently transferred back to Indio to work in patrol after spending time as a traffic accident investigator in a contract city not far from Indio.

Sadly, I was unable to attend Bruce's funeral. He was buried on his 46th birthday.

Leroy B. Vaughn is a former U.S. Marine Corps Military Policeman, Security Agent, State Police Officer, Deputy Sheriff and served as a military contractor in the Middle East.

Jim Weston's Honorable Law Enforcement Career

Blue Magazine is honored to place a spotlight on Jim Weston and his honorable law enforcement career.

After graduating high school in 1983, Weston entered the United States Coast Guard and found himself stationed at Fort Pierce in Florida. After serving in the Coast Guard, Jim was hired by the Passaic County New Jersey Prosecutors Office where he was an investigator assigned to the Narcotics Division and worked in the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Task Force - Newark Field Office.

Jim was then hired by the New York City Police Department (NYPD) where he was assigned to the Uniform Patrol Division, Manhattan South Precinct.  However, Jim once again found himself working in New Jersey; this time in the Passaic County Sheriff’s Department (PCSD) in 2001. During his tenure in the PCSD, Jim served in a uniform capacity within the Courts Security and Patrol Divisions. He was then promoted to the rank of detective and was assigned to the Criminal Investigation Division where he served for several years until being elected PBA Union President Local 286, having served for several terms on two separate occasions until his retirement in 2020.

In addition to these assignments, Jim was a member of the Passaic County SWAT Team, a Certified Firearms Range Instructor for the PCSD and Passaic County Police Academy and remains an active member of the New Jersey Policeman’s Benevolent Association, Passaic County Emerald Society and New Jersey Honor Legion.

Blue Magazine salutes Jim Weston and wishes him much success in retirement. We remain most appreciative of your service.

Gotham has Fallen to the Joker: AKA deBozo the destroyer of New York City

Have you ever seen the Oscar-winning performance of Heath Ledger in “The Dark Knight?” Brilliant performance. But did you ever think that you’d witness such anarchy in New York City, aka Gotham, as depicted in the movie? Today, criminals and anarchists terrorize America’s greatest city with tacit approval of the feckless Democrats who are charged with protecting us all. If politicians are going to pick a side, shouldn’t they be picking the side of law and order? The Black Lives Matter organization, Antifa (anti-fascists who are actually fascists) and even some leftovers from the Occupy Wall Street crowd appear to have joined forces while capitalizing on a single event that polarized the country. Add to this Trump Derangement Syndrome and a complicit media, and you have a powder-keg explosion that has little to do anymore with the ex-con George Floyd’s death and much to do with President Trump’s re-election and Marxist ideals.

Over the years, politicians and the media have essentially stood up for law and order. Even Joe Biden was for law and order years ago when he supported the crime bill. However over time things have changed drastically. Why? We can trace it back to the anti-government hippies of the ‘60s and ‘70s as they became many of our college professors. These were the college campus protesters who openly burned their draft cards during their anti-government protests in the era of Woodstock. Some fled to Canada to avoid the draft but were later pardoned by Jimmy Carter. The proletariat class returning from Vietnam became, for the most part, our silent majority that broke their ass, paid their taxes, and sent their kids off to school. Little did they realize the danger as universities were slowly eroding our First Amendment. Group-think took hold as conservative speakers were increasingly banned. Over the decades our children were taught our founders, country, military, and capitalism are evil destructive forces in the world — that America in 2020 is the same racist nation it was in 1968.

Unfortunately, young people today aren’t old enough to compare the last 50 years and think it through. The unprecedented success of countless black millionaires, attorneys, judges, doctors, actors, and politicians today, including a black president who was elected twice by a white majority demonstrates this absurdity. They simply disregard the progress that we’ve made through affirmative action, pouring millions into black communities, and other programs in the last 50 years. President Trump has done more for the black community than any president since Republican Abraham Lincoln.

But facts be damned in our “sound bite” society. Hell, do you realize that the “racist” NYPD is comprised of 60% minorities? How many black higher echelons do we see in news reports every day, from every big city in America? So many of our youth over the years have been indoctrinated with socialism, Marxism, principles of communism, and blatant lies in an effort to divide our nation. Many progressive universities pushed the teachings of authors like Saul Alinsky and Margaret Sanger, a known racist who was admired by Hillary Clinton. As a result, some of these brainwashed students became our Democrat-socialist politicians. Every Democratic-controlled city in our nation, has been run into the ground for decades.

And this brings me to Warren Wilhelm Jr. aka Bill de Blasio. Many see him as a closet communist/Marxist as he backed the Sandinista government in his younger years, and even joined the Nicaragua Solidarity Network of Greater New York. He traveled to Nicaragua to undermine President Reagan and has aligned himself with George Soros for years. You can bet that he’d be taking part in the lawless demonstrations like his daughter did, if it weren’t for him being the mayor. Today, de Blasio characterizes himself as a democratic socialist, but he’s actually much more extreme than that. He also allegedly lied about taking his Honeymoon in Canada when actually he went to Cuba. Bernie Sanders went to Moscow for his Honeymoon, but at least he owned it.

So why is de Blasio, with the tacit approval of other NY politicians, so hell-bent on destroying America’s once-great city? NYC had become known as the biggest safe city in America before deBlasio’s corrosive reign began on Jan. 1, 2014. Recall he immediately attacked the NYPD as he weakened the force, showed them contempt, destroyed morale and more recently eliminated the 600-officer street crime unit. This unit of the most pro-active, fearless officers were mostly responsible for getting illegal guns off the street. In June of 2019 there were 89 shootings. Juxtapose that with June 2020’s 205 shootings, and you can easily see how detrimental to the community disbanding that unit was. And that’s stats for only one month! If Black Lives really do Matter, why would you take action that results in more black deaths?

How can de Blasio, with all of his machinations, get away with such virulent destruction? To an untrained observer, you may believe de Blasio is terribly incompetent, or perhaps just a buffoon. But let’s be real here; most leaders learn by trial and error, constantly learning from their mistakes. I personally don’t see just a few mistakes, but a pattern. And trust me, I don’t take what I’m saying lightly. What de Blasio is doing is absolutely abhorrent. You would think by now that New York’s billionaires would’ve convinced Gov. Cuomo to straighten this guy out already. So, is Cuomo actually complicit? After all, he did sign the Bail Reform Bill that is catastrophic and contributes to more crime.

De Blasio is killing tourism with everything he does, or neglects to do, as visitors need to feel safe. What tourist today would want to visit NYC? There is more graffiti now than during the Dinkin days. Allowing graffiti is in stark contrast to the “broken windows theory” that was embraced by many areas across the country with great success. NYC is now giving San Francisco a run for its money with the homeless defecating in the street. The quality of life phone number is worthless under de Blasio as he’s now set the tone for gang bangers to rule the streets. Need an example? A woman recently asked a group of youths not to blow off fireworks, so they shot her multiple times, leaving her dead in the street. Their arrogance is off the chart as “Nero Fiddles.” NYPD reported that there have been 503 shooting incidents this year with 605 victims as of July 18. It’s hard to understand how the hospitals keep up, especially with COVID. Because decent inner-city blacks are terrorized by gang bangers and other thugs with their “nosnitchin” policy, many of these shootings will go unsolved. How can de Blasio sleep at night knowing that his feckless policies, and anti-police rhetoric, are getting children killed in drive-bys almost every day? Brooklyn community advocate Tony Herbert recently said what so many cops have been saying for years. “Give them 10 years for illegal possession of a firearm; no conversation, no plea bargain, you go straight to jail.” I agree.

All crime, from jumping turnstiles — to armed robbery — to homicide in NYC, have increased exponentially under de Blasio’s watch. He’s done everything in his power, even before the rioting and looting to weaken the NYPD. BLM protests seem “made to order” to turn a thriving economy into a distressed, third-world city. Additionally, COVID-19 unfortunately devastated the city and put thousands of mom and pop stores out of business throughout the five boroughs. But to release thousands of prisoners back into the streets because, ironically, you couldn’t quarantine them on Rikers Island was inexcusable. How is putting them back in housing projects safer, especially for the residents there? They are now showing off their ankle bracelets like a fashion statement. Could you imagine their poor victim’s faces when they suddenly appeared back on the streets! How is it that progressives show so much empathy for predators, but none for their prey? Do they not understand the plight, or fear of these poor victims, usually black, in New York’s communities? What if that was your mom who was robbed, or your sister who was raped?

De Blasio also thinks it’s a good idea to defund the police by almost one billion dollars. Maybe he can explain it to the victims of the crime surge that he now owns. He also recently canceled the next class of police recruits of 1,163 with no regard for impending retirements.

Police officers are all these victims have against these “domestic terrorists.” Good, hard-working blacks in the inner city disdain the criminal element surrounding them, but don’t have the resources to get out. Black folks don’t fear being shot by the police; they know who the real predators are.

Pat Ciser is a retired lieu- tenant from the Clifton Po- lice Department, and a 7th Degree Black Belt. He was a member of 5 U.S. Karate Teams, winning gold medals in South America and Europe. He is the Author of BUDO and the BADGE; Ex- ploits of a Jersey Cop (BN.com/Amazon), and is a guest writer for Official Karate Magazine.

One Nation Under Anarcho-Tyranny

The America you grew up in is not the America we live in now.

          One nation under God? Ha.

          Land of the free? Ha.

          Domestic tranquility? Ha.

          Equal protection under the law? Ha.

          The right to bear arms? Ha.

          Freedom of speech? Association? Peaceable assembly? Ha. Ha. Ha.

It's not "socialism" or "communism" under which we suffer. Our dangerously chaotic, selectively oppressive predicament is more accurately described as "anarcho-tyranny." The late conservative columnist Sam Francis first coined the term in 1992 to diagnose a condition of "both anarchy (the failure of the state to enforce the laws) and, at the same time, tyranny — the enforcement of laws by the state for oppressive purposes."

The "criminalization of the law-abiding and innocent," Francis expounded, is achieved in such a state through: "exorbitant taxation, bureaucratic regulation; the invasion of privacy, and the engineering of social institutions, such as the family and local schools; the imposition of thought control through 'sensitivity training' and multiculturalist curricula; 'hate crime' laws; gun-control laws that punish or disarm otherwise law-abiding citizens but have no impact on violent criminals who get guns illegally; and a vast labyrinth of other measures."

The toxic combination of "pandemic panic" and "George Floyd derangement syndrome" has thoroughly destroyed the home of the brave. It is a paradise for the depraved and dictatorial.

Anarcho-tyranny is how hoodlums can toss statues into rivers with impunity, while citizens disgusted by Black Lives Matter street graffiti are charged with "hate crimes" — as David Nelson and Nicole Anderson in Martinez, California, were by a George Soros-funded district attorney two weeks ago.

Anarcho-tyranny is how rioters can shut down highways and byways on a whim without fear of arrest, while commuters trying to escape the window-smashing barbarians obstructing traffic are charged with "assault" — as poor Jennifer Watson of Denver, Colorado, was this week.

Anarcho-tyranny is how hordes of gay pride activists marching shoulder to shoulder can defy social distancing guidelines with gushing approbation from radical left-wing medical "experts," while anti-lockdown and anti-mask mandate protesters are deemed public health menaces who now face snitch hotlines, fines, house arrest or jail time.

Anarcho-tyranny is how 1,000 black militia members can take over the streets in Georgia and point their guns at motorists as they demand reparations, while white citizen militia members in Idaho, Utah and New Mexico have been smeared publicly as racists and face injunctions for peacefully defending their neighborhoods.

Where do the police stand in this regime? It pains me to say it, but those of us who have backed the blue so loyally and vocally can no longer do so under the assumption that the blue will back us.

It's rank-and-file cops who are issuing citations to citizens who want to breathe freely.

It's rank-and-file cops who are standing by while our monuments and courthouses and landmarks are burned and obliterated.

It was rank-and-file cops in Denver who watched as my patriotic friends and I tried to hold a Law Enforcement Appreciation Day and were besieged by Black Lives Matter and antifa thugs who had declared that their sole intent in invading our permitted celebration was to "shut us down." I live-streamed the chaos as pro-police attendees were beaten, including the organizer Ron MacLachlan, who was bloodied in the face and head just a few feet from me by black-masked animals. One antifa actor wielded her collapsible baton just inches from me.

The cop-haters had obstructed traffic on their five-minute march from their unpermitted event at the Colorado State Capitol to our permitted space.

No cops intervened.

Unprovoked, the cop-haters blared airhorns, sprayed our faces (mine included), burned an American flag, punched, shoved and menaced and took over our stage.

No cops intervened.

The Denver police chief, Black Lives Matter champion Paul Pazen, has repeatedly and publicly blamed us — the law-abiding — for not having enough private security in place, even as he admitted that 76 officers have been injured by the "peaceful" agitators who have turned our capitol into a heathen hellhole (and perpetrated more than $1 million in property damage so far).

If we had brandished or used our weapons in self-defense, we'd be facing felony assault charges — as armed citizen Steven Baca is in Albuquerque, New Mexico, at the hands of another Soros-subsidized district attorney.

If any of our men had tried to peel the female antifa thugs off of MAGA ladies who were assaulted, they'd be charged with battery, too — just like Baca.

On Tuesday morning, a Denver police union official called me to apologize for the department's failure to protect those of us who tried to speak on their behalf. The "backlash" for defending our constitutional rights was too high a price to pay, he told me. Sorry.

So the message is loud and clear. When push comes to bloody shove in end-stage America, under the rule of the anarcho-tyrants, we, the law-abiding, are the enemy. Those in uniform sworn to protect and serve will turn their backs on us because their bosses don't answer to the public. They protect and serve the mob.

Michelle Malkin is an American conservative blog- ger, political commentator, author, and business- woman. Her weekly syndicated column appears in a number of newspapers and websites. She was a Fox News contributor and has been a guest on MSNBC, C-SPAN, and national radio programs. Malkin has written several books. She founded the conservative websites Twitchy and Hot Air. E-mail: Michelle MalkinInvestigates@protonmail.com

Ego Kills Careers: A New Leadership Philosophy and Path For Organizational Success

At one point in my policing career, my ego was out of control. I openly cringe thinking back to those days as a young lieutenant and captain, where my ego overrode good sense when it came to dealing with personnel issues. If an officer under my command disobeyed an order or violated policy, I took it personally; how dare they defy me! Ego was also a roadblock for me developing and growing needed relationships with many law enforcement partners in my county. I did not just burn bridges; I destroyed them, never to be rebuilt.

My ego was not only a problem at work, but it also caused problems at home. During marriage counseling, the counselor tapped into some dormant, malignant memories of my youth. I was as insecure as a 42-year-old captain as I was when I started my career at 25, and I didn’t know any better. The counseling sessions were painful but incredibly cathartic. I began to see where ego was a significant problem in my professional and personal life. The long and constant war with my ego began. Since 2013, I have been fighting those daily battles. I win about 80% of the time, but I learn something new every time I lose one of those battles. Those valuables lessons, along with additional research, led me to develop a philosophy called Ego Kills Careers.

The philosophy uses a multipronged approach: Identification of ego-related problems, training and education and visual reminders to tackle this critical issue. When supervisors are conducting informal or formal counseling sessions, they are instructed to “deep dive” into any problems they encounter. They are to establish if a negative ego is an underlying factor that is hampering an officer’s performance or adherence to the rules. At times, I sent officers, of all ranks, to the department’s psychologist because they needed professional help to overcome their issues with ego. Because of my transparent nature, I freely speak of my positive journey with counseling; I found little to no resistance from those who went to see the psychologist. Better yet, when the officers and supervisors who attended counseling changed their negative behaviors, the rest of the agency took notice. The tangible results of counseling further removed any barriers the officers had to accepting this method of assistance with controlling their egos.

Supervisors are encouraged to ask for feedback from their officers on how they performed during the year. In the beginning, getting evaluated by their troops was a foreign and uncomfortable concept for the supervisors. Now, most are secure that this valuable information, if used, will make them better supervisors. As the chief, I am not above getting evaluated. In 2019, I conducted an employee survey to identify my strengths and weaknesses. While the study was mainly positive, my staff and I worked hard on addressing the weak points in my “modus operandi.” I encourage all my fellow chiefs to conduct an anonymous survey in their departments, as this will test a leader’s commitment to working on their ego.

To formalize the philosophy, I teamed up with a local, licensed professional counselor who helped me develop an 8-hour course entitled Ego Kills Careers. This very interactive course shows students the problems associated with a negative ego, illustrates the gift of humility and demonstrates how the use of introspection and emotional intelligence builds a positive ego. The backbone of the class comes from the works of authors Ryan Holiday, Jocko Willink, Robin Dreeke and several other contemporary leaders on the subjects of trust, humility, leadership, and ego.

I am a great believer in visual aids. Hanging on the walls of my department are historical photos, plaques of past achievements and motivational quotes (The Man in The Arena by Teddy Roosevelt). Above the back door, where all the officers, detectives, staff and administration enter the building, hangs a large sign that reads Ego Kills Careers. The sign is a constant but subtle reminder of the department’s philosophy, one that I reinforce every day.

Data, analytics and technology are currently the buzzwords in policing. I am on a mission to get ego added to that list. What is more important than our people? Nothing! There is a unique and encouraging feeling one gets when they are freed from the confines of ego. Slights no longer sting, patience grows exponentially, anger becomes a forgotten emotion and life, in general, is sweeter. The results I gained battling ego changed the way I interact with people. I hope that by sharing my story, along with the research conducted on the subject, I can enrich the work and personal lives of all officers and supervisors and save some careers in the process.

Chief Ron Camacho is an accomplished law enforcement executive who spent time as an advisor in Afghanistan and Mexico. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, has a master’s in criminal justice from Liberty University, and is the chief of the Chambersburg Pennsylvania Police Department. He is the owner of Camacho Consulting LLC, a leadership and management training company.

Never Give Up: Elected officials can be replaced. The majority of Americans support cops

There’s never been a more perilous time to be a law enforcement officer, and yet across our great nation, the men and women of law enforcement continue to show up, answer calls for assistance and do the right thing. Doing the right thing seems to be, to some extent, a bygone theme for most of society but not for law enforcement. It can’t be! Often called the thin blue line, the men and women of law enforcement are the protectors of those simply attempting to live out their lives in peace. Too many people these days seem to take a poll or check the direction of the wind before making a decision that involves right and wrong, and so many decisions are based on politics, trial by media, mob rule and a quick rush to judgment. How I miss the days when people just did what was right without first pondering what it would cost them.

Isn’t law and order nothing more than doing the right thing, and requiring bad actors to do the right thing, or suffer the consequences for their unruly actions? As we see some cities making political decisions as to how to deploy law enforcement assets rather than just maintaining law and order, I feel for law enforcement officers but I’m grateful that we live in a country where politicians can be replaced. We know this political grandstanding is taking a toll on the psyche of rank and file law enforcement officers, but what do you do if you are instructed to do something that you know isn’t lawful? You do the right thing knowing that you stand for something bigger than self… bigger than one single situation! You stand by the principles you have decided are worth more than yourself.

I truly believe one thing that sets law enforcement officers aside from the rest of society is their decision that some things cannot be negotiable, and the safety of others is worth putting their life on the line. Officers make this decision every time they put on their ballistic vest, strap on their Sam Brown belt and go to work. It may seem silly, but I believe the majority of today’s society decides what they believe in based on their own individual needs without giving thought to society as a whole. We must each decide ahead of time what our principles are, or someone else will decide for us. When it is time to act, you don’t have time to ponder what’s right and what’s wrong. You fall back on your training, not just as an officer but all the way back to who you are as a person of integrity and what made you want to be an officer.

The rules that govern our society are, at their core, nothing more than doing the right thing, and at times you have to place your trust in the fact that sticking to your principles is worth whatever it costs you. I know a little about this because in 2011 I was carrying a federal badge and working in a high-profile position, but my principles would cost me my career, professional reputation, financial well-being, and make me what I am today, a national security threat whistleblower. I never wanted to be a whistleblower. I just wanted to do the right thing. I wanted to protect my country. I wanted my children to be proud of me, and I wanted to provide for my family. Making the decision that made me a whistleblower was easy and almost instantaneous because I had decided ahead of time what my principles were, but the ramifications were swift and harsh. Had I given up and buckled to the immense pressure, I would have compromised my integrity, and that is the only thing in this life that no one can take from you. You must lay it down, stand on your principles and take the heat and NEVER GIVE UP. I had faith that the laws that our society is based upon would back me up, and they did. Justice is not always swift, but it is sure. If you never give up and stick to your principles, I am a believer that you can’t lose. I won’t insult your intelligence by telling you it won’t be painful and there won’t be bad days, but good does win!

So, in this day and age, where doing the right thing doesn’t seem to come naturally for many, be that light on the hill. Be that example that our society desperately needs right now. Do the right thing and know that the laws supported by our society are there to back you up for being that thin blue line. And always remember these things: Elected officials can be replaced, and the loudest voices are not the majority. They are just the loudest! You are supported even when you don’t feel it. Just stay true to who you are and stand strong in your faith and convictions. You are appreciated more than you know! Hold that thin blue line! Our country needs you more now than ever!

Blake Percival worked as a police officer in Alabama and West Virginia before becoming Director of US Investigations Services. Blake became a whistleblower in July 2011 when he exposed that USIS was billing the U.S. Government for roughly around 665,000 background investigations that allegedly had not been properly reviewed. Among those clearances were NSA leaker Edward Snowden and Aaron Alexis, who shot and killed 12 people at the Washington Navy Yard. He has written a book, “Holding on to Integrity and Paying the Price – A Whistleblower’s Story” and is considered a leading authority on the vetting process and investigations.

Every Storm Runs Out Of Rain: The silent majority must stand up

Here we go again, folks. Another wave and another storm of anti-police hate speech, attacks on police and attacks on the beliefs that make this nation so great. If some of you are like me, you probably wake up every day and ask yourself, "What world am I living in?" These storms come and go and those that are doing the right thing do their best to weather them, hunker down and hold fast. They will pass, but at what cost? While some mainstream media outlets and the pandering spineless radical liberal politicians will have you believe that criminals are the victims, cops are the criminals, and anyone who speaks against the progressive agenda is the enemy: others, the silent majority, still stand with the side of law and order.

Recent terrible and tragic injustices which could have led to an important channel of open dialog between civic leaders, law enforcement, and society instead became a hijacked vessel of hate with a new mission. A mission set on destruction. A man dying in police custody should be followed by the gathering of facts surrounding the incident, holding those responsible accountable, and a period of reflection to determine what went wrong and how it can be prevented in the future. None of that happened. Instead, a runaway train filled with anti-government motives, law-breaking behaviors and intolerance toward those who stand between them, headed hell-bent and full-throttle toward the American way of life with the main goal of destroying it.

Police now more than ever need to remain vigilant. We as police are stuck between doing the job that we chose and watching out for our necks as violence toward police has hit the roof. Police are there to help, that's how simple and basic it is. Some would argue that BLUE is the color of the uniform they wear and that if they don't like how they are treated they can take it off anytime. But what happens when no one is left wearing the uniform? What happens when the gutless politicians rewrite the books, doing away with those in BLUE? I can tell you this what we've seen on the news recently about increasing violence and crime in American cities is a sliver of what's to come. American cities and impoverished communities will feel the full brunt of a lawless society

Defunding or abolishing police, whatever you want to call it, is all the same to me. Who in their right mind would want to limit reduce, or restrain the very group responsible for handling society's problems? Sure, if you're a lawless criminal this sounds great, with more potential victims and less police around. It sounds like open season on the vulnerable to me. That's what defund/abolish police means it means, "I don't care about the vulnerable. Any politician who gets behind this message needs to take a long look in the mirror, ask themselves if what they're doing is what they believe is right? Does it do the most good for the most people? Or are they just pandering to save their own skin come election time?

Fortunately, America still currently operates where citizens can be heard in the voting booths. There is a lot of noise that the attention is focused on right now. Rest assured that productive members of society and the like have had to remain silent for some time. They remained silent out of fear that they would be vehemently labeled something that they are not but actions speak louder than words, and action in the voting booth is more important than words on the streets. When this storm of hate and intolerance passes. I hope all you good people out there pick your heads up, carry on and let your voices be heard.

Chris Scilingo is a police officer in NJ since 2011. He's a Marine veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. He holds a bachelor's degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University and is currently pursuing a master's degree. Chris aspires to teach higher education after transitioning from law enforcement.

Warrior's Heart: Why raising your hand during emotional times is hard

History of Service

21 years ago, in July of 1999, I raised my right hand as I took an oath of allegiance to the US Constitution, the United States of America and the United States Army, as a cadet candidate at the United States Military Academy Preparatory School at Ft. Monmouth, NJ. A year later I would enter the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY and raise my hand once again. I have raised my hand numerous times as I was sworn into various ranks, duty assignments and most recently into my current job as a detective in New Jersey. I was a member of a Narcotics Task Force and a breacher on the County Regional SWAT Team. Standing 6’5” and weighing 300 pounds, with a shaved head, a Viking-like beard and tattoos on my arms, one would think by looking at me, nothing could or would hurt me. In reality, I was broken on the inside. I had battled depression, anxiety and alcoholism for years. I felt that I didn’t need help and could do this on my own. I felt that I was strong enough to handle my situation. I was also in fear of my chain-of-command finding out about the “real me” and removing me from the task force and more importantly the team which I loved so much. That exact thinking led to my downfall and eventually my rock bottom.

As warriors, we have raised our right hands and have sworn to protect and serve our country and our communities. We have volunteered for a life of selfless service and would not think twice about giving our own lives to save that of another. Mental health issues are not only real, but are challenges that can be overcome with the right approach, and it all starts with RAISING YOUR HAND.

Journey to Recovery Begins

On Dec. 25, 2018, I had my last alcoholic drink and two days later, my wife called the police after an argument we had and I stormed out of the house emotional and crying. I later wrote her a text saying “I love you, I’m sorry; you’re not going to have to deal with me anymore.”Later that day, I found myself sitting in a hospital awaiting admission into Warrior’s Heart, which is a treatment facility specifically designed to meet the needs of active duty military, veterans and first responders, the only one of its kind in the country. My life had become unmanageable.My first day of recovery was Jan. 1, 2019, the day I entered Warrior’s Heart.

By this time, my chain of command got wind of my situation. I felt like a complete failure. I felt like I let myself down, my department down, my teammates down and more importantly my family down. My depression was at an all-time high. I was stuck in a hospital, which I felt I didn’t belong in and was surrounded by people I never would associate with.How was I feeling in the days and months that led me to being admitted into a hospital? I felt hopeless, a strange feeling that no one would ever want to work with me. I felt that I would never be promoted. I felt that my career was dead in the water.I was in fear of losing my job and my family. My anxiety was at an all-time high. I felt that everyone in my department hated me, including everyone on the team, and even my own partner and my family. I didn’t know where to turn. I was embarrassed and I felt I was weak for being in this situation. I felt ALONE.

Natural Reactions and Impact of Trauma

What I described are all common feelings and emotions that every single service member, veteran and first responder who battles the diseases of addiction, depression, anxiety and PTSD feels on a daily basis. The feeling of worthlessness and self-pity overtake your mind and play games with you. I am here to tell you that these feelings are a natural response to these situations. I am here to tell you that it’s OK to not feel OK. It’s OK to raise your hand.

As warriors, we have to deal with people at the worst times of their lives. We have to deal with the worst that society has to offer. We see the evil in the world on a daily basis. We are victims of either direct trauma or vicarious trauma on a daily basis. Our line of work will affect you both positively and negatively over the course of your career. It is important to take care of your mind just as much as you take care of your body. Our lives also depend on our mental fitness, but for some reason it is not as important to members of the military and first responders as our physical health because we can’t see it. It’s not tangible.

Our minds are what drive us. It is our central processing unit. We are tasked with making split-second decisions, which can ultimately lead to life or death on a daily basis. In order to make those sound split-second decisions, our minds must be operating at the highest level and must be clear. If we are carrying around all those repressed traumatic events, they will eventually lead to our minds and our bodies breaking down. It is the “mind-body” connection. We become short-tempered, angry, overly aggressive, act out in ways that are uncharacteristic of ourselves, engage in dangerous behavior and take unnecessary risks.In other words, we develop maladaptive coping skills.It is estimated that 85% of first responders have experienced symptoms related to mental health issues and 84% of first responders say that they have experienced a traumatic event in the course of their duties. But only 34% of those first responders have received a formal diagnosis with a mental health disorder.It is important as warriors that we process this trauma so we can be better at our jobs and more importantly better for our families.

Smash the Stigma

How can we process this trauma, you ask? By breaking the stigma, raising our hands and asking for help. But why is it so hard for us to raise our hands. According to a Harris Poll which was conducted in February 2017, 39% of first responders say that there are negative repercussions for individuals who seek mental health treatment at work. Of that 39%, 55% say that their supervisor will treat them differently if they bring up their mental health at work, 45% say that their co-workers will perceive them as being weak and 34% say that they will be passed up for promotion if they bring up these concerns.

We need to overcome and smash these stigmas. In my case I had these same fears and anxiety. But I was blessed to have a chain-of-command and a chief who understood—who got it. My chief ensured me that after my treatment I would still have a job. He further went on to say that no one would hold my personal issues against me. This is exactly what I needed to hear. I finally was at ease. I was able to concentrate on rebuilding myself. I was able to concentrate on making myself a better person for myself, so I can be of maximum service to my department and more importantly my family.

Putting in the Work

The next step is putting in the work. We as warriors love to work. While in our jobs we are always looking to do work. I often would use work as a way to escape my reality and keep my mind focused on other things rather than on the things that were bothering me. So why don’t we put in the work into bettering ourselves?

At first, I was reluctant to put that work in. I only wanted to pick and choose what I wanted to work on in my life. First was the alcoholism. I was able to put down the drink, but I never addressed the underlying issues that caused the alcoholism. I was afraid to become vulnerable. I was afraid to feel uncomfortable. Once I was able to get comfortable feeling uncomfortable was when the real work began. With the help of therapists and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) Therapy I was able to “Touch the Dragon” and get to the root causes of my problems and process them.

Upon my return to work, I was a little nervous and hesitant as to how I would be received. I quickly remembered the Serenity Prayer. “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things that I cannot change, the courage to change the things that I can and the wisdom to know the difference.” With this in mind, I knew that I didn’t have control over my chain of command and my colleagues’ view of me. So I didn’t let it bother me. What I do have control over are my own actions. In work as in my personal life I would keep doing the next right thing, no matter what it was. Through my positive actions over time, I was able to change the way my co-workers viewed me and I was able to regain their trust.

As you can see, this journey for me has been a battle but it is not an impossible battle. It can be won with the combination of the right therapy, the right work ethic and the right mindset. I challenge you now to be selfish in your recovery. Put yourself ahead of everything else and take that step to raise your hand. You owe it to your organization, department, co-workers, friends and family to be a better person, be a better soldier, and to be a better officer. But most importantly, you owe it to YOURSELF!

By Bradford Waudby

Lollipop cop to the rescue: Make community policing out #1 priority

For the last few years, law enforcement in this country has seen some major changes with policies and procedures. Some of these changes were long overdue, and police officers have made major strides to build a stronger bond within the community. We all know that some bad police officers will get through the background investigation and be hired by an agency. Unfortunately, one bad police officer can ruin the reputation of a department and sometimes the entire nation. We can no longer allow “bad apples” in our profession and need to aggressively run them out. The news and media outlets can’t wait for something negative to happen to law enforcement. Sometimes they don’t wait and make up a story that will never be disproved.

Today, our brothers and sisters in Blue have a lot to deal with. Some are retiring early and others are just going through the motions. It’s sad the silent majority doesn’t seem to care about what happens to police officers. However, we need to stand together and do whatever possible to keep our profession strong and build on regaining the trust of the people who rely on us every day.

Before retiring, my department spearheaded a community policing initiative that was designed to provide for local youth in town. Here are some pictures of Lollipop doing the great things they do. We hosted a meeting and got all the leaders from the police, fire, schools and various other community groups together. After the meeting we formed a coalition and agreed to have free quarterly community events. This coalition’s goal was to work together on all community projects and help each other throughout the year. This group did some great things together and built a strong bond within the police and the community.

Personally, I feel community policing needs to become a priority in modern-day policing. Police officers desperately need to be able to work with community leaders and have the full support of the public again. Obviously, this isn’t an easy task and some police officers will probably resist this. Our brothers and sisters in Blue need to understand that if we don’t make changes within the community then our profession will go through some harder times. Current training is boring, and most officers just can’t wait to sign off on it so they can go back to duty. We need more realistic hands-on training that involves real-life situations and relevant speakers that can make a positive difference in officer’s lives.

If we don’t attempt to bridge the gap between the police and community, things will only deteriorate more and the police will no longer be the respected profession it once was as in the past. I really wish things were different and people saw us as the “sheepdog” who is the first to put our life on the line; but they are not any longer and we need to continue to do whatever it takes to protect our communities moving forward.

Michael D. Boll is a retired police sergeant in NJ. He previously served as a United States Marine and is a Gulf War veteran. He is the founder of Operation Rebound Racing Team, a nonprofit organization that helps wounded veterans and first responders enjoy a better quality of life.

A Cultural War: Giving an Inch on Campus- Political Correctness is destroying Academia

The phrase give an inch and they will take a mile means making small concessions to someone will allow that person to take advantage of you in a much larger way.

Wouldn’t you know it? When the West Virginia University Chief of Police W.P. Chedester had a Thin Blue Line flag displayed on a wall in the background during a recent hour-long video conversation on diversity, equity and inclusion on campus, many students and professors alike organized a protest and took a position that this “clearly communicates especially to our Black students, Indigenous students and other students of color that their lives do not matter and they are not welcome here.” Media reports referred to the flag as a “Blue Lives Matter flag.”

Captain William P. “W.P.” Chedester II (photo credit: WVU Photo)

In a statement released by Chedester, he said the flag was given to him as a gift. “For me personally, it has always represented a way to honor the commitment I made as a first responder to protect our community. I understand now that it represents something else to many others; something that I now know was traumatic to some of our community tuning in for our conversation. I sincerely did not have any intent to suggest that police lives matter more than black lives, nor was I intentionally trying to cause any harm or offense. Sometimes, there are events that occur that open our eyes to things we have not seen before. The horrible killing of George Floyd has made it clear that we have much work to do in our country and in our own communities. Today I saw a symbol through others’ eyes. As a leader on our campus, I will be more conscientious, intentional and thoughtful. As a community, we also need to lead in that direction” the statement said.

So instead of standing up for the diversity, equity and inclusion of his officers and agency, by instead relenting and removing this flag, open debate and dialogue on different points of view have been stymied and replaced by even more demands.

(Photo Credit: Shutterstock)

The Solidarity for Equality and Compassion (SEC) of West Virginia University has now called for the campus police department to be defunded and effectively disbanded, sending a petition to West Virginia University President E. Gordon Gee, stating those demands, and saying those funds should be reallocated to fund black university initiatives.

The petition lays out a five-step plan that is “needed to provide a safe and open university for students to attend from West Virginia, the U.S. and all over the world.”

1. Prohibit Confederate flags and symbols on all public spaces of the University.

2. Disarm University Police. Having officers work under the campus name who carry firearms does not create a welcoming and inclusive space, especially for black, Indigenous, and people of color students and visitors.

3. Require yearly bias and sensitivity training, as well as bi-annual town halls with the campus police so students and faculty can voice any issues, complaints and queries.

4. Re-route a portion of the policing budget to aid in the mental and social welfare of students, particularly to the Carruth Center and the WVU Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

5 .Foster a working relationship with the Morgantown Police Department for any calls needing armed backup, as well as sporting and entertainment event backup.

An official statement by the university reads in part: “Black Lives Matter at West Virginia University, and we are committed to ensuring that all are respected and welcome on our campus. We are strongest together, and together we can stand against intolerance.”

So where is all of this heading? Silencing competing views is not the answer. I say that, in fact, Black lives matter, blue lives matter, history matters and freedom to express our views and discuss our similarities and differences in a civil and decent way matters, too. We must be able to engage in what some will find to be difficult but possibly enlightening conversations. Isn’t that what freedom of speech and education is supposed to be all about?

Officers at West Virginia University or elsewhere must not be sacrificial lambs on the altar of “political correctness” as police chiefs fail to defend lawful enforcement operations and stand their ground on freedom of expression, thought and debate. Lack of leadership and failure to speak truth must not be deciding factors in the future of our profession, university and college campuses or our nation which has been built on our Constitution, freedoms and the rule of law.

Joel E. Gordon is a former Field Training Officer with the Baltimore City Police Department and is a past Chief of Police for the city of Kingwood, West Virginia. He has also served as vice-chair of a multi-jurisdictional regional narcotics task force. 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. Look him up at stillseekingjustice.com

Law enforcement - The can’t-miss profession

Law enforcement is the only profession where you have to be right from the minute you take the oath of office until you sign your name to receive your pension. It is an unattainable expectation that is not found in some of the most scholarly professions known to man.

Let’s look into what makes our profession a dying breed and something not desired by the current working class. With only six months of training, the cop is a professional driver, lawyer, firearm expert, psychologist, judge, social worker, mental health expert and all while balancing the ultimate responsibility of possibly having to take a life in a split second.

Each of those titles requires many years of schooling and mentoring in addition to practical experience where the one undertaking them is afforded the time and luxury of mistakes. The lawyer can lose the case and keep his license, the doctor can lose a patient on an operating table with no critiques, and the person who has been driving for years can crash and chalk it up to an unfortunate accident. The psychologist can provide advice based on trained methods but bears no real responsibility for the patient’s final demise.

The police officer, on the other hand, has to be right 100 percent of the time on every decision or face immediate drastic consequences and endure an “after the fact” perspective by a group that has no concept of the immense pressure a police officer faces to be right 100 percent of the time.

History has taught us that this is an unachievable expectation dating back to biblical times. How can we expect our police officers to be right all the time? Then society turns its back on them when they don’t meet expectations.

We need to start recognizing the signs of dismay and the stigma that is associated with the despair in policing of modern society. We are treating our cops with a growing negative discourse that is largely unfair. We are ignoring all the signs of self-destruction and asking them despite this to do more with less - Less pay, less appreciation, less self-motivators, less respect and less personal growth. We talk down to them, we disrespect their oath to protect and serve all while still calling them to help us in a time of need. There are two parallel paths that cannot and will not be sustained.

What is society going to do when we call 911 and the phone continues to ring and ring with the silence of the past? What is society prepared to do when the weak can no longer be protected and the predators feast on the same society that condemns our heroes? Finally, what is society going to do when the once-heralded police officer no longer answers to the inherent call for good to protect against evil because society has blurred the line between the two?

Let’s stop stigmatizing our police officers with unrealistic expectations and come to the realization that we answered a higher calling for the sanctity of life. In the end we are the fathers, mothers, sons and daughters who make up the same community you live in. We worship the same God, we value the same morals and beliefs, we get dressed the same way, and we laugh and cry at the same trials and tribulations as you. Give us what we need, the support of humanity.

Christopher Gialanella is a 23-year police veteran currently holding the rank of police captain in the Special Operations Division. 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 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

Remembrance of Office Anthony Dia: "Tell my family I love them."

Toledo Police Officer Anthony Dia was looking forward to finishing his shift and spending the afternoon with his family at a July 4th cookout. Shortly after midnight, Officer Dia responded to a call to check on the well-being of an individual causing a disturbance in a parking lot where a local car show had been held. Just as he arrived on scene and located the suspect, the man pulled a gun and fired a single shot that struck the officer in the chest just outside his body armor. Though mortally wounded, Officer Dia was able to draw his service weapon and return fire. The gunman fled the scene and later took his own life. Anthony Dia keyed his radio which captured his final heartbreaking transmission: “Tell my family I love them”. Not long after... he was gone.

Two hours before he was killed, Officer Dia was asked to pose for a photo with two young boys who were excited to meet a real-life police officer. They were able to see the inside of his patrol car, and he even let them hit the lights and sirens. Officer Anthony Dia was a two-year veteran of the Toledo Police Department and leaves behind a wife and two children. He was 26 years old.

Jonny Castro was a police officer, forensic composite artist, U.S Army Combat Veteran for OIF 2/3 and a portrait of heroes that were killed in the line of duty.

The Oklahoma City Bombing Hits 25 Year Anniversary

The Oklahoma City Bombing Hits 25 Year Anniversary: Exclusive Interview- Retired Oklahoma City Firefighter Chris Fields, featured in the iconic image of the rescue effort, talks to Blue Magazine about his struggle with PTSD

By: Eddie Molina

As the Covid-19 headlines news coverage everywhere, it’s easy to forget other important events. April 19th marked the 25- year anniversary of the worst domestic act of terrorism America has ever seen- the Oklahoma City Bombing.

The iconic image of Chris Fields, pictured above, holds a one year old during rescue operations. Charles Porter IV/ ZUMA Press

On April 19th, 1995, domestic terrorists Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols- motivated by anti-government sentiment- conspired, coordinated and executed a truck bombing attack of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in downtown Oklahoma City. 168 people were killed, hundreds more injured and countless emotional scars were permanently pressed upon the American people.

In the minutes and hours following the devastating attack, dozens of search and rescue teams scoured the debris in hopes of finding survivors to get them desperately needed medical care. One of the first responders, Chris Fields, a now retired Oklahoma City firefighter, was captured in an iconic image carrying an infant- who unfortunately did not survive.

The Blue Magazine reached out to Chris to find out how that fateful, historic event impacted him and how it changed his life forever.

Blue: What was your role in the Oklahoma City bombing rescue effort?

Chris: I was a firefighter and among the first responders on scene searching for survivors.

How has that experience changed you as a person?

Chris: You think about it a hundred different ways and it all comes down to old cliché, you don’t take anything for granted. Every day I wake up and put my feet on the floor is another blessing. But I went through a lot of mental anguish afterwards. The photo was a catalyst for me to seek help for some unprocessed trauma I experienced. Back in those days, (1990’s) you just didn’t talk about it (stress) like you would now.

Were you diagnosed with PTSD?

Chris: Yes, I was. I was one of the ones who thought I was ‘too tough’ to get help. It wasn’t until I hit rock bottom that I sought help. I went to a treatment facility with other first responders and that was a huge help. It taught us you’re no different than anybody else. Once I started dealing with the unprocessed trauma, I realized things became routine with our line of work, like seeing things that other people, like regular civilians, just don’t see and shouldn’t see, that we deal with on a routine basis.

What do you want to tell new Law Enforcement officers and first responders about the stress of the job?

Chris: Well, I can’t tell them, ‘you’re going to experience this, and you’re going to feel that’. Sometimes it can be an accumulation of events or just one single event that can lead a person to experience PTSD.  But in our line of work, you’re going to experience something traumatic. Just know that you are not alone- PTSD is a normal reaction. How you deal with it is up to you- some talk to a buddy, others need to seek professional help. Just don’t wait. There’s no reason trauma should cost you your career, your family, even your life.

Agreed. PTSD shouldn’t be ignored.

The Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in downtown Oklahoma City. David Longstreath/ AP, File

Chris: Yeah, I got to the point where I hit rock bottom, where I didn’t care if I woke up the next day. I came close to where I just wanted to end it. But there are so many avenues out there for people who experienced trauma and it’s different for everybody, as well as different for how you deal with it.

What activities were you doing to cope with PTSD?

Chris: I really love golf and I enjoy being around people. I’m a social person and I found relief in being around others close to me.

What are some signs that someone might have a problem?

Chris: If there are activities or things that you enjoyed doing, and you no longer find joy in doing them, you might have a problem. And if you know that’s the case, and you’re not doing anything about it, believe me, other people will see it. Just go get the help you need. These are different times and it’s ok not to be ok.

Would you say that you’re fully cured of PTSD?

Chris: I would say yes, I am. I have my bad days but I go to the activities I enjoy doing. However, this year was the 25th anniversary of the bombing. I realized that Baylee, the baby I was holding in the photo, would have been 26 years old this year- for some reason that hit me hard.

Do you remember what emotions you were feeling when you found Baylee?

Chris: I do. A police officer handed me Baylee and I remember looking for a blanket to lay her on. At the time I had a two year- old son myself, and I remember thinking ‘wow, someone’s world is going to turn upside down’ and I was overcome with emotion since I had a son around Baylee’s age.

What advice do you want to give First Responders as they are responding to a scene where human casualties are expected?

Chris: First off, I’d say just let your training and adrenalin take over. But more important is what comes afterward. And to that I say, don’t punish yourself- don’t beat yourself up for the feelings and emotions you experience from it. Early on in my career, I chose pride and ego over getting help. I was more concerned with my reputation with my department over my own well-being and that of my family. If you need help, get help, there’s nothing wrong with that.

End of interview.

PTSD is a very serious First Responder issue that can have devastating effects if ignored. If any or all of Chris’ answers strike a chord with you, take that as a potential sign of PTSD.

Chris closed the interview by offering to help anyone struggling with PTSD. If that is the case, please send me an email, eddiemolina78@gmail.com, with your contact information and I can put you in touch with Chris. Remember, if you need help, get help.
For immediate assistance, contact:
CopLine: 1-800-267-5463, available for the United States and Canada.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
Fire/EMS Helpline: 1-888-731-FIRE (3473).

Uncertainty The Road Ahead

Uncertainty The Road Ahead

By Daniel Del Valle, George Beck Ph.D., and Joel E. Gordon

We will overcome the coronavirus pandemic. That’s a fact. You can take that check to the bank. It will end and humanity will survive just like every other pandemic and plague that's affected mankind; we will continue forward. But what will the road ahead look like for law enforcement? How long will the current goodwill toward policing last before we are once again the enemy? 

In the aftermath of 9/11, recall the American flag waving at nearly every home and the constant admiration of officers who were placed in harm’s way—the endless thank yous for doing the job few wanted to do—the smiles and handshakes and appreciation were at all-time highs. Yet, it didn’t take long before we were the target of politicians and opportunists, boiling to the point of anti-police riots and assassinations of officers simply for the uniform they wore. In the days of the Ferguson riots, American flags were burned, and crowds shouted how they wanted dead cops now! Clearly, any sign of appreciation toward law enforcement had long evaporated. So why would anything be different this time? Will the aftermath of the coronavirus be an anomaly and the goodwill we are experiencing now last forever? That’s not only naïve to believe; it’s an irresponsible thought. 

It’s one thing to argue that people appreciate you when they need you. In other words, now, while everyone is quarantined and out of danger, the police are out there risking their lives for the safety of everyone, so they are not surprisingly appreciated and praised. But when this pandemic passes, and officers are no longer needed to take the risks others won't take, many of those same people who praised law enforcement have short memories. Then what happens? History shows us the goodwill toward officers dries up quickly and those old feelings of negative law enforcement sentiments are back on the opportunists' lips. 

But the aftermath of the COVID-19 will be more complicated. The truth is state and federal governments are spending and borrowing at record amounts never before seen. The cost of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic is unprecedented,  and the impending doom from a collapsed economy offers a grim future where all the doomsday folks stocking up on toilet paper and ammo may be correct. It’s the collateral damage that will be far higher than the destruction caused by the virus. The countless suicides and broken families and the loss of wealth and exploitation will be similar to the experiences felt during the Great Depression. Will we, as a society, get to a point where some cities start to look like post-apocalyptic wastelands? 

Inevitably law enforcement will be impacted on the road ahead. On what scale is yet to be determined, but plausibly hardships are on the horizon. In Baltimore, for example, the third most dangerous American city according to CBS News, the city recently offered its officers hazard pay, recognizing that they are putting themselves in extra unique danger. Now faced with a projected loss of $103 million for the fiscal year 2021, the city is attempting to recover “$11 million in savings from personnel spending.” Not only did the city decide to take that hazard pay back, but it’s also now asking for even more from its officers and has offered three options for Baltimore Police to consider accepting: 

Option 1 - Freeze all salaries at the FY20 amount and forgo collectively bargained raises. This option would eliminate the 3% salary increase due to officers on July 1, 2020, that was bargained for in good faith by the FOP and the City in 2018.

Option 2 - Unit members would receive either 4, 5 or 6 furlough days, depending on salary. Because officers are “essential employees,” they would be required to work and suffer a salary reduction for the total amount of furlough days.

Option 3 - This option would eliminate pay freezes and furlough days; however, it would include 173 layoffs of full-time employees. Layoffs would include non-essential employees currently on permission leave along with specialized public safety functions such as BPD’s Mounted Unit, Marine Unit and Traffic Units.

Notice some striking keywords in the options above? Salary freezes, no raises, furlough days, salary reductions and layoffs. It didn’t take long for an apparent “appreciative” city to go from paying hazard pay to kicking those same officers to the curb. Meanwhile, those same officers are still on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic, risking their health and lives to serve and protect, yet if they were to get sick, the promise of a possible layoff and no health insurance is potentially in the near future. 

“I am furious and disgusted with the mayor and his administration for asking our members to shoulder the burden of this crisis both physically and now financially,” said Sgt. Mike Mancuso, president of the Baltimore City Police FOP Lodge. “We have had 350 members who have been quarantined, 63 who are awaiting test results, and 19 who have tested positive for COVID-19. According to all projections, this is just the beginning of what could be a devastating couple of weeks for our area.”

Imagine what safety and security will look like for Baltimore soon. It's already a dangerous place because some estimates show the police department is already 500 officers short. However, including layoffs and furloughs will make Baltimore a city no one will want to live in, work in or visit, hence additional financial hardships and unprecedented spikes in crime. The officers remaining on the crippled agency will risk their lives tenfold for a city that is outright telling them they do not matter. The question many officers must consider is whether it is worth the risk. 

In addition to severe projected budget shortfalls as a result of an ailing economy and reduced tax revenue base due to the COVID-19 response, some see the COVID-19 pandemic as a unique opportunity for police reform. Recently, Philadelphia Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw instructed her officers to delay arrests for low-level criminal offenses, such as narcotics activity. Meanwhile, in Chicago, and elsewhere police have been advised to reduce the number of stops and arrests for low-level crimes to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The pandemic has altered policing across the nation; it’s not surprising the calls for police reform are growing louder. Opportunists are using the pandemic to push further police reform, citing that departments can reflect and analyze how adjustments may be working to change the perception and efficiency of law enforcement.

Take James Nolan, professor of sociology at West Virginia University and a former police officer words for example. “The current logic of traditional policing requires aggressive force. The image of the good officer is often one who makes a lot of arrests and is always prepared to use force rather than back down when challenged. Likewise, in neighborhoods where residents have lost faith in the police and civil authorities, gun violence is required for self-protection and for settling disputes. As horrific as the COVID-19 pandemic has been for the police and local communities, its sudden appearance has changed police behavior in noticeable ways. Reforms have come quickly as the new conditions have suddenly made the practical logic of policing impractical.”

Looking forward, if the new normal becomes less active enforcement along with diminished citizen engagement, that could easily result in nationwide furloughs and police staffing reductions as government bureaucrats nationwide justify such decisions by calling them reforms while looking to cut costs. Remember many of these folks are the ones who took the locks off the jails and let the inmates out.

Yes, we will overcome the coronavirus pandemic. But our profession will have challenges ahead. Let us stand up against reductions in law enforcement staffing to prevent “the thin blue line” from becoming even thinner. Officer safety and the common good for our communities require it. When we are needed, we are praised and appreciated, yet, the road ahead is likely filled with layoffs, salary freezes and reductions, and, well, if our profession is not prepared, we will be blindsided by the same charlatans who smilingly shakes our hands one day, and kick us in the ass the next.

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

Welcome to another excellent issue of Blue Magazine. We have a lot of information to share with you.

So far, 2020 has been challenging. The coronavirus is a significant health issue that has taken the lives of many people, and we at Blue Magazine mourn the loss of all those who died from COVID-19 related illnesses. We also extend our support to those continuing to battle the virus. 

We must also acknowledge the truth that the coronavirus has sadly morphed into a major political issue, and the collateral damages are devastating. Yet, it seems nobody wants to have this conversation. Why? Why can’t we discuss the starvation — the suicides and the utter destruction caused by the shutdown? Does anyone care that many people are down to their last few packages of ramen noodles? Why can’t we hear the perspective of the families struggling with hunger from loss of employment, and how sad it is they put their children in bed at night knowing they are hungry? Why is this not part of the discussion? As I said, yes, the coronavirus is serious, and so are starvation, depression, unemployment and suicide. 

Is it any wonder why protests to end the shutdown are assembling en masse? Many people are asking why these protesters are not listening. Some claim it’s a lack of education or a misinformed rebellious spirit that drives these folks. I see this differently. The rebellion against the shutdown is the direct result of taking a one-sided approach. People have legitimate grievances that are being ignored. At the same time, they are told to shut up — that science is the answer, and their struggles don’t matter. We must make certain the cure is not worse than the disease.

The road ahead for our profession is full of uncertainty. We are taking the brunt of the effects of the coronavirus and the shutdown, and in the near future could realistically see unemployment, increases in officers getting hurt or killed and wrongful prosecutions as the scapegoats of the shutdown. Be sure to check out the cover story where much of this is addressed.

As we move forward in 2020, it pains me to write about the loss of our Blue Magazine writer, Dr. Joseph Devine.

Dr. Devine was not only a coworker and mentor, but he was also my friend. No matter what time I called, he answered. We co-authored articles together. Leadership was his passion. He was a leader who built other leaders. He wasn’t afraid to lift others up.  Dr. Devine was a great man who genuinely cared for his family and friends. We’ll miss him greatly.  Dr. Devine’s sudden passing reminds us to slow things down and to cherish the good people in our lives and spend as much time as we can with those who really care about us. Rest In Peace, Dr. Devine. Your impact on the lives of many is everlasting.