We`re heading a new direction together
Transcription
We`re heading a new direction together
President’s Message by President Scott Westerman We’re heading a new direction together Volume 40 I hope everyone had a great holiday season in spite of the snow and rain. With every new year we face an array of challenges. This new year brings a new direction for the PPA. Among the long list of challenges ahead of us, both old and new, the biggest is our contract. We have about 18 months until our current contract expires, but the preparations have already begun. Mitch and I will be selecting the bargaining team in the next couple months, and we will be soliciting information from you about the specific issues you encounter that need correcting. Right now I’d like to share my vision for our future. Let’s begin with unity - something that has been noticeably lacking for a number of years. We are a labor organization, a union. We are one of the few unions in the nation that have 100% membership. Think about that. Every single police officer, sergeant, detective, and criminalist working for the Portland Police Bureau is a member of the oldest continuous police union in the country, the Portland Police Association. And yet, rarely do we act as one. We are so often focused on ourselves, we don’t consider the others around us. When a police officer somewhere else in the country does some reprehensible act, it reflects on all of us, because we all wear the same badge of authority. As a result, the public rarely discerns the difference between an officer from Alabama , Delaware, California, Astoria, or Portland. In many respects, the same is true for us, we all wear the Portland Police badge, and as such, we are one. Andy Edgecomb recently reminded me, “The Rap Sheet and the PPA leadership play a significant role in the overall mood of the troops. There will always be some issues with management and someone will always be in the grease, but we don’t need to constantly feed on the negative.” I ask that you always remember this. Morale is not solely management’s responsibility, we all play a part. Continued on page 3 Published by Rap Sheet, Inc. 1313 NW 19th Ave Portland, OR 97209 The Rap Sheet There will be times when one of our members is alleged to ` Number 1 January, 2009 The Portland Police Association • Maintaining the vigil since 1942 Secret revealed in Newton’s Corner by Bob Gorgone Here’s a story from early in my career. I have taken very few liberties with the telling, but even if there is an embellishment or two, why let the truth get in the way of a good story? The wisdom I acquired during this period of my life has been passed on to future generations of new police officers. In truth though, I believe the insight and skills obtained through this life lesson transfer to most professions. It was the fall of 1991. I was a Newton Massachusetts Police officer, married and living in Newton Corner. My wife and I lived in a second-floor apartment in a building owned by my uncle. The dwelling was two big box houses that had been moved north about 50 yards and grafted together in the late 1800s to make way for the train tracks that now run west out of Boston. Running parallel on the south side of the tracks was I-90, known locally as the Massachusetts Turn Pike, or simply “The Pike.” At the time I thought our three-bedroom, one-bath apartment had character and style. The apartment sported 100- year-old hardwood floors, five-foot tall pull-up windows, built-in bookshelves and cabinets, and 10-foot ceilings. The building had settled and shifted so many times over the years that there wasn’t a level surface in the place or a door that closed without difficulty. It was the first home in which we lived as a family. I had a stereo that had cost me a month’s rent, a dart board that hung on the kitchen door and a fridge that was usually full of food and beer. I thought I had it made! Looking back, I realize my optimistic outlook coupled with youth and lack of experience might have put a positive spin on what was really a dump rented to me on the cheap by my slumlord of an uncle. My wife and I had been living in wedded bliss for two and a half years. She got pregnant with our son about six weeks after we were married. A combination of two much wine, poor use of birth control and my incredibly virility made us parents before our first anniversary. The same scenario minus the birth control blessed us with twin girls 14 months after my son was born. Three kids within 16 months of being married created all sorts of challenges. Needless to say our lives became very full in a short period of time. Serious lifestyle adjustments where required. My wife’s in this issue: world was an apartment that had a scenic view of I-90. She shared that world with a dog, a cat and three kids under the age of two. Me, I was working 60 to 80 hours a week as a cop and painting houses on the side to keep a roof over our heads, food in the pantry, pampers and formula in supply and a song in our hearts. The biggest lifestyle adjustment for me back then was not having the time or money to go “good timing” with the boys. My schedule was crazy—Newton works what is called a four and two swing shift and my days off rotated backward every week. My first day of a new work week was 11:30 p.m. through 7:30 a.m. (called a last-half). I came home, slept about six hours than had to be back at work for the 3:30 to 11:30 p.m. shift (called a first-half). I then got 24 hours off (I’d work details, overtime or paint houses) only to repeat the cycle before my next two days off. The rare times I could catch a beverage with the boys was after a first-half. The post-shift cop bar for those of us past our “clubbing” days who just wanted a drink and camaraderie was the Elks Lodge in Newton Corner. It was the perfect place. Cheap drinks, pool tables, dart boards and shuffle board. It was a few blocks from home, and the bartender would stay there drinking with us after closing if the mood and tips were right. Sounds like paradise for a hard-working thirsty young Continued on page 5 Retiree’s Banquet ` p.6 Editor’s Statement p.2 Disappointed, but not suprised Rogue parking violators in the mean streets p.7 p.4 Live a legacy Faux Pas for sergeants: Six steps for failure p.6 p.8 IACP News: Presidential commission needed p.12 Portland, Oregon Permit 5314 PAID PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE Editor’s Statement by Sergeant Peter Simpson Southeast Precinct Leadership needed for budget process The 20092010 budget process is well under way for the police bureau and some tough choices are going to be made before it’s all over. What seems clear is that the police bureau will see a cut from last year’s budget. How big of a hit remains to be seen. In examining the budgetary needs, the leaders of the bureau have a lot to consider. They have to consider the immediate budgetary needs, like operating costs associated with running a major police organization. They also have to consider the future, such as continuing training, hiring and continually improving the equipment we use on a daily basis. There have been a lot of conversations about what might be on the short list to be cut, reorganized, merged, etc. Some of the ideas being discussed (at least at the precinct level) are: • Merge North and Northeast Precinct • Merge East and Southeast Precinct • Both – reducing the five precincts to three • Eliminate the Traffic Division and put the bodies and equipment into the precincts • Eliminate vacant police FULL FRAME Power that Empowers! 12.1 MEGA PIXELS The NEW Nikon D700 handling agility fused with astounding image fidelity, sharpness and tonal range are made possible by Nikon’s 12.1- megapixel FULL FRAME FX-format CMOS sensor. The D700 has amazing low noise at up to ISO 6400, continuous shooting as fast as 5 frames per second and two Live View modes. INSTANT $ 300 SAVINGS NIKON ON D700 BODY ONLY: $2,999.99 regular price less $300 Nikon instant savings. Price valid through 1-31-09. NIKON D700 BODY ONLY $ , 99 2 699 $ PLUS, RECEIVE 200 NIKON BUCKS NIKON INC. LIMITED WARRANTY INCLUDED ©2009 NIKON INC. Law Enforcement Edition Don’t forget to ask about our Complete and Portable Crime Scene Documentation & Investigation Kits made just for law enforcement. Visit our website today at www.ProPhotoSupply.com/law/ www.ProPhotoSupply.com 503-241-1112 ■ 800-835-3314 1112 NW 19th (at Marshall), Portland, OR ® CAMERAS - NEW, USED, RENTAL VIDEO COMPUTERS PRINTERS ■ PAPER & INK ■ DIGITAL PHOTO LAB ■ page 2 ■ positions that have not been filled • Eliminate the Mounted Patrol Some of these “fixes” are technical in nature. Closing North Precinct might save money, but would prove very unpopular in St. John’s and Kenton. To successfully close the precinct without major community backlash, the leadership of the police bureau would have to help the community adapt to the reality that it’s very expensive to operate a separate precinct in their neighborhood, when they could be served just as well or even better by a merged precinct. For many in North Portland, the precinct is a big part of the community’s identity – not an easy thing to change. I’m not advocating for or against North Precinct being closed. What I’m saying is that each and every decision is an important one and carries with it certain risks and rewards and both need to be recognized before a decision is made. I would advocate that eliminating vacant police positions is shortsighted as we still have people retiring and need to fill those jobs along with the ones that have already retired. Additionally, funding and building the training facility seems like one of the most important things on the agenda. Having the best training program and a dedicated facility brings with it a huge reward: The continuation of having one of the best police agencies in the nation. Recently I started reading “Leadership on the Line: Staying Alive through the Dangers of Leading,” by Marty Linsky and Ronald Heifetz. The book was given to me by someone with whom I have great respect for and who I consider a great leader in the police bureau. In the early chapters in the book, two problems are defined: Technical and Adaptive. The writers provide several examples of each and how they are different. An easy example I would provide would be this: A person has a problem paying the bills so they open a new credit card to charge all the bills, which is a technical fix. The other side of the problem is the adapting of behavior. The person needs to adapt their lifestyle to fit their income level rather than opening credit cards to make ends meet. The adaptive fix is much harder and is where leadership is truly needed. Continued on page 3 ` “This publication will be dedicated, therefore, to the principles of objective reporting and freedom of expression which we believe are both fundamental to the operation of a democratic organization and to the free society we are sworn to protect.” James Fleming, former Rap Sheet editor December, 1970, Vol I, Issue I Volume 40 Number 1 January, 2009 Portland Police Association President Sergeant Scott Westerman Secretary- Sergeant Mitch Copp Treasurer Editor Sergeant Peter Simpson Subscriptions 503.225.9760 360-518-3429 Advertising 503.225.9757 Sales Design/ Susan Anderson Production 503.225.9758 The Rap Sheet is the official monthly publication of the Portland Police Association. The Rap Sheet is the only publication of its kind that represents the interests of men and women working in law enforcement in Portland. Subscription rate is $20 per year. Email copy submissions to the editor at editor@ppavigil.org. The Rap Sheet office is located at 1313 NW 19th, Portland, OR 97209. Phone 503.225.9760. Articles appearing under an author’s byline do not necessarily represent the opinion of the PPA. Advertising and editorial submissions are due the first Friday of every month prior to publication. email web page editor@ppavigil.org Advertising 503.225.1158 fax Editorial fax www.ppavigil.org 503.225.1158 PPA Officers title phone Scott Westerman President 503-323-6015 Mitch Copp Secretary-Treasurer 503-323-9349 Daryl Turner VP-Central Precinct 503-793-3803 VP-Dets./Criminalists 503-793-8425 VP Sergeants 503-323-5053 Andy Edgecomb VP-SE Precinct 503-237-3534 Scott Robertson VP-East Precinct 503-793-0971 Jim Habkirk VP-NE Precinct 503-706-6664 James Nett VP-North Precinct 503-545-3569 VP-Services 503-920-5430 Jim McCausland Doug Justus Tom Perkins VP-Services Mike Villanti VP-Traffic Division 503-793-8852 VP-At Large 503-955-0367 Tony Christensen Safety Committee 503-250-7887 Gary Manougian Safety Committee 503-250-5169 Robert Foesch P.A.R.T. Police Alcohol Recovery Team P.A.R.T. is a group of officers who are recovering alcoholics in the Portland Police Bureau. We are made up of various ranks and come from various divisions of the Bureau. Our mission is to help alcoholics in the law enforcement community and their families achieve and maintain sobriety. We adhere to an ethical responsibility of confidentiality, which is a promise to an officer to reveal nothing about his or her circumstance to any other Bureau member. P.A.R.T. members Officer Rob Hawkins Tri-Met 503.920.1728 (pgr) 503.962.7566 (wk) Sgt. Larry Graham SE 503-793-9291 (pgr) 503.823.0097 (wk) Sgt. Lori Drew Detectives 503.237.0346 (pgr) The Rap Sheet | January, 2009 _ _ Continued from page 2 The police bureau and the city have a budget problem. Crisis might be a strong word but could apply if the economy continues to spiral downward, or if we get another “Arctic Blast.” It is now more than ever that tough choices are made and that they are made with an adaptive purpose: We need to truly examine how we do business and what core services we provide to the community. The leadership also extends to the community. The community needs to truly examine what they want from their police bureau and work with police leadership to come together to make the easy and hard choices about the budget. The reality is that the budget problems of 2009 are going to be with us for several years and it may be time to adapt to the reality that the police bureau and the city need to rethink how they accomplish the mission of community safety. Below is a paragraph from page 59 of “Leadership on the Line” that struck me as timely considering the budget process: “Budget crises provide a good, general illustration of the pressures toward technical interpretations. Typically, a budget crisis in the public or private sector stimulates an effort to find more money. The people in authority might squeeze expenses here, postpone some expenditures there, or do some short- term borrowing. Those solutions deal with the problem as a technical issue. But very often the source of the crisis in a clash of values, a difference in priorities. Finding more money temporarily smoothes overt the conflict, but does not resolve it. Solving the underlying problem would require the factions with competing priorities to acknowledge the gaps between them and work through the differences. It would require trade-offs, and losses. The result might well deeply disappoint some people, perhaps many. “Balancing the budget” might in fact mean refashioning the organization’s agenda and changing the way it conducts business. Thus, the task of leadership would be to mobilize people to adapt to a world with different constraints and opportunities than they had imagined.” When the new budget is published and the hard choices have been made, not everyone will be happy. Hopefully most can agree that the process was thoughtful and that involved and concerned parties had a chance to be heard and understood. Despite a poor economy and budget cuts, the police bureau still has the mission of keeping the community safe. I have full faith that the members of the police bureau will continue to accomplish the mission with honor, in the finest traditions of the police bureau. Stay safe. Continued from page 1 President’s Message have done something which reflects badly on the rest of us, and gets “in the grease.” In almost every one of these situations, the information we spread amongst ourselves in locker rooms, roll calls, coffee breaks, and the like, is drastically inaccurate and nearly always destructive. The union has a duty and responsibility to advocate for that member to make sure the member is treated fairly and equitably by the administration – even when the member has in fact done what was alleged. As we all know, there are those who will get disciplined for an act another would be praised for. If you are one of the ones who would be praised, you may not see a need for a union outside of contract negotiations. But what happens when the tables turn? What if you fall out of favor and you become one of the ones disciplined? An injustice against one of us, is an injustice against all of us. We need to support each other in positive ways as we are all in this together. To make this point more clear, look at Officers Jason Sery and Chris Humphreys. Both of these officers had earned the respect of everyone they worked around, both citizens and fellow officers alike. They exemplified everything a police officer should be. They were dedicated, professional police officers doing the job when something tragic happened. Both of these officers were involved in different situations and, after being reviewed objectively, were found to have done everything right. Grand juries, and every subsequent level of oversight cleared them both. Yet both officers have been crucified by some of the media, by some members of the public, and worst of all, publicly ignored and discarded by the administration. The sad reality of police work in Portland is that every single one of us is just a radio call away from being mistreated the same way. This is why we should remember that we are in this together. If you see these officers, give them your support. More importantly, when you engage the citizens of Portland in discussions about police work, take a moment to express your support for them too. While we all know we will never gain the support of every citizen of Portland, I wholeheartedly believe we do have the support of the majority of the citizens. We will once again enjoy a time where it will be socially acceptable to praise the police publicly. Maybe if we can get the citizens to start PUBLICLY speaking in support of us during socially charged incidents, we can get the administration to do so too. Until then, we only have ourselves to rely on. Norm Costa honored with the Community Harmony Award Norm Costa is a powerful voice for underserved populations throughout Portland. Norm has worked with volunteer groups, City Bureaus, the Police Bureau and police association, and religious institutions to bring a diverse community together to work to make Portland a safe place for everyone. Norm has been a tireless advocate for the needs of youth, the sexual minority community and people living with HIV and AIDS. When some people would have simply given up and written off relations between Portland’s Police Bureau and the sexual minority community, Norm worked within the system to educate officers. He has endeavored to improve the relationship between the police agency and the sexual minority community through his participation on the Sexual Minority Roundtable. He has served community members through his work with the Coalition against Hate Crimes, advocating for the needs of crime victims, witnesses and Portland Police officers responding to hate crimes. Through GLSEN Oregon, Norm has worked to provide safe schools for all youth. He has also been a voice for educating incarcerated youth. Norm champions the compassionate values of Portland including projects that work toward HIV prevention and caring for people living with AIDS. A volunteer leader with Metropolitan Community Church, Norm champions greater visibility of people of faith in the community and is helping to plan the 100th anniversary of the historic MCC building in October 2009. Helping people see eye to eye isn’t a job for Norm, it’s a calling. Read us online at www.ppavigil.org page 3 Disappointed, but not surprised I debated whether I should write this article because of the backlash that might follow. Normally, I bite my tongue and discuss tough issues with my wife or coworkers. For some reason, this time was different. I needed to get this off my chest, and for the first time I’m writing about it rather than complaining about it in the locker room. A few weeks ago you may have seen the posting for Defensive Tactics Instructor. Like some of you, I put in for this position. I later received that illustrious letter: “Thanks for applying… there were a lot of qualified applicants… unfortunately….” You get the picture. I wasn’t shocked that I wasn’t selected—just mildly disappointed. I later found out that one of my coworkers and friends was selected. I was happy for him. I knew he worked afternoon shift and had days off in the middle of the week, so the training would be a nice break from the day-to-day call load. In order to attend the training, he would have to adjust his regular days off to coincide with the two-week training schedule for the class. In turn, he would have to coordinate this with his wife and child since this change in schedule would not only affect him but his family as well. Things worked out, and he was set to go to the class—or so I thought. When I returned to work after my weekend, I explained to him that, surprisingly, I had been invited to attend the training at the last minute, but because of family obligations I was unable to go with such short notice. He then proceeded to tell me that the Training Division had called him and told him the Chief’s Office didn’t want him to be in the class. I was shocked and appalled, but not surprised. Apparently some “upper” supervisors didn’t want him in the class. This officer had a sergeant, a lieutenant and the commander from his precinct approve his participation in this school. Training then got his application and picked him to attend the class over many other applicants. Then, someone or some people said “No Way.” Why did they feel the need to overstep Training’s decision? Let me say one thing about this officer: He’s a great cop. I would take him any day of the week and twice on Sunday as my backup and wingman. He might by Officer Rich Storm Southeast Precinct have received some complaints when he worked at another precinct, but, when you work hard and get things done, you’re going to get complaints. This officer is an FTO, and every new cop who is assigned to him will learn a lot. He would have made an excellent DT instructor. Citizens, City Council, the mayor and even the Chief’s Office might wonder, “Why is morale in the Bureau so low?” Well, this incident is just one of the many reasons why. It’s hard to go on day after day, trying your best, when in the end you realize the people above you don’t care about you. Patrol is supposed to be the backbone of the Bureau. Well maybe we are…the lower half of the backbone! The one thing the “upper” supervisors tend to forget is our families. This officer wasn’t just rearranging his schedule to attend this school, but his family’s schedule as well. Work changes greatly affect every member of an officer’s family. I realize this isn’t taken into consideration when decisions are made, but it should be. Put yourself into the position of a street officer with little seniority. Imagine having a family, a hectic work schedule and a busy court schedule (on your days off ). Then you are given an opportunity to do something for your career and your employer. Now, work diligently to rear- range the entire family’s schedule for two weeks so you can take a class with the blessing of your family. After doing this and getting things scheduled, switch it all back because the “upper” supervisors don’t want you to go. Doesn’t sound fun, does it? Doesn’t sound fair, does it? As I expected, this officer is fine with the situation. He just smiles and shakes his head as he tries to explain why he didn’t go to DT instructor school. This will not change how he does things on the street. He’ll continue to work as hard as ever to put the bad guys in jail. He’s a great cop, and we’re lucky to call him one of our own. I like being a street cop and doing this job day after day. The close group of officers I work with is the best a guy could hope for. I’ll continue to do the best job I can do. I know that we on the street have each other, our families and a little help from above to get us through each day. Stay safe and I’ll see you all on the next call. Letters Cadets thankful for PPA donation Thank you to the Portland Police Association for the recent donation of $400 towards our annual awards ceremony. The cadets appreciate the PPA’s continued support for the Portland Police Cadet program. Officer Heather Rippe Cadet Advisor Thank you to PPA for assistance with Detective Division Dinner On behalf of the Portland Police Bureau, I would like to personally thank you for your generous donation to the 34th annual Detective Division dinner held on October 4, 2008 at the Red Lion Jantzen Beach Hotel. It Ilas been a tradition of the Detective Division to recognize the detectives who have retired during the year. With the many donations we received from our police supporters, we are able to raise money through a silent auctIon and raffle drawing. This year we raised over $1900 to be donated to the Alyssa Malchow Breast Cancer Fund (in memory of Alyssa, 26 year old daughter of retired Sgt. Mike Stevenson and Det. Jeanne Stevenson), the Portland Police Historical Society, Portland Police Memorial and Portland Police Museum. Thank you once again for making our annual recognition dinner a huge success. Sincerely, Mary Jane Gleeson (Retired) Portland Police Bureau To our Hike For A Cure Friends and Supporters Thank you so much for your support for Hike For A Cure. To the more than 250 individuals who joined us in Yosemite this year - we are so appreciative of the energy and enthusiasm you bring to this weekend. And to all who supported the participants on the Hike, 1800 family and friends, we send a huge “THANK YOU”. Your contributions, from $5 and up, when added together, have totaled well over $200,000 this year. This is enough to fund four research projects in 2009, which will continue to advance the understanding of histiocytosis and move us ever closer to a cure. Since 2001 we’ve hiked in honor or memory of 33 children, teens and adults affected by histiocytosis. To our absolute amazement we have raised over $850,000 since that first hike. Many of our very first supporters are still donating (and even hiking!) today. Each year many new supporters join us, brought to H4AC by an expanding circle of hikers. We extend our sincere gratitude to all of you for your continued support and belief in our cause. With love and gratitude, Ron, Colleen, Annika, Nolan, and Anton McPeek Bechtold page 4 The Rap Sheet | January, 2009 _ Continued from page 1 Newton’s Corner ©iStockphoto.com/Tomacco cop right? It was. The problem wasn’t the bar; the problem was coming home, getting into bed and going to sleep without a lecture or a cussing out. I empathized with my young bride’s angst. She worked just as hard as I did but lacked the outside stimulation or adult contact my job provided. Her world revolved around three kids in diapers and an 800-squarefoot apartment that was so close to the highway that the house plants died if we left the windows open. I tried to give her every opportunity for “me” time, but I know it wasn’t the same as going out for libations with co-workers. All this groundwork brings me to the lesson learned. I was at the Elks, throwing darts and conversing with the boys. Somehow, I got onto a rant of how unjust it was that I couldn’t “go out for a beverage once or twice ing, short and overweight and resembled a homicidal leprechaun minus the corncob pipe. He was a Vietnam Vet, with over 20 years on Newton PD by 1991. He probably had undiagnosed PTSD, had been married at least three times, smoked like a ‘67 Dodge Dart that needed a head gasket and by anyone’s definition had a moderate to heavy drinking problem but functioned well in day-to-day life. Dave was also one of the funniest and wisest guys on the job. He had a unique perspective on life, was a gifted problem solver and a superior conflict mediator. Dave leaned toward me and said, “Kid, don’t sweat it. I’ve got the perfect solution for you. Guaranteed to work or I’ll buy your drinks for a year.” Drinks for a year? He had my full and complete attention. Dave went on to explain, “Your problem is you’re going about this the wrong way. Your ‘sneak in under the radar all quiet and dark’ strategy is seriously flawed. The wife knows all you want to do is pass out. She knows you don’t want conversation, discussion or debate. That’s exactly why she engages. It’s a power thing. and upper body were becoming animated. “Trust me!” Dave continued, “This is what you do. As soon as you get home, brush your teeth and shower. When you enter the bedroom do it with authority. Turn on a lamp or light some candles. Turn on the stereo. Sinatra, Santana, Pink Floyd, Fleetwood Mac, doesn’t matter. In a loud firm voice announce, ‘My Queen! The King is home, I’m drunk and I’m horny. Awake you vixen! I intend to please and satisfy you for hours!’ Then slowly start to disrobe while swaying to the music.” “One of two things will happen every time,” Dave reported. “The most likely outcome will be dead silence from the bed. You won’t be able to wake her with a bucket of ice water and an air horn. Slowly turn everything off and slide into bed for a well deserved, undisturbed sleep. More than likely the incident will never be brought up or discussed in the light of day. Mission accomplished!” We stood in silenced awe. The sun came out! We had climbed the mountain to be told the secret of life. We knew truth and perfection when presented with “Dave ... resembled a homicidal leprechaun minus the corncob pipe. He was a Vietnam Vet, with over 20 years on Newton PD by 1991. He probably had undiagnosed PTSD, had been married at least three times, smoked like a ‘67 Dodge Dart that needed a head gasket ... ” a month without catching young wife, new mother hell” when I rolled in around 3:30 a.m. “What’s wrong with me having a beer while she’s sleeping? It doesn’t affect family time or money-making opportunities. At most I only lose a few hours sleep.” But what the heck? I was young, highly motivated and thirsty. It didn’t matter back then how much I drank the night before. I never missed work or a family event and considered myself a pro at negotiating a hangover. I continued to vent: “All I want to do after our nights at the Elks is slide under the sheets and go to sleep. It doesn’t matter how quiet I am, the wife pops awake and the drama starts. What am I to do?” That’s when Dave Devany spoke up. Dave was gray, bald- She wants you to know even though she spends all her time housebound in a tiny apartment with three babies she still has the clout and authority to make you miserable and ultimately wants to be appreciated for what she does and has given up FOR YOU! You need to turn this around. You need to let her know that not only do you value her as a mother but that you desire her as your woman and a lover. When you get home tonight, ditch the ‘quiet and dark’ routine! You’re the man of the house, damn it! You are in your home, in your castle and you require some respect!” I can’t recall exactly how many of us were in the lodge that particular night, but I do know Dave had everyone on the edge of their seats, leaning toward him. Even Jimmy, the bartender, who usually ignored our boozy banter, was keyed in on every word. Dave was warming to the lecture as went. His face was flushed with color; his hands Read us online at www.ppavigil.org it! Any married man with little kids at home knew this tactic couldn’t, no, wouldn’t fail. “What a minute,” I blurted. “You said there were two possible outcomes. What’s the other one?” “That’s the beauty of the plan,” Dave shared. “If she does wake up and actually welcome your amorous advances, you win again. Just make sure you’re ready for action. You’d better give her your ‘A’ game. And don’t forget to wake up before she does the next morning and have her favorite breakfast waiting on the kitchen table and the kids clothed and fed.” I went home that night and slept like a baby. Dave never did have to buy the beer. Hell, his strategy worked so well everyone who heard him that night would buy his drinks for years to come. That broken down, half crazy, alcoholic, leprechaun wanna-be was really a genius in disguise. Through a highly successful relationship with police departments around the country, LoJack is the only provider of vehicle recovery systems directly connected to state crime computers. For participating dealerships go to www.lojack.com NADINE DODY LPC M.A, MFT, CADC, EMDR 503-200-4744 Fax: 503-512-8922 Individual, Children/Adolescents, Marriage & Family Counseling Main Office: 101 NE Roberts Ave. Gresham, OR 97030 Additional Office: 24850 SE Stark St, Suite 200 Gresham, OR 97030 The Portland Police Association is proud to announce some new benefits for our members We will be giving members access to significant discounts at a variety of businesses, including Regal Cinemas, Washman Carwash, Great Wolf Lodge, Bullwinkle’s Family Fun Center, Timberline Lodge, with others on the way. For more information, please visit www.ppavigil.org beginning Monday, January 26, and click on the Members Only section. Contact your PPA representative or the PPA office for access to the site. Columbia County A great place to call home. Mick Taylor Principal Broker phone 503-539-1117 Scappoose Branch 33548 Edward Lane, Suite 120 Scappoose, OR 97056 503-543-3751 ext.101 page 5 Faux Pas for sergeants: Six easy steps to guarantee your failure by Sergeant Jeff Baker Omaha (NE) Police Department Studying for the upcoming assessment center? Or are you on a promotional list? Perhaps you’ve taken that first step up the departmental ladder and are already sporting a freshly starched set of chevrons on your sleeves. Or maybe you infrequently ponder testing and are happily chugging along as a line officer. There’s no shame in that, by the way. Departments are awash in climbers, people who make a career of seeking the next promotion. The LE community often fails to recognize the value in cultivating career cops, veteran street officers and detectives who mark their passage by gaining expertise in the two core functions of all agencies: proactive patrol and investigations. But I digress. The crux of what follows is an attempt to give the new or prospective sergeant a handful of hints not on how to succeed as a first line supervisor, but on how to blow it. Hence, six steps to guarantee your failure: Forget where you came from We’ve all seen officers attain that first promotion and mysteriously lose their DNA, forgetting they used to hump a cruiser like the cops they answer for as a new supervisor. A cruel or severe response to procedural minutia or minor performance lapses committed by line officers, or a sanctimonious attitude toward peers- PORTLAND POLICE HAVE SERVED THE COMMUNITY FOR MORE THAN 150 YEARS PLEASE SHOW OUR LOCAL HEROES YOUR APPRECIATION AT THE 2008 CITIZENS’ POLICE RETIREMENT BANQUET turned-subordinates are but two of several negative manifestations this amnesia can take on. With rank can come an artificial sense of superiority and intellect. Memo: your cops are inherently intuitive. Your highbrow tone or demeanor won’t go unnoticed and resentment builds quickly. Yes, take pride in your promotion and show enthusiasm for the challenges you’re set to take on, but don’t forget your goals are to mentor, empower and encourage. Abdicate your duty Leadership sometimes requires you enforce policy you don’t agree with. Sorry, it comes with the territory. When communicating controversial internal protocol to your officers, avoid the mistake of debasing the authority of those above you in the chain of command. Doing so fosters discontent, encourages insubordination and makes your job more difficult in the end. Don’t misunderstand. “Company man” is not the manner in which I’m typically described. Ten years as a union representative, four more as the activist editor of our union’s monthly newspaper and a stint as chairman of the executive board forged an alternative reputation. Nevertheless, I avoid questioning the chief’s ancestry every time he makes an unpopular policy decision. It’s poor form, and the chief is well outside my span of control. Thus, I busy myself with what I can control: my crew of nine during our eight-hour shift. So be a good soldier, do your job as sergeant and don’t whine about it. Take yourself too seriously A newly promoted sergeant almost cannot take his or her responsibilities too seriously. It’s easy to take yourself too seriously though. This is an important distinction. Don’t get stuffy about constantly being addressed as “Sergeant (insert your last name here).” My crew addresses me by first name or the general moniker of “Sarge” when the media and/or public aren’t in earshot. They’re adults and are professional enough to use formal designations when appropriate. Remember, no one is indispensable. You will curry more favor with the troops and you’ll enjoy your new duties more if you relax and take it all in stride. This job is enough of a meat grinder the way it is—no reason to add to it with self-induced stress. Tuesday, February 17, 2009 5:30 PM – Cocktail Hour 6:30 PM - Dinner/Program Embassy Suites Portland – Downtown 319 SW Pine Street Tickets: $40.00 (Free Valet Parking) Master of Ceremonies: Andy Carson, KPTV’s Good Day Oregon Welcoming Speakers: Mayor Sam Adams and Chief Rosanne Sizer Musical Performance: The Portland Police Highland Guard Posting of Colors: The Portland Police Honor Guard Vocal Performance: PPB Lieutenant Rod Lucich (Retired) Portland Police Retirement Banquet Registration Name: Firm: Address: City: Title: State: Zip: # of Tickets Individual Tickets $40 each Corporate Table (10 Seats) $400 # Attending _____ Sponsor Table $400 Sponsor Dinner for Retiring Officer & Guest $80 Total Please indicate meal preferences: Steak # ___ Salmon # ___ Vegetarian # ___ page 6 Phone: Total Make checks payable to: Citizens’ Police Retirement Committee Please send registration payment to: Portland Police Bureau c/o Police Employee Assistance Office nd 305 NE 102 Ave, Suite, 270 Mail Box #13 Portland, OR 97220 Fax: 503-823-0601 E-mail: amnelson@portlandpolice.org (Ticket price is not deductible as a charitable contribution) Lounge in the office Little breeds contempt for sergeants like sloth. I once worked for a sergeant who had absolutely no work ethic. On busy weekend nights, he could normally be found at the precinct with his feet perched on a desk and the remote control for the television in his paw. Fact: My job is easier today than when I was in a radio car going from call to call. I’m not encumbered with a daily activity log. I don’t have to direct traffic during inclement weather when a bad accident occurs. I get to take lunch when I am inclined. I’m salaried at a rate higher than the officers under my command. The last thing I should be doing is taking advantage of these “benefits” associated with my rank. It’s true, sergeants today are busier with clerical work and administrative drudgery than they used to be. Phone calls, e-mail, bulletins, in-baskets, CompStat, inventory/equipment issues and reviewing reports sometimes confine us to the building, but there is no excuse other than laziness for not making a few calls each day. You can’t really be a supervisor if you’re not supervising. Sleep in your uniform When asked about his candle-polished boots and sharply creased uniform, a now retired OPD sergeant quipped, “You look good, you feel good—you feel good, you do good!” Fit well Continued on page 7 ` into his fifties and a The Rap Sheet | January, 2009 Rogue parking violators in the City’s mean streets by Officer Martin Padilla Northeast Precinct Eric Thomas Bryant, the young Central Precinct patrolling attorney is right. Officers in the Portland Police Bureau do not have the right to park wherever they want when not on a 911 emergency call. They and everyone else should follow the law. I expect Bryant, the concerned law enforcing citizen that he is, will soon expand the scope of his concerns about “daily violations of the law” to every fire truck, ambulance, mail truck, meter reader, parking patrol attendant, utility repair truck, delivery driver, street sweeper, etc.—unless of course they’re responding to an emergency. I’m not sure how he plans to tackle the jaywalking problem, but he seems like he’s a man of action. Portland police officers, thank you for what you choose to endure each day on our behalf. Snyder & Hoag, LLC PO Box 12737 Portland, OR 97212 503-222-9290 phone shouldn’t be working downtown. Police officers insist they must be conditionally available when engaged in necessary personal activities such as eating, drinking and report writing. There’s no reason they can’t find and pay for parking like anyone else if they want to take a break. Granted, response times may slow a bit if the closest available parking to the local coffee stop is four blocks away. We must remember, however, that according to Cheryl Kuck of the Transportation Bureau “we want them [police] to be more responsible and have some rules.” Yes, because in general officers aren’t responsible. They’re given guns, tasers and charged with keeping the peace and taking violent criminals to jail. Give them a break on parking and they’ll exploit that to no end. Yes, I think Bryant is on to something. For far too long members of the Police Bureau have gotten away with rampant disregard of the law. If they can’t afford to pay for parking while responding to myriad non-priority related calls, or want to stop for coffee, lunch or miscellaneous duties at the precinct, they _ Continued from page 6 Sarcasm aside, what I find more aggravating than a new attorney’s headline grabbing antics is the apparent lack of interest in either the City Attorney’s office or City Council to really address this issue. The only action reported so far was when the police chief asked the Deputy City Attorney to reach out to retail businesses to see whether they’d be amenable to allowmore, but a manager instead. ing police to park cars in cerUnless you’re a coward who tain truck-loading zones. Give drives the other way when me a break. When I respond trouble brews, making grade to a call I’m expected to see it is no insurance policy against through to a conclusion. being caught up in the fray during a domestic disturbance or The answer to this problem is being engaged in a gunfight for very simple: Draft a city code the ages with robbery suspects. exception to police vehicles. If You’re still a police officer. The officers can spend the better nuance is, you’re an officer part of a shift writing police whom others look to as arbiter and leader. Know ahead of reports that impact people’s time, your troops will emulate lives for years, certainly the both good and bad behavior, so City Attorney’s office and the engage once in awhile! City Council can knock out a Remember: You can’t be a few paragraphs for the city leader if no one is willing to code. follow. commanding presence walking onto a crime scene, he knew the worth of taking pride in himself, his appearance and his physical health. I know sergeants who couldn’t run across the street to save their own life. I know one whose shirt and trousers are so wrinkled, I’m left to imagine he saves time in the morning by going to bed in his uniform the night before. No, I’m not kidding. If you look like a slob, chances are it will be reflected in the quality of your work and the level of professionalism your officers display. Yes, you can go too far the other way (see #3 above), but for the most part, staying in shape, being well groomed and having your uniform squared up demonstrates certitude and is a confidence booster for those around you. About the author: A law enforcement officer since 1988, Sergeant Jeff Baker received the Omaha Police Medal of Valor for his actions in a shootout with armed robbery suspects in 1993. He was also third responding officer at the Westroads Mall shootings during the massacre there in December 2007. Retire on duty Even at 11+ years in class, I reject the arrogant position I no longer get my hands dirty, or that I don’t work among the officers, or that I’m not a cop any- Baker is former editor of The Shield , the official publication of the Omaha Police Union Local 101. He has been a police supervisor since 1997, and his articles on common sense leadership and law enforcement advocacy issues have appeared in several nationally known periodicals and e-magazines. Read us online at www.ppavigil.org Lastly, rogue police officer parking violators must be stopped. There are parking violations occurring “daily” that call for extreme intervention. I’m glad Eric Bryant is out there doing his part. He’s obviously a truly concerned citizen and formidable attorney tackling the tough issues. Way to go Eric! To the officers, their families and loved ones. Thank you. Innerwork Counseling Center 20 years of specialized service to police officers and their families for rapid trauma recovery, performance enhancement, marriage and family support. Raymond Peterson, Ph.D., L.P.C. Lynn Fontana, Ph.D., L.M.F.T. phone 503.223.7719 page 7 Poyntblanck Perspective by Officer Rob Blanck East Precinct Live a legacy He sank into the sanctuary of his plush leather chair after another full day at the office. He sighed as he thought about the long night ahead studying toward his doctorate. At least this night he was home as opposed to the college library. Portland Police Highland Guard The Portland Police Highland Guard is proud to serve the members of the PPB and our community. Our organization is comprised of Portland Police officers, firefighters, dispatchers and family members of the same. The Highland Guard is a 501-c3, not-for-profit, organization. Your contributions are our primary funding resource and they are greatly appreciated! Please mail them to: PPHG, PO Box 4072, Portland, OR 97208 www.portlandpolicehighlandguard.com Are you a PPA member currently on disability? Please visit www.ppavigil.org for information regarding dues assessment while on disability status. page 8 The door crept open and she stood there. His fair-haired, four-year-old daughter peered into the room. Excited at the glimpse of her daddy, she pranced over to him clutching the art work she had carefully scrolled and tied with a bow. She pushed aside his book and snuggled against his chest. Her pony tail whipped his face as she spun the gift around and thrust it toward him. She proudly exclaimed, “It’s a picture I drew for you!” He gave his little girl a quick snuggle and placed the scroll on the coffee table. “Aren’t you gonna look at it, Daddy?” “Not now, Honey. Daddy has work to do. Give me five minutes.” She slowly walked to the door, her excitement diminished. She looked back to her dad, hoping for a little more, but he was already lost in his book. She left the room only to return thirty seconds later. “Has it been five minutes, Daddy?” Over the course of a few minutes she impatiently returned a second time… and a third… and a fourth. By now, Daddy’s little girl was mad. She boldly exclaimed “Are you going to look at it or not?” Dad tried to stay composed, but ultimately allowed his preoccupation with his life to override the importance of hers. He snapped, “I told you not now, Sarah!” Aware of the situation, his wife took their daughter’s hand and led her into the kitchen to help with dinner. He tried to concentrate on his studies, but the conviction poked at him like dozens of hot needles. The scroll lay there beckoning his attention. He slid off the bow and unveiled the crayon-colored print. A house with a flower garden looked much like theirs. Sarah stood with her mommy and the baby in a carriage on the sidewalk in the front yard. He quickly focused on her face. He knew from his years of study in psychology many important signs to a person’s mental state can be determined by their self portrait. A bright smile on her face was a good sign. The sun, the flowers and even the dog were smiling, bright colors and an even brighter acknowledgement that his little girl was emotionally okay. He set the scroll down and tried to read. One nagging detail drew his attention back to the picture. He was missing from the family portrait! Even the goldfish was in the picture, but not Dad. He called to his daughter and she hesitantly entered the room and climbed onto his lap. He held her closely and un-scrolled her artwork asking her to tell him about her drawing. She pointed out Mom and Baby and the dog. He commented on the beauty of the picture and that he loved her smile. He then asked, “Where is Daddy?” With the certainty and simplicity of a child she replied: “Oh, Daddy, you’re at the library!” A father and his son swam to the dock that invited them over fifty yards from the shore. He slowed his stroke at about ten feet away allowing his son to beat him to the float. They climbed aboard breathing deeply in the success of the swim. The heat of midday warmed them quickly. The son leapt into the welcoming cool of the lake. The dad caught up in the childlike thrill followed. In midair he realized he was falling right on top of his son who was swimming toward the surface. The two collided and the weight of his 30-year-old frame pushed his little boy deep into the murky water. With startling realization he pulled and jerked himself to the surface. His son was not there! He dove under frantically whipping the water into a bubbly surge. He again ascended and gasped for air, looking to the dock as he spun in circles. His son was nowhere to be found. He yelled to the shoreline for help. The empty beach gave no response. A gasping breath allowed for an even lower depth. He swirled the soft soot of the lake floor, his eyes straining for some glimpse of his son. He felt a concrete pier and rope that held the dock in place. Grasping the cord he followed it toward the surface only to find his son clinging to the line a mere five feet under the water. He pried his child’s hand from the line and ascended from the depth. The two climbed onto the dock breathing, coughing, crying and spitting the possible tragedy from their bodies. Twenty minutes passed of embracing and thanksgiving. One question from Dad broke the silence: “Son, what were you doing hanging onto that line”? The sage response from the seven-year-old echoes in far too many homes: “Just waiting for you, Dad. Just waiting for you!” Dr. Gary Rosberg, a family psychologist, shared the story of his daughter Sarah with me and about 900 other men at a conference over 10 years ago. In his book, Guard Your Heart, he detailed his failures with his family and the lessons he learned as a result. I read that book a decade ago, and it honestly changed my life. Stu Weber, pastor of Good Shepherd Church in Boring, Ore., told the story of the father and son at a Promise Keepers Conference in front of almost 50,000 men in Eugene. He followed the story with an admonition to the men to stop the cycle of kids clinging below the surface waiting for their dads to finally show up. The theme for that weekend was “Live a Legacy.” One generation can impact several others—will you be the difference? When I see the many new babies being born into the families in our ranks, I am excited for the new parents, but also feel old as time has passed so fast. When I look at my own family pictures and realize how quickly the time has gone by, I’ve never once thought: “Darn, I should have spent more time at work!” This agency has seen many exemplary officers retire, yet Continued on page 9 ` The Rap Sheet | January, 2009 Another Rap Sheet? by Officer Mike Gallagher East Precinct JANET LEE HOFFMAN AT T O R N E Y The Portland Police Bureau is not the only city with a Rap Sheet. On a recent trip to Eastern Oregon, I picked up a copy of The Newberry Eagle, “The Local Newspaper of the Greater La Pine Basin,” which has a section called “The Rap Sheet.” This section highlights some of the “complaints” handled by local law enforcement over the past month. Seems police work is the same all over—with a geographical twist. Here are a few excerpts from the October issue: 8:14 a.m. – Criminal mischief: Criminal mischief to home with an egg. 12:33 a.m. – Suspicious circumstances: The reporting party heard what sounded like a female screaming for help. Three male juveniles were contacted and admitted they had done the yelling. They said they didn’t intend to concern the neighbors. The boys were sleeping in a tent outside the residence. 3:23 a.m. – Animal control complaint: An officer picked up a small black cattle dog and was enroute to the Bend Humane Society with it when he noticed a missing dog poster on a stop sign. The photo on the poster resembled the dog he had picked up. The owner was contacted and his dog returned to him. 7:08 a.m. – Animal control complaint: Five pigs were reported to be in front of the reporting party’s house. The officers found the pigs near a neighbor’s house, chased them back to the owner’s property and put them in their sty. The owner was cited for animal nuisance. 10:58 a.m. – Information only: A woman called to ask why a judge had taken away her license. The officer told her to call the court and that she should have asked the judge at the time her license was taken. She said she forgot to ask. 9:58 p.m. – Noise complaint: Anonymous report of a loud party—a wedding reception. The partiers turned down the music. 7:29 p.m. – Noise complaint: Subject was contacted after shooting on his property into a dirt hill. He was advised of the _ Continued from page 8 the Bureau rolls on often without so much as a bump. In this New Year ask yourself, “Where is my treasure? Is it deferred in the stock market? Is it on two chrome-plated wheels covered in the garage during the rainy season? Is it in the next possible promotion?” I shared these stories as a simple reminder to encourage those of you who are parents to live a legacy for what matters most. If your daughter drew a picture of your family, would you be in it? Is your son hanging just below the surface waiting for you to reach him? Living a legacy by investing in your kids’ lives will pay dividends beyond yours. That’s my Poyntblanck Perspective. Read us online at www.ppavigil.org AT L AW OFFICES OF JANET LEE HOFFMAN HOFFMAN L AAW NGELI LLP (503) 222-1125 1000 S.W. B ROADWAY , AX: (503) 222-7589 1000 SW BROADWAY,SSUITE UITE1500 1500 PFHONE : (503) 222-1125 ORTLAND , O REGON 97205 EMAIL : janet@hommanangeli.com P PORTLAND, OREGON 97205 FAX: (503)222-7589 time and the concerned calls from neighbors. Subject said he would continue to shoot on his property until dark. 11:10 p.m. – Noise complaint: A caller complained about a neighbor shooting a gun on his property. The area was not within a no-shooting zone. The caller was just annoyed by the shooting. 12:17 p.m. – Theft: A 60-old-woman was cited and released for dumping her household trash in car wash trash cans after being told not to. 4:31 p.m. – Civil information: A landlord called and stated that a tenant she wanted to evict had re-entered the house. Officers explained to her the civil and eviction process. She said she did not like the process and hung up. 7:31 p.m. – Accident: An anonymous caller reported a domestic dispute. As the officer approached the vehicle, he identified the couple from previous contacts. The male was bleeding from the hand and forehead. The couple explained that he bumped his head when she drove over the curb. He then proceeded to take the keys and throw them into a field. They searched the field but couldn’t find the keys. He attempted to “hotwire” the car with a knife, which is when he cut his hand. No crime. Both refused medics. Oregon’s Largest Firearm Inventory Glock ent m nforce r E Law to u ib r t Dis T Ammo & Accessories Law E aser nforce New & Used Distrib ment utor Buy • Sell • Trade Consignments & Special Orders Welcome HOURS: M-F 10AM - 6PM • SAT 9AM - 5PM • CLOSED SUNDAY 1595 E Powell Blvd. or 95 NE Victory Gresham, OR 97030 So when you are tired of all the crappy calls here in Portland, remember you could be in the La Pine area chasing pigs! Class III Dealer 503-492-6999 Michael Colbach Personal Injury Attorney 503-243-1900 Caption this: December’s winning caption for the photo below was submitted by Mark Murawski. Thanks to Officer Bert Combs for the photo. 1916 SW Madison, Portland, OR 97205 oregonaccidentattorney.com mike@colbachlaw.com “But Mike Walsh told me SERT was gonna be fun!” Medical & theraputic treatment for: • • • • • • • Injuries – Work Comp and Motor Vehicle Chronic neck and low back pain Headaches and migraines Shoulder/rotator cuff injuries Sciatic pain – pinched nerve Massage Therapeutic exercise, including athletic perspective. John M. Takacs, D.O. former Portland Reserve Police Officer Joan P. Takacs, D.O. Kevin Kane, D.O. 5909 SE Division Street, Portland, Oregon 503-234-1531 phone page 9 Retirees Corner by Lieutenant Bob Roberts PPB Retired loras A quote from Winston Churchill: “I contend that for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle.” can’t wait to get a hold of the twins. There was no “Over the Hill Gang” lunch in November but I did get to the breakfast at Denny’s on December 8. It was a small gathering, and I talked myself out of riding the motorcycle. The Friday Pig ‘N Pancake brunches are still going on, sometimes with a reduced crowd. November 21 saw only 5 of us. November 28 was a little better, with the showing of Mel I arrived quite early, 7am and found Joe Murillo the only one there yet. Eventually, several others started arriving. This included Dallas Taggart, Glen Griffitts, Don Seamster, Bob LaGae, Gary Fantz, Scott Field, Ray Gericke, and a relatively new face, Garth Edwards. We also had another visitor, who is pretty well known to a lot of police, and commonly called “the other Bob Warner.” Bob is retired from the Juvenile Court. There was a long discussion about hunting and good places to go. I think Don Seamster said he got his elk in a hurry and was back home in just a few hours. I did find out that Doloras and Bob LaGae are traveling to Texas for the holidays, driving, to visit their daughter and the twins. I understand that Do- You’re invited to join the group, the 2nd Monday of each month, at Denny’s, 12101 SE 82nd. Nilsen, Lee Cromwell, Walt Wier, Hal Gowing Don Seamster, Bob Schippers, Bob Cosby and Eleanor Nasby. You can join us every Friday at 9am, 122nd and Glisan. I received a request from Liza Dormady, who is running the Portland Police Historical Society. She will be leaving that position, and they are looking for someone to fill that position. This is a part-time position, of 20-25 hours a week. They are a non-profit organization, and are not affiliated with the Portland Police Bureau. It would require someone with excellent organizational, interpersonal and communications skills, both written and verbal; ability to stand on ladders, to lift and carry boxes, and be on your feet for long periods of times; computer skills; historically minded with an interest in preserving Portland Police history; retail experience preferred; understanding of non-profit preferred. Send resumes to; The Portland Police Historical Society 1111 SW 2d Avenue, #1682 Portland, OR 97204 If you have questions, contact Liza Dormady, 503823-0019, email: ldormady@ portlandpolicemuseum.com Well our annual Christmas luncheon has come and gone for another year, and we can start preparing for the Picnic in June. We had close to 200 show up, which is just about average. We did have a lot of people out sick, and the weather was not conducive to all us “old folk.” showing up in droves. The Sunshine Division brought out 4 barrels, and we filled up 3 quite nicely. We had a lot of really early arrivals which created a little bottleneck before we got completely set up, but our efficient elves soon remedied that. I think everyone got their candy bar, (except me!) and registration went fairly well, with everyone getting name tags. Our Santa, alias Ed Clark, and Mrs. Santa, alias Dorothy Lindholm, did a fine job greeting people. Our thanks to Randy Pulley making sure that Elmer Brown was able to Special thanks to the Blazers for their support by Sergeant Pat Kelly Family Services Division The Family Services Division has some new basketballs. If you know a family or a child in Portland that might like one of these basketballs just stop by the FSD building (102/Burnside) and ask for one. We have about 50 left. They are rubber, outdoor basketballs. The Blazer organization has been very generous with donations to the CAT Team and the DHS Child Abuse Hotline. These basketballs are the latest in a series of donations. In the past they have donated shirts, bobble head dolls, shoes, flashlights, and other great stuff. The Blazers Outreach Director, Ian Jaquiss is the man behind the flow of goods. We first met him when his team faced the Portland Police in wheelchair basketball. Our Portland Police team had some excellent players, plus we were given a 30 point head start. Mr. Jaquiss’ team crushed us game after game year after year. One time we even had two Trailblazers playing on our team – we still lost. Over the years Ian has kept in touch, and it is fortunate that Mr. Jaquiss is working with the Blazers. He calls when they have some extra sports equipment or clothing to give away. The Hotline and CAT Team are able to get these donations to children and families. So, thank-you to the Blazers and Ian and please come and get one of these balls if you have a child in your district that would enjoy one. attend, via a handy-cap bus, and assisted him getting a table and food. We opened with Howard leading us with the Pledge of Allegiance, and then Soumie Chaplain Ed Stelle did the invocation, and read off the 33 names of people who have left us in 2008. We had invited several guests, including Chief Rosie Sizer, but they said she and Dan were in Hawaii. Assistant Chief, Lynnae Berg came, representing the Chief’s office. However, Chief Rosie and Dan Noelle arrived and joined us. Other guests included Beth and Joe Gray, past president of the retired firefighters, and Cal Eddy and his wife, (Cal is the new President) joined us. We also had Sgt. Dan Liu and another member of the Honor Guard arrived, for a short time, but as we announced dinner was served, they got a page and had to leave without eating. I had written letters to Sheriff Craig Roberts and the new Chief of Milwaukie, Bob Jordan, inviting them but I learned that Bob Jordan was graduating from the Police Academy that day. I never did hear anything from the Sheriff. I also invited the new PPA president, Scott Westerman, but they said he Continued on page 11 ` page 10 The Rap Sheet | January, 2009 Police Officer C. MCGUFFEY (DPSST #50079) was appointed to the Bureau on November 6 and was assigned to the Training Division. Movers & Shakers Recent transfers, promotions and appointments. Police Officer Louis PARRY (DPSST #49957) was appointed to the Bureau on October 9 and was assigned to the Training Division. Police Officer Jeremy ANDERSON (DPSST #47781) completed probation and was assigned to Northeast Precinct. Police Officer Chad PHIFER (DPSST #38202) completed probation and was assigned to Central Precinct. Police Officer Kevin ALLEN (DPSST #45001) was appointed to the Bureau on November 6 and was assigned to the Training Division. Police Officer David SOKOLOFF (DPSST #50180) was appointed to the Bureau on November 6 and was assigned to the Training Division. Police Officer Larry AV (DPSST #50068) was appointed to the Bureau on November 6 and was assigned to the Training Division. Police Officer Samantha CATER (DPSST 50089) was appointed to the Bureau on November 6 and was assigned to the Training Division. Police Officer Sean CHRISTIAN (DPSST #30281) completed probation and was assigned to Southeast Precinct. Police Officer Benjamin COOK (DPSST #50051) was appointed to the Bureau on November 6 and was assigned to the Training Division. Police Officer Andrea ETTLIN (DPSST #50162) was appointed to the Bureau on November 6 and was assigned to the Training Division. Police Officer Daniel SPIEGEL (DPSST #49997) was appointed to the Bureau on October 9 and was assigned to the Training Division. Police Officer Chad STEINER (DPSST #37932) completed probation and was assigned to Central Precinct. Police Officer Julie STEVENS (DPSST #50050) was appointed to the Bureau on November 6 and was assigned to the Training Division. Police Officer Daniel TUCHOLSKY (DPSST #49967) was appointed to the Bureau on October 9 and was assigned to the Training Division. Police Officer Trevor TYLER (DPSST #50003) was appointed to the Bureau on October 9 and was assigned to the Training Division. Police Officer Jon GADDIS (DPSST #23618) completed probation and was assigned to Northeast Precinct. Police Officer Donald WALL (DPSST #35146) completed probation and was assigned to East Precinct. Police Officer Kathleen MARTINEZ (DPSST #30535) completed probation and was assigned to Central Precinct. Police Officer Zachary ZELINKA (DPSST #49984) was appointed to the Bureau on October 9 and was assigned to the Training Division. Police Officer David MCGARRY (DPSST #39599) completed probation and was assigned to East Precinct. _ 10% of profits will be donated to the Mark Zylawy Scholarship Fund Continued from page 10 might be tied up. The food was good, with the same menu as last year, chicken marsala, Swiss steak, and all the trimmings. The bar did a thriving business also. After dining on a sumptuous meal, I turned the mike over to Ken Zapp, who held the drawing for the prizes. These consisted of many gift certificates for different restaurants. The main prize, a trip on the Willamette on the Portland Spirit was won by Evelyn Hicks. My thanks to all the people that helped with the registering at the door, and those who helped getting the mobility challenged fed. A special thanks to Sally Bible for her tireless work in making arrangements at the Milwaukie Elks, and for collecting dues and meal tickets at the door. came sheriff of Wheeler County. My thanks to the many who traveled a great distance, and made this a successful endeavor, and it was a success. David Lee Petry, born March 9, 1945 in Burlington, N. Carolina, died November 27, 2008 at age 63. He joined the Portland Police March 7, 1968, and retired on a disability February 26, 1985. He was a patrolman and a member of the SERT team. A recent article in the paper caught my eye, discussing the problem with the increasing incarceration of criminals with mental illness. As usual, law enforcement becomes the scapegoat since society reneges on their responsibility for treatment. Anyway, the lengthy article showed a picture of Craig Ward, Undersheriff of Union County, whose job is managing the jail. Craig spent 18 years as a Portland Policeman. He later be- Read us online at www.ppavigil.org TAPS Survivors include his daughter, Tammy Parris; son, Nick; mother, Nell; sisters, Cecelie Gwin and JoAnn Rightmire; foster-sister Carol Rogers; brother, Donald; companion, Marion Brame; and five grandchildren. We wish to offer our condolences to the family. page 11 IACP News: The need for a presidential commission The events of September 11, 2001, fundamentally altered the traditional role of the law enforcement profession and have ushered in a new era of policing in the United States. In the aftermath of these attacks, as the nation struggled to comprehend the new menace confronting our society, law enforcement agencies realized they now had a new and critically important mission. No longer could they focus their energies solely on traditional crime-fighting efforts. Now they would be asked to confront a new threat to their communities, perpetrated by individuals and organizations that had motivations and means of attack vastly different from those of traditional criminals. Accepting this challenge required law enforcement and other public safety agencies to reassess their operations and reevaluate their priorities. Over the last seven years, a number of dramatic steps have been taken to confront the menace of terrorism, including the passage of the Patriot Act, the establishment of the Department of Homeland Security and the creation of a variety of programs designed to assist states and local governments in their efforts. Unfortunately, despite these valuable initiatives, state, tribal and local law enforcement executives have grown increasingly concerned with the lack of a central, comprehensive plan to guide national efforts to adjust to the realities of the world after September 11. This fractured approach has sown confusion among public safety agen- cies, delayed progress, resulted in the waste of limited resources, and in the end, left the United States far less secure than it needs to be. We cannot allow this to continue. At the same time, the law enforcement community’s traditional crimefighting efforts have suffered. Already tight state, county, municipal, and tribal budgets have been forced to absorb the costs associated with increased training needs, overtime, and equipment purchases. Coupled with these pressures is the continuing need to ensure the protection of civil rights and civil liberties, which is central to a strong community-police relationship and therefore vital to our crime-fighting and homeland security efforts. It is for these stated reasons that the IACP urges the next president to establish a national commission to conduct a comprehensive review of the criminal justice system and to provide the nation with a strategic plan that will guide an integrated public safety and homeland security effort in the years ahead. Such a commission has succeeded before. In July 1965, President Lyndon Johnson issued an executive order establishing the Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Justice. The commis$169.99 COMING LATE FEBRUARY sion and its recomItem #5300 mendations marked the beginning of a change in our methods for dealing with crime and the public and built the framework for many of the exemplary programs PACKA that continue today. BLE Pre-Order Your 5.11 Tactical Light for Life Flashlight Powered by a sophisticated energy system, this light is ready when you are. Fully charges in 90 seconds. No batteries to change. 270 lumens at peak power. 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Therefore, we urge the next president to issue an executive order establishing this vitally needed commission within the first 100 days of his administration. In this call for a national commission, the IACP leaves to the ultimate designers of the commission decisions about all of the logistics and administrative details that must be made. However, the IACP stands ready to provide assistance as called upon. We also recommend the adoption of certain principles that would serve to guide the work of the commission. • First, we believe the commission should include all of the elements of the criminal justice system in its examination. • Second, we believe the commission should comprise individuals from within and outside the criminal justice system and that, in the interest of hearing from every stakeholder in this process, every effort should be made to include individuals with the broadest possible perspective on the areas selected for review and concentration. • Third, we believe the commission must be given all the resources it needs to conduct a rigorous and thorough investigation and that it be given sufficient time to conduct an exhaustive review. • Finally, it is our strongest possible recommendation that this examination be conducted in a thoroughly nonpartisan manner. It is our hope that a commission so structured will allow us to focus this discussion on ensuring the safety of our communities and a continued partnership with them. We look forward to working with and supporting this commission when established. To help guide the work of the commission, the International Association of Chiefs of Police have determined several issues that are the primary homeland security and public safety challenges facing the United States today. The full report is available at www. theIACP.org. The Rap Sheet | January, 2009