VI Police Week 2012 - Virgin Islands Police Department

QUOTE OF THE MONTH:
JUNE - JULY 2012
Reputation is what other people know about you. Honor is what you know about yourself.
VOLUME 1, ISSUE 3
V.I. Police Week 2012
R
emarks
Henry W. White, Jr.
USVI Police Commissioner
As we strategize to move the department to a
new level of efficiency and accountability in
these critical times, I want to thank my VIPD
family for your abiding hard work. I continue to
ask for your support because we must be unified against the criminal forces that threaten to
take over our wonderful islands.
Our issues did not arise over night nor can
they be fixed over night; however, as a unified
force, part of our strategy must include the
way we, as a team, respond to each issue. The
only way forward is as a team and if you are
not part of the solution, you are part of the
problem. There is no middle ground here.
P
raise for a job well done should be timely, direct,
personal and specific. Recognition says, “I appreciate your effort. Congratulations on your accomplishment” or “I noticed what you did.” VIPD did just that for
three individuals during the month of May. Former Police
Chief, Rodney F. Querrard, Sr. was treated to a personal and
special surprise retirement ceremony. A couple of weeks later,
Geraldine Holland, in the St. Thomas/St. John District and
Dessarrie Farquahar in the St. Croix District were recognized for being selected 2012 VIPD Employees of the Year.
Having said that, it is important to note here
that so long as our relationships are defined by
our differences, we will empower those who
sow hatred rather than peace, those who promote conflict rather than the cooperation that
can help to move this department to the level of
efficiency and respect that this community
deserves.
In the short time I have been here, I have had
many conversations with many people, so I
know that we share common principles. While
our convictions are rooted in our own individual
experiences, we all share common aspirations
and needs. As enforcers of the law, two of our
more pressing needs are to live in peace in a
safe community and to work with dignity while
protecting and serving our community.
These needs will be met only if we take proactive steps and stand together boldly as we face
the common enemy— crime. I cannot do this
alone. More than that, the challenges that we
face are shared and our failure to meet them
will hurt us all.
Commissioner White & St. Croix Employee of the
Year Dessarrie Farquahar
Photo courtesy: PIO Melody Rames
Former Chief Rodney F. Querrard, Sr. with Chief Foy, Deputy
Chief DeGraff and Commissioner Henry W. White, Jr.
Geraldine Holland with Commissioner White, Chief
Foy and Deputy Chief DeGraff
Former Chief Rodney Querrard received a VI Carnival
limited edition Cardow Jeweler’s watch; a plaque, as well
as a badge and shield. Part of the ceremony included the
viewing of a farewell video created by Human Resources.
This video featured staff members wishing him happy retirement and reminiscing on fond memories shared with
him. Special video appearances included, former Commissioner Novelle E. Francis, Jr. and Governor John P.
deJongh, Jr. In the video, one employee went as far as
asking the chief for his leftover gas coupons. All of the
VIPD cooks came out with lots of food and drinks!
Holland and Farquahar were officially honored in private
ceremonies, May 10th and 11th, respectively, at Government house in each district. However, co-workers gathered during Police Week to extend more congratulations.
Gift packages for these two ladies included limited edition
VI Carnival watches from Cardow Jewelers; complimentary guest stays at Divi Carina Bay Beach Resort & Casino on St. Croix and Best Western Hotel on St. Thomas;
personalized VIPD Employee of the Year certificates
created by Human Resources; fruit baskets including
small tokens of appreciation.
P
regnancy Protection Act
In our debut edition of Brain Teasers we challenge you to
complete our VIPD Crossword Puzzle . When you are finished, you can either drop off your puzzle at HR or fax it to
715-5515. You will win a prize only if all your answers are
correct. Prizes are limited to only three winners. GOOD
LUCK!!
Two federal laws protect a pregnant woman’s
right to work. The first law is the Pregnancy
Discrimination Act of 1978 (PDA, 42 U.S.C.
2000e(k), which is an amendment to Title VII
of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Under the
PDA, your employer cannot discriminate
against you in the terms of your employment on
the basis of your pregnancy. Title VII also requires employers to treat male employees who
go on paternity leave in the same manner as they treat female employees
who take leave for child-care purposes.
Virgin Islands Police Department
3
2
The second law is the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Under
the FMLA, you are allowed to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for
certain family and medical reasons. Also, the employee must have
worked for the employer for at least 12 months and at least 1,250
hours.
Additionally, the act allows employees to take time off to care for a
newborn child; to care for a new adopted or foster child; to care for a seriously ill son, daughter, parent or spouse (A child over the age of 18 isn't
covered, unless the adult child is considered "incapable of self-care because of a mental or physical disability" as defined by the Americans
with Disabilities Act.) Also, to care for themselves (when an employee
suffers from a "serious health condition" that prevents job performance).
Crossword Puzzle
1
5
4
6
10
9
8
12
11
7
13
14
16
15
17
18
19
What is a "Serious Health Condition?" The Department of Labor defines "serious health condition" as an illness, injury, impairment, or physical or mental condition that involves "inpatient care" or continuing treatment by a health care provider.
20
21
22
If an employee is eligible for sick leave under the law, the employer may
(but isn't required to) offer that employee a lighter schedule or some
other accommodation so that the employee can keep working.
23
24
In order for an eligible employee to take leave under FMLA, he or she is
required to do the following:

Give the employer 30 days written notice before starting the leave.
(However, in certain circumstances, an employee can take leave immediately or within one to two working days.)

Provide medical proof. This may require more than just a doctor's note.
The employer can request second and third medical opinions, but the employer must pay for those.

Make arrangements with regard to continuing group health benefits during
the leave.

Address issues on whether to use accrued paid leave (such as sick leave or
vacation leave) as part of the FMLA leave. Under the law, an employer can
require an employee to use accrued leave.

Respond to an employer's occasional checks to verify status and intent to
return to work. (A failure by an employee to provide medical certification
when the employer requests it may be grounds for termination of employment.) Within two business days of returning to work, an employee may
request that his or her leave be recorded as FMLA-related.
25
ACROSS
5. Supervisor’s union
8. Military greeting
10. Police union
11. Must be reported in writing
16. Under age police trainee
17. Middle name of stx chief
18. Pay for college credits
19. Restrained
20. Supervises a zone
21. A 2012 female leader (STT/
STJ)
22. First female leader (STX)
23. Damaged credibility of a
police officer
24. Locked in a cell
25. Government
attorney
HR SHOUT OUTS TO DEPUTY CHIEF DWAYNE DEGRAFF.
WHEN EVER THERE IS A NEED OR RQUEST TO DO SOMETHING SPECIAL FOR
EMPLOYEES, DEPUTY CHIEF DEGRAFF STEPS UP OFFERING HIS HANDS, HEART,
AND IDEAS. FROM THE PLENARY PREPARATION , EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR,
RETIREMENT CELEBRATIONS, BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS TO PRAY ERS OF
THANKSGIVING. HE IS ONE OF MANY WHO HELPS TO MAKE THINGS HAPPEN.
-THANK
YOU
from HR DIRECTOR BROWN & STAFF
 Thinking about Retirement? There are several workshops offered by the Govern-
ment Employee Retirement System on all three islands that can assist you. Check
with your HR representatives for more information.
 You can now pick up your Eye Med coverage cards from the Bureau of Human
Resources.
DOWN
1.
2.
3.
4.
6.
7.
9.
12.
13.
14.
Identification
Protect and _____________
Not sworn
Proposed gun group
Middle name of stt chief and deputy
chief
Four legged officer
Type of gun
Federal mandate
Victim is the opposite of __________
VIPD is praying for
15. Drug trafficking
fighters
BE AWARE OF WORK PLACE VIOLENCE
Violence may not involve the use of a fist. It may not involve
a weapon such as gun or a knife. However, it may involve
words--- harsh ones, purportedly innocent ones or soft stinging
ones often used to circulate harmful gossip. This type of violence
is usually stimulated by petty jealousies, insecurities, low self esteem, loss of power or fear. But violence is violence. It seeks to
destroy. Instead of eliminating evil, it multiplies it. Remember
what you say about others is a reflection on you, not on them.
Do not practice work place violence. It may create a hostile environment which can lead to violations of Title 3 of the Virgin Islands Code which sets forth penalties for sustained charges of harassment and by extension a hostile environment.
QUESTION OF MONTH:
There are two kinds of smart people. Those who take an
issue and make it big for their own personal gain or
those who take the same issue and make it small
for the benefit of the organization.
Which one are you?