FOP Newsletter Nov Dec 2009 - FLORIDA STATE FRATERNAL

November/December 2009
From the President
As we come to the close of another year with a great holiday season. Here is
hoping that you’ve celebrated with your family a Merry Christmas or Happy Hanukkah and are looking forward to a prosperous New Year in 2010.
In this issue:
President’s
Message
A New Breed
of Suspect
FOP Cops and Kid
Trademark
Funeral for Four
Heroes
Officers Returned
to Duty
The War on Cops
Midnight Shift and
Health Risks
Tallahassee Police
Officer Struck
and Killed
The Florida State Lodge continues to build on the traditions and mission of
the F.O.P. with an ambitious agenda for the coming year ahead. On January 8th
and 9th we will host the Eastern Regional Labor Coalition in Fort Lauderdale
with a training seminar focusing on where the cities and counties are hiding their
money presented by noted forensic economist Ron York of PolicePay.net following an informative session on the Worker’s Compensation issues that many
in police work may face. Your Labor Council Committee Directors will take the
opportunity to meet at the same time in Fort Lauderdale. Our local lodges are all
experiencing tough times during contract negotiations. Many agencies are reluctant to increase benefits and are taking the current economic downturn to reduce
benefits to those who deserve it the most.
The Grand Lodge will continue their training series at the National Headquarters in Nashville, the first week of February with a seminar on “Leadership Matters” that several board members will attend. This is a good training opportunity
for local lodge leaders to gain valuable insight on how to better run a lodge in
today’s environment.
Our February Board of Trustees meeting in Orlando at the Wyndham Hotel
and resort, 17th to 20th hosted by District 7 will fine tune our legislative agenda
and priorities that the Legislative Committee has been working on since last fall.
Our FOP tag bill will be introduced again and we will push for passage. There
are several pending negative bills that could affect pensions and benefits statewide that the FOP will carefully watch and oppose anything that jeopardizes our
hard earned gains. Balancing budgets on the backs of law enforcement officers
is the wrong approach by cities and counties. Your legislative committee members will be in Tallahassee throughout the session protecting your rights and
benefits. March 10th will be our first “Day on the Hill” in Tallahassee when the
FOP will have a large turnout of members at the Capitol meeting our legislators.
You are invited to be part of the process.
Florida On
Patrol
Nov/Dec 2009
President
James Preston
1st Vice President
Lonnie Miller
2nd Vice President
Armando Aguilar
Secretary
Kenny Mack
Treasurer
Tom Bonney
Conductor
Larry Lockwood
Inner Guard
Bill Trushel
Outer Guard
Donna Suereth
Chaplain
Terri Straw
Immediate Past President
James Mann
Chairman of Trustees
Bruce Porter
National Trustee
Nelson Cuba
Parliamentarian
William Corser
District 1 Director
Rob Bell
District 2 Director
Mark Harris
The first week of March, the Grand Lodge National Board Meeting will be held in Memphis, Tennessee where each of the FOP state leaders will gather with the National Board.
The Grand Lodge is working very hard to see the passage of the National Collective Bargaining bill in the U.S. Congress that will permit law enforcement officers all across the
nation to engage in collective bargaining. This is a huge step for some states, unlike Florida, where police officers have been barred from bargaining for their rights and benefits.
Once again, Florida topped the list of states in the number of officers who fell in the
line of duty, in spite of the tragic deaths in Washington state and Pittsburgh in 2009. This
is an unwanted distinction that we must work hard to avoid in 2010. Adding names to our
Memorial Wall in Tallahassee, remembering and honoring our fallen heroes will take
place May 2nd and 3rd at the Florida Capitol. I encourage you to take part in this solemn
remembrance as we honor the families and survivors of our fallen brothers and sisters.
Your Memorial Committee has been hard at work on preparations for the Candlelight
Vigil and Memorial Service. And, don’t forget the National F.O.P. Memorial Service in
Washington, D.C. on May 15th. The Florida State Lodge has a room block available for
members at the Crystal City Marriott hotel for your lodging.
I also encourage you to visit our Florida State Lodge web site to check out our new
merchandise section. The Florida State Lodge is now a registered distributor for “Blue
Line” products which you can find on our web site.
Our June Conference this year will be hosted by Jacksonville FOP Lodge 5/30 and
promises to be a great event that all will enjoy.
I am looking forward to a great year of challenges and opportunities for the F.O.P. to
continue and build upon our successes together. There is no greater profession than law
enforcement and no greater organization than the F.O.P. to work together for our membership. Please be safe out there.
District 3 Director
Gene Leonard
District 4 Director
Kelly Shifflett
District 5 Director
Ralph J. Dean, Sr.
District 6 Director
Robert Jenkins
District 7 Director
Kevin Carlucci
Communications
Ralph J. Dean
Editor
Sarah Preston
Florida State Lodge
Fraternal Order of Police
242 Office Plaza
Tallahassee, Fl 32301
Phone: (800) 873-3671
Fax (954) 724-4170
info@floridastatefop.org
www.floridastatefop.org
The Florida State Lodge Communications Committee and your newsletter editor
are looking for newsworthy contributions to share in the “Florida On Patrol” newsletter. If you have any local news articles, lodge information or important functions
happening, please send the information to editor@floridastatefop.org to be included in
the next edition of the newsletter.
We are looking to expand the online newsletter to include advertisements from
members or local businesses, associates or others interested in sharing their business
information with our 20,000 members. Advertising rates will be competitive and
available on request. Discounts for active members and associates with their own
businesses.
2
PETITION REQUESTING GOVERNOR CHRIST TO EXPEDITE EXECUTION
On Tuesday, August 18, 1987, Daniel Burns, Jr. and Samuel Williams were returning to Detroit from Ft.
Myers when Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Jeffrey D. Young pulled them over on Interstate 75 in Manatee
County . According to Williams’ testimony, Trooper Young approached their vehicle and asked for identification. Trooper Young then returned to his patrol car where he radioed dispatch for a wanted persons search and
a registration check on Burns’ Michigan tag. Trooper Young then asked Burns if he could search the vehicle,
and Burns consented. Upon searching the trunk and finding what appeared to be cocaine, Trooper Young and
Burns began to struggle. Based on numerous eyewitness accounts, Burns wrestled Young to the ground in a
water-filled ditch, grabbed the trooper’s gun and aimed it at his head. On his knees, begging for mercy, Young
was shot point-blank in the face. The bullet deflected off his wedding band.
Trooper Young was dead by the time additional troopers arrived at the scene. Medical examiners testified
that the shot was fired at such a close range as to leave gunpowder on Trooper Young’s face. Burns fled on
foot and was apprehended later that night. Williams testified that Burns was making several trips to Florida in
order to purchase $10,000 worth of cocaine.
The family of Trooper Young has initiated a petition requesting Florida Governor Charlie Crist to expedite
the execution of Daniel Burns for the cold-blooded murder of Trooper Young. Burns was convicted of first
degree murder and still sits on death row today, after 22 years of appeals and hearings at taxpayer’s expense.
Trooper Young, who was 28 years old at the time of his death, was survived by his wife and daughter.
We are respectfully requesting that you join us in honoring Trooper Young and his family by signing this petition and forwarding to others you know who would like to see justice served.
The petition can be accessed at http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/the-execution-of-daniel-burns.html
Please let me know if you have any questions.
With Honor and Respect,
Ken Howes ● Executive Director ● American Association of State Trooper
Dear Mr. President:
Please find below my suggestion for fixing America 's economy…
Instead of giving billions of dollars to companies that squander the money on lavish parties and unearned bonuses, use the following plan.
You can call it the Patriotic Retirement Plan:
There are about 40 million people over 50 in the work force.
Pay them $1 million apiece for early retirement with the following stipulations:
1) They MUST retire. Forty million job openings ---Unemployment fixed.
2) They MUST buy a new American car. Forty million cars ordered--- Auto Industry fixed.
3) They MUST either buy a house or pay off their mortgage ---Housing Crisis fixed.
It can't get any easier than that!
If more money is still needed, mandate that all members of Congress pay their taxes...
3
4
JAMES ZADROGA 9/11 HEALTH AND COMPENSATION ACT OF 2009
To: Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ms. Nancy Pelosi & All Congressional Representatives
We the undersigned urge Speaker of the House, Ms. Nancy Pelosi, to immediately commit to a firm date
for bill HR 847: the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2009 to be on the floor of the
House of Representatives, for a vote.
Having lost over eight hundred September 11th first responders since that horrific day, we must act now as
many, many more of our Nation’s Heroes are sick and dying due to the time they spent at the World Trade
Center site.
We would like to to stress how important the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2009 is
to us, our community and America. It is time to get this bill to the House floor and passed so that those who
put America first on September 11, 2001 are taken properly taken care of, now.
We want HR 847 passed by Thanksgiving so that we, as a country, can properly thank the thousands who
have given so much of themselves, so selflessly. We have lost over eight hundred September 11th first responders since that horrific day, we MUST act now as many, many more of these men and women are sick
and dying due to the time they spent at Ground Zero.
5
“FOP COPS AND KIDS TRADEMARK
PROJECT BLUE LIGHT
Memorandum
TO:
Fraternal Order of Police State and
Subordinate Lodges
FROM: Chuck Canterbury, National President
DATE: September 26, 2009
RE:
New Fraternal Order of Police Trademark
for Charitable Programs
As many States and Subordinate Lodges are aware,
the Delegation at the 2009 Biennial Conference voted o
a new trademark to be used in connection with FOP
charitable programs for children. The new name which
to FOP will submit a Federal Trademark Application, is
“FOP Cops and Kids.” Following the Biennial Conference, the Grand Lodge and Executive Board have received various inquiries regarding alternative names,
and suggestions for different or additional names to utilize or register for these charitable programs.
Project Blue Light is a nationwide recognition of
those Police Officers who have died in the line of
duty. It began in 1988 in Philadelphia when Dolly
Craig wrote a letter to COPS (Concerns of Police
Survivors) stating that she would be honoring her
late son-in-law, Philadelphia Police Officer Danny
Gleason, during the holiday season by placing a blue
light in her window.
As emphasized at the Biennial Conference, the purpose of registering “FOP Cops and Kids” is to ensure
that State and Subordinate Lodges have available to
them a federally registered trademark to use, free of
charge in connection with charitable programs. At the
same time, the Grand Lodge does not require that State
and Subordinate Lodges use the “FOP Cops and Kids”
name. If a State or Subordinate Lodge desires to utilize
a different name, the lodge should take appropriate steps
to protect the name, if possible. However, given the numerous suggestions, the Grand Lodge is not in a position to file trademark applications for each and ever
name utilized by State and Subordinate Lodges. If a
State or Subordinate Lodge uses a name that can be protected under trademark law, the lodge should consult
with its own attorney to determine the appropriate steps
to obtain trademark protection. This might include a
State or Federal trademark registration, assuming that
the lodge’s attorney recommends that such a registration be pursued.
Concerns of Police Survivors is encouraging all
law enforcement families, friends and law enforcement agencies to place a blue light in their windows,
a string blue lights and/or decorate in blue lights for
the coming holiday season.
By placing at least one blue light in a window of
your home, you’ll be showing your support for officers killed in the line of duty and those who continue
to work America’s streets. By displaying strings of
blue lights outside your home, at the department and
throughout the community, law enforcement officers
will understand that they are appreciated!
The color blue is symbolic of peace. By displaying your lights, you will be sending a dual message—that you support America’s peacekeepers and
that you hope the coming year will be a year of
peace.
Let your blue lights shine for law enforcement
during the holidays!
The Grand Lodge expects to announce in the near
future, the submission of an application to register :FOP
Cops and Kids” and an accompanying logo design,
which is under development. In the meantime, Lodges
may begin using “FOP Cops and Kids” for their charitable programs.
6
NEW POLICE LODGE HOLDS FIRST MEETING
Law enforcement officers from the Jackson
County Sheriff’s Office and the Marianna Police Department gathered Thursday to hold the first meeting
of the newest lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police.
ing times and dates for the future. Both Sheriff Lou
Roberts and Chief Hayes Baggett are among the
lodge’s first members. It is the second FOP lodge in
Jackson County, the Three Rivers Lodge has been
located in Sneads for several years. Membership in
Chipola Lodge No., 167 was charted in February
the Chipola Lodge is open to any active or retired law
by the Florida Fraternal Order of Police. According to enforcement in Jackson County.
a news release from the lodge, 10 officers from the
sheriff’s office, police department and Florida Highway Patrol petitioned the state organization for the
charter. The inaugural meeting Thursday discussed
the lodge’s mission in Jackson County and set meet-
ACTION NEEDED!!!!
The Denise Amber Lee Foundation needs your help!
Representative Ken Roberson and Senator Nancy Detert have filed companion bills in the upcoming Florida Legislative Session.
These bills will make it mandatory that all 9-1-1 telecommunicators in the state of Florida MUST complete
a standardized 232 hour course of study. It will include guidelines for continuing education. Call takers and
dispatchers will be recognized as a profession and they will need to be certified by taking a state exam in order to handle your frantic call for help.
It is shocking that this is not currently required and it is long overdue considering 0-1-1 call takers and dispatchers are our first line of defense in public safety.
The bills are fully funded through the E9-1-1 funds your are currently paying on you cell phone each
month. To date those funds cannot be used for dispatcher training.
This legislation if passed, will save lives. This legislation will not only help save and protect our citizens, it
will protect our medical, fire and police first responders.
What you can do
Go to www.myfloridahouse.gov and www.flsenate.gov for a list of all Representatives and Senators in the
state. Email as many as you can and ask them to support SB742 and HB 355 as a co-sponsor.
Thank you for your support.
The Denise Amber Lee Foundation
PO Box 781
Englewood, Fl 34295
7
Proposed Florida FOP Tag. Replica available to members on line at
www.floridastatefop.org. Visit our merchandise section.
8
MARION COUNTY LODGE 145 INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS
AND CHRISTMAS PARTY
Lodge 145 Vice President Todd Tucker, presents a plaque honoring
Vince Canatella. Naming their lodge building “Vince’s Place”
Deputy, Jonah Music, FOP Lodge 145 Metal of Valor recipient, Lodge
145 President, Gary Ernst, , Florida State Lodge President, James
Preston
Ross Falisi FOP Lodge 145
member of the Year
Gary Ernst presenting Ross Fallisi with FOP Lodge
145 member of the year plaque
FOP Lodge 145
Medal of Valor
Florida State Lodge is now an authorized distributor of “Blue Line Products”.
Visit us on line at www.floridastatelodge.org
9
FUNERAL FOR FOUR HEROES
Today in Tacoma unprecedented ten’s of thousands of police officers from all over the USA, Canada, and overseas showed up
for the funeral of the 4 slain police officers from the Tacoma suburb of Lakewood. Over 20,000 police officers arrived for the
funeral. 1,000 Royal Canadian Mounted Police Officers dressed in their red uniforms formed a massive sea of red. Over 100
officers from New York, and another from Boston. All the hotels in Tacoma were booked full and the overflow officers were invited into the homes of Local officers. MC Chord Air Force Base offered their base as a staging area for over 1,000 police vehicles that would form a procession from Lakewood to the Tacoma Dome. An amazing 3,000 vehicles showed up from all over the
USA and the procession took 4 hours to wind their way to the Tacoma Dome with the streets lined with thousands of folks waving American Flags along the way...all in weather that was sunny but around 20F Degrees. The above picture show the procession as they pick up the 4 white hearses in Lakewood. I’ll give you the rest of the report in pictures as follows ...
10
FOP PRESIDENT OFFERS CONDOLENCES TO FAMILIES OF THE FALLEN
takes like Clemmons. The early release of thousands
of crack dealers last year occurred over the objections
of the law enforcement community. This Congress
has renewed its efforts to significantly lower sentences for active crack dealers and, to date, that legislation does not reflect the input we provided on the
“My heart goes out to the families of these fine of- issue. Congress increased the number of Federal hate
ficers, cut down by a man who should have been be- crimes, but there is no specific statute for the killing
hind bars instead of pulling a trigger,” Canterbury
of a local or State law enforcement officer unless they
said. “Law enforcement is itself a family and I share are assisting Federal authorities. Is there any question
the grief and anger of the loved ones and colleagues in that this killer targeted police officers? No one else
Lakewood.”
was even injured in the attack.”
The four veteran officers were gunned down by
This week’s shooting was the fourth occasion in
Maurice Clemmons, a violent felon once sentenced to which multiple officers were murdered in the line of
serve 108 years in jail. His youth and a great deal of duty. In March, four officers in Oakland, California
misplaced optimism won him early release in Arkan- were killed, followed by three officers in Pittsburgh,
sas. After violating his parole, he returned to jail, but Pennsylvania and two in Okaloosa County, Florida in
was released again in 2004. He was charged earlier
April. To date, forty-four officers have been shot and
this year with assaulting a law enforcement officer
killed in the line of duty this year.
and raping a child, but posted bail. While the investi“Law enforcement is a dangerous profession. All
gation is ongoing, Clemmons seems to have been assisted by a network of friends and family who helped of us know that our lives are on the line, everyday, at
each traffic stop, at every response to a home, and
him elude capture after he murdered the four Lakeeven while enjoying a cup of coffee in uniform,” Canwood officers at a coffee shop on Sunday.
terbury said. “I want all my brothers and sisters to
“This murderous thug has been shot and killed, but stay safe out there, to watch out for one another and to
that is no solace to the families of the officers, nor
wear their vests. May God see all of us home at the
does it seem like justice,” Canterbury said. “Our
end of our shift.”
criminal justice system cannot afford to make misChuck Canterbury, National President of the Fraternal Order of Police, expressed his most sincere condolences to the families and colleagues of Sergeant
Mark Renninger, and Officers Tina Griswold, Ronald
Owens, and Greg Richards.
Temple Terrace Lodge 101 Christmas Party
President Bob Boss and Santa’s helper Lisa Dubord
distributed toys to all the kids at their annual
Temple Terrace Lodge 101 Christmas Party.
Everyone attending enjoyed a great meal and
fellowship.
(l-r) Santa’s helpers, Brenda Jordan, Cindy Boss, Lisa
Dubord, and Lodge 101 President Bob Boss
11
STATE PRESIDENT PRESTON INSTALLS THE NEW EXECUTIVE BOARD
OF LODGE 66
FWC Officers of the Year Barry Shaw and Sam
Lodge 66 Auxiliary President
(l-r) Relinda Broom, Robbie Robbins, Minerva Vogel
Minerva was presented a plaque in appreciation of 15 years as
Lodge 66 Auxiliary President
(l-r) Lt. Darren Riley, Lt. Mike Frantz, FWC Officer Barry Shaw, Keri DeHart,
Capt Navarro, Major Post, FWC Officer Sam Cohl and Robbie Robbins
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- More than 30,000 motorcyclists and 60,000 people took part in the "22nd
Annual South Florida President's Council Christmas Toys in the Sun Run" parade.
Proceeds from the event -- known as the world's largest motorcycle parade -- will help pay for cancer treatments for the children at the Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital in Hollywood, Fla.
Since the first Toy Run 21 years ago, bikers and supporters have raised in excess of $7 million which is
used for the cancer treatments and other special needs for the kids, as well as feeding thousands of needy
families during the holidays.
Last year's event raised more than $541,000 and more than 50,000 toys were collected and distributed to
children in the tri-county area by the Fraternal Order of Police.
This year, organizers hoped to raise more than $600,000 and collect 60,000 toys.
12
OFFICERS RETURNED TO DUTY
NAPLES — The arbitrator overseeing a dispute between the city of Naples and two police officers who
were fired in 2006 for turning in diploma-mill degrees and then reinstated months later, has ruled in favor of
the two officers, reducing their 10-day suspensions to oral counseling, and reimbursing them for the ten days
pay.
Sgt. Joe Popka and officer Drew McGregor "are to be made whole in all respects," according to a decision
issued Tuesday by the arbitrator, James L. Reynolds. The decision should put to rest a case that has festered
for over three years.
"It’s sad that it took three years, the termination of two employees, and at least $15 to $20 in taxpayer
money for every resident of the city to be forced to acknowledge their mistake," said Jon Fry, an attorney for
the Fraternal Order of Police union representing Popka and McGregor.
The arbitration was held in June.
Popka and McGregor were fired in July 2006 for submitting criminal justice degrees from Almeda University to qualify for the state’s salary incentive program, which boosts an officer’s pay by $80 a month. Almeda
University offers online degrees for "life experience" that can be purchased for $595, but degrees from
Almeda aren’t recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, the Council on Higher Education or the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
During the investigation both Popka and McGregor said they talked to department administrators before
submitting the degrees to verify they qualified for the program.
The officers were reinstated to their jobs by then-City Manager Bob Lee after a three-month fight, though
Lee gave them 10-day suspensions. Charges of improper conduct and exercising poor judgment were also sustained against them, and the officers were not satisfied with the positions they were assigned when they returned to duty.
FOP Endorses Kottkamp for Attorney General
Lonnie Miller, first Vice President, Jeff Kottkamp, Lieutenant Governor
13
THE WAR ON COPS
By Michelle Malkin • December 4, 2009
Maurice Clemmons had many enablers — starting
in Arkansas with clemency-crazy Mike Huckabee and
stretching to Washington state where he was surrounded by people who witnessed his threats against
law enforcement and did nothing to stop the Lakewood PD massacre. This week, police charged four
family and friends with aiding him and plan to indict
two more. My column today steps back and looks at
the past year of violence against police officers and
the cultural war that has been waged against them for
the past several decades. The Left has a popular mantra: “Stop the hate.” Why don’t they start applying it
to the men and women who protect and serve?
members to “watch the TV” before the massacre because he was going to “kill a bunch of cops.” The witnesses did worse than nothing. Several have been arrested for actively aiding and abetting Clemmons –
with shelter, food, money, and medical aid — before
he was discovered in Seattle early Tuesday morning
and shot after threatening a patrol officer investigating
Clemmons’ stolen vehicle.
A militant online group called the National Black
Foot Soldier Network celebrated Clemmons as a
“Crowned BOW (Black on White) Martyr” and
dubbed the Lakewood ambush a “preemptive strike on
terrorists.” It wasn’t the only chilling propaganda
cheering black-on-white police murders in the Pacific
Northwest this year.
Just three weeks before the Lakewood, Wa., massacre, the region endured another police attack. Suspect
Christopher Monfort was arrested last
month in the targeted shooting death of
Faces of the fallen: Sgt. Mark Renninger, 39; Officers Ronald Owens,
Seattle Police Department Officer
37; Tina Griswold, 40; Gregory Richards, 42.
Timothy Brenton and the wounding
The Left’s police-hating chickens are coming home of his partner Britt Sweeney. Monfort had written diato roost. While partisan liberals have gone out of their tribes against law enforcement harping against white
policemen.
way to blame conservative media and the Tea Party
movement for creating a “climate of hate,” they are
The leader of a Seattle hip-hop/punk band comsilent on the cultural and literal war on cops that has
memorated the assassination with a t-shirt depicting
raged for decades – and escalated tragically this year. Monfort’s face splattered with blood and overlaid
with a Seattle Police Department badge under the sloThe total number of law enforcement officers shot
gan “Deliver Us From Evil.” The other side of the
and killed this year is up 19 percent over last year,
shirt read “most of my heroes don’t appear on no
according to the Christian Science Monitor. More ofstamp.”
ficers have died in ambush incidents this year than
any other since 2000. The Lakewood, Washington
From where does the deadened and deadly callousmassacre on Thanksgiving weekend claimed the lives ness toward the thin blue line come?
of four dedicated officers getting ready for work at a
How about years of cop-bashing rap from NWA’s
coffee shop Sunday morning. Maurice Clemmons –
“F**k tha Police” and Ice-T’s “Cop Killa” to Dead
the violent career thug who received clemency from
Prez’s “Police State” (“I throw Molotov cocktails at
former Arkansas GOP governor Mike Huckabee and
the precinct”) and The Game’s “911 is a Joke” (I
benefited from fatal systemic lapses in the criminal
ought to shoot fifty one officers for the fifty one times
justice system – had many other enablers.
that boy was shot in New York”)?
Clemmons had told numerous friends and family
Continued on page 15
14
War continued from page 14
Try the glamorization of poisonous anti-police domestic terrorist groups like the Weather Underground
and the Black Panthers. Add in the mainstreaming of
anti-police demagogues Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton (whose ex-wife and daughter were arrested last
week after verbally abusing a Harlem cop and resisting arrest after running a red light). And toss in the
global glorification of Death Row cop-killers Stanley
“Tookie” Williams and Mumia abu Jamal by the Hollywood elite.
turned-liberal think tank fellow Van Jones (whose
“creative” activism and “energy” in the Bay Area won
senior White House adviser Valerie Jarrett’s heart).
Four Oakland officers went down and one was injured
when a convicted felon ambushed them during a routine traffic stop. Nearly 20,000 law enforcement officers and supporters from around the country filled a
memorial event for the fallen.
President Obama — Chicago pal of policetargeting Weather Underground terrorist Bill Ayers
and the convener of the national beer summit to inIt is, in my mind, no coincidence that another of
dulge his race-baiting, police-bashing Harvard profes2009’s bloodiest multiple-police shootings took place sor friend Henry Louis Gates — did not attend the
in Oakland – a hotbed of black nationalism/Free
service.
Mumia radicalism that gave us the likes of Angela
Reprinted with permission of Michelle Malkin
Davis, Huey Newton, and Obama green jobs czar-
15
OBSTACLE COURSE ENDS A SERGEANT'S CAREER
By Tom Lyons
When Sgt. Robert Graham chased bad guys in recent years, he wasn't on foot.
His specialized position at the Sarasota County
Sheriff's Office involved computers and electronics,
behind-the-scenes work that didn't get him into the
newspaper much.
ioral issue, Rose said.
Sheriff Tom Knight expressed regret but decided
he has no choice, Rose said.
He offered Graham a civilian job at the sheriff's
office, but for far less money. Graham declined.
Knight inherited the policy, which was created two
I found one Herald-Tribune story, from four years
ago, about him teaching children and parents to avoid years ago and applies to officers statewide. It includes
a December 2009 deadline for current employees to
cyber-criminals and online creeps.
pass a physical test that is easy enough for most law
The electronics specialty was a good fit, it seems, officers. It involves a timed run through a course that
requires climbing over barriers and, in one section,
but not just because he had the skills. He got into it
because of a work injury suffered years ago, which
dragging a weight.
left him with physical limitations that made it hard -Rose confirmed that the injury preventing Graham
maybe impossible -- to run down suspects or grapple
from taking the test was job-related, but would give
them into handcuffs.
no details aside from saying it wasn't from an encounBut now, just in time for Christmas, the Sheriff's
ter with a suspect or similar action.
Office has confirmed that Graham, after more than
Col. Steve Burns said the sheriff made the decision
two decades on the job, has been fired for failing to
reluctantly.
"Nobody's happy about it. He's a good
take a physical fitness test all sworn law officers are
employee,"
Burns said.
now required to pass.
Every cop is supposed to be able to help colleagues
Graham hasn't called me to complain, but an
and members of the public in an emergency that reanonymous sheriff's employee did. He said Graham
shouldn't lose his job when is able to do the work he quires some physical strength and agility, Burns said.
Granting an exception would invite other requests,
has done for years.
and there would be no fair way to decide who gets
That caller expressed hope that a review panel em- one, he said.
powered to overturn firing decisions might do so.
I get it, but I don't buy Rose's analogy, comparing
That can't happen, it seems. Sheriff's spokeswoman Graham's situation to a newspaper reporter being unWendy Rose said being medically or physically unable to write a required number of stories.
able to take or pass the test means automatic terminaTo me, it is more like firing a reporter for being
tion for law enforcement and corrections officers, peunable
to load newspaper bundles on a truck
riod. Such a termination isn't a disciplinary action, and
so can't be reviewed like a firing based on a behav-
16
MIDNIGHT SHIFT AND HEALTH RISKS
From The Force Science Research Center, December 18
Day shift assignments were considered to be those
that started between 4 AM and 11:59 AM; afternoon,
starting between noon and 7:59 PM; and midnights
beginning between 8 PM and 3:59 AM. The officers,
who all worked 10-hour shifts, were categorized according to which shift they most often worked during
This is established in a new study by an 8-member the 5-year period preceding the study.
team of health experts, headed by Dr. John Violanti, a
As a measurement of the officers' health risks, the
former state trooper and now a research associate proresearchers screened them for abdominal obesity
fessor at the State University of New York-Buffalo.
(more than a 40.2-in. waistline in men, 34.6 inches in
In an ongoing series of groundbreaking investiga- women); elevated triglycerides (above 150); reduced
tions, Violanti and cohorts have previously explored HDL ("good") cholesterol (less than 40 for men, less
shift work and its relationship to suicidal thoughts and than 50 for women); glucose intolerance; and hyperto problems of sleep quality. In one earlier study, they tension (blood pressure higher than 130/85).
found that retired LEOs in general tend to die some 6
A combination of any 3 of these "abnormalities" is
years sooner than other retired civic workers.
said to constitute "metabolic syndrome," a condition
"The newest findings confirm one more way that
that carries an increased risk of such health perils as
policing endangers those who serve," says Dr. Bill
stroke, cardiovascular disease, and Type 2 diabetes.
Lewinski, executive director of the Force Science Re"In most individual categories, officers in the midsearch Center, which was not involved in the team's
night-shift classification ranked the worst," one of the
discoveries.
researchers, Dr. Bryan Vila, a member of the CJ fac"Inescapably, some officers are forced to work un- ulty at Washington State University in Spokane, told
desirable hours, due to the 'round-the-clock nature of FSN.
law enforcement. Now, knowing their special risks, it
For example, 55% on midnights showed "elevated
becomes all the more important for those on late shifts
waist circumference," more than double the percentto rally their personal defenses against the potential
age found in the other 2 shifts. Half had sub-desirable
assaults on their well-being."
levels of "good" cholesterol, compared to 30% on
Violanti agrees. "This is the first time that working days and 44% on afternoons, and 25% had high blood
officers have been examined from this particular per- pressure, compared to 15% on days and 9% on afterspective," he told Force Science News. "We hope
noons. (Figures are rounded here to avoid fractions.)
these findings create an awareness of the importance
In measurement of triglycerides and glucose intolof health education for police. Shift work is not going
erance, midnight officers fared slightly better than
away. Officers need to learn how to adjust to it and
their afternoon counterparts, but in no category were
come out alive."
late-shift officers found to be in better shape than offiThe researchers' test group consisted of 61 male
cers working days.
and 37 female volunteers randomly chosen from an
Over all, 30% of midnight officers had metabolic
eastern city with more than 900 sworn officers. Blood
samples, blood pressure readings, and other pertinent syndrome, versus 11% on days and about 15% on afdata were collected from them at a medical clinic, and ternoon shifts.
their shift assignments and overtime hours were confirmed from payroll records.
Continued on page 18
Officers who predominately work midnights are at
greater risk of developing severe health problems than
civilians and other cops, especially if they average
more than about 90 minutes of overtime per week and
have trouble sleeping.
17
Midnight continued from page 17
"This is a very significant finding for a couple of
reasons," Vila says. "First of all, studies of the general
population have found that about 22% exhibit metabolic syndrome, and that includes sick people, old people, and others who might be expected to have a negative impact on the number. Cops at least have been
screened for good overall physical and mental health
when they joined the force.
"Besides that, officers in our study who worked
midnights tended to be younger than those working
days by an average of 6 years. You would expect
younger officers to be less susceptible to the risk factors for serious diseases."
Midnight officers took additional hits when sleep
and overtime were factored into the study.
Plus, he says, "Endocrine function and body balance
are disturbed by circadian [daily rhythm] disruption.
Working nights, especially on a job that's highly stressful, can cause significant wear and tear on the body."
"Sleep times for officers on midnights tend to be
outside the normal range," Vila explains, "so they customarily get not only less sleep but sleep of lesser quality." This produces fatigue and sets up a vicious cycle.
Insufficient sleep causes hormonal changes that, in effect, make the body crave quick energy bursts. "This
triggers an appetite for the kind of foods that result in
weight gain, bad cholesterol, and strain on the organs
that help you metabolize sugars. In turn, being overweight makes you more susceptible to sleep apnea and
other problems that interfere with restorative sleep."
If midnight officers want assurance of nutritious
meals while working, they can pack their own, making
sure what they eat is low in processed sugar and high
in complex carbohydrates, he suggests.
The researchers report: "Officers who worked midnight shifts and [averaged] less than 6 hours sleep had
a significantly higher mean number of metabolic syndrome components" than those who worked day and
"You'll sleep better," he says, "if you end vigorous
afternoon shifts. Indeed, their mean number of risk fac- physical activity 2 or more hours before you want to
tors was more than 4 times that of day officers and
sleep. Minimize your caffeine consumption the last 4
more than 2 ? times that of those working afternoons. hours of your shift, because it takes about 6 hours to
diminish caffeine in the blood to a level where it won't
Overtime, too, seems to impact midnight officers
interfere with sleep. And don't eat a big meal just bemore negatively than those on other shifts. Among offore bedtime." Darkening the room when you have to
ficers averaging more than 1.7 hours of overtime per
sleep during daylight hours also helps.
week, those working midnights had a "significantly
higher" mean number of metabolic syndrome factors-"Make an agreement with your family that sleep for
more than 4 times higher than day officers and more
you is an important priority," Violanti suggests, so they
than twice the number for afternoon shifters.
can help minimize disturbances.
The study notes in brief: "[S]horter sleep duration
If you have persistent sleep problems, arrange to be
and more overtime combined with midnight shift work screened for sleep disorders. "More than 40% of cops
may be important contributors to the metabolic synhave serious sleep disorders, and these can usually be
drome."
treated," Vila says. On the website of the nonprofit National Sleep Foundation [www.sleepfoundation.org]
The researchers did not attempt to document the
you can locate a sleep professional near you, as well as
specific causes of the link between midnights and
access helpful tips on better sleeping, books on the
health dangers, but Violanti and Vila offer observasubject, and sleep aids.
tions about a couple of likely suspects: eating habits
and sleep patterns.
Lewinski notes that the National Institutes of Health
recommend the following for preventing or managing
On late shifts, officers may feel more dependent on
metabolic syndrome:
restaurants and vending machines that "point them
more toward candy, Cokes, coffee, donuts, and fast
foods than toward nutritious meals," Vila explains. In
Continued on page 19
short, Violanti notes, "Diet on the night shift basically
stinks."
18
TALLAHASSEE POLICE OFFICER STRUCK AND KILLED
Tallahassee Police Officer Michael P. Saundes, a
27 year veteran of the Tallahassee Police Department
was scheduled to enter the DROP program in January. His wife Martha is a retired civilian worker from
Tallahassee PD after 30 years. Michael would rise
early every morning and go jogging before work to
keep in shape. Early this morning, Michael was fatally struck by a vehicle as he jogged in his neighborhood. His body was dragged by the car before he was
left lifeless along side the road. The driver of the vehicle that struck and killed him then fled the scene.
Trustee, advises that Michael worked most of his police career in patrol and a stint as an Airport Police
Officer. John remembers his co-worker as truly one
of Tallahassee's finest.
Our deepest sympathy and condolences to the men
and women of the Tallahassee Police Department in
their loss and our prayers go out to the family of TPD
Officer Michael Saundes.
Thankfully, the good work of the Tallahassee Police investigators led to the identity of the driver who
is now in custody.
Brother John Beeman, Tallahassee FOP Lodge
Midnight continued from page 18
• Eating a diet low in fat, with a variety of fruits,
vegetables, and whole-grain products
• Getting at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise
almost every day
• Losing weight so that your body mass index is
less than 25
• Controlling blood pressure and blood sugar
• Not smoking
monitoring of 460 officers to see if continued exposure to midnight service makes results worse and,
hopefully, to pinpoint specific causes of related health
problems.
Meanwhile, Vila says, more than a dozen research
papers are in development as a part of Violanti's
broad-based studies. "We are trying to look one piece
at a time at why police work is such an unhealthy profession and what can be done about that."
As more becomes known, Force Science News will
keep you updated.
• Including fish, preferably oily fish, in your diet at
Meanwhile, our strategic partner PoliceOne.com
least twice a week.
this week posted a news article you may find interesting, concerning a Maryland officer who is suing his
Violanti would like to see law enforcement agen- county for compensation for heart problems that he
cies provide training on diet and sleep, but he points
claims arose because of his police service.
out that "in the end, we are responsible for our own
health. We can't depend on an organization to take
According to this report, "Maryland law presumes
care of us. Taking our own simple steps to improve
that if public safety officials develop heart diseases,
lifestyle--eating better, sleeping better, exercising--is then it was their jobs that caused it and the officials
the best way to deal with this problem."
should be eligible for worker's compensation claims,
regardless of other possible contributing factors like
With the new metabolic study serving as a baseobesity, smoking habits, and family medical hisline, Violanti and his team are planning longer-term
tory."
19
ANCIENT ORDER OF HIBERNIANS IN AMERICA , INC
SOUTH FLORIDA DIVISON IS BEING FORMED
Brother John P. Pesce is the South Florida Organizer of the Ancient
Order of Hibernians in America, Inc, for South Florida. He is inquiring
if anyone, who is a practicing Catholic and is either of Irish birth or Irish
ancestry may be interested in joining the largest social and fraternal
Irish Catholic organization in the country.
If so. please feel free to contact him at (954)734-0063 or e-mail:
AOHSF1@yahoo.com.
If there are interested people from other areas of Florida, they can
contact him and he will get them in touch with the AOH Division nearest
them or he can help them start their own Division in their particular
area of Florida.
Organized over 165 yrs. ago, the Hibernians have become the most
influential body of people of Irish descent in the world. We are an
American fraternal organization promoting the interests of those with
Irish heritage. To be admitted for membership in the AOH, one must be
of Irish heritage, birth or descent, a practicing Roman Catholic and at
least 16 yrs. of age. For the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians
(LAOH), the same rules apply. Additionally, if she is married to an AOH
member, she may also qualify.
20
21
ADVERTISING IN FOP FLORIDA ON PATROL NEWSLETTER
Fraternal Order of Police
FLORIDA STATE LODGE
Company Name
Street Address
City, State, Zip Code
Dear Business Partner;
I would like to invite you to become one of the first to advertise in “Florida On
Patrol”, the official newsletter of the Florida State Lodge, Fraternal Order of
Police (FSLFOP). This long established newsletter reaches all corners of law
enforcement in Florida and we have just begun our initial advertising program.
Our newsletter will be digitally published four times per year and will be made
available to all of 20,000 active and retired law enforcement professional
members who live and serve within Florida. If you purchase a full year advertising spot in advance, not only will you receive a ten (10%) percent discount
you will be automatically registered as a preferred provider for our members.
The funds raised by these advertisements assist us in our many programs including Scholarships, Disaster Relief, Legislation and our Florida Law Enforcement Memorial Foundation for the families of fallen officers who have given the
ultimate sacrifice in service to our communities.
As a business, the location of your ad is very important to you. Your placement is reserved by your immediate response.
Prices are included with this letter.
Sincerely,
James W. Preston, President
22
Florida On Patrol
FOUR SEASON ISSUE & AD CLOSE DATE ORDER SHEET
SPRING
February (ad close date January 2nd)
SUMMER
May (ad close date April 1st)
FALL
August (ad close date July 1st)
WINTER
November (ad close date October 1st)
Florida State Lodge Fraternal Order of Police
242 Office Plaza, Tallahassee. Fl 32301
Phone: (800) 873-3671
Fax (800) 873-3670
E-Mail: advertising@floridastatefop.org
Website: www.floridastatefop.org
Attention: Greg Gecewicz—Newsletter Advertisements
The amount of times an advertisement is placed lowers the cost per issue. Also by
paying in advance for all four issues you will save an additional 10%.
Season Placed
Amount
Enclosed
Prices are for camera ready advertisements.
Size of page
Placed 1x
price per issue
Placed 2x
price per issue
Placed 3x
price per issue
Placed 4x
price per issue
Full
1300
1200
1100
1000
2/3 Vertical
975
900
825
750
1/2 Vertical
650
600
550
500
1/2
Horizontal
650
600
550
500
1/3 Vertical
500
435
385
350
1/3
Horizontal
500
435
385
350
1/4 Page
325
300
275
250
1/6 Page
(Horizontal
or Vertical)
275
250
230
210
1/8 Page
200
175
150
125
Back Cover
(full page)
2500
2070
1725
1500
Inside Back
Cover
(full page)
1750
1455
1320
1200
Inside Front
Cover
(full page)
1715
1550
1390
1250
Spring
Summer
Fall
Winter
Name of Company: _________________________________________Product or Service:_________________
Name of Representative: ______________________________________________Title:__________________
Address of Company: Street:______________________________ City:_____________________State:___________
Zip Code + 4 digits: _______________Telephone# ___________________Cell phone # __________________
23
F P
FLORIDA STATE
FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE
AUXILIARY
LAW ENFORCEMENT FAMILIES ACTIVELY
SUPPORTING LAW
ENFORCEMENT
Who can join?
•
Open to All Family members of a Fraternal Order of Police member in good standing
•
•
•
Must be 18 years of age or older
Widow/widower of a Fraternal Order of Police member
Honorary membership may be granted to immediate family members, 18 years of age or older, of
duly sworn law enforcement officers who have given their lives in the performance of their duties
Membership in the Auxiliary Offers...
•
•
Automatic Membership in the National FOP Auxiliary
Sharing a common interest with your spouse/family member
•
Family organization dealing with family issues
•
Assistance and training for critical incidents
•
•
•
Educational scholarships for members and their families
Information regarding legislative issues important to police families
•
•
Communication among police families
Opportunity to establish a fraternal bond with police families
“Never Let Them Walk Alone” – cast a double shadow and share a single thought
•
Membership Identification Card
24
Fraternal Order of Police Auxiliary History Pittsburgh: The Beginning
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Steel Town, USA. It's the Roaring Twenties and American women's voices have risen to a
roar. They were heard across the nation and all the way to the United States Congress which passed the 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote. Women were organizing!
Pittsburgh women caught the fever and organized a "Ladies Auxiliary" to the Fraternal Order of Police Fort Pitt Lodge
No. 1 in November 1920. They joined their husbands on the picket line to secure pay increases and better working conditions for the police officers of Pittsburgh.
Key players in this pioneering effort were Kathryn Milton and Mary McNamara. Kathryn Milton drew up the by-laws
and served as the first president. Restricted from membership in the FOP because of her gender, female Pittsburgh Police Officer Mary Hummel was among the charter members of that first Ladies' Auxiliary.
From the shores of Lake Erie to the eastern border of Pennsylvania, "sisters" joined to create two more Auxiliaries in
Erie and Scranton. Policewoman Elizabeth Jeffs organized the Erie Auxiliary and the third Auxiliary was formed to the
E.B. Jermyn FOP Lodge No. 2 in Scranton.
Milestones and Sidesteps to Organizing the Auxiliary
1922 - National FOP is notified that the functioning Ladies Auxiliaries want the FOP to "charter" their organizations. A
resolution is passed by the FOP allowing this, but no further action is taken.
1926 - National FOP advised the Ladies Auxiliaries to become incorporated to obtain legal standing. The Ladies Auxiliary petitioned the FOP to allow Auxiliaries to incorporate and applied for a charter in the name of the "Grand Lodge
Auxiliary". The petition was accepted by the FOP but no further action was taken.
1937 - The Auxiliaries, through Edythe Hinkle of Canton, Ohio, asked for "official recognition" and action to "clarify
our status". No further action was taken.
1941 - In September 1941, at the FOP National Conference in Toledo, Ohio, the Grand Lodge Auxiliary was organized.
Kathryn Milton, the Pittsburgh pioneer in the Ladies Auxiliary, was elected National President.
1949 - World War II has delayed the growth of the National Auxiliary. With the war effort over, the ladies' efforts began again and at the National FOP Conference of 1949 in Lexington, Kentucky, the official charter was presented to the
Grand Lodge Ladies Auxiliary by the FOP.
Grand Gatherings of the 40s, 50s and 60s
Banquet dinners, tuxedos and formals. Edith Mills, National Auxiliary President from 1949-1953, recalls that a peach
colored gown was her favorite for one conference.
Attire during conferences had been formal. Rituals for the Auxiliary require the wearing of white gloves. Hats were not
allowed during meetings up until the 1970s. It was during the 1970s that attire became more casual. Dresses also became a sign of unity, with Auxiliaries within state delegations dressing in similar styles (some wore uniforms) or styles
that reflected their regionalism. The entire delegation from Oklahoma wore red and white checkered outfits to show
support for a candidate. Their outfits reflected a western motif. Who couldn't recognize the great state of New Mexico's
delegates with their serapes?!
In 1959 the Kathryn M. Milton Scholarship Fund was established. The Grand Lodge Auxiliary provides an educational
grant awarded annually through a random drawing for contributing Auxiliaries. Children of FOP members and Auxiliary members are eligible for this grant.
25
The Auxiliary newsletter, the Journalette, was first published in the early 1960s, and then discontinued for
several years, to be reinstated in 1973. At the 30th Biennial Conference held in Phoenix, Arizona the Journalette was officially renamed the "Auxiliary Journal".
Breaking Traditions and Stereotypes in the 1980s
The 1980s brought a time of change, a time of breaking traditions, and tearing down old stereotypes. It was a
time to come from behind the bake sale table to the front...to the podium. No longer did the Auxiliary simply
conduct the Memorial Service at National Conference but in the early 1980s the Auxiliary President was
given the opportunity to address the entire delegation at the Conference gathering!
A program to honor fallen law enforcement officers was established and on May 15, 1982 the first National
Peace Officers' Memorial Day Service was held in Senate Park in Washington, D.C. There were approximately 125 in attendance.
FLORIDA FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE
AUXILIARY MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION
Annual Dues: Dues are paid annually at $18.00 per calendar year prorated at $1.50 for each remaining month in the
calendar year in which you join (National Per Capita is inclusive).
Meetings: The Florida State Lodge meets in February, June and October. Locations are announced in the State
newsletter and online at www.floridastatefop.org.
Application: To the Officers and Members of the Florida Fraternal Order of Police – I hereby make application for
active membership to the Florida Fraternal Order of Police. I am a family member of an active Fraternal Order of Police member.
Name: ____________________________________
Family Member: _____________________________ Lodge Number: _______
Relationship: _____________________________________________________
Address: ________________________________________
City, State, Zip: ___________________________________
Telephone: ________________________
Email: ______________________
Signature: ____________________________________
Please print this application, fill it out and return it with your dues check and mail it to:
Fraternal Order of Police * 242 Office Plaza * Tallahassee, Florida 32301
26
J.L. Peggs Financial
J.L. "Larry" Peggs, R.F.C.
Larry Peggs is widely known throughout the State of Florida in Municipalities and Law Enforcement Circles, specializing in Retirement, Investment, Insurance, and Tax Planning. As an independent financial professional, he has met with large and small groups, as well as with individuals, regarding the
education and implementation of various retirement and estate plans.
Larry is registered with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, and is an Investment Adviser Representative of Woodbury Financial Services, Inc., a member of the
Financial Industry Regulatory Authority and SIPC, 500 Bielenberg Dr., Woodbury,
MN. 55125, 800-800-2638. Woodbury is a member of the Hartford Financial Services
Group, one of the largest financial services companies in North America. He was admitted to the International Association of Registered Financial Consultants as a Registered
Financial Consultant (RFC), in 1998.
Larry began his financial career in 1970 after majoring in Agricultural Economics and Business Management at Purdue University. He has been a resident of Florida since 1976, when he moved from Indiana with
his wife Karen, and their two children.
Larry may be contacted by calling (727) 391-1707, (800) 293-6784, Nextel DC# 158*35*718, or emailing
larry@jlpeggs.com. There are no fees for consultations.
Visit the FOP Travel Store on the
Florida State Lodge web site
Your continued loyal support of the Florida FOP entitles you, your family
and friends to join us at the FOP Travel Store where you will enjoy great
competitive rates on all your travel needs that our law enforcement members earn. You receive great rates on airlines, hotels, rental cars and so
much more. At the same time, you support the Florida FOP each time you
book travel online.
Visit www.ytbtravel.com/fop
27