NJ Blue Now Jan-Feb 2015

NJ LUENOW Volume 6 ~ Issue 1

January/February 2015

New Jersey’s Independent Voice of Law Enforcement

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contents NJ LUENOW Team ™

PUBLISHER Envisage Productions Editor-In-Chief Daniel Del Valle Senior Managing Editor John Welsh

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MANAGING EDITOR Capt. Donna Roman-Hernandez (Ret.) EXECUTIVE EDITOR George Beck DESIGN EDITOR Dari Izhaky writers Rafael Rosa Matthew A. Peluso, Esq. Capt. Donna Roman Hernandez (Ret.) Jay Martinez Daniel Del Valle George Beck Timothy R. Smith, Esq. Lt. Joseph Pangaro (Ret.) Sergeant Eddie Molina Sergeant Anthony Gangi Jonathan Golden Ph.D. Melinda Inzani photographers Vincent D’Amico Michael Garcia WEBSITE/SUBSCRIPTIONS www.njbluenow.com EMAIL njbluenow@gmail.com ADVERTISING John Welsh 201.881.5100 973.653.3446 OFFICE 279 Belmont Avenue Haledon, NJ 07508 ph: 973.653.3446 fax: 973.653.3447 The opinions and information provided in this magazine are the sole opinions of the editor and contributors and not their employers.

NJBlueNow is published 9 times a year. ©Copyright 2011 NJ BLUE NOW, LLC. All rights reserved. While every reasonable effort has been made to ensure that the information is accurate as of publication date, NJ BLUE NOW, LLC and its employees, agents, clients and distributors shall not be liable for any damages arising from the use of or reliance on the information contained in this publication or from omissions to this publication.

The www.NJBlueNow.com website is powered by ENVISAGE PRODUCTIONS, LLC. Layout & design by Dari Izhaky email: dzeek@optonline.net God Bless Our Troops!

Please share and recycle this magazine.

40 editor’s point of view

6

Daniel Del Valle

28 inside view

How Do Mob Mentalities 32

Form? A Closer Look at How People in Groups Change

captain’s corner

8

aptain Donna RomanC Hernandez (Ret.)

corrections

34 Corrections is

Law Enforcement

prevention

Complacency in Law 10

Enforcement: A Deadly Habit in Our Profession

FEATURE STORY

36 A Game Changer in Law Enforcement Education: New Approaches to Building Community

the law

14 The Thin Blue Line Under Attack

Women in BluE

Remembering New Jersey’s 18 Fallen Female Heroes

awareness

38 To Serve and Protect blue Events

40 A Final Salute

NYPD Det. Wenjian Liu NYPD Det. Rafael Ramos

up close

Far Greater than Ourselves 20

cover story

24 Ambushed

Cops have Good Reason to be Alarmed

legal news

26 Three Wins for the Cops in the news

Silent Gesture 28

Heard Around The Nation

training

30 The Price to be Paid

42 The Italian American

Police Society of NJ Promotion Christmas GIft-Giving

44 NJ Law Enforcement Police Officer’s Brotherhood Annual Cocktail Reception and Cigar Smokeout

remembrance

48 Officer Michael T. Wholey blue paws

Law Enforcement Officers 50 and Their Canines

EP Envisage Productions

editor’s POINt of VIEW

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s 2015 begins to unfold, I am aghast at what had transpired over the second half of last year. The hostility against law enforcement increased drastically and those responsible for creating the wild hype and hate basked in the chaos while our brothers and sisters in blue were threatened, assaulted, spit-on and murdered senselessly in ambush attacks.

On behalf of all of us at Envisage Productions, we extend our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of NYPD Detectives Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu. May they rest in peace. I’d also like to extend our support to the NYPD. We are with you. We feel your pain. May the days ahead be safe as you grapple to protect and serve the city during these dangerous and difficult times.

The outpouring of love and support shown at the funerals of Det. Ramos and Det. Liu from law enforcement officers across the county was a blessing. It showed the unity and strength we as law enforcement officers have and believe. Let’s continue this mutual respect and camaraderie by extending this goodwill to our living brothers and sisters in blue. Remember, it counts the most to be kind and supportive to each other while we are alive. United we will stand tall as the hostility against us increases. We are one blue family and all of us matter.

I am hopeful this hateful trend against us will resolve and we can work and live in a peaceful society. I am equally hopeful that politicians like New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio will show signs of maturity and acknowledgement and abandon the rhetoric and pandering to rabble rousers like Al Sharpton, which puts officers at risk. Politicians need to understand the tremendous risks law enforcement officers take every day to protect and serve. To irresponsibly stoke flames created by so-called activists like Sharpton can create an environment where officers become ambush targets. This must stop. Turning our backs on those who’ve turned their backs on us and those who stoked the flames of aggression against us is a muchneeded silent gesture to show the world that Blue lives matter.

The recent terrorist attack in Paris, France is a grim reminder that we too are vulnerable and must remain vigilant. In our November 2014 issue, we discussed attacks just like the one at the offices of Charlie Hebdo possibly happening on our American soil. We must prepare now. Don’t wait until it’s too late.

On a final note, this issue is designed to create ambush awareness and offer valuable tips on how to avoid it. We’ve challenged our writers to contribute articles that address the current dire situation law enforcement is facing. Inside you will find a wealth of informative articles. Always remember there are many unstable lunatics out there waiting to lash out. We must always keep a tactical mindset. Complacency is dangerous.

So grab hold of this issue and enjoy. Happy New Year! May this year bring all of us closer and united as we transition to work and live in a profession that is facing increasing hostility and aggression.

Till next time!

Stay Healthy, Stay Strong, Stay Blue!

Daniel Del Valle Editor this issue is sponsored by

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captain’s corner

Wake up America!

Our nation’s law enforcement officers are under fire…

I reacted with horror and sorrow when our two NYPD brothers Detectives Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu were ambushed in their police vehicle by a crazed gunman hellbent on killing cops. The assassin’s bold social media postings were an anatomy of his hatred for police authority. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the Ramos and Liu families and the men and women of the NYPD. It’s evident that domestic terrorists, like the one who killed these detectives, are living among us. These power-envy savages are filled with homicidal rage and stand ready to aggressively mobilize, alone or as a group, to attack officers who represent law and order. This type of hatred is a survival problem for our men and women in Blue.

Hatred towards police authority is not a new phenomenon. More than forty years ago, a lone wolf domestic terrorist ambushed a New Jersey State Trooper. In 1973, Joanne Chesimard, a left-wing militant and member of the Black Liberation Army, shot and killed Trooper Werner Foerster during a car stop on the New Jersey Turnpike. Chesimard murdered the Trooper execution-style with his own service weapon after she severely wounded him in his right arm and abdomen. In 2013, Joanne Chesimard was the first woman named on the FBI’s list of Most Wanted Terrorists. I am hopeful she will be brought to justice soon.

With the increasing number of ambush-style attacks against law enforcement officers nationwide--15 of those in 2014--there is a significant urgency for all law enforcement officers to be concerned that violent hate-fueled assaults can occur anywhere at anytime.

Law enforcement officers are often soft targets because of their visibility and access performing a multitude of tasks in the public eye. It’s important for officers to be diligent and constantly aware of their surroundings. They must also continue to be mentally and physically prepared to respond to an ambush. It could be a matter of life and death.

In this issue, it was my honor to remember and pay tribute to the four New Jersey women in Blue who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.

Stay safe and healthy in 2015!

Captain Donna Roman-Hernandez (Ret.) Managing Editor

If you would like to submit stories, pictures, or suggestions, send us an email at:

8

NJBlue now | January/February 2015

NJ Blue Now Magazine mourns the loss of Cliffside Park Police Officer Stephen Petruzzello who was killed in the line of duty as a result of being struck by a motor vehicle.

Cliffside Park Police Officer Stephen Petruzzello End of Watch: 1/3/15

njbluenow@gmail.com To Advertise Call: 973.653.3446

prevention

Complacency in Law Enforcement: A Deadly Habit in Our Profession

By Rafael Rosa

The recent execution of two of New York City’s finest has once again brought the topic of complacency to the forefront.

While there are numerous phrases used to describe this common law enforcement blunder, each interpretation regarding this topic arrives to the same agreeable conclusion: complacency kills. From the inexperienced rookie to the seasoned twenty-five-year veteran, complacency in law enforcement has taken lives, devastated families and depleted the power source of the law enforcement community.

It is no mystery then, that death is an opportunistic companion in every officer’s life that remains quiescent until an officer is caught off guard. For this reason, among others, a law enforcement officer must always be alert to stay alive, especially as we approach an era when the police are no longer considered the protectors, but rather the enemies.

In an article titled “Complacency Kills,” author Marc Khalberg explains that within every 53 hours, a law enforcement officer is killed in the line of duty. Khalberg argues that over the course of time, violence against law enforcement has become more

10

prevalent as the numbers of officers killed in the line of duty has become an ever more frequent and grim reality. Certainly, these numbers make law enforcement one of the most stress-inducing and deadly professions in America. In fact, one only needs to look at the Officer Down Memorial Page to come to that conclusion.

Nevertheless, there are ways to minimize complacency by remaining attentive and applying some basic awareness tips that, if properly applied, can save lives and prevent an officer’s family from suffering the ultimate loss: the life of a loved one.

Though these basic tips are by no means an all-encompassing list of how to combat complacency in law enforcement, at the very least, it can provide some alertness to an officer’s approach to any given situation.

Presently, there are numerous safety scenarios that an officer can study and learn from in textbooks, online sources, and even on YouTube video clips. The ultimate goal is to educate the officer of the potential danger of being complacent and inattentive during the performance of his or her duties. For this reason, it is necessary to review some basic and simple procedures to ensure the safety of all those who courageously wear the badge.

Proper Maintenance of Equipment

Maintenance of equipment is perhaps one of the most crucial components in the day-to-day operation of our profession.

Our weapons are the tools of the trade and, like a fine violinist who repeatedly tunes his violin for accurate sound and cleans the rosin deposits to prevent wood decay and string rust, an officer must do

NJBlue now | January/February 2015

the same with his firearm. Not having a well-lubricated and clean weapon can lead to dangerous malfunctions and poor discharge performance.

Equally important is a fully charged police radio and flashlight. Radios are an officer’s primary communication source, and the one thing that allows officers to track each other’s movements in the field. A conscientious officer should always carry an additional charged battery in the event that the primary one is depleted. The worst scenario in law enforcement is when an officer needs help, but cannot radio for assistance. The simple practice of keeping one’s radio charged and operable can mean the difference between life and death.

The same can be said of flashlights. When approaching a vehicle at night, it is prudent not to forward the flashlight near the body.

Flashlights should be away from the body because an assailant with evil intentions will tend to shoot toward the direction of the light. Moreover, an officer should carry the flashlight with his or her weak arm. The dominant hand should always be available should deadly force be necessary.

Avoid Reading Newspapers and Magazines While in the Patrol Car

As officers we have all encountered interesting stories in newspapers and or magazines that we want to read during idle time. The headlines quickly capture our attention and we immediately begin to read, losing sight of the people around us.

Today, this habit extends to smart phones as well. All it takes is for a gunman to see (Continued on page 12) To Advertise Call: 973.653.3446

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prevention (Continued from page 10) the vulnerability of an officer and attack.

Later, this criminal, whether in prison or not, will boast to his or her friends about how he injured, or possibly killed, a law enforcement officer. With social media at our fingertips, all those interesting stories could wait—we can always bring forth a story on the internet at home, but we can never invoke a lost soul. Therefore, while in the patrol car, focus on the surroundings and be ready to react when called upon.

Traffic Stops are Never Routine and Risk Free

Time and again, statistics have shown that motor vehicle stops are the most dangerous and fatal activity in law enforcement. As an officer one must always keep in mind that no stops are routine, and each traffic stop has the potential for violence and disaster.

When conducting a vehicle stop, it should be customary to advise the dispatcher of the location of the stop before exiting the vehicle. Advising the dispatcher will allow other units to hear the location and be ready to react if a problem ensues. Running a plate check will also give an officer speedy information that can be useful. However, while running the information or issuing a ticket, it should be a common practice among officers to periodically look at the actions of the motorist to confirm that the driver, or any passenger therein, remains within the vehicle. When approaching the vehicle, always press on the trunk to make sure it is closed and secure. When proceeding to the driver remain between the front and rear door frame, that way the officer can see the actions of the driver and any passenger sitting in the backseat. The door frame also provides a natural protective barrier between the driver and officer. Upon receipt of all driving credentials, the officer should walk away backwards until he or she reaches the patrol car. In situations where there are several occupants in the vehicle, the officer should never hesitate to call for back-up before confronting the occupants.

As a general rule, the officer should always look at the behavioral patterns of people such as nervous behavior, overconfidence and aggressive demeanor as indicators to heighten one’s awareness during a vehicle stop.

One last word of caution, as often happens 12

in our profession, a lost motorist sometimes stops to ask for directions at the same time a traffic stop is being conducted. In these situations, an officer should politely advise the driver that a traffic stop is being conducted and that other officers in the area can render assistance. While uttering these words to the lost motorist, always keep the eyes affixed on the driver and or passenger of the stopped vehicle. Losing sight can lead to all sorts of problems that can cost an officer’s life. Remember, it only take a few minutes for the lost motorist to find another policeman or passerby to direct them to the right course, but it only takes a few seconds for an assailant to get the upper-hand during a motor vehicle stop.

Bulletproof Vests Save Lives

Of all the possible complacent behaviors by law enforcement officials, the failure to wear a bulletproof vest can be the most deadly.

In a study conducted by, The Police Chief: The Professional Voice of Law Enforcement, bulletproof vests can save lives and protect officers from major injuries. However, this is not true in all cases. On some occasions having a vest does not protect the officer from certain high-powered rounds. These special rounds are known to pierce through body armor and have the potential to kill anyone on contact. Nevertheless— statistically, wearing a vest while performing police duties can minimize death. The versatility of bulletproof vests provides protection from firearms, knives and physical encounters. Compared to the heavy plated vests of the past, these modern soft body armors are more comfortable and reliable. A recent study by Channel 7—ABC News, shows that 50% of the officers killed in the line of duty in 2014 died of gunshot wounds. Therefore, there is no excuse why an officer should not wear a protective vest, especially in an era when law enforcement officers across the nation are experiencing higher levels of threat and violence.

performing his or her duties. To reiterate, a prudent officer should always read manuals concerning officer safety as a way to improve their approach to a situation. Learning how to deal with problematic scenes can bolster an officer’s confidence and survival habits.

In this volatile and tumultuous era, the officer must be ready to confront a myriad of issues and address them by relying on his or her training.

Conclusion

In the end, it is no secret that over the course of our careers we all become complacent.

The monotonous nature of our jobs can make us gullible to the complacency dangers of the profession. What happened to Detectives Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu could happen to any of us. They, like us, were victims of a color bias: they were deliberately targeted, ambushed and killed for wearing the color blue—a color not seen favorably by those who detest police.

As always, be safe, stay alert, and stay alive.

Credits: Marc Khalberg, “Complacency Kills.” Law Enforcement Today, at http://www.lawenforcementtoday.com/2012/01/11/complacency-kills/ M. Jo McMullen, “Injuries to Law Enforcement Officers Shot Wearing Personal Body Armor: A 30-Year Review.” The Police Chief: The Professional Voice of Law Enforcement, at http://www.policechiefmagazine.org/magazine/ index.cfm?fuseaction=display_arch&article_ id=1571&issue_id=82008 Sergeant Adrienne Quigley, “Vests Save Lives: A Reminder of the Importance of Wearing Soft Body Armor.” The Police Chief: The Professional Voice of Law Enforcement, at http://www.policechiefmagazine.org/magazine/ index.cfm?fuseaction=display_arch&article_ id=1643&issue_id=102008

Rafael Rosa has been a police officer since 1999.

He presently holds an associates and bachelor degree in Criminal Justice, two master’s degrees and is a doctoral candidate.

These are only a few of the many tips to which an officer should adhere to when

NJBlue now | January/February 2015

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the law

The Thin Blue Line

Under Attack

By Matthew A. Peluso, Esq.

“The police are the public and the public are the police; the police being only members of the public who are paid to give full time attention to duties which are incumbent on every citizen in the interests of community welfare and existence.” ~Sir Robert Peel, creator of Scotland Yard

A

s we begin this new year, the law enforcement community in our country continues to be under attack from a sizable and vocal portion of the public that it serves and protects.

The last six months of 2014 was an extremely difficult and tragic period for law enforcement. Back in June, two Nevada police officers, Alyn Beck and Igor Soldo, were gunned down while they were eating pizza. In July, Jersey City Police Officer Melvin Santiago was murdered while he sat in his patrol car. September saw so-called “survivalist” Eric Frein’s targeted murder of Pennsylvania State Trooper Bryon Dickson and the wounding of his partner, Trooper Alex T. Douglass.

November was even worse, with the nation-wide protests and unrest following the Michael Brown grand jury decision, and the hatchet attack on NYPD officers Kenneth Healey and Joseph Meeker by a local Islamic terrorist. Then, the year ended with the protests and attacks on police officers in the aftermath of the Eric Garner grand jury decision, followed by the December assassinations of NYPD Officers Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu by a career criminal seeking revenge on police officers as alleged pay-back for the Brown and Garner deaths.

Regardless of the legitimate differences of opinion regarding the Brown and Garner grand jury decisions, it is now clear that too many civilians, civic leaders and politicians have used a few, albeit tragic, incidents involving police officers to launch a baseless and overly broad attack on law enforcement, which has, in turn, created an increasingly dangerous environment in which police officers now have to operate.

In both the Brown and Garner cases, there was significant evidence that the suspects had both committed crimes and then 14

resisted arrest, including an assault on the police officer involved in the Brown incident. Therefore, although disputed, the grand jury decisions in both the Brown and Garner cases were not outrageous when the facts of the incidents were applied to the controlling case law.

As law enforcement officers are aware, a citizen cannot use force to resist arrest by a police officer engaged in the performance of his duties, whether or not the arrest is illegal under the circumstances obtaining.

State v. Koonce, 89 N.J.Super. 169, 184 (App. Div. 1965). When a citizen resists arrest, the officer is not only justified in, but has the duty of, employing such force as is reasonably necessary to overcome the resistance and accomplish the arrest. State v. Moriarity, 133 N.J.Super. 563, 573 (App. Div.), certif. denied, 68 N.J. 172 (1975).

Based even upon the disputed facts of the Brown and Garner incidents it is almost certain that neither Brown nor Garner would be dead if they had complied with the police officers lawful arrests.

However, unlike the police officers in the Brown and Garner cases, the aboveidentified police officers murdered last year had not even arguably abused or shot any citizens. They were just eating lunch, or sitting in their vehicle, or walking out of their headquarters. Further, the ambushed police officers had no history of racist behavior or excessive use of force. Santiago had just become a cop and was only 23 years old. Dickson, Beck, Soldo and Ramos were fathers. Further, Santiago and Ramos were Latino-Americans, and Liu was a ChineseAmerican. As members of minority groups, these slain officers were sensitive to the difficulties faced by the racially and culturally diverse communities in which they both lived and served. They “mirrored” the racial and ethnic make-up of their local

NJBlue now | January/February 2015

communities and, thus, represented the exact type of culturally diverse “community policing” long-requested by minority communities and, more recently, by many of the individuals protesting against law enforcement officers.

Therefore, the on-going and worthwhile public debate in the aftermath of the Brown and Garner cases about the excessive use of force by white police officers against black males was completely inapplicable to Officers Santiago, Ramos and Liu. Unfortunately, too many people with positions of power and influence in the political and media arenas seriously underestimated that their extreme and inflammatory statements against police officers over the last several months could directly lead to increased violence against law enforcement officers. There are many individuals who need no encouragement to attack police officers: Criminals with every reason to undermine the rule of law at every turn, anti-government extremists seeking to further their twisted political agenda, deluded and disturbed individuals out for fame or revenge, etc.

According to statistics collected and recently released by the FBI, 76 law enforcement officers were killed in lineof-duty incidents in 2013. Of these, 27 law enforcement officers died as a result of felonious acts. In addition, 49,851 officers were victims of line-of-duty assaults. Given this daily level of violence and aggression against police officers, it was reckless for people in positions of power to whipup generalized anti-police hatred, since, among other reasons, it will not help to resolve any underlying conflicts between law enforcement officers and minority communities.

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His primary expertise lies in workplace injuries, with a strong emphasis on worker’s compensation benefits and pension benefits for police officers, correction officers, firefighters and public employees. He currently holds a position as an adjunct professor of criminal justice at Kean University. Prior to his legal career, Mr. LaRocca served as a corrections officer for 9 years in the Union County Department of Public Safety where he received the Award of Conduct Above and Beyond the Call of Duty.

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the law (Continued from page 14) Now, as much as ever, it is important to remember the “thin blue line� that keeps the peace in our society. For example, the FBI has confirmed that the estimated number of violent crimes nation-wide in 2013 decreased 4.4 percent when compared with 2012 figures, and the estimated number of property crimes decreased 4.1 percent. This trend continued in many cities in 2014.

Homicides in Detroit fell 10% in 2014 from the previous year. The number of murders in New York City dropped to 328 killings in 2014, the lowest figure since at least 1963.

These successes were only possible through the efforts of law enforcement officers working in conjunction with the residents of the economically and socially challenged areas where the overwhelming majority of violent crime occurs.

If anything, as we have seen in the current tension between the NYPD and Mayor Bill DeBlasio, a public failure to support police officers can lead not only to bad headlines for politicians, but also to a loss of morale among police officers. This can potentially lead to a reduction in arrests, issuance of summons and execution of warrants by the officers on the street. In the last couple of weeks in December, the number of summons issued in New York City dropped more than 90 percent and arrests were down

56 percent when compared to the same time-period in 2013. When the men and women who risk their lives every day feel attacked by those they serve and protect, it is only normal for their production rates to be negatively affected.

from both camps should stop and be replaced by calm and responsible dialogue.

The current dispute between minority communities and law enforcement agencies will only be resolved by negotiation and legislation, not demonization.

As expressed in the initial quote to this article, law enforcement officers are not distinct or segregated from the public they serve. They live in our communities.

They have spouses, children and parents who live, work and attend schools in the communities where they patrol, or in communities similar to where they patrol.

Yet, over the last several months, too many people have forgotten this reality, and have chosen to alienate law enforcement officers from the citizenry they protect.

Matthew A. Peluso, Esq. is an attorney based in Princeton.

He has over 20 years of experience in numerous types of complex litigation, including employment, insurance and business law. Mr. Peluso has successfully represented police officers in employment and contract disputes involving wrongful termination, failure to promote, race, gender and age discrimination, hostile work environment and whistle-blower actions. Mr. Peluso is a graduate of the University of Miami School of Law and George Washington University.

He can be reached at: 609-306-2595. His e-mail address is: mpelusoesq@live.com. His experience can be reviewed on Linkedin.com and on his firm website: http://mpelusoesq. webs.com. The opinions expressed by Mr. Peluso in his article are not intended to provide legal advice. Anyone interested should consult a qualified attorney prior to making any significant employment or legal decision.

Nothing positive will come from inciting citizens against law enforcement officers.

The changes in policing sought by the protestors will not be embraced by the rank-and-file police officers required to effectuate those changes. Instead, positions will harden and potential compromise will fail in the face of inevitable intractability caused by increasing mutual anger and distrust. Consequently, in this new year, after the unnecessary and tragic deaths of both citizens and police officers in 2014, all of the protests and incendiary statements

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Women in blue

Remembering

New Jersey’s Fallen Female Heroes

By Captain Donna Roman Hernandez (Ret.)

“When a police officer is killed, it’s not an agency that loses an officer, it’s an entire nation.” ~ Chris Cosgriff, Founder, ODMP.org.

Since women first entered the law enforcement profession, more than 250 tragically had their names inscribed on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Wa s h i ng ton , DC. Among these heroes, four are law enforcement officers from New Jersey.

These extraordinary women made the ultimate sacrifice in pursuit of their duties. They bravely answered the call of duty protecting the communities they served.

The Nation’s First

According to the National Law Enforcement Memorial Fund, the first woman in the United States to die in the line of duty was Anna Hart, a jail matron with the Hamilton County Ohio Sheriff ’s Department. On July 24, 1916, a county jail prisoner savagely beat Matron Hart with an iron bedpost, killing her while attempting to escape.

Fifty years later, Police Officer Gail Cobb of the Washington, DC Metropolitan 18

Police Department, was gunned down by a bank robber. She was the nation’s first African-American policewoman to make the ultimate sacrifice. Words spoken by a police chaplain that day ring loud and true today, “Her death established the fact that the criminal makes no distinction between the sexes.”

New Jersey’s Fallen Female Heroes Officer Abigail J. Powlett Plainfield Police Department On March 15, 1985, Plainfield Police Officer Abigail J. Powlett, a three-year veteran, was the first female police officer in New Jersey to be killed in the line of duty. Officer Powlett and another officer responded to a call involving a man with a gun. They spotted a man who fit the suspect’s description and approached him. The suspect drew his gun, grabbed Officer Powlett around the neck, and forced her to lie on the ground.

He stood over Powlett, disarmed her, and then pressed her service revolver against her head.

NJBlue now | January/February 2015

Officer Powlett was taken hostage by the suspect for reasons unknown. While the responding Plainfield officers negotiated with the suspect for her release, the suspect fatally shot Officer Powlett in the head.

The other officers returned fire killing the suspect.

After Officer Powlett’s murder, Plainfield Police Chief Propsner said, ‘’During the negotiations, the suspect for no apparent reason shot Officer Powlett in the back of the head, administering a fatal wound. This was a horrible, tragic act.’’

Inspector Joyce Anne Carnegie

Orange Police Department On April 8, 1999, Orange Police Officer Joyce Anne Carnegie, a fouryear veteran, was the first female officer to be killed in the line of duty in Essex County, New Jersey.

Officer Carnegie robbery suspect questioning. The two muggings in

was shot by an armed she had stopped for suspect had committed the area minutes before

To Advertise Call: 973.653.3446

and was walking toward Officer Carnegie when she stopped him.

wreaths upon a bronze statue of her image on the borough’s lawn.

As she approached, he drew his weapon and shot her before she had time to draw her own weapon. Officer Carnegie was fatally shot at close range in the head and abdomen. A federal agent, who happened to be in the area, found Officer Carnegie succumbing to her wounds lying next to her patrol car.

Recently, Chaplain David Boone of the Fair Lawn Police Department spoke about his colleague: “Mary Ann was a friend, a sister and a police officer who possessed the gift of being able to help others in very special ways. She often saw needs that others might overlook and then would take action to help. Her loss will never be forgotten by those who knew and loved her and the positive impact that she made will be felt forever.”

The suspect was captured and charged with murder, criminal possession of a weapon and robbery. On June 30, 1999, he pled guilty and was sentenced to life in prison. Officer Carnegie was posthumously promoted to the rank of Inspector.

Shortly after Officer Carnegie’s death, New Jersey Governor Whitman signed a bill enhancing sentences now making mandatory death or life terms in jail without parole the only penalties for anyone convicted of killing a police officer in the line of duty.

Officer Mary Ann Collura

Fair Lawn Police Department On April 17, 2003, Fair Lawn Police Officer Mary Ann Collura, a twentyyear veteran was the first female and the only police officer in Fair Lawn to be killed in the line of duty.

Officer Collura was shot multiple times while coming to the aid of a Clifton officer following a vehicular pursuit through several towns and into Fair Lawn, where the vehicle crashed on the front lawn of a church. Both officers were shot by the driver of the vehicle. Officer Collura was mortally wounded. Three days later, the suspect was tracked down in Sumter County, Florida and was shot and killed by deputies.

In honor of Officer Collura’s ultimate sacrifice, annually Fair Lawn police officers, her family, council members, firefighters, residents and others participate in a memorial walk and ceremoniously lay

Detective Tina Rambo

Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office On August 1, 2011, Detective Tina Rambo, a ten-year veteran of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office was killed in the line of duty in a head-on collision in Burlington County.

Detective Rambo was on duty driving her assigned Ford Crown Victoria when an oncoming vehicle on Route 70 in Southhampton Township crossed the centerline and struck her vehicle head-on, killing her.

Detective Rambo had been with the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office since 2000, first as Prosecutor’s Agent and then as a sworn law enforcement officer. Detective Rambo worked in various units within the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, including the Narcotics Strike Force; Special Victims Unit; Megan’s Law Unit; the Family Protection Unit (Domestic Violence); Grand Jury and Trial Unit.

Captain Donna Roman Hernandez (Ret.) is a domestic violence police specialist, domestic violence subject matter expert and consultant.

She is the host of Tough Justice Internet Talk Radio Show (www. toughjusticeddv.com) and The Jersey Beat Blog Talk Radio Show (www.thejerseybeat.blogspot. com). Her award-winning feature documentary-memoir The Ultimate Betrayal: A Survivor’s Journey is available for download or purchase at Amazon.com – Prime Instant Video. Contact Donna at salsacop446@hotmail.com or www.blueforcefilms.com.

If you’d like to receive this magazine free by mail… please go to our website

These female law enforcement officers made the ultimate sacrifice and we are grateful that they protected and served us.

For those who continue to serve, we honor their commitment.

Credits: Officer Down Memorial Page

www.njbluenow.com N JBlue now | January/February 2015

19

up close

FAR

GREATER THAN

OURSELVES

By Jay Martinez

R

ecently, I experienced subsequent memorial services for fallen NYPD Brothers Det. Ramos and Det. Liu. In the chilly winter air 50,000 brothers and sisters toed-the-line and stood shoulder-to-shoulder. They traveled in planes, trains and automobiles from different areas throughout our great nation, including Alaska, Texas, Utah, California, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Washington and Canada. Uniform colors and patterns differed from blue to khaki and grey. But, internally 50,000 strong were ‘Blue.’ Our common motive that created this grand spectacle was to honor and pay respect to our fallen brothers, their families and their constituents. Collectively, we all answered the call to serve something far greater than ourselves.

This monumental reflection and memorial for two of NYPD’s finest placed the greatest city in the world at a standstill. The world was watching with deep heart-stricken awe. At home spectators gazed attentively, sipping on their morning cups of Joe while receiving high definition transmissions into the most loyal fraternity of the modern world. The bond that was present contained no synonymous patch; that day we were all NYPD, that day Detectives Liu and Ramos were our partners. Although a solemn and serious event, the bond that created an 20

Photo credit: Jay Martinez

early morning buzz had a feel good mojo attached to it. The mojo was embodied by officers who embraced each other with a respectful smile and a white-gloved handshake.

In the top of the morning and as far as the human eye could see, the images that captured the imagination were hundreds of motorcycles moving in unison with wig wag lights dancing amidst the chrome.

Horses carrying bundled-up officers as they silently strode down the black asphalt of a big city street. Bagpipers rallying around each other while they inflated their bagpipes in anticipation of their final notes, and images of PBA members handing each other a hot cup of coffee. Neighbors, merchants and small children offered warm salutations, which officers gladly returned with warm greetings. The feel good mojo was becoming contagious. But, not a single soul displaced the genuine reason for being present: to serve something far greater than ourselves.

There were times when tissues were needed and other times when cotton white gloves did the job. Handshakes were offered by the dozens; hospitality appealed to everyone and officers did their part to prove to the nation that we truly are a brotherhood that could never be compromised. We will stand

NJBlue now | January/February 2015

united because standing divided has never been or ever will be an option.

Family members, clergy, administrators and colleagues gave loving eulogies. The more personal to the honorees, the more the tears streamed the cheeks of attendees.

In a city that never sleeps, the silence spoke incredible volumes. The services and genuine display of humanity and compassion proved to the world that police officer lives matter. They matter because two great men that cared deeply for their families, their communities and the badge that rested on their chests, were ambushed and senselessly killed while working to make a different world better. John 15:13 states, “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” Our prayers, thoughts and hopes are with Det. Ramos’ and Det. Liu’s family and loved ones. May they rest in peace.

A popular saying rings true: “When someone dies, you never quite get over it. You slowly learn how to go on without them but always keeping them tucked safely in your heart.”

This salute belongs to our two brothers Ramos and Liu, their loved ones and the NYPD. May God bless and keep them always.

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cover story

AMBUSHED

Cops have good reason to be alarmed

By Daniel Del Valle & George Beck

Had the protesters marching in the Murray Hill neighborhood of NYC calling for the death of cops been paying attention, they would have realized they had already gotten exactly what they wanted. It would have been more accurate for them to ask for “More dead cops!”

Nationally, in 2014, more police officers died in the line of duty than in the previous year. Ambush killings rose an alarming 200% from the preceding year; and there was a 57% spike in deaths from gunfire.

These fallen officers leave behind hundreds of loved ones who will shakily move ahead in life without them simply because they tried to bring stability to a society that is experiencing an unprecedented increase in hostility toward police.

Yet law enforcement officers are sensible.

They understand that protesters calling for their deaths represent neither society in general, nor even the majority of protesters, but they have good reason to feel defensive.

Recently, police officers are being targeted for murder while on and off duty, causing some police unions to demand the removal of police shields from vehicle windshields 24

until further notice. In December, shots were reportedly fired at the vehicle of an off-duty officer in Essex County, NJ. There have been additional reports of officers being fired upon in their patrol vehicles, and an increase in death threats against the police from psychopathic users of social media who are incited by the hype. Social media postings depicting officers with guns pointed at their heads and commentary suggesting the killing of police are hot right now.

There is another trend that has been hard not to notice: The media has overwhelmingly focused on the civilians killed and wounded by police, while largely ignoring or giving passing mention to officers killed in the line of duty. Let’s put this into perspective. During the second half of 2014, when aggression against police began to increase across the country, so did efforts to demonize them as brutes and racists and as enemies of the very citizens they protect and serve. Cops have good reason to be alarmed. Here are twelve of them.

On June 8th, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Officers Alyn Beck and Igor Soldo were shot and killed while eating lunch at a pizza restaurant. The killers then stole

NJBlue now | January/February 2015

PO Alyn Beck



PO Igor Soldo

both officers’ weapons and ammunition and fled to a nearby Walmart, where they killed a civilian before responding officers exchanged gunfire, killing one while the other committed suicide.

Nearly a month later, on July 6th, Gary, Indiana Police Officer Jeffrey Brady Westerfield was shot and killed as he sat in his patrol car. It was a citizen who found Officer Westerfield suffering from his wounds inside his police cruiser PO Jeffrey Brady Westerfield and called 911.

A week later, on July 13th, Jersey City NJ Police Detective Melvin Santiago was shot by a lunatic who entered a store with the intent to ambush the responding officers.

The miscreant had assaulted the store’s To Advertise Call: 973.653.3446

Det. Melvin Santiago

private security guard and stole his service weapon.

Detective Santiago and his partner drove into the parking lot when the criminal fired upon them, killing Detective Santiago.

As the hate rants against law enforcement continued to grow louder across social media, September proved a deadly month for law enforcement. On September 7th, Merrillville, Indiana Police Officer Nickolaus E. Shultz was investigating a report that an evicted tenant had PO Nickolaus E. Shultz moved back into his condominium when the gunman wearing body armor ambushed responding officers, shooting and killing Officer Shultz.

The following day, in South Carolina, Charleston County Sheriff ’s Deputy Joseph Matuskovic was investigating a disturbance call when a man inside an apartment ambushed responding Deputy Joseph Matuskovic officers, firing an AK47-style rifle through the apartment door, striking Officer Matuskovic, killing him and wounding another officer.

A few days later, on September 12th, Pennsylvania State Trooper Cpl. Bryon Dickson was ambushed with a .308 caliber rifle shot as he walked out the front door of the police barracks. The gunman was hidden somewhere in the darkTrooper Cpl. Bryon Dickson ness of a surrounding wooded area. A dispatcher and another trooper tried to come to Cpl. Dickson’s aid, but were forced to retreat as the shooter fired upon them, striking the responding trooper. The gunman then shot Cpl. Dickson a second time, killing him.

Two days later, Monroe County Georgia Sheriff ’s Deputy Michael Norris responded to a call and was shot and killed by a suicidal man as he approached the front door. In the exchange of gunfire, Deputy Norris was mortally wounded and kept on life support for two days so his organs Deputy Michael Norris could be donated.

During the morning of November 22nd, Leon County Florida Sheriff ’s Deputy Christopher Smith was shot and killed in an ambush as he arrived on the scene of a house fire. The gunman then took Deputy Smith’s firearm and Deputy Christopher Smith continued to fire at responding officers and firefighters. It is believed the homicidal lunatic intentionally set the house on fire intending to kill first responders.

Det. Rafael Ramos

Det. Wenjian Liu

As New Yorkers went about enjoying the holiday festivities, New York City Police Officers Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos were eating lunch in their patrol car on the afternoon of December 20th when a gang member from Baltimore, Maryland who had specifically traveled to New York intending to ambush and kill police officers, approached their patrol vehicle and opened fire, killing both officers.

PO Charles Kondek

The following day, Tarpon Springs Florida Police Officer Charles Kondek responded to a noise complaint in the early morning hours. When he arrived at the scene, a criminal fresh out of

prison and on parole shot and killed him, then ran over him while fleeing the scene.

2015 will present new challenges for law enforcement as they grapple to reduce the threats, violence and hostility against them, prevent additional police murders, and continue to serve and protect the public.

Tips To Prevent Ambush Attacks

To prevent ambush attacks, officers are reminded to change up their routines, such as meal times and locations, and to be aware of any interaction where a person is baiting them into a confrontation. While on patrol, they should limit usage of their smartphones to only areas where it is safe, and avoid temptations to read while inside the patrol car. Officers are reminded to wait for backup to arrive when approaching any scene that is out of the ordinary.

Complacency can be fatal. Officers should be aware of the dangers of complacency and take steps to avoid it. They should also take different routes to and from work.

Becoming more tactical minded while off duty is also necessary. Officers should always be aware of their surroundings, especially while working out at gyms when typically listening to music through headphones can be a needed distraction.

Everybody should Google their name and see what is out there on the Internet. Are your home address, date of birth and other identifying information listed? If so, take action to have this information removed.

If you use social media, perform a test to see what information is public and always be mindful that someone somewhere may be stalking your postings. Take a moment to assess your home and identify security weaknesses.

In our current times, being overly prepared is a good thing. We should always remain tactical-minded and alert. As ambush attacks increase against law enforcement, let’s continue to promote awareness and remain united as we adjust to serve and protect during this dangerous and tragic period. We have a justifiable reason to be alarmed. May all of the officers who were senselessly killed in the line of duty continue to rest in peace. Be safe out there.

N JBlue now | January/February 2015

25

Legal news

Three Wins For The Cops

By Timothy R. Smith, Esq.

T

hree recent decisions favorable to police officers were recently issued and are worth reviewing.

In East Orange Superior Officers Association, Local No. 16 and City of East Orange, New Jersey, PERC Docket No. AR-2014404, the grievant, an East Orange police captain, had been disciplined for failing to personally take charge of an investigation.

The City contended this was a violation of the department’s rules requiring supervisors to personally respond to any “major incident.” The incident occurred in the middle of the night, when the captain was the supervisor on duty. A male had been brought to East Orange General Hospital with a non-serious stab wound.

The Department sent several officers to the hospital. The victim was not cooperative and did not want to make a report. The officers did not believe his story. Also, it turned out that the stabbing had not occurred in East Orange. The captain monitored the investigation from headquarters via police radio. Thereafter, the Department deemed the stabbing a “major incident” requiring the captain’s presence at the hospital.

But the captain successfully argued at his PERC arbitration hearing that the term “major incident” had not been defined by the department’s rules. Given that ambiguity, the arbitrator found the captain had reasonably exercised his discretion in not personally going to the hospital.

The arbitrator noted that the stabbing had not occurred in East Orange, the wound was not serious, and the victim was uncooperative. The arbitrator further observed that competent officers had been sent to the scene, the captain was busy that night with administrative duties and, ultimately, nothing would have been accomplished by his presence at the hospital. Thus, the arbitrator dismissed the charge and vacated the captain’s five-day suspension without pay.

26

In City of East Orange and F.O.P. Lodge No. Ill, PERC Docket No. AR-2014-588, disciplinary charges were brought against an East Orange police officer based on the claim that she had signed a court officer’s name on an authorization to release a prisoner R.O.R. without that court officer’s permission. This matter demonstrates how a vigorous defense can defeat facially valid charges.

The PERC arbitration hearing showed there had been a long-standing arrangement between the court officer and the Department allowing police officers to sign the court officer’s name to R.O.R. authorization forms for minor, non-DWI traffic violations. On this occasion, when the court officer afterwards saw the form, he realized the prisoner was a relative of his and his name should not have been on the paperwork. He reported the incident to his supervisors and contended that the police ought not to have signed his name to the form without having first consulted with him. But the grievant police officer brought to the arbitration hearing several other officers who had signed the court officer’s name to similar paperwork and who testified that doing so was an accepted practice, based on an understanding between the court officer and the Department. The grievant officer also testified that there had been animosity between herself and the Chief due to her union activities and no other police officers who had engaged in similar conduct had ever been disciplined.

Based on the grievant officer’s proofs, the arbitrator found that the officer had done nothing wrong, but had merely followed the common practice. While the arbitrator did not find an anti-union basis for the disciplinary charges, she stated that it “remained suspect” that the officer in question (the Department’s P.B.A. President) was the sole officer disciplined for the conduct at issue.

NJBlue now | January/February 2015

In the Matter of Telina Hairston, City of East Orange, CSC Docket No. 2015-1098 the officer filed a petition for interim relief with the Civil Service Commission complaining the Department had included in the PNDA a claim that the officer had violated a “Last Chance Agreement” that was not signed until after the incident that was the subject of the disciplinary charges.

The Commission ruled that the officer could not be charged with violating an Agreement that, while in effect at the point that the disciplinary charges were brought, was not in effect at the time of the incident giving rise to those charges.

The Commission also stated an infraction that occurs after the incident that is the subject of present charges cannot be used to determine the proper sanction for those charges. Accordingly, the Commission ordered the deletion of any reference to the “Last Chance Agreement” in the PNDA. Timothy R. Smith is a certified criminal trial attorney and a partner at Caruso Smith Picini located in Fairfileld, NJ. Mr. Smith was formerly employed as a police officer, detective, police union president and member of a prosecutor’s office legal staff prior to transitioning into private legal practice. These experiences motivated Mr. Smith to focus his practice in the area of criminal and disciplinary defense.

Mr. Smith’s expertise spans federal, state, and municipal courts as well as administrative proceedings, and his practice areas include: domestic violence; expungements; D.Y.F.S. matters; traffic summonses (including D.W.I.); weapons forfeitures; public employee pension applications and appeals; appellate practice; and civil defense.

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in the news

silent gesture Heard Around The Nation

By Daniel Del Valle & George Beck

B

y the time thousands of NYPD officers and cops from across the country turned their backs on Mayor Bill de Blasio as he spoke at the funerals of assassinated NYPD Detectives Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu, the law enforcement community had reached a breaking point. There was nothing de Blasio could say to console the honorable men and women of law enforcement who felt he had turned his back on them.

But let’s be fair. The lunatic from Baltimore, Maryland who specifically traveled to New York with the intent to ambush and kill police officers is the one who is responsible for the murders of NYPD Detectives Liu and Ramos, and not the mayor. But de Blasio’s pandering to anti-police champions like Al Sharpton (how can one forget the infamous July City hall meeting where he appeared with Sharpton sitting to his immediate left giving the impression he was equal in authority) and other examples, call into question where he stands when it comes to supporting the fine men and women who risk their lives to serve and protect the city.

If any politician wants to create the impression they are against the police, an association with Sharpton may be enough to achieve that objective.

28

Photo credit: George Beck

Another sure way to turn police off is not to admit when the officers were recently attacked on the Brooklyn Bridge by “peaceful” protestors, preferring to claim they were “allegedly” assaulted.

In the wake of the execution-style killings in New York, members of the law enforcement community and others claimed the rhetoric of de Blasio, President Obama, Attorney General Eric Holder, Al Sharpton, and others was to blame for inciting the aggression against the police.

At the base of the argument is the idea that de Blasio and Obama among others pander to the Al Sharptons, whose objective historically has been anti-police animus.

Former Mayor Rudolf Giuliani recently appeared on the national news cycles urging de Blasio to apologize to the police officers for creating an impression that he was on the side of the protesters, some of whom chanted for the death of cops, and others who assaulted police officers. As of this date, de Blasio has not taken Giuliani’s sound advice, instead he blamed the media for the backlash.

Members of law enforcement also claimed Obama’s silence in the immediate aftermath of the assassinations of Detectives Liu and Ramos was deafening. But, again let’s

NJBlue now | January/February 2015

remain objective. Obama had sent Vice President Joe Biden to Det. Ramos’ funeral to deliver a pro-law enforcement eulogy.

Biden’s pro-law enforcement message was crystal clear. It was one of the best attempts thus far to quell the hostility. Obama had also sent FBI Director James Comey to deliver another pro-law enforcement eulogy at Det. Liu’s funeral.

However, the law enforcement community is still not convinced as long as rabblerousers like Sharpton are considered personal advisors to Obama, de Blasio and others, and the threats, violence and ambushes against them continue to increase. At this point, actions will speak louder than words.

If politicians truly want to be the bridge that will restore calm, then law enforcement can’t help but offer this piece of advice to start with: listen to former NYPD police commissioner Bernard Kerik: “Get rid of Al Sharpton. He’s bad for policy; he’s bad for policing; he’s bad for society in general. He creates friction between police departments and communities.”

It’s a step in the right direction, and the right direction saves blue lives and civilians.

To Advertise Call: 973.653.3446

Scott.Alexander@nm.com

training

THE PRICE to be PAID

By Lt. Joseph Pangaro (Ret.)

T

here is a moment for every law enforcement officer when the realities of the job hit home. This moment often appears when one of us is killed in the line of duty. At that point, we realize it could have been any one of us.

Especially when we learn an officer died while responding to a routine call like a domestic dispute or an alarm, we suddenly see the millions of times we too responded and were lucky enough to arrive safely. It is the simple recognition that we cannot predict when that moment of truth may come that we understand the true danger of our job.

We took an oath, donned a badge and gun and swore to protect and serve the public.

The idea of dying on the job is something we typically think about as new cops, but these thoughts often fade as we gain seniority. We become accustomed to handling people: angry people, violent people, mentally unstable people and everything in between.

We take the danger and put it in a box, we isolate it and think that we will always be able to come out on top. We all say: “I’m going home tonight,” and we believe it.

This is how we handle the tragic possibilities. It’s how we control it. But do we ever look beyond thoughts and take pro-active approaches to making sure we survive every shift? Does our agency provide the training and the opportunity to practice the 30

physical and mental preparedness we need to always keep in the forefront of our minds every time we go out onto the street?

These are questions we should all ask ourselves. If the answers are yes, then you are part of an organization that is doing all it can to help you and your fellow officers.

If not, then it is up to you to speak up. Start by asking for additional training on deadly situations like edged weapons encounters, EDP interaction or surviving a gun fight or crisis situation. Talking about these things during shift briefings goes a long way to setting the tone that we don’t just give lip service to “we all come home tonight,” but that we live it.

Complacency is a natural result of our job, especially as we gain experience. We get good at the things we do every day and we take them for granted. This is part of the mental preparation we need to keep up on. We need to talk about the dangers and how to prepare for them and what we could do if we found ourselves in a life or death situation. Then we have to be aware.

For many of our fallen comrades death came during a routine call we are all very familiar with, such as a car stop, or a response to a disorderly person. Thoughts of death are not part of these pictures. But ask yourself this: How many times have we learned of officers arriving at a house, parking

NJBlue now | January/February 2015

directly out front and getting shot as they approached the home? In my 27 years on the job, I’ve heard it too many times, yet how many of us do something different to avoid a needless tragedy? Complacency is dangerous.

Paying the ultimate price is a possible reality of the job, and we accept it. What makes it unthinkable is when a sacrifice is not made while saving a victim, interrupting a robbery gone bad or any of the other thousands of endeavors we dedicate ourselves to, but when a killer ambushes while we are simply there, eating lunch, or talking to a partner.

This dangerous reality is hard to imagine, let alone prepare for.

But prepare we must. The world is a different and more dangerous place than it was only a few years ago. Our civil society is changing radically. Respect is no longer regarded as a normal part of our interaction, but rather something to be parsed out as the giver sees fit. For our police officers it means constantly being on high alert.

From this day forward, answering calls should never be seen as routine. Every car stop should be made with due diligence, every response should require the officer to consider the possibilities and take precautions. And yes even as we stop for a coffee or sit in our patrol cars we must be prepared. And most importantly we must To Advertise Call: 973.653.3446

talk about these things as part of training and everyday activities.

The loss of the two brave police officers in New York is a profoundly sad day for them, their families, and all of America.

Their senseless murder comes as a direct consequence of the place we find ourselves in as a nation and serves as a vivid example of where we are headed. It’s a wake up call to the new realities we all face.

When we cease to be a nation of laws led by corrupt men and women who choose a path different from our founding and traditions, we descend into chaos and violence. History has taught us this lesson very well. Sadly, it has now become stylish and popular to trash our American culture -- to pretend that our very nature is fraught with evil and must be destroyed and reborn as some Utopian dreamscape. This is both foolish and dangerous as the events in New York demonstrate, especially when the police are considered part of the problem that must be destroyed.

When our political leaders remain idle and watch thousands of our fellow citizens chant: “Death to the cops,� and they not only applaud, but join in with their silent acquiescence to show unity with those who profess such malice, then as a nation, we have truly began the slow walk toward our own demise.

If we continue on this road our experiment in liberty will not survive. We will be condemned to serve as a footnote in the long book of human experience; a people that once flirted with freedom only to abandon it for our darker nature and return to the world of brute force and oppression.

As law enforcement officers we live by higher ideals: service to others, justice, freedom and protection of the innocent and weak. These are our guiding principles and the hallmarks of the law enforcement profession. We must stand tall as this world changes, even in the face of such danger; we are the only thing that stands between liberty and tyranny, and we must be prepared.

Be careful out there my brothers and sisters in blue and remember while there are many who mean us harm, there are millions who need us and appreciate the work we do and the risks to our very lives we take every day.

Lt. Joseph Pangaro retired after serving 27 years in law enforcement in a police department in Monmouth County, New Jersey. Pangaro is a graduate of the Certified Public Managers Program (CPM) through Fairleigh-Dickenson University and served his department as the Lead Training Officer.

He also writes a weekly newspaper column dedicated to helping his readers understand the rigors and joys of a career in law enforcement.

Joseph Pangaro is the CEO and President of Pangaro Management and Training and Management and Pangaro Global Training, an online training company. Email Lt. Pangaro @ JPangaro194@yahoo.com or Twitter: @Pangarotraining

N JBlue now | January/February 2015

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inside view

How Do Mob Mentalities Form?

A Closer Look at How People in Groups Change

By Sergeant Eddie Molina

N

ews media outlets have been obsessively covering police-related activities over the last six months.

Much of this came about after the police shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, which led to displays of social unrest, rioting, looting and media frenzy.

Shortly thereafter the media expanded their focus to include what law enforcement agencies were doing all around the country.

Media outlets typically focus on a hot button issue until it cools or something more interesting happens. The media sometimes adds over-hyped incidents for ratings and income and the ever need for syndication.

But when the media creates the impression of an out of control police force through wild speculation and hype, the social impact it has the on the public becomes the side effect. In Ferguson, group demonstrations occurred which eventually led to violence and added criminal activity. Eventually, law enforcement agencies quelled the violence and order was restored. But this brings to light another law enforcement element 32

that caught my attention and something I researched for this article: mob mentality.

Why is it that groups go from demonstrating peacefully to widespread violence in a blink of an eye? What makes a person go from law-abiding to criminal? How does social media play a role in group violence?

Individuals in a group demonstration take on the personality of the group and the group’s agenda and forego their own individual ambitions. They feel as if they are acting on behalf of the group and not as individuals. These normally law-abiding citizens feel an added level of confidence that their activities are hidden in a cloud of chaos and invisible. Additionally, they may feel pressure to conform to a group and the group’s activities so that they fit in, which is a primitive survival tactic.

During the development stage of a group demonstration, leaders emerge who stimulate the crowd. Sometimes these leaders did not have a predetermined plan to create a chaotic situation but rather found themselves in a position to take action and may trigger what began as a peaceful demonstration into violent actions. For example, if a group of demonstrators are growing in numbers and the tension is building, one of the emerging leaders may hurl a brick into glass to stimulate the group, but the message it sends takes on an entirely different meaning. This is when followers who would normally never commit acts of vandalism, may do so because they fell into

NJBlue now | January/February 2015

the mob mentality, believing they are acting on behalf of the group.

Social media can also add to the problem.

Its usage can allow individuals to communicate their thoughts, perceptions and beliefs around the world instantly. This can add to mob mentality as it creates a perception of growth and progress of their cause. There can also be a misconception that an unruly mob is making social progress simply because the unrest is continuing and has commanded spotlight media attention. This can be problematic because illegal activity can be promoted and spread if people believe there are no consequences. However, it’s not always problematic. In the Arab Spring of 2011, citizens came together and successfully fought their tyrannical leadership mostly with the help of social media, ultimately leading to real social change through the downfall of several Arab dictators.

As law enforcement professionals, it is important to understand the elements of the mob mentality and why and how it can affect all of us. Mob mentality can happen in many places, not just on the streets. On a smaller scale, malls and mega retail stores can create a mob mentality during the holiday season when high demand items become available. Or mob mentality can set in when a popular celebrity walks in a room.

Next time you find yourself in a situation when mob mentality can quickly appear, prove to be a better person and emerge as a leader of peace and cohesion. I know it’s easier said than done, but everything starts with a knowledge base. As the old saying goes, knowledge is power. And as G.I. Joe says, “Knowing is half the battle!”

Writer Eddie Molina is an Officer with the NJ Department of Corrections and an Officer with the NJ Army National Guard. He specializes in Organizational Leadership and blogs about it at www.Leadlikeahero.com.

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corrections

Corrections is Law Enforcement

By Sergeant Anthony Gangi

A

riot has broken out in the mess hall and within seconds two suited teams stand at the ready. In a military fashion, the team members enter the mess hall and form a line between order and chaos. Before marching forward, they wonder if today will be that tragic day. They clash. Inmates fight to gain ground, but the suited teams armed with batons maintain control. Lives are saved as inmates who are not involved are quickly escorted to safety.

Those who chose to riot are subdued and escorted to medical for evaluations. Today, the line could not be broken.

For the moment the riot has been quelled.

The suited teams hang up their gear and movement within the prison goes back to normal. Today they were lucky. Tomorrow, who knows?

Within these walls, and defined by many as turn keys, jail guards, or overpaid babysitters, are men and women who live and die by their sworn oath to protect and serve, men and women who have earned their badges and belong to the brotherhood/sisterhood of law enforcement professionals.

They are correctional officers. They stand tall in the face of adversity and risk their lives to maintain an environment that is conducive to rehabilitation. It’s an environment that promises hope to the hopeless.

But, who cares? As attention gets driven to the outside, and those who work the streets become the standard definition of a law enforcement professional, they who stand alone on the inside, simply get overlooked.

Recent cries of civil unrest on the streets have become the center of attention as small portions of the citizenry take an aggressive stance against their protectors.

This may feel a little strange to those on 34

the outside, but to correctional officers, this defines their existence. An existence that is centered on a portion of society who wishes to violently break away from authority and find utopia amongst the subsequent chaos and disorder that would presume. Law and order is all that they have to maintain control over a society dominated by hatred and greed.

There are some who will read this article and quickly belittle what correctional officers do. Perhaps their misconceptions are based from a perspective that is far removed from the dangers that lie within. Their limited knowledge of who correctional officers are will cast doubt in the hearts of others who believe and have faith in the services they provide. By remaining on the outside, those with a negative view will always be limited. But, if they could experience the correctional officers’ world, unrestricted from the dangers that wait, they would see and feel firsthand that corrections have evolved. It’s a noble and honest law enforcement profession.

Jails and prisons are no longer considered warehouses with little personal interactions limited to a simple turn of a key. Rehabilitation has now become the main focus and inter-personal staff interactions with the criminal element are made every day.

Correctional officers level of control relates to their ability to enforce the rules and regulations that govern a community in constant movement. They are the ‘keepers’ who remain surrounded by the ‘enemy.’

They remain weaponless as they walk the tiers. Their ability to communicate becomes paramount.

Correctional officers need to remain firm,

NJBlue now | January/February 2015

fair and consistent in their dealings with the inmate population. They need to show no fear in a world that is dominated by predators and aggressors. They are the law within these walls and anything less than direct obedience from the inmate population is seen as a threat to their existence.

Their interactions with the offender consist of multiple elements that define the role of a law enforcement professional; minus the recognition. These professionals stop assaults, prevent suicides and homicides, suppress gang activity, seize contraband (weapons, drugs, etc.), conduct investigations, make arrests, and most importantly, prevent escapes. All of these elements can be further used to assist other law enforcement agencies in maintaining a safe and secure society. It’s by this definition they have secured their place in the law enforcement family.

But there may still be some who deny corrections is law enforcement. They maintain a perspective in which corrections and law enforcement remain unequal and any chance to create a sense of equality gets pushed aside. As law enforcement across the country is under attack, this kind of mockery is misplaced.

Therefore in the eyes of those who oppose, correctional officers become a reflection of the criminal element they supervise. This reflection presents a major conflict because it separates them from their brothers/ sisters in blue and brings them closer to the offenders in their charge. The more they stand in isolation, the more they begin to question their importance. It is within that last statement that some may mistakenly see being a police officer as a step up from To Advertise Call: 973.653.3446

As law enforcement professionals, correctional officers run parallel with police officers and their contribution to society is embedded in the personal sacrifices that they make on a daily basis to maintain their sense of control over the ‘kept’ and ensure that those who are locked away are given the chance to become productive members of society.

lost many, but continue to remain strong. Failure to recognize their importance is a failure to recognize a brother or sister who would die for the same things those on the outside represent. Embrace the complete circle of law enforcement and acknowledge those who lurk in the shadows and perform their services in the dark. Embrace them as law enforcement professionals and see them as they see you: one united blue family.

Even though correctional officers may stand unrecognized by those who remain outside, they are still motivated to do their job by their sworn duty to protect and serve.

Being a professional means you do the job because the job has to get done. Correctional officers make sacrifices the public may never know, nor may never care. They risk their lives every day in service to the public. In their fight, they have

For over twelve years, Anthony Gangi has worked in the correctional setting dealing with both male and female offenders. He served on the custody level and has moved through the ranks from line officer to supervisor. He has a degree in psychology and a true passion for the written word.

working in the ‘tombs.’

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feature story

A Game Changer in Law Enforcement Education:

in Conflict Resolution and Leadership to address some of these very needs, Drew University’s Caspersen School of Graduate Studies, surveyed nearly 100 law enforcement professionals in the tri-state area (along with veterans). The results indicate a clear trend: professionals in the field of law enforcement comprehend that earning the trust and cooperation of citizens can be as effective a tool in fighting crime as any other, and they see a need to understand the lives of people in their communities.

The survey results also indicate that law enforcement professionals see great benefit in adding conflict resolution skills to their tool kit. In an environment where trust has eroded, escalation is all too common, and children arrive at their schools armed with dangerous weapons, the need for conflict resolution skills has never been greater.

New Approaches to Building Community

A

Jonathan Golden Ph.D. & George Beck

cross the country, law enforcement professionals are reeling from the backlash against police stemming from the high-profile cases in Ferguson, MO and Staten Island, NY. How can it be that the very people who dedicate their lives to serving the public now face such a loss of confidence? How did we get here?

At the core of what’s happening is a perceived mistrust between police and the communities they serve. Whether or not this mistrust is based on real conflict or conflict created by news reports and social media postings intended to focus on atypical police actions and suggesting an out-of-control police force is a separate debate.

36

Given the current environment, restoring the trust essential to an orderly and safe society is not an easy task, and will take a lot of work to accomplish. But it is possible.

As the old saying goes, the greater the challenge, the greater the reward. Here’s one way we can begin. To bridge the gap, we need a new approach to community policing built on three pillars: cultural awareness, contextual understanding, and conflict resolution. More than ever, people on all sides - police and the public they serve - must acknowledge that behind every individual there is a unique story and that every community has its own unique dynamics. To that end, it is critical that differing points of view be represented when promoting outreach and discussion.

In planning a new certificate program

NJBlue now | January/February 2015

As the law enforcement profession evolves in the way it is responding to the current crises, educational institutions must adjust their curricula to meet changing needs.

Drew University’s program offers a model that deserves special attention in that regard.

Set to launch in fall 2015, Drew’s certificate in Conflict Resolution and Leadership offers a rare combination of training and teaching aimed at building contextual and cultural awareness, while developing dynamic skills sets. Students stand to learn from faculty in the humanities and social sciences along with practitioners in the field of mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and with law enforcement professionals who have expertise in areas such as school security and community policing. The program will develop skills in mediation and negotiation techniques while also offering a deeper understanding of the realities of people from diverse communities as well as from different cultural backgrounds and beliefs.

The certificate will combine academic knowledge with field experience.

As law enforcement seeks to move beyond the current problematic environment, new programs that train prospective and current officers in conflict resolution techniques, while providing a broad curriculum that

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advances cultural awareness and contextual understanding, have the most potential to improve the tenor of the times. Educational and professional opportunities such as the certificate in Conflict Resolution and Leadership offer the greatest promise that one day everyone in the community, regardless of color or class, will again view police officers not as members of an alien occupation force but as partners in the creation of a safe environment in which to live and thrive.

Drew University is located in Madison, NJ. To receive more information about the certificate in Conflict Resolution and Leadership, please email the Caspersen School of Graduate Studies Admission Office at gradm@drew.edu or visit drew.edu/grad.

George Beck is a police detective, writer and a Drew Ph.D. candidate.

He’s earned several

degrees including an associate’s, bachelor’s and two master’s degrees.

He is the author of The Killer Among Us (Noir Nation Books) and several other books. His nonfiction and short stories have been featured in magazines and anthologies nationally and internationally.

Jonathan Golden is Associate Director of the Center on Religion, Culture and Conflict at Drew University, where he is Assistant Professor of Comparative Religion, Anthropology, and Global Studies. Golden has a B.A. from Brandeis University and a Ph.D. in Anthropology from the University of Pennsylvania. Golden teaches courses on the Middle East, peace and conflict studies, global history, and is author of two books. He holds certificates in conflict resolution, while working with local and global interfaith/peace organizations.

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awareness

To Serve and Protect

By Melinda Inzani

“To serve and protect’ is a mantra, a mission statement and an identity that ties an officer to a group of men and women in blue. After years of experience, or for some in a short period of time, the reality of being an officer comes to fruition. But when an officer begins a career in law enforcement, often they are not told police work comes with many health risks associated with years of physical and mental stress.

Police work is drastically different than other jobs. At the end of the shift, when an officer comes home he usually does not discuss his day or what he saw. There is good reason behind this. Most people cannot handle what an officer deals with on a daily basis. Moreover, most people cannot fully understand the gory details of a car crash, death or other traumatic event. Officers see the world differently than the general population. Other officers understand their experiences best, can relate and understand the brutal details. Therefore, many officers suppress traumatic experiences and for some this may lead directly to higher levels of stress.

According to Dan Goldfarb, Ph.D., “Police officers often divide the world into Us and Them. It’s the cops against everybody else— not just the criminals, but even the civilians

who don’t understand the pressures of being on the job.” That’s why it is imperative to have officers understand the importance of realizing when he or she is experiencing an extreme amount of stress.

information and advice and tangible support, something concrete such as aid and emotional support. All of this assistance is already developed for departments or officers should they seek it.

The research proves it’s time for officers to be aware of job stress and the effects it has on their health. Many health professions and researchers conclude that police officers have a higher risk of developing diseases such as colon cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, arthritis, metabolic syndromes and ulcers when compared to the general population. Many studies directly relate police stress as the dominate reason for health issues. Additional studies link police stress with disruptive-life behavior.

Therefore, I return to the mantra, ‘to serve and protect.’ It’s the job of the officer, the identity of a group, but who will “serve and protect” them? I believe we have to protect each officer from all angles physically, emotionally and mentally. Support systems and research are available to help those departments endeavoring to strengthen their stress reduction techniques.

But there are ways for officers to deal with job stress. Take for example, the FBI practices stress management that involves three distinct steps: understanding, recognizing and coping. This is a productive method the FBI utilizes, but law enforcement agencies nationwide typically don’t have such a comprehensive program.

The good news is there are different ways to support officers. Types of support include informational support, providing

Melinda Inzani is a clinical social worker who has worked with multiple populations. She has authored numerous articles, provided trainings and has consulted and lectured all over the United States. Melinda has built a successful practice in Midland Park, New Jersey. She is dedicated to the communities she serves and has volunteered her time to several outreach organizations.

For more information contact Melinda Inzani, LLC at 201-704-6749.

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A Final Salute

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NYPD Detective Wenjian Liu

Photos on this page: courtesy of Vincent D’Amico

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NJBlue now | January/February 2015

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A Final Salute

NYPD Detective Rafael Ramos

Photos on this page: courtesy of Michael Garcia

N JBlue now | January/February 2015

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blue events The Italian American Police Society of Nj

Promotion

Congratulations to Lt. Fermin Mendez of the Essex County College Police Department in Newark on his recent promotion.

On December 19, 2014, the IAPSNJ held its annual Big Brothers and Sisters of New Jersey Christmas Party bringing holiday spirit, entertainment and toys to children.

Christmas Gift-Giving

On 12/21/14, West Orange Local PBA #25 held their annual Christmas gift-giving to local families in need at the Unconditional Love Fellowship Church in West Orange which is led by Pastor Greg Boyle, a retired West Orange Police Sergeant.

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On January 9, 2015, the Concerns of Police Survivors, Inc. and other organizations nationwide came together to support law enforcement officers across the country in response to the negativity shown toward law enforcement officers recently. A L.E.A.D. Rally was held in Neptune Township, NJ.

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47

remembrance Sponsored by

www.MomentOfSilenceInc.org

Officer Michael T. Wholey

O

fficer Wholey was an 8-year veteran with the Port Authority Police.

After graduation from the police academy, he worked at the Port Authority Bus Terminal, the Central Police Pool and LaGuardia Airport before requesting an assignment to the PATH Command in April 2001. Throughout his career, he had several brave arrests and saved lives administering CPR. Officer Wholey also received several commendatory letters from the United States Department of Justice Marshall’s service and various citizens. He was a decent and honest man who took pride in his family and the joys of being a father.

On September 11, 2001, Officer Wholey was on coin escort at the PATH Command and responded to the World Trade Center PATH Station. He began evacuation of the PATH station and once completed, he was dispatched to help victims between the 22nd to 90th floors of Tower One. While Officer Wholey was saving the lives of many citizens, he last acknowledged an

accountability check at 0921 hours and then proceeded to the concourse level. Officer Wholey went to the command center where he met up with additional officers and received breathing apparatuses to continue rescue operations.

Officers Wholey helped rescue several burn victims. He was photographed carrying a woman to safety on a makeshift stretcher (a door) with several other officers. Officer Wholey then rendered aid to another victim in the lobby of Tower Two. Approximately ten minutes after he arrived at Tower Two, the building collapsed.

generous man, who tragically at the age of 35 died courageously saving the lives of many and attempting to save more. May he rest in peace.

Officer Wholey was born in Suffern, New York and resided in Westwood, New Jersey with his wife, Jennifer and their two daughters and son. Though Officer Wholey was an excellent police officer, his family and his children defined him. He was known as the “Pied Piper.” He was known to always do the right thing. He was a caring and

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aw Enforcement Officers and canines are a natural pairing providing loyalty and pleasure to each other, forming close relationships and companionship.

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