ARE YOUR KIDS SAFE?

SNEAK PEEK OF AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH LT. SCIORTINO FROM THE NEW JERSEY STATE POLICE

Blue: What happens if a kid receives an image on their phone that's explicit and it's involving a child, what law is in violation? For example, if that child forwards that photograph to his friends or other people?

LT. Sciortino: It has happened. CSAM (child sexual abuse material), formerly known as child pornography. But that's the acronym we go with now. If somebody receives SAM and they don't know what to do, we've had it where they panic. They want to send it to their parents or to a teacher, or to law enforcement. Don't do that. That's distribution. Technically it would be the distribution of child sexual abuse material. We tell everybody to memorialize that. Keep it on your phone and then report it to the police. Police have to see it and make a determination. Does that meet the requirements of child sexual abuse material? The age requirements. Police have to look at it. It now all depends on what platform you're on.

Blue: The internet crimes that are being committed against children, are they usually repetitive offenders?

LT. Sciortino: So you have a lot of repetitive offenders that you know they get out and maybe they're waiting for trial or sentencing. But with the way technology is, people can go on anonymously and they can still commit the crime. One of the worst cases that I did when I was a junior detective, the suspect was locked up years ago using AOL to send child abuse material and then we fast forward about 10 years later and he was hands-on abusing infants and toddlers.

Blue: For example, with Facebook, how fast do they discover these type of crimes and report it?

LT. Sciortino: They're getting a lot too, they got a lot going on. There could be stuff that's right away and then there could be stuff they didn't get to it. They have to prioritize the amount they have to do. We have these tips I mentioned, we have what we call different priorities. If we get a high priority one, it looks like it's imminent danger where Kids going to be hands on. They will get that to us immediately.

" I made a comment where I said, I don't get this, and he said, it's good because if you did, we'd probably be investigating you if you understood it... I can tell you this much that sometimes if you've been abused, that cycle continues and some people will think like, oh, I would want to make sure that doesn't happen. And there are people who say, hey, I was abused. I'm going to be an advocate to make sure this stops. But then there's others that continue that cycle and that's what gets in their head. They were trained, groomed and just the cycle continues. So if I had to point to one little thing, l'd say that because we have seen that, we've seen suspects say, this happened. It happened to me. "

NJ GOVERNOR PHIL MURPHY LEAVES A MESSAGE TO THE NEW JERSEY STATE POLICE

As public officials, our most important obligation is protecting the safety and well-being of all our residents. Today, the Garden State ranks among the safest states in the nation — and that is in no small part because of the leadership and vision of the Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police, Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, along with all of the hardworking NJSP Troopers that serve under his command.

Colonel Callahan has diligently served as a member of the New Jersey State Police for nearly three decades. At every stage of his career, he has demonstrated what it means to be a true leader to the men and women that serve by his side. I’m proud to not only count Superintendent Callahan as a member of my Cabinet, but as a dear personal friend as well. It has been one of the great honors of my career in public service to work alongside him over the past seven years.

Our New Jersey State Troopers put their lives on the line every day to protect communities and families across the Garden State. As always, I am incredibly grateful for their service and commitment to upholding the principles of Honor, Duty, and Fidelity. Their commitment to protecting and serving our families also extends far beyond traditional law enforcement responsibilities. Since 2018, I have had the privilege of partnering with the New Jersey State Police to develop innovative ways to combat auto thefts, save lives from gun violence, respond to severe weather threats, and build new bonds of trust between members of law enforcement and the communities they serve. 

I couldn’t be prouder of the New Jersey State Police’s well-earned reputation as our nation’s preeminent statewide law enforcement division.

Thank you to Blue Magazine for its recognition of Colonel Callahan and the New Jersey State Police.

Remembering our great friend Michael Failace

IN MEMORIAM

People come into your life at just the right time when you need them the most.  A connection and bond are formed to fill in the gaps and bring you back to the light.  Once their mission is accomplished, they are free to move on. 

The pain and loss will forever be felt, and the courage to proceed has been facilitated by your grace. I miss you brother and I miss my best friend, God speed Michael Failace.
3/23/66-5/9/24

-Kevin P. Donaldson

TUNNEL TO TOWERS UPGRADES TROOPER'S HOME

PHOTO CREDIT: NJSP

Sergeant First Class Sean Acker enlisted in the Air Force in 1998 and reached the rank of Staff Sergeant before retiring from the military.

He joined the New Jersey State Police in 2006 and spent seven years on the road before becoming an instructor at the academy.

In February 2022, SFC Acker suffered a severe medical injury, he spent three weeks fighting for his life in the critical care unit before moving to a long-term rehabilitation facility. Trooper Acker had been blessed by Tunnels to Towers Foundation which has been providing him with a smart home, specialized for heroes like him.

The Blue Magazine and Moment of Silence would like to thank Tunnels to Towers Foundation for all the charitable work they do for Law Enforcement and First Responders.

NEW JERSEY STATE POLICE NARCOTICS

Detective Anthony Pompei #7917 and | were lucky enough to be selected to represent the Crime Suppression Central Unit and State Police as co-troopers of the year for 2022. This recognition wasn't the result of just one job or just the work by myself and Det. Pompei. It was the result of a collective team effort between us and the other detectives within the Crime Suppression Central Unit. The hard work, determination, and ability to work in sync as a team all with a common goal of disrupting the flow of drugs, weapons, and violent crime into the state is what that recognition was the result of.

One of the biggest narcotics seizures I have investigated occurred last year (2023). We were able to identify a large scale narcotics trafficker within the NJ/ NY area from information provided by a confidential informant. As a result of many surveillance hours by Crime Suppression Detectives and various advanced electronic surveillance techniques. We were able to identify a tractor-trailer and "trapped out" vehicle the target was utilizing to facilitate his distribution network. Ultimately we executed a Search Warrant on that vehicle and seized 18kilos from an advanced electronically operated hidden compartment concealed within the vehicle and over 700k in cash from illegal narcotics distribution activities.

What I would tell other narcotic detectives is, to be smart, learn from your senior detectives and remember, a drug dealer has to be right every single time they engage in their distribution activities. We in law enforcement only have to be right once to disrupt their distribution activities.

A MESSAGE FROM ONE OF LAW ENFORCEMENTS BIGGEST SUPPORTERS

The resounding echoes of valor that resonate within the hallowed halls of justice paint a vivid picture of unwavering dedication and steadfast commitment embodied by the esteemed members of the New Jersey State Police. United in purpose with law enforcement agencies across the nation, these courageous individuals stand as vigilant guardians of community safety and well-being, confronting challenges that threaten the very fabric of society with unyielding resolve.

With a foundation built upon professionalism, integrity, and an indomitable sense of duty, the New Jersey State Police exemplify excellence in every aspect of their service. Whether traversing the highways or delving into the intricacies of criminal investigations, their commitment to upholding the rule of law within the Garden State shines brightly. From their swift responses to emergencies to their proactive crime prevention measures and unwavering support for those in need, their passion stems from a deep-rooted dedication to their noble cause.

It is incumbent upon us to acknowledge and pay tribute to the invaluable contributions made by these selfless guardians, who sacrifice tirelessly to ensure the safety and security of our society. Let us pause to extend our heartfelt gratitude for their sacrifices and infinite commitment to public safety. To all those brave souls who proudly bear the badge - your tireless efforts do not go unnoticed.

Blue Lives Matter!

Caesar DePaço & Deanna Padovani-DePaço

BLUE MAGAZINE RECOGNIZES DON NICOLETTI - BLUE PHILANTTHROPIST

The Blue Magazine would like to highlight retired Sergeant Don Nicoletti, Closter NJ Police Department. Don started the Christmas Toy Drive named "Santa's Response Team" with the help of Closter PBA.

This Christmas will be the 36th year giving toys to children. Local and state agencies collect toys and they get distributed at the Closter Fire Department. It gives the Blue Magazine great pleasure to honor our brother Don Nicoletti for his dedication and commitment to make every child smile at Christmas. No child is ever forgotten because of Don !!

Remembrance: New Jersey State Trooper Marcellus Bethea

Remembrance: New Jersey State Trooper Marcellus Bethea

On Sunday May 5 2024, New Jersey State Trooper Marcellus Bethea tragically passed away while conducting training at the New Jersey State Police headquarters in Ewing, NJ. At the time of his death, Trooper Bethea was training to join the elite TEAMS (Technical Emergency and Mission Specialists) Unit; who handle the most serious police emergencies, including hostage situations and counter-terrorism operations.

Trooper II Marcellus Bethea was an 8-year veteran of the New Jersey State Police and was assigned to Troop D at the Moorestown Station on the New Jersey Turnpike. He was a senior member of his squad and was highly respected by his peers. They remember him as a man of action who always led by example. Though he stood at roughly 6’4” tall and weighed 200 pounds, Marcellus was a soft-spoken, gentle giant with an even bigger heart.

Trooper Bethea was 33-years old. He leaves behind a wife and daughter.

Sheriff Lamb Comes to New Jersey

Sheriff Lamb Comes to New Jersey
By: BLUE Magazine’s Editorial Team

Recently, Pinal County, Arizona, Sheriff Mark Lamb was in New Jersey as an honored guest of the Blue Magazine while enjoying camaraderie among the law enforcement brethren.

The visit was multi-faceted with a busy full-day itinerary. Sheriff Lamb was honored to become more familiar with some of the local officers while attending a Paterson police roll call. The police officers in Paterson were enthusiastic to meet him.

Sheriff Lamb then went on to take in some of the sights in New Jersey accompanied by BLUE magazine staff. A notable waterway river tour by the New Jersey State Police Marine Unit was a special event that was most appreciated by all.

Another highlight of his day in New Jersey was as a special guest at the BLUE Magazine podcast where topics such as politics, illegal immigration, fentanyl and child trafficking were explored.

Sheriff Lamb was also taken on a facilities tour to learn of the good work of the Avatar Alcohol and Drug Recovery Center in Ringwood which makes itself available to a wide variety of individuals including first responders. The sheriff met with the staff there.

The busy day in New Jersey concluded with a special celebratory dinner at The Brownstone in Paterson. Sheriff Lamb has been a staunch supporter of the BLUE Magazine and law enforcement and we were honored to be in his presence. Thank you to all participants who made this great day possible.

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Do We Still Remember?

SHERIFF CLARKE REMEMBERS TROOPER WERNER FOERSTER WHO WAS MURDERED BY ONE OF THE FBI’S MOST WANTED

By: Sheriff David A. Clarke, Jr. (Ret.)

There is a saying that is uttered and repeated during National Police Week every May and after a law enforcement officer is killed in the line of duty. It simply states, we will never forget. Every law enforcement officers' death in the line of duty leaves all of us who serve, past and present, with an empty feeling as the somber and solemn process begins to lay the officer to rest. Flags are lowered to half staff. The community where the officer served turns out to line the street where the funeral procession drives by. A line of police cruisers from agencies all over America flashing red and blue take down lights follow the hearse that transports the slain officer to the church and then to the cemetery where taps and a twenty-one gun salute ring out before the casket is lowered into the ground. I always say to myself, there but for the grace of God go I. I made it nearly 40 years in law enforcement. I have attended funerals for officers killed in the line of duty from other agencies and those from my own agency, some of whom were colleagues and partners.

As I write this piece, the New York Police Department just honored one of their officer’s killed in the line of duty. I watched the funeral procession into the church and couldn’t help but notice a woman holding a small child following the coffin into the church. It was the officer’s wife holding the one-year old child of the slain officer; a child too young to know what was going on and who will never know his father as he grows up. That was numbing to me. I have worked with the group that assists the survivors of officers killed in the line of duty. It’s called COPS -Concerns of Police survivors. I have talked to surviving spouses and children long after the event. I walk away numb. I have attended numerous Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Day observances both local and the national one held in Washington DC. There is a memorial wall that contains the names of over 20,000 cops killed in the line of duty. Every officer should make the journey to the nation’s Capital and visit the wall. It will be a sobering experience especially when you see names inscribed who you know personally.

There is one name inscribed on the wall that I made particular effort to look for on a visit to Washington D.C. It may be an obscure name to many and may have been to me as well except that in my journey across America in support of the service, courage and sacrifice of officers past and present as the war on cops was in full bloom, I ran into a Trooper from the New Jersey State Police in 2017. He told me the story of one of their Troopers, Werner Foerster, who was viciously killed during a traffic stop. He told me that the killer was a fugitive from justice and asked if I could use the platform I had gained with my profile as sheriff having reached national attention, to bring light to the fact that the killer remains at large.

I did some research about this officer and learned that in 1973, Trooper Werner Foerster responded to back up another Trooper on a traffic stop on the Jersey Turnpike. A shootout quickly ensued. An occupant inside the vehicle fired shots striking one Trooper. Foerster was wounded in the gunfire exchange and as he lay on the ground, the female assailant exited the car, took his weapon which was laying next to him and fatally shot him in the head. That female was

Joanne Chesimard. She uses the alias Assata Shakur. Chesimard at the time was a member of the revolutionary group, the Black Panther Party. She later aligned herself with another violent group called the Black Liberation Party. Her life of crime included participation in murder, robbery and kidnapping. She was charged in several instances but not convicted. Chesimard was convicted in the assassination of Trooper Foerster in 1979 and sentenced to life in prison. Foerster was survived by a wife and a 3-year-old son. But the story doesn’t end there.

In 1979 Joanne Chesimard with the assistance of several other armed Black Liberation Army members was able to escape prison. She remained at large until she was located in Cuba. She was granted asylum by Cuban President Fidel Castro where she remains today. The U.S. government does not have diplomatic relations with Cuba so having her extradited back to serve out her sentence is not likely to happen. She is in her mid seventies today. One of her accomplices has been recently paroled by the New Jersey Supreme Court who ruled he was no longer a threat to society at 85 years old. It is why I have advocated for it to be a federal capital crime to murder a police officer, punishable by death upon conviction. Few states allow the death penalty even for murder. This would make for consistent prosecution.

Another sickening twist to this is that Chesimard is talked about and viewed in the black community like she is some sort of folk hero. In stories about her today she is described as a political activist and even as a cultural icon. No she isn’t. She is a scumbag, stone-cold cop-killer. She is currently listed on the FBI wanted top terrorist list to this day, the first female ever listed on an FBI terrorist wanted list. She was recently depicted in an array of black civil rights people including Frederic Douglas, Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr. This is part of the cultural rot that exists in the black community today when they list her among the truly admirable black civil rights greats as if she is some modern-day Harriet Tubman or Sojourner Truth. No black parent with daughters should use Chesimard as a role model or someone to look up to. She has authored several books and given several interviews with U.S. journalists. Protests should have been held at any bookstore with her filth on their shelves. I find this repulsive and so should everybody.

When Joanne Chesimard aka Assata Shakur dies, the US State Department should request that her body be returned to the U.S. In a symbolic gesture, her body should be transported to the state prison she escaped from and her next of kin notified that they could claim her body there. If no one steps forward, then she should be buried in a pauper's cemetery in an unmarked plot used for unclaimed bodies to die in obscurity.

That would be justice for Trooper Warner Foerster. I would never forget that.

Sheriff David A. Clarke Jr. is former Sheriff of Milwaukee Co, Wisconsin, President of America’s Sheriff LLC, President of Rise Up Wisconsin INC, Board member of the Crime Research Center, author of the book Cop Under Fire: Beyond Hashtags of Race Crime and Politics for a Better America. To learn more visit www.americassheriff.com

Cover Story - Empowering Sisterhood: How We Band Together for Support and Growth

Empowering Sisterhood: How We Band Together for Support and Growth
By Lt. Kimberly Stratman (Ret.)

In the high-stakes world of emergency response, we, as female first responders, stand as testaments to courage and resilience. Our tendencies have often been labeled as “bitchy, controlling, angry, dramatic” and worse instead of the more accurate “strong, stubborn, flexible, confident.” We know better. Despite our critical roles in saving lives and maintaining safety, we often encounter unique challenges within our professions. Let’s explore the powerful impact we make by joining forces with other women to support each other and strengthen our presence in the field.

Breaking Barriers Together
I joined the Dallas Police Department in 1989. At that time, not everyone in the profession or the community was welcoming, which is putting it mildly. Being smaller in stature, I encountered a range of reactions. Some people were curious and supportive, while others were downright insulting. This treatment and my calm, professional reaction was practice for harsher statements that would occur over the years.

Traditionally, fields such as firefighting, law enforcement and emergency medical services have been male-dominated. As female first responders, we not only handle the physical and mental demands of our jobs but also navigate the complexities of a work environment where we are often in the minority. By forming supportive networks, we create safe spaces to share experiences, offer advice and provide mentorship. These connections are vital, helping each of us feel less isolated and more empowered in our roles.

Enhancing Skills and Confidence
Group trainings and workshops are a core part of how we support one another. We participate in specialized training sessions that cater specifically to our needs and challenges in the field. These gatherings are opportunities for skill enhancement, where we share strategies for handling physical demands and managing stress. The collaborative atmosphere fosters confidence, as we learn and grow together, strengthening our capabilities and readiness for the challenges of the job.

Have you considered attending or even creating a training event for other women? Range Days and promotional workshops are more common now than years past. What other topics or areas of interest could you or a group of your cohorts bring to other female first responders?

Advocacy and Visibility
Advocacy is another significant aspect of our women’s groups. We are uniquely positioned to understand the specific barriers women face in our careers. By uniting, we amplify our voices to advocate for necessary changes in our industries, such as improved protective gear tailored for women, equitable career advancement opportunities, and better support for work-life balance. These efforts not only improve conditions for current first responders but also pave the way for future generations of women entering these fields.

Women of the Dallas Police Department came together, with the support of community members and even male coworkers, to establish Lactation Rooms at police substations. Previously, new mothers discontinued nursing prior to returning to work or did so in bathroom stalls. This is important for the health of our babies, but is also a retention tool to keep female officers on the job after the birth of their children.

Building a Supportive Community
The quote, “Together we are stronger, together we are unbroken, together we can do anything.” - of unknown origin, is clear in its meaning. Social support is crucial in managing the emotional and psychological toll of first response work. Networking events, regular meetings and online forums are some of the ways we stay connected. Beyond professional support, these groups often evolve into close-knit communities offering personal support, which can be particularly beneficial for those dealing with job-related trauma or needing advice on personal challenges.

While I enthusiastically encourage fellowship with women outside our profession, we can deeply benefit from connection with other first responders. There are times when we do not want to explain ourselves. We just want to feel, laugh, cry and complain with sisters who are doing the same.

A Call to Action
The movement of female first responders banding together is growing, but there is always more that can be done. For those of us in the field, joining an existing network or even starting a new group can be incredibly rewarding. For the wider community and policymakers, supporting these initiatives is crucial for building a more inclusive and supportive emergency response environment.

We are not just saving lives—we are pioneers in our fields, challenging norms and setting new standards. As we join with other women to support and uplift each other, we reinforce the foundation of an essential profession, ensuring it is stronger and more inclusive for everyone who follows.

Kimberly Stratman retired as a lieutenant from the Dallas Police Department after an exciting and fulfilling 30-year career. She and her law enforcement husband have two grown sons and two dogs that get lots of attention. Kimberly is the owner of To the Point Coach, a Certified Retirement Life Coach and Certified Life Coach service that focuses on first responders. Her goal is to ensure our law enforcement community thrives. She can be reached @ tothepointcoach.org

Managing Editor's Message

Welcome to another online edition of BLUE Magazine. Our summer is flying by as we continue to navigate what seems to be an increasingly complex and dangerous world.

This edition features Women in Law Enforcement and the 30x30 Initiative. The 30x30 Initiative’s Website says it best:

Currently, women make up only 12% of sworn officers and 3% of police leadership in the U.S.    

This under-representation of women in policing undermines public safety. Research shows women officers use less force and less excessive force; are named in fewer complaints and lawsuits; are perceived by communities as being more honest and compassionate; see better outcomes for crime victims, especially in sexual assault cases; and make fewer discretionary arrests.

The 30×30 Initiative is a coalition of police leaders, researchers, and professional organizations who have joined together to advance the representation and experiences of women in policing agencies across the United States.

The ultimate goal is to increase the representation of women in police recruit classes to 30% by 2030, and to ensure police policies and culture intentionally support the success of qualified women officers throughout their careers.

Our valued contributors have helped make this edition possible and provide honest assessment of being a female in a historically male dominated profession. Captain Heather Glogolich, a true inspiration to her colleagues, writes about 30x30 and leadership in her article LIVE THE LIFE YOU DESERVE. Monica Crawford encourages us all to be Thriving Inside the Thin Blue Line. Darci Werner provides us insight into family support with her essay BIG T small t TRAUMA. And don’t miss our Cover Story by Lieutenant Kimberly Stratman (Ret.) Empowering Sisterhood: How We Band Together for Support and Growth

BLUE Magazine continues to lead the charge against Blue Suicide through our sister organization Moment of Silence. Remember that permanent solutions to temporary problems are always unwise. Continue to back up your fellow officers and reach out to us as we remain dedicated to your well-being and career success.

Joel E. Gordon, Managing Editor

Live The Life You Deserve

Live The Life You Deserve
By Captain Heather Glogolich, Ed.D.

The power to make a change is within you. Most people would have never guessed I was 230 lbs back in 2021. I had Lyme disease and went undiagnosed for 6 years. I felt OK but I was always tired and figured it was because of four kids and shift work.I could not take the weight off no matter what I did. I was finally diagnosed with Lyme after some neurological issues presented themselves. Medication and a strict meal plan helped me combat the Lyme and I was able to lose some weight. I ended up having a hip replacement and then was able to focus on health and wellness.

I do not like boring workouts, and I need to be pushed. Jiu jitsu has been a huge motivator for that and 3 years later I have lost 75 lbs. I do think not working shift work really helped with my last 25 lbs but I also started to choose me no matter what. I scheduled time to work on me. Not just physically but mentally and emotionally. I’ve made life changes and let go of toxic people and the effects have been amazing. I love my life. I love how I feel. As my very good friend Tom Rizzo always says, “If you do not surround yourself with people that help you be the best version of yourself, you do not have a circle – you have a cage.”

I still deal with Lyme and now Type 1 Diabetes but it’s just one thing to work through. I will not allow it to hold me back. I work out 5-7 days a week with a group of people who show up for each other in all the ways. We come together at 5 a.m. in Lyndhurst at Subforce Jiu Jitsu to be the best versions of ourselves on and off the mats. Any of my fellow brothers and sisters are welcome to join us any day of the week. Let go of excuses. Find your passion. Self-care is not selfish – it's selfless.

Now, transition my personal success into professional success. Dreams do come true. NJIT Police Department hired me in September of 2023 and with this change, I was promoted to captain. Chief Kevin Kesselman brought me into NJIT PD to help enhance the culture. In addition, he wanted me to not only help our administrative team to recruit qualified women but to ensure we retain them. In August, there were only two women officers at NJIT PD. Now there are nine. And we are about to hire more. What an honor it was to lead a squad of all women for a full patrol shift.

It could not have been done without the support and alliance of some incredible men. These women are not just placeholders to meet some initiative for diversity and inclusion. They are quality officers who are rounding out our incredible agency. They are sisters, daughters, moms, and friends. They are soft and they are strong. I hope that I’ve allowed them to feel comfortable in who they are as women in a very male-dominated profession. I hope I continue to lead by example in a way that positively impacts them professionally and personally. I hope they realize that they don’t have to sacrifice who they are as individuals in order to be great law enforcement officers.

The 30x30 initiative is phenomenal as long as we do not let go of the minimum mandatory requirement for women to qualify for this job. Some will argue with me that the physical requirements make it harder for women to get hired. If you want to be a part of this career then you need to work for it. You need a certain GPA to get accepted into college and so yes you should meet a certain physical requirement to be a cop. And I will go as far to say that you should continue to meet those requirements throughout your entire career. This is coming from someone who was absolutely not fit for the job for a long time. No, push-ups won’t save my life. But the self-discipline to make sure I rise above and beyond those minimal requirements will prove more valuable than anyone could imagine.

I hope that I am just the small ripple that starts a huge tidal wave of what the future of policing will look like. To my ladies at NJIT - it is an honor to work alongside you and a blessing to watch your journeys. Life is too short to not live your life to the fullest; so go live your life. Everyone is born but not everyone lives. I can only hope that this personal vulnerability helps anyone who needs to hear it. At 44 years old, I’ve made the life I deserve to have. And you deserve the same.

Heather Glogolich is a 20-year NJ law enforcement professional. She recently transferred from the Morris Township Police Department at the rank of Lieutenant. Heather is currently a Captain with the New Jersey Institute of Technology Department of Public Safety and holds a Doctorate of Higher Education from Saint Elizabeth University. She is an instructor for the NJ Chiefs of Police Command & Leadership Training Course, and is a PTC Certified Police Academy Instructor.

Are Drones Critical Equipment for Law Enforcement?

Are Drones Critical Equipment for Law Enforcement?
By Ken Dye

Enter the drone. A “hot” call is received. A drone can be launched almost immediately, arriving at the call before or shortly after the officers.

The drone can survey the area using the on-board infra-red, light, speaker and other capabilities including wireless and seamless data The information can be relayed to the officers or dispatch if the drone sees any suspicious activity. Situational awareness can be enhanced expotenially.

Based on recent FBI statistics, the number of police officers killed in the line of duty has been declining. The number of officers killed in unprovoked or ambush attacks are increasing.

In Euclid, Ohio, a police officer on a domestic call is ambushed by wanted felon. In Brevard County, Fla., a deputy is killed in ambush attack. In Salina, NY (think Syracuse), two officers were killed in yet another ambush attack.

The tactics used by law enforcement in response to a potentially dangerous situation or call are fairly standard. Hell, all law enforcement calls for service or self-initiated activity are potentially dangerous.

Drones have the capability to cover more ground and see more than officers on foot while searching for a suspect.

Additionally, drones have an important place in search and rescue operations.

The howl will rise from the guardians of social justice and those who fret over the potential for misuse. There will be a challenge to every aspect of drones used for police work.

The officers who walk out that front door must be given every opportunity to return.

Drones will become a law enforcement necessity in the near future.

“A Community That Supports Law Enforcement Is a Safe Community.”

Ken Dye is the author of 5 books about crime, cops and bad guys in the St. Louis area. He Blogs under “Cops Perspective” and has over 20,000 followers. Ken served with the St. Louis County Police Department for 13 years and finished his LE career with the Illinois Criminal Justice Authority as the administrator for the statewide MEG’s and Narcotics Task Forces.

POLITICS IS TOUGH: Professionalism vs. Popularity

POLITICS IS TOUGH: Professionalism vs. Popularity
By Joel E. Gordon

“Adhere to your purpose and you will soon feel as well as you ever did. On the contrary, if you falter, and give up, you will lose the power of keeping any resolution, and will regret it all your life.”  – Abraham Lincoln

Lincoln was, perhaps, the most successful president that the United States of America ever had. After having been part of a greatly successful law practice, he saved the United States, helped to abolish slavery and spoke some of the most memorable words in U.S. history, including the Gettysburg Address. Survey after survey on presidents put him at the very top or near top. I’d call that success. But history shows that he is a case study in failure throughout much of his lifetime. Consider the following:

• He was defeated for Illinois state legislator in 1832.

• He started a business only to see it go under. It was a store in New Salem, Illinois. His partner died and he could not sustain the business. He eventually paid off all the business’ debts.

• He lost his run for Congress in 1843 and again in 1848.

• He lost his bid to become a U.S. senator in 1855.

• He ran for vice president of the U.S. in 1856 and lost.

• He again ran for the U.S. Senate in 1859 and lost yet again.

Not unlike Lincoln, have you ever found yourself feeling somewhat Lincoln-like? I have. There have been times throughout my work years in the past where politics and popularity had seemingly trumped a track history of knowledge, problem-solving achievement and success. (A side-note: My wife nee’ Herndon is a direct descendant of Lincoln’s law partner of 16 years, William Herndon, her dad’s namesake).

I was a naïve 19-year-old when promoted by my then-employer Radio Shack to become a company store manager. This early performance-based career success falsely affirmed my belief that high-level performance and knowledge would translate to success elsewhere (and everywhere).

Imagine my dismay when upon becoming a Baltimore City police officer my career path was stymied while being bumped out of career development assignments and promotional opportunities by candidates benefiting from favoritism under affirmative action mandates. But I adhered to my purpose.

Since then, I have gone on to become a successful manager of a residential resort, police chief, published newspaper columnist, and managing editor of the BLUE Magazine to name a few successes; all based upon performance and ability. I was honored to be awarded for “Excellence in National Law Enforcement Leadership” by my peers at a well-attended police conference in Florida, perhaps the pinnacle of recognition of my career successes.

POPULARITY OVER PERFORMANCE: The Dilemma Unveiled

In today's fast-paced world, we often find ourselves at a crossroads when it comes to navigating the fine line between professionalism and popularity. The age-old question lingers: Should one prioritize a polished, professional image or strive for mass appeal and popularity?

Professionalism entails adhering to a set of standards, conduct and demeanor expected in a particular field or industry. It encompasses traits such as reliability, expertise and a serious approach to one's work. Maintaining professionalism instills trust and credibility among peers and others, laying the foundation for a successful career trajectory.

On the other end of the spectrum lies popularity, a coveted status in the age of social media and influencer culture. Popularity brings attention, followers and a sense of validation from the masses. It can open doors to opportunities and widen one's reach in the digital landscape. However, the allure of popularity often comes with a trade-off in terms of authenticity and depth of relationships.

While professionalism and popularity may seem like opposing forces, striking a balance between the two is key. I want to believe that it is possible to exude professionalism while still connecting with a broader audience on a personal level.

In the digital age, the lines between professionalism and popularity can become increasingly blurred. Social media platforms offer individuals the opportunity to showcase their professional expertise while also engaging with a wider audience on a more personal level.

Ultimately, authenticity emerges as the cornerstone of navigating the professionalism-popularity dichotomy. Being true to oneself, maintaining integrity and staying genuine in interactions can set individuals apart. Authenticity breeds trust and fosters genuine connections.

In the ever-evolving landscape of professionalism and popularity, finding a balance that aligns with one's values and goals is paramount. Embracing professionalism while staying true to one's authentic self can pave the way for a fulfilling and successful journey.

Although no longer naïve to the power of popularity over professional achievement, tribal mentality or the power of “good ol’ boy” politics, I will continue to keep the faith in all things I have to offer based upon my knowledge and successful experiences in my endeavor to improve the lives of others and make our world the best place possible to leave to future generations.

So when feeling slighted in the political realm of things, bear in mind the wisdom of Muhammad Ali, who pointed out “You don’t lose if you get knocked down; you lose if you stay down.” Or as Donald Trump would advise as he puts his faith in the voters “Never Surrender.”

Joel E. Gordon, Managing Editor of BLUE Magazine, 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

“Accountability & the Crumbley Conviction”

“Accountability & the Crumbley Conviction”
By Lt. Joseph Pangaro (Ret.)

There are very few times in our personal and professional lives that we see a real landmark change in how our society functions. Be that as it may, we have just seen it in the conviction of James and Jennifer Crumbley, parents of Oxford Michigan High School shooter / killer Ethan Crumbley.

James and Jennifer Crumbley are being held to account for what their son, Ethan Crumbley, did when he killed four classmates, and for what they didn’t do as parents.

This is the first time such a charge has been made and a conviction has been sought and achieved. This is groundbreaking, but is it right?

That seems to be the question at hand. Was charging the parents for what the son did the correct action in this case or was it a response to the helplessness we feel in the face of the continuing deadly trend of school shootings?

To break that question down we have to look at its constituent parts.

First, the school shooting committed by Ethan Crumbley is a tragedy, it is a homicidal criminal act, and it is something that will cause suffering for every one of the victim’s families for the rest of their lives. Their community will also suffer from this terrible event, as will the many students who were seriously injured.

In a previous article I wrote, after an earlier tragic active shooter event, titled “Can we spot violence before it erupts”, I posited that in many instances we can spot potentially dangerous people before they attack us. The key is being aware of what potentially dangerous actions look like, recognizing the signs, and then doing something about it.

 This Oxford school shooting and the conviction of the parents of the shooter may finally bring this into tighter focus and create a moment of action.

Second, like all of these kinds of events, it presents us with a set of facts about how and why this attack took place. We must study these facts so we can try to understand if there are things that we can do in the future to prevent a similar incident.

The arrest and charging of the Crumbleys is a turning point. It is the act of holding people accountable for what they knew and should have acted on to prevent violence.

If this case survives the appellate division of the courts, and I have some doubts it will, but if it does it will set a precedent, change laws across the USA and change how law enforcement conducts their investigations, pre- and post- active shooter events and other violent incidents.

Some of the lesson learned must include understanding if the parents of the killer truly understood the danger their son posed, the trial results seem to indicate that the jurors believe they did. We must also understand the processes that were in place for the parents, friends, teachers, and the shooter himself to report concerns and then who was in place to investigate those concerns? And we have to understand what resources were in place, if any, to respond to these reports.

In a recent article I wrote called “The Kill list- preventing the next Columbine, Parkland, and Covenant school shooting” I discussed some of the signs we can see before someone attacks, signs we can take action on to prevent tragedy. Unfortunately, not every parent, school official, or even the police understand what signs to look for, which is why I wrote the article to begin with.

In this Oxford School shooting the trial seemed to reveal that the parents knew of their sons problems, the killer himself knew he had problems and asked his parent s for help, and it seems the school was aware of his potential problems as well. Why did no one act on it?

That leads me to the crux of this piece and the third consideration:

Besides Ethan Crumbley, the shooter, is anyone else responsible for this heinous crime? This is where this case and the convictions of Jennifer and James Crumbley is paradigm-changing and can affect all of us.

The questions I have, and I know they will cause some confusion, but I believe we must address them head-on if we are to use this tragedy to make changes that can prevent the next horrible attack.

Let me say clearly that I believe Ethan Crumbley is responsible for the carnage and death that day at Oxford High School, and he received an appropriate punishment (Life without parole), I could also make the case for the death penalty, but that is a different article. And I believe his parents may have culpability in the violence and killing that took the lives of four innocent young people and injured many more.

I say may have culpability because we all need to know more about the facts of this case. In general, the prosecutor found the parents had a vicarious liability as it relates to their sons actions and they were charged criminally.

As the prosecution tells us, the parents, with the knowledge they had, should have intervened before the violence and saved lives. Some facts we were all provided via news accounts were that, the killer was having mental problems and asked for help, but his parents ignored this request. His parents bought the killer a gun several days before the shooting and made it available to him. The gun was not secured so the troubled young man could not have access to it, and the parents knew he was dangerous.

If all of this information is correct, and the Crumbleys understood the danger, and they ignored the potential for violence, and did nothing to prevent their son from attacking his classmates, then I think a case can be made that they have some, if not a lot of responsibility.

And while the facts in this particular incident make a case for responsibility on the part of the parents, we must ask if the laws in place were specific to this kind of event, or were the laws interpreted to fit around the facts of this case in order to pursue the parents because of their parenting style, mindset, and their intentions and inaction based on their knowledge which was shocking to the conscience in light of the crime that was committed by their son.

In other words, we’re using the concept of vicarious liability, that a person who has charge over another person and therefore responsibility for their actions, such as supervisor over an employee or in this case a parent over a minor child is responsible for the child’s actions.

While vicarious liability it is an accepted concept in the workplace, does that concept hold the same power in relation to the parent/ child dynamic?

The vicarious liability concept works with a bartender and an over-served customer because the bartender is making on-scene observations of the patron and is directly involved in the intoxication of a person who eventually goes down the road and kills a family in a car accident. The idea is “If not for the actions of the bar tender, the patron would not be intoxicated and would not have caused a deadly accident.”There’s a clear and straight line between the events and people involved.

The problem we have as a society is that this case, including the arrest and convictions of the parents is potentially opening a whole new area of vicarious liability. It is an area that may have more consequences than intended. It can lead to prosecutions that may be unwarranted, or even unjust, as the potential to pursue suspects can be governed by emotion, or other nefarious motives.

And in either of those cases while we may be assuaged and comforted by the pursuit and conviction of people based on a vicarious liability concept, we may also be creating an injustice.

In any event, the facts of the Crumbley case will work their way through the courts and the arrest and convictions convictions may be upheld or the case can be rejected. If upheld all the way to the Supreme Court, then new laws will be established in many, if not all the 50 states of America. A new era of responsibility will dawn.

While on its face that might seem like a good idea, let’s consider these points.

Where else will vicarious liability be established? If a husband has too much alcohol to drink and decides to run to the store for milk and bread in an intoxicated state, is his wife now responsible to call the police to report his driving while intoxicated? If he has a car crash on the way and people are killed, is the wife then responsible and can be arrested, tried, and convicted?

What if a teenager is a known gang member and his/her parents know this to be true, and they also know that this gang deals in drugs and is violent, involved in turf wars, shootings, and murders. Then one night this teenager is involved in an altercation or a robbery and an innocent person is killed, will the parents then be liable to prosecution?

What about parents of an intellectually disabled child and suppose that child injures or kills another young person, are the parents liable to prosecution because they did not secure this child in the home?

As you can imagine, this “what if” questioning can go on all day, the possible scenarios are endless for the ways people can be held liable for the actions of another if we want it to be so. What must be done is as a society is we need to decide the value of opening the door and increasing the kinds of events that can determine responsibility for those not directly involved in the crime, and we have to determine how we are going to make it known to everyone what their culpability is.

We must decide how to deal with poor parenting, how to help parents with limited ability to comprehend the signs of potential problems, train our school officials to recognize the signs of potential violence and how to act, we must train our police officers to properly investigate any and all threats.

Some of the things I suggest are very difficult. How do we legislate poor parenting, or the inability to comprehend a danger, or to see our child’s actions as potentially deadly? And what kind of events do we designate as worthy of assigning vicarious liability to the point of prosecution?

In conclusion, the tragedy of the Oxford school shooting has destroyed many innocent families. Nothing will bring back the precious lives of the four students killed in their high school, the others who were seriously injured; nothing will fully comfort the grieving families who told us directly of their pain and suffering. But that does not mean we don’t have to do more to prevent the next Oxford school shooting.

Ethan Crumbley will spend his entire life in prison, as is just. James and Jennifer Crumbley will spend 10-15 years in prison. And all of us can look for and learn the lessons this incident offers and make the changes we need to make to make our schools safer for our children.

Our state governments need to create specific laws to address this kind of liability, define it, and ensure it is fair and applied equally. And we all need to hope that whatever is created has value for our society and does not go too far with good intentions.

There are many things to consider.

Joseph Pangaro is a 27-year veteran of law enforcement. He retired in 2013 at the rank of Lieutenant and currently serves as the Director of School Safety and Security for a large school district in NJ. He is also the owner of Pangaro Training and Management, a company that provides training to the public and private sector on a host of topics. Email: JPangaro@Yahoo.com

Police and Justice Press Releases – Digital Media Get New National Exposure

Police and Justice Press Releases – Digital Media Get New National Exposure
By Leonard Adam Sipes, Jr.

I’m not sure that everyone in the police and justice communities understands what’s going on within the local and national media landscape. Media outlets throughout the country are being slammed with revenue losses. Thousands of reporters and support personnel are either losing their jobs or are being asked to do more.

Google search is transitioning to AI and new algorithms, and websites are taking a huge hit. Artificial intelligence is beginning to offer answers rather than links to news sites.

The Washington Post has lost 50 percent of its audience. They are losing tens of millions of dollars. The news media landscape is changing dramatically with new forms of digital media taking its place.

What’s Changing
There are now national digital media sources using artificial intelligence to scrape news content from sources and offer them throughout their platforms.

I live in two parts of the country, and it’s obvious that local media are simply running press releases from law enforcement and justice agencies as their primary content source.

Your police or criminal justice press release from Pittsburgh is now ending up in Boston and markets throughout the country. National news outlets are using some of this material. This concept is in its infancy but it could expand rapidly.

What This Means for You?
After 35 years of directing media relations for national and state criminal justice agencies, it means that you have to expect a much wider audience than you are used to. This could have implications for your agency; something intended for your local or state market might get a larger audience than you intended.

Stories about crime and justice have relevance. With fear of crime at record levels per Gallup, what happens locally may be of interest to other areas of the county.

It also means that your proactive media efforts could have more power. The days of the experienced and savvy crime reporter are just about over. More than ever, your press releases are falling into the hands of general assignment reporters who will simply run what you say without further clarification or fact-checking.

I traveled the country after creating successful justice-related television and radio shows and podcasts teaching others how to do the same. I preached that agencies now have almost unlimited power to bypass mainstream media sources to get their message out. There are now sheriff departments that are putting out a steady stream of digital products (i.e., podcasts, video, audio) that are part entertainment and part news.

In my teaching efforts, I preached that we are responsible for balance and accuracy and presenting both sides of a story. If we are now the sole source of how a story is being covered, we have ethical and practical obligations. There are still reporters at the national and local levels who are capable of seeing obvious falsehoods or inconsistencies in your products who may challenge your assertions, thus a commitment to accuracy is in the public’s (and your) best interest.

Conclusions
Polls indicate a high degree of trust in law enforcement, regardless of demographics. That’s not the case for the media although local news outlets still have more confidence than their national counterparts.

There are emerging national and regional news outlets that will carry your content without you knowing it. How long they last and how widespread they become will change. It’s a new digital media world with real implications as to how we communicate.

You need to understand that there are plenty of lesser-known national media sources addressing crime issues. You do not want to be on their radar if you are creating proactive media with inaccuracies or blatantly one-sided content. Good, experienced reporters still exist who can (and will) challenge your efforts. I say this despite some sheriffs aggressively offering their digital media who don’t seem to care that they are challenged.

They “will” care if something meant to be promoted becomes a negative national story.

But law enforcement and justice agencies have a new power to communicate if it’s used responsibly. Just understand that whatever you create needs to be looked at through a new lens. You may create a press release or podcast that fairly conveys information but gets a wider audience (including advocates) who may challenge your assertions.

It’s in your best interest to apply journalistic ethics to make sure you got the story right. This mandates a new breed of media relations or public affairs officers who understand that the news landscape is changing and that their proactive media needs to be held to a higher standard.

I once went to an agency head who provided me with misinformation on a breaking story, and although it didn’t sound quite right, I assumed that he knew what he was talking about so I went with his assertions. They turned out to be false. He resigned. The story became profoundly negative.

Justice media relations people need to have the ability to push back when necessary to make sure they have the correct facts fairly presented. If they do, they now have more power than ever before to get their message out and influence public opinion.

Leonard Adam Sipes, Jr.is a retired federal senior spokesperson. A former Adjunct Associate Professor of Criminology and Public Affairs - University of Maryland. Former advisor to the “McGruff-Take a Bite Out of Crime” national media campaign. Past police officer. Aspiring drummer. Operator of CrimeinAmerica.net. His book based on thirty-five years of criminal justice public relations,” Success with the Media: Everything You Need to Survive Reporters and Your Organization” is available at Amazon and additional booksellers. He can also be found @ leonardsipes.com

Thriving Inside the Thin Blue Line

Thriving Inside the Thin Blue Line
By Monica Eaton Crawford

• "What tips do you have for me starting out as a police officer/firefighter/EMT?"

• "How much makeup is too much makeup?"

• "What uniform clothes/brands fit women best, when all they issue are men's gear?"

• "What can I do to look cute/feminine on the job?"

These are all questions I see frequently within female first responder groups.

I think all of them come from a great place in wanting to "fit in," do the job, not make too many waves, while finding our own personality and how we can stay true to ourselves in a male-driven career field. While there can be mixed opinions on these things, here's my two cents for what it's worth. The tide is turning and I am here for it.

No longer do women need to conform to the men's standards and men's way of doing things on the job. If anything, I believe now is the time to lean into who you are and what you can confidently say you bring to the table. This means your strengths, your weaknesses, your background, your drive and your personality.

Sure, there are policies and procedures to be adhered to, but outside that, I say stay true to who you are. Which means dressing in uniform clothes you feel confident in, that fit well, that you don't feel like a sack of potatoes in because the waistline is so high your gun is in your armpit and the uniform shirt sleeves go down to your elbows in a parachute-pant type of way.

It means, wearing whatever makeup you feel comfortable and confident in. If you look good, you feel good. It's going to improve your mood, your work output and your job performance. If there's something unique you want to wear, lean into it where it makes sense to. My signature thing is wearing a Junk Brands headband (albeit black or navy blue) and hot pink earmuffs on the range (pictured below). Just because I work in a male-driven job doesn't mean I have to look like one of the boys, too.

I also sport a confident "tactical tampon" pocket on my outer vest for myself and also for my female arrestees because sometimes a small gesture like a better quality tampon goes a long way when they ask for the cardboard ones from a male jailer/CO. These are the things that make us unique as women and things that don't need to be squashed because another co-worker (male or female) thinks we should.

It's tough to be bold sometimes and stand out in a way that is authentic to us. But ultimately, making the choice to stay true to who we are, regardless of outside opinion, is exactly what will help us to increase our impact in the people we serve every day.

For my valued male and my female colleagues alike, the main problem I see within my online nutrition, fitness, and mindset coaching business, Five-0 Fierce and Fit, and within the first responder fields is that we, as a population, tend to lose ourselves within the career we serve.

I think cops are the worst in that. Being a cop somehow becomes our identity on and off the clock. We start donning the blue line flag on shirts and posting it on walls and photos around the house. We lean away from friends and family who just don’t quite get what we do or what we go through daily. Worst of all, many of us become slaves to the job.

It comes to the point where we forget who we were before becoming a law enforcement officer. We drop everything else to work, sleep and repeat. Our hobbies get thrown out the window, our family events and birthdays become forgotten and accepted as missed, and we lose our sense of self.

Until one day, we wake up miserable. We get tired of running ragged, constantly stressed out, and sluggish. We get tired of noticing our clothes and uniform have gotten tighter, and suddenly, we’re twenty pounds (or more) overweight.

We get tired of feeling like we’re breathing heavily on a simple task at work or getting outrun again by the latest shithead in our jurisdiction. We get tired of missing family events and important events of loved ones.

I don’t know about you, but none of the three law enforcement agencies I have worked for told me when I got hired, “At some point, you might hate your life working here,” because of those things I listed above. It was, “Here, read this book, and good luck to you.”

Our departments do a great job of teaching us how to cop, but they forget about teaching us how to live so that we can continue to cop for 25 years and beyond.

This article contains some excerpts from Monica’s new book Thriving Inside the Thin Blue Line… Available on Amazon and Lulu.com.

Monica Eaton Crawford is the owner/ CEO of Five-0 Fierce and Fit which creates online nutrition and fitness programs designed to help female first responders lose fat, gain strength and take back their confidence in 90 days because “your family depends on you to be fit for duty.” Using her six-year Oklahoma law enforcement experience along with her 15-year background in fitness and nutrition she helps female first responders reach their full potential in life and career. Look her up on Instagram @five0.fierce.and.fit.

BIG T & small t TRAUMAS

BIG T & small t TRAUMAS
By Darci Werner

The three-month-old lay curled up on Dad's chest oblivious to the surrounding noise of people in the small auditorium and the guest speaker up on stage. Across the aisle is where I sat, watching the tender pats of the large hand gently tapping his baby’s fragile back to ease into slumber. Both of us were attending for the same thing; a seminar for first responders and their spouses to help strengthen their marriage. One of the speakers included in the program was a counselor focusing on brain health and helpful strategies to promote healing from trauma.

The adjacent couple was just beginning on their adventure with this new little member of their family, whereas mine was 22 years older and still an active part of our current situation. I sat looking around the room at faces, couples of many ethnic backgrounds and ages. They were all supposed to be retired. Many were medically retired from areas of armed forces, fire and police departments. As I looked into the faces, I wondered if they, too, were facing the demons that now plague my husband’s mind as he lets go of the scenes that haunt him from the years of service.

This couple has an opportunity to heal as this little one grows so as not to affect his own life path. Ours does not understand or have patience for the trials, temper tantrums and emotional drain that plagues at a moment’s notice.

“Tell him to just suck it up.” My son told me one afternoon as I explained how his dad had a really rough night. Dreams that make him spring out of bed and catch his breath. He walks on eggshells on the down days not knowing when, or what will set off eruptions that set his mind spiraling. Nor does he see how I am caught in the middle. Always trying to keep the peace between the two, making sure they are separated to hinder any blow-up on those tender days. My new household chore of running interference. I said a prayer the moment the couple sat across from me. A baby's scream is a trigger. It developed after a tactical drug raid that involved small infants. I don't know of others, so do not know how to protect his recall from them. He doesn't tell me things to spare my own mental clarity.

This little one whose life is beginning can be fragile in trusting the people in his future life, especially his father. Mine is pulling away because of the fear of the mood swings and getting tired of side-stepping to avoid conversations.

My eyes look at the many wives who have come to this event. We are all looking for the same helpful advice and a way to keep our marriage intact among the turmoil and trauma. How to support without losing ourselves in the process. We are taught about Big T and Small T traumas. They are all big in my eyes when you are trying to hold a family unit together. The pain in watching him struggle to deal with the memories. The confusion and frustration felt by our son.

And on some days, I too, want to just say “deal with it” and move on. Trauma may be personal to the officer or first responder, but it will affect those around him or her.

There is comfort in numbers. I didn't feel so alone among the other spouses who quietly deal with their own home situations. I learned how important it was for these men and women to get proper help, as well as for the care giver. You can't be strong for them if you, too, are falling apart. As a parent, the man with his infant will hopefully heal his heart for the sake of that little joy curled up on his chest.

Just as my retired officer will do his healing for the sake of our son and our marriage it will be a long road for both and those that stand next to them.

Darci Werner is a retired police wife residing in Northeast, Iowa. She writes for Chicken Soup for the Soul, Lyrical Iowa, and Guidepost. She thanks Blue Magazine for providing alternative topics for all who support law enforcement and is honored to share police family life stories.

Overcoming Barriers in Getting Mental Health Assistance

Overcoming Barriers in Getting Mental Health Assistance
By Stan Popovich

I struggled with fear and anxiety for over 20 years, and I am a huge advocate in getting professional help for your mental health. I always recommend that the first step in overcoming any mental health issues is talking to a mental health counselor.

Unfortunately, there are many barriers that I experienced to talking to others in getting that assistance all of us desperately need. As a result, here are just three of the most common obstacles that many people face in seeking help for their mental health.

Mental health counseling can get very expensive.
A one-hour session with a counselor can be around $100 without health insurance. Many people who struggle with mental health can’t afford health insurance and do not have the money to pay to see a counselor. I also talked to people who did have health insurance; however their health plan only covered one session a month or 12 sessions a year. Unfortunately, many people need more intense counseling than just one session a month.

Many low-cost mental health problems have waiting lists.
There are low-cost mental health programs available; however there are long waiting lines to get in. I personally tried to get into a mental health program at my local hospital. I tried getting in and I was told that there was a four-month waiting list. I called back after four months, and they told me I still had to wait. Unfortunately, I was never able to get into the program because there were too many people ahead of me.

Changes in counseling staff.
There were many times I had to change counselors due to staff changes which severely disrupted my progress and recovery. One time, I had a great mental health counselor for a year. Unfortunately, my counselor had to move to another state. Years later, I had another counselor, and she eventually changed careers. Counselors come and go, which can severely disrupt a person’s mental health recovery. Every time you get a new counselor, it takes many months for the counselor and patient to get to understand each other. When you change counselors, you have to start over in getting to know someone else. I found this very frustrating, and these staff changes hindered my progress.

What I did to get help in my own life.
There is no substitute for counseling; however I decided to make things a lot easier for myself to get the relief that I desperately needed while I encountered these obstacles.

As a result, here are seven options I used to get help as quickly as possible.

1.Contact your doctor: Your doctor is a great source in finding available mental health resources in your area. Explain your situation to your doctor and ask if he or she knows of anyone who can help you. Chances are your doctor will be able to give you some referrals.

2. Go to the nearest hospital: Your local hospitals can give you immediate assistance for your mental health issues when it’s an emergency. Once your situation is manageable, the people at the hospital will be able to give you options where you can continue treatment without having to wait. The people who work at a hospital know of other professionals in your area who can provide you with additional treatment.

3. Talk to the insurance companies: Your insurance company can provide a list of mental health services and other treatment programs that are covered in your health plan. If you do not have health insurance, you could still contact some of those companies and see if they can point you in the right direction regarding your current circumstances. There could be some affordable programs in your area that you do not know about.

4. Talk to the local churches: Your local churches may know of programs in your area that you could go to for help in overcoming your anxieties and stresses. Many churches offer mental health and addiction programs that anyone can take advantage of. A priest or clergy can also provide additional advice to your situation.

5. Find a support group: There are all kinds of mental health support groups that can help you with your issues. Go to a support group in your area and meet people who are also struggling with addiction and depression. A person can go on the internet or talk to some of the local mental health organizations to get more information about what is in their area.

6. Network with others: Many people have dealt with fear and anxiety sometime in their life. Talk to the people you trust to see if they have any suggestions on where you can go for some assistance. Make sure that your friends can keep things confidential and do not get into the habit of giving out too much personal information to others.

7. Contact your local mental health organizations: There are many private, public, nonprofit and governmental organizations that specialize in various mental health services that you can talk to for some assistance. The people at these places can give you some ideas on where you can find some mental health programs and counselors who can help you right away.

Stan Popovich is the author of “A Layman’s Guide to Managing Fear” www.managingfear.com