April 2015 - Fraternal Order of Police
Transcription
April 2015 - Fraternal Order of Police
Fulton County FOP Lodge #64 APRIL/MAY 2015 Fulton County FOP Lodge #64 NEWSLETTER nty n Cou 64 o t l u # V O L U N T E E R S F Lodge P O F NEEDED!! With the weather breaking, we are approaching the busiest time for our Lodge. Volunteering time! We need you -- our brothers and sisters -- to volunteer. Fulton County FOP Lodge #64 is known throughout the Metro Atlanta Area. Who gets the word out? Volunteers. We have members who represent our Lodge while volunteering with different organizations. We have members who faithfully represent our Lodge at homegoing services for our fallen comrades. We even had a delegation of our members to represent our Lodge at the Homegoing Celebration of one of our members in North Carollina. We have formed the Lodge’s Motor Unit, who is Howard Billingslea spreading a good word about our Lodge and we serve, as volunteers, in a lot of local President events. We have enough members who can step up to the plate to assist so the faithful few will not suffer from the burnouts. All can learn to be volunteers -- the experienced or the newby. Volunteering has a meaningful, positive impact on our community. But did you know that it can have many benefits for you, too? Here are some reasons to volunteer: 1. Learn or develop a new skill: If you volunteer to spearhead an event, you could enhance your present organizing, supervising and training skills or learn how to develop goal setting, planning and budgeting skills. 2. Be part of your community: No man or woman is an island. Volunteering is ultimately about helping others and having an impact on people’s wellbeing. What better way is there to connect with your commmunity and give a little back? As a volunteer, you can return to society some of the benefits that society gives you. 3. Motivation and sense of achievement: Fundamentally, volunteering is about giving your time, energy and skills freely. It may be true that no one person can solve all the world’s problems, but what you can do is make that little corner of the world where you live just that little bit better. 4. Boost your career options: If you are thinking of a career change then volunteering is a perfect way to explore new fields. This holds true for retirees exploring other options. 5. New interests and hobbies: Sometimes we do get locked into the “rat-race” of life and volunteering can give that escape to everday routine and create a balance in our lives. 6. New experiences: Volunteering is a brilliant way to get life experience. You can experience the real world through hands-on work and also and raise funds to help the charity continue its work. 7. Meeting a diverse range of people: Volunteering brings together a diverse range of people from all backgrounds and walks of life. Networking is an exciting benefit of volunteering and you can never tell who you will meet or what new information you will learn and what impact this could have on your life. Inside This Issue Anniversary Badge .............2 Anniversary Decals ............5 DeKalb Co/Fulton Co Info ....4 Employment Opportunities..8 FOP Calendar of Events ....10 FOP Credit Union .............8 FOP Lodge #64 Exec. Brd....7 Insurance Info ..................9 Legislative Team ...............5 Lodge Attorney Message .....7 Payroll Authorization .........3 Pres.Chuck Canterbury ......2 Secretary Notes ...............3 Sick and Shut-ins (Known)....5 State Trustee Message ........6 Training Info ....................8 URGENT Payroll Deduct. Info.6 2896 East Point Street • East Point, GA 30344 • (404) 767-0501 Our Website: www.fultoncofop64.com Chuck Cantebury National President FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE 100TH ANNIVERSARY BADGE In commemoration of the FOP’s 100th Anniversary, a specially approved commemorative badge has been designed and is being custom manufactured in the U.S.A. by Collinson Enterprises exclusively to benefit the Grand Lodge Auxiliary. Badges are one piece, die struck in .102” solid brass, finished in multiple enamels and pure gold plate. Badges are dapped and have a heavy duty safety pin and catch attachment and exceed the quality of uniform duty badge standards. The badges will be numbered on the back with a production sequence number, making each badge unique. The badge is available by itself or presented in a deluxe presentation box along with a 1” badge lapel pin andfrom 1-3/4” coin. The FOP Lodge #64 Executive Board Badge, coin, and mini badge lapel pin set - $80 each Badge only - $70 each Coin only - $10 each Mini badge lapel pin only - $6 each To order go to: http://www.collinson.biz/badges_for_sale/fop100.html Pg. 2 Notes from the Secretary Sec. Cynthia Dunn-DuHart New Member Information You should receive your membership card within three (3) weeks after you join. If not, please notify Bro. Al Garrett or Sis. Anita Cody. When you join the FOP and you request that we bill you for your dues, please be advised that the membership process is not completed until your dues have been received. Payroll Authorization Please notify the secretary: If you have signed up for payroll authorization and your dues have not been deducted. ***Members or Members’ Family Members Who are Deceased, Sick or In Distress **** So that the Lodge can respond in a timely manner, please notify the chaplain or any board member, if: •You, or a member of your immediate family, becomes ill or in distress. •A member of your immediate family dies. •You know of a fellow brother/sister, or their immediate family member, who is deceased, sick or in distress. Changes in Your Work Status If you have been paying your dues via payroll authorization AND: you RETIRE, just contact the secretary to change your status and for your dues payment. If you discontinue your membership, please send our Lodge a copy of the paperwork that you send to the Fulton County Finance Office. INFORMATION UPDATE If ANY of your personal information changes, i.e. name, address,Benefits telephone number, it will be your responsibility to log on to the National website (www.fop.net) and make the changes, yourself. If there are any changes in your beneficiary information, please notifiy the secretary and she will mail you out a new form. FOP LEGAL DEFENSE PLAN you RESIGN from Fulton County to go and work for another law enforcement agency, you can still maintain your membership with the Lodge, just contact the secretary to change your sta tus. At that time you can pay your dues forward or you can elect to pay them on a monthly payment plan via Paypal. Let’s Keep Our Members in the U. S. Armed Forces in Our Thoughts & Prayers If you have enrolled in the FOP Legal Defense and you have not received your FOP Legal Defense card and membership booklet in three weeks, please notify the secretary. LODGE UPDATES Please regularly visit our website for updated information: http://www.fultoncofop64.com COMMUNICATIONS If you are not receiving any email or calling post notifications, please notify the secretary so that our records can be updated. PLEASEPl PRAY FOR OUR COUNTRY Pg. 3 2015 TRAINING & RANGE DATES (You must present your membership card for ALL classes.) TRAINING at 5:00 p.m. Please Be On Time!!! NO LATE ADMITTANCE!!! To Get Ga. POST Credit YOU MUST ATTEND THE CLASS AND THE MEETING! Sis. Cynthia Dunn-DuHart at (404) 310-5475 or Sis. Sherry Grant at (770) 861-1649 Job Openings DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department http://www.dekalbsheriff.org/web/employment/ position_1.php?PK=21 POST TRAINING If you would like for the Lodge to host a specific training class, please contact one of the training coordinators. Our training is designed with you in mind. National Member of the Year Nominations Please send Nominations for Member of the Year to the President Billingslea by June 1, 2015. This year's award will be presented at the Biennial National Conference in Pittsburgh, PA during the 100th year celebration. We Honor Our Senior Lodge Members I Sis. Joan Paschal FCSO (77+) Bro. John Morton FCSO (77+) Pg. 4 Our Known Sick and Shut-Ins FOP Legislative Team in Atlanta Bro. Obie Norris’ brother, Samuel Norris Bro. Thomas Barnes, FCSO Bro. Claude Terrell, FCSO Bro. Thomas Howard Connally, FCSO Bro. Reuben Kindred, FCSO Bro. Cecil Pace, FC Sol Col. Arthur Reid, FCSO Bro. H. Rees Trammell, FCSO From left to right are Scott Lafranco, Mo Thrash and John Bro. Raymond Johnson, FCSO Haliburton. These guys are at the Georgia State Capitol Cpl. Freddie Aquino, FCSO every day working for the FOP. Bro. Ronald Burgess’ mother Sis. Sherry Grant’s mother Ms. Tamara Orange (Sis. D. Orange’s sister) Mrs. Margaret Anderson, Bro. Renaldo Weekes’ mother Sis. Carla Anderson’s brother, Mr. Larry Anderson Please remember our sick and shut-in brothers As we approach the year 2015, the Fraternal Order of Police and sisters in your prayers. Don’t forget to visit, will soon reach the century mark. It is important that we embrace our rich heritage and show our pride in achieving this call or send them a card. About the FOP Star The emblem adopted by the National Fraternal Order of Police is designed to remind the membership of the duties that are expected of them as a citizen, a police officer and a member of the lodge. The five-cornered star tends to remind us of the allegiance we owe to our Flag and is a symbol of the authority with which we are entrusted. It is an honor the people we serve bestow upon us. They place their confidence and trust in us; serve them proudly. milestone in America's history. Born from the passion of a handful of forward thinking police officers in the Pittsburgh Police Department we now boast a following of 320,000 members nationwide. Collectively as one united voice and locally in our respective jurisdictions, we stand united defending our members, protecting their rights, and fighting for fairness in equity pay, benefits, working conditions and retirement benefits - just as we in the FOP have done for 99 years. Cops representing cops, 320,000 of us, building value to the FOP name. To help celebrate our rich, proud heritage, we have ordered 100th Anniversary decals to affix to our letters. These can be ordered by Lodge Presidents or Secretaries only. They are sold in sets of 100 for $10. To order call the Grand Lodge at 1-800-451-2711 Pg. 5 Our State Trustee’s Report Bro. Mark S. Johnson Since our last meeting, I attended the Fraternal Order of Police Southern States meeting in Ashville, N.C. Several of the FOP Grand National Lodge officers were in attendance. There were several topics of discussion but one that caught my attention was the talk of heightened security for the upcoming National Conference this Summer in Pittsburgh. I believe we, as a local lodge, as well as local FOP Lodges across the nation, need to be aware of the changing times in which we find ourselves. Unfortunately a growing segment of society view the law enforcement community as unworthy of trust or respect. This increases the difficulty of an already difficult profession. It also emboldens those who would harm us and has led to violent attacks in various locations from one coast to the other. Whether still actively employed or retired, when we gather together at an FOP meeting or when we wear the insignia of the FOP we are identifying ourselves as proud members of the Fraternal Order of Police and thereby making ourselves targets of cowards who ambush and attack with no provocation. I say all this as a reminder that we cannot afford to be complacent as we come together whether for a meeting, training or community events. BE AWARE and stay safe. Fraternally Yours, Bro. Mark S. Johnson Fulton County Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 64 State Trustee PAYPAL IS A GOOD WAY TO GO! The National Center for Civil and Human Rights Simply go to our website and click on the PayPal page for instructions. All of your information is between you and PayPal ONLY. Our Lodge is not priviledged to any of your personal information. Fulton County Employees Who Have Signed Up to Have Their FOP Dues Deducted via Payroll Deduction ... If your dues are not coming out of your pay check, please contact the secretary at (404) 310-5475. Your continued membership and enrollment in the FOP Legal Defense Plan is in jeopardy!!!!!!!! Your 2015 Membership Card ... Fulton County Lodge #64 Fraternal Order of Police Newsletter Editor Sec. Cynthia Dunn-DuHart ...is your passport for the FOP. training classes and meetings. Email: captjailbird@fop.net Phone: (404) 310-5475 If you have not received your 2015 Membership Card, please contact the secretary ASAPfrom at (404) the 310-5475 or at: captjailbird@fop.net NO MEMBERSHIP CARD -- NO ADMITTANCE!!! To Receive Ga. POST Credit Hours, You Must Attend BOTH the Training Class and Meeting!! pg. 6 Sid Our 2014 Executive Board President - Howard Billingslea ........... (770) 861-0912 ..............billingsleah@bellsouth.net Vice President - Albert Garrett...........(770) 634-9657......................ajgarrett@cloud.com Secretary - Cynthia Dunn-DuHart ........(404) 310-5475 ....................captjailbird@fop.net Treasurer - Gregory Lauth .................(404) 314-9997 ..............captgdlauth@hotmail.com Sgt.-at-Arms - Samual Dilworth ...........(404) 641-2021 ...............samdilworth@yahoo.com Chaplain - Anita Cody ......................(770) 256-2669 ..............jethrotwin12@gmail.com State Trustee - Mark Johnson .............(404) 630-5629 ....................mark_j5@yahoo.com Lodge Attorney - Derek Jones, Esq. .....(770) 716-1306/(404) 549-3036 From the Desk of Our Lodge Attorney -- Derek Jones, Esq. On February 27, and 28, Alternate Lodge Attorney Quinton Spencer and I attended the FOP Legal Counselors Seminar. As in the past, Lodge 64 paid our travel, accommodation, and seminar costs: both Mr. Spencer and I greatly appreciated the Lodge sending us to the seminar. Apart from the State Lodge Attorney, we were the only Georgia lawyers at the seminar. The seminar topics were informative and well presented. The presentations included talks about Use of Deadly Force Investigations, Labor Issues Facing Public Employees, Privacy Rights, Body Cameras, Medical Testing, and an address from the FOP General Counsel on Crisis Management. FOP National President Chuck Canterbury spoke candidly about the issues facing law enforcement officers ("LEOs") in the current political climate. Pensions and job security are threatened, and LEOs face increased dangers in the performance of their duties and are seconded guessed on a regular basis in how they perform their duties. He was pessimistic about the U.S. Legislature passing any effective bills aiding LEOs due to the grid lock in Congress and Republican opposition to President Obama. In light of the recent publicity over police shootings, Body Cameras was one most interesting topics at the seminar. A number of departments across the United States have begun using these devices. Several officers from some of those departments were at the seminar and provided their input on the subject. There are many issues involved in the use of this technology among them being privacy concerns, retention of footage, cost, and effectiveness. The privacy concerns involve both the general public and the LEOs. Some jurisdictions prohibit visual recordings being made without the consent of all parties. LEOs are concerned whether the cameras would run continuously or be activated when needed. Obviously, a continual running of the cameras during a LEO’s shift would greatly impact on the officer's personal privacy. One of the officers at the seminar whose department uses the cameras said that their units have a slider switch to activate the camera when needed. The cost factor is significant not only in terms of initial purchase (this coming at a time when not all law enforcement agencies have vests for their LEOs) but in the retention and management of the film footage. In St Louis the estimated yearly cost for retaining and managing the footage runs into millions of dollars. Thus, as a practical matter, the body cameras may not be in standard use across the Country as smaller departments may not be able to afford them. Also, at a time when governmental spending is being questioned at every turn and many voters and politicians have a pronounced fear of raising taxes, body cameras may be a item that people do not want to pay for even if they are for them in principle. The FOP has a drafted a Body Worn Camera Recommended Best Practices memorandum. By drafting this policy the FOP does not endorse the use of body cameras, but feels that it should have a voice in deciding whether or not these devices should be used, and if the technology is put in place that it is done in a proper manner. If a Department does opt to use body cameras the FOP policy would be a good model. The Policy sets out that LEOs should be trained in the use of the cameras, that they only should be used in on duty incidents and activated at the beginning of the incident or when the LEO can safely to activate the camera. The cameras should not be used in Departmental locker rooms, restrooms or (see Body Camera on pg. 8) Pg. 7 The National Secretary Speaks Patrick Yoes Warrick Dunn Charities in partnership with Bank of America and CFCares (a non- profit), has launched its “Homes For Service” program designed to revitalize neighborhoods and give low-income working families access to affordable housing. As Bank of America donates vacant properties to Warrick Dunn Charities, CFCares will manage the renovation or reconstruction with the help of countless volunteers so that families and entire communities can build stronger foundations on which to thrive. This homeownership program targets applicants who serve or have served our communities and country by putting their lives on the line everyday to keep us safe and protect our freedom. Warrick Dunn’s mother, Betty Smothers, was a Baton Rouge, Louisiana police officer who lost her life in the line of duty. “Homes For Service” extends Dunn’s mission to help families achieve homeownership, a dream his mother never achieved. The program will launch in Atlanta, Georgia with plans to offer homes in other markets that Warrick Dunn Charities serves. Criteria • U.S. citizens or legal residents • Currently employed • Active or retired Armed Services, Police Officer, Firefighter • Meet the qualifications for a VA or conventional mortgage To learn more about Homes For Service, please contact Wayne DeSilva by Email: wdesilva@wdc.org, or by Phone: (404)249-4634. For more information about Warrick Dunn Charities’ missions and programs, please visit www.wdc.org<http://www.wdc.org>. Sign up today for your 5-5-5 FOP Campaign The Grand Lodge has entered into an agreement that will make it easy for members to support the National FOP Foundation, the National FOP PAC Fund and their State and Local FOP Foundations. The program is called GiveBack, and it provides a web-based platform for FOP Members to raise and donate money to the charitable and political action committees that are most important to them. 100% of the donations made to the FOP Foundations through GiveBack will be delivered to the FOP. However, should a credit card or the donor's financial institution charge a processing fee for the transaction, that fee will be added to the donation or contribution to the PAC. With the $1 admin fee, the monthly donation support all three Funds will be only $16. Go to: https://fop.giveback.org to begin Giving Back! The Grand Lodge FOP Auxiliary & The Albuquerque Lodge #1 FOP Auxiliary are having a raffle for a Henry Golden Boy Rifle 'Special Law Enforcement Edition' Valued at over $1000.00 Tickets are $5.00 each or 5 for $20.00 DRAWING TO BE HELD August 2015 at the National FOP Conference Please contact:Linda Martinez lam0426@msn.com or call 505-385-2117 Body Camera (cont’d from pag. 7) other areas in which the officer has a reasonable expectation of privacy. The cameras should not be used if they would compromise an undercover operation. Nor should the camera be used to conduct a Departmental internal investigation without the written permission of the Chief/Sheriff. If a LEO is the subject of an internal investigation into an incident, the LEO would be given the opportunity to review his body camera tape of the incident prior to an IA interview. The Policy sets out a records retention regimen and a procedure for which a LEO can self report minor policy violations without fear of reprisal. If a civilian complaint is a result of the incident, the self reporting would mitigate any potential punishment. LEOs would have unlimited access to their recordings which could not be reproduced or altered. There would be a procedure to turn off the cameras in a given situation for officer protection or for confidentiality. It remains to be seen if the cameras will become another standard piece of LEO equipment. While there is reluctance on many LEOs to use the devices (which I personally share) there are suggestions that the device may have benefits. Departments which use the cameras report fewer civilian complaints, less use of force, and that the cameras clear many LEOs in conduct charges. Angie D Williams, LUTCF SENIOR SALES REPRESENTATIVE Primary: (770) 534-2705 x57239 Fax: (770) 532-3955 Cell: (770) 540-2734 Discounts on Insurance Services Offered: Automobile Home Life (Don’t forget to mention that you are a FOP member.) To Our Retirees Who Pay Their HR218 Coverage Through the Lodge Beginning in 2015, it will be the responsibility of the retiree to mail in his/her FOP Legal Defense HR218 coverage fee. Our Lodge will no longer be responsible for sending in your annual coverage fee. If you are a member of the Fulton County Lodge #64 of the Fraternal Order of Police and you have not received your membership card or any U. S. Postal Services mailed documents, please go to: fop.net and update your address or contact the secretary. If you have any information that you would like to share with your Lodge brothers and sisters, please feel free to do so. Please contact the secretary at (404) 310-5475 or via email at: captjailbird@fop.net "Education is key to the success of every FOP member's career and this program will provide a method of achieving their goals of obtaining higher education while performing their duties as law enforcement professionals." - National President Chuck Canterbury Trident University, an FOP University school, offers its students, an online college community committed to helping you achieve your degree. Our doctoral professors provide a high quality education, with the flexibility to complete courses on your schedule, with case based learning and no textbook or test requirements. Our tuition is very competitive and we offer the savings to you, your children or grandchildren. For more info contact: John Brueck, Jr. at: 954-464-3878 or email: John.BrueckJr@trident.edu New Lifetime and Retired Member Cards To place an order, please contact the Lodge Secretary. Each card is $5. Fulton County Lodge #64 Fraternal Order of Police 2896 East Point Street East Point, Georgia 30344 Place Postage Here ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED ***Please Note OUR Meeting Location*** The Cafeteria on the Woodward Academy Campus (Rugby Avenue in College Park, GA) Please park in the parking lot. NO ON STREET PARKING PERMITTED!!!!!! Fulton County FOP Lodge #64 meets on the 4th Thursdays of the month, except in November and December, at 6:00 p.m. POST Training Classes start at 5:00 p.m. April Meeting, Thursday, April 23, 2015, at 6:00 p.m. Georgia Police Memorial Ride, Saturday, April 25, 2015, at Atlanta Expo Center, Jonesboro Road at I-285 at 8:00 a.m. May Meeting, Thursday, May 28, 2015, at 6:00 p.m. June Meeting, Thursday, June 25, 2015, at 6:00 p.m. July Meeting, Thursday, July 23, 2015, at 6:00 p.m. August Meeting, Thursday, August 27, 2015, at 6:00 p.m. September Meeting, Thursday, September 24, 2015, at 6:00 p.m. October Meeting, Thursday, October 22, 2015, at 6:00 p.m.