Police Stress Pt 5

This is a continuation of a series of articles regarding the different types of stressors that officers face daily, in their personal and professional lives from a personal point of view.

After looking at other bureaus in the department, I finally settled on the Traffic Bureau.  I knew I could ride a motorcycle and write tickets.  How hard could it be?

I remember the impact on me of the motor officers escorting the funeral procession of Officer Marc Kahre in 1988 and how I thought how professional they looked riding in formation.

I put my transfer in and passed the preliminary riding test.  I hadn’t ridden a motorcycle for about 10-12 years, and needed some brief coaching on riding the provided motorcycle before the test (like; how to start it, push it, lift it, turn it, etc).

So after my transfer took effect and being on the department for 12 years, I was now a trainee motor officer. 

After an orientation in the briefing room, we were taken out to the “course” at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.  The “course” was a series of coned patterns that we had to ride without knocking over the cones.

I felt the blood drain from my face and sweat began to ooze from my pores.  The courses looked impossible to negotiate.  The trainers assured us if we listened and practiced, that we would be able to pass the course without problems.

I still felt unsure. The trainers were extremely patient, attentive and made sure we were confident in completing the courses. 

As we got started, I was very appreciative that they showed us the proper way to pick up the motorcycle after it “fell” down. (insert motorcycle crash pix here)  We fell down a lot.  Several riders suffered various injuries, ranging from road rash to broken bones. Many motorcycles required “repairs”, either on site or needed to be trailered to the motor garage.

The final test was the “obstacle course”.  We had to complete the course a certain number of times, without errors (knocking over cones, leaving the pattern, “falling down”, etc).  We all passed.

Next step, learn how to investigate accidents.  We spent some classroom time learning how to calculate speed, stopping distances, know the difference between a “yaw” mark versus a “skid” mark, draw diagrams and other necessary procedures.

After all that, we had to spend some time with a training officer in the field, while we rode.

My particular training officer was an officer that I had initially trained when she came to work for Metro.  So the trainer was now the trainee.

One particular nice benefit of being a motor officer was that the bike was yours to take home.  No more getting to the station early, checking out a vehicle that may have been trashed by the previous officer, loading your equipment and paperwork into the vehicle, getting dressed in the locker room, every work day. Your vehicle was always ready and clean.  You knew the condition of it. And you dressed at home.

After getting ready at home, we logged on the air to our dispatchers and advised them we were enroute to the station for briefing.

Day 5 of my first week in traffic, I was riding to work and met up with another motor officer on the freeway.  He was riding his brand new Harley-Davidson with 500 miles on it.  I was riding one of the last few Kawasakis left on the department.

On US95, west of Rancho, a driver lost control of her vehicle and slid across the freeway, striking the center divider, blocking our path with her car.

I watched as the entire incident unfolded in front of me.

The part about your life flashing before your eyes?  It’s true.  My entire life, my loved ones, blurred before me.

Training kicked in.  I tried to brake without locking up the rear wheel.  Knowing I was going to hit the vehicle, I tried to go limp.

We both slid into the side of the car.  I was catapulted over the car, landing on my back on the fast lane of US 95.  I remember the crunch of the crash, but don’t remember anything else until I heard a female voice asking if I was okay.  I opened my eyes and looked up.  Several citizens had stopped and were looking down at me.  I then remembered that another officer was with me, hoping he had avoided the accident.  I asked about him.  No one answered. I then began taking “inventory” of my body parts.  I was aching.  I realized my left arm was broken.  I could move my legs, to my relief.  I broadcast on my portable radio (they worked pretty well back then) that 2 officers were down and gave our location.  I could hear sirens coming from all directions and that they all were getting closer.  Plainclothes officers, uniformed officers, paramedics, City fire all arrived on scene.  My training officer also arrived and asked how I was doing.  She had medical experience in the military. 

Now, as a motor officer, we do have a different uniform that we wear, including riding boots that we buy and alter for our comfort.  On average, we spent about $400.00 for these boots.  My training officer DID tell me to get zippers put in as it would make it easier to put them on and take them off. As a police officer, most of us wear bullet-resistant vests that cost upwards of $500.00.    Some of us had other custom fitted gear that we purchased ourselves.

The reason I bring this up is that paramedics have these very cool “scissors” that they love testing on different materials. Leather (boots and gloves), Kelvar (vests), etc.

My trainer asked if my back and legs were okay.  I told her “yes’ and moved my legs to show her.  She then began tugging at my boots, cursing at me because I had yet to put the zippers in.  The fire department paramedics arrived and began yelling at her for pulling on my boots.  She yelled back that I told her that my legs and back were okay.  The paramedic then walked over to me, grabbed my broken arm and shook it as if to console me and wondered why I was screaming.  My trainer then dropped the foot she was yanking on and almost punched the paramedic.

I was loaded up onto a gurney and an IV was started in my arm (I thought).  During a very bumpy, painful ride to UMC Trauma, I commented how uncomfortable I was.  They said, “Not to worry” as the pain meds would kick in. 

I was wheeled into the hospital and trauma team began cutting the rest of my clothing off and the doctor lifted my broken arm.  I again yelled out in pain.  Startled, he asked if I felt that.  Duh.  He checked my IV.  I was not receiving any of the meds due to the needle never accessing a vein.

I asked about the other officer involved.  Again I got limited info.

My family arrived and checked on me.  I was alive and functioning (for the most part) to their relief.

I was shown an x-ray of my arm, showing the clean break of my bone.  I then began to shiver uncontrollably.  They wheeled me out of the Trauma unit and down a hallway.  They told me I was going to surgery and “Good Night”.  I watched as they injected something into my IV line and that’s all I remember.

I woke up in the recovery room with my arm wrapped in about 10 pounds of gauze. 

They told me I was going home and after a brief recovery time, I was wheeled out in my gown, butt cheeks hanging out as I was loaded into a waiting car.

As we rode home, traveling west on Charleston, we noticed commotion around the intersection of Arville and Charleston, with numerous police running about and police crime scene tape blocking off the area.

I knew the area sergeant and called him as we passed. 

Macayo’s had been held up and a responding officer was shot in the face.

I forgot about my injuries and prayed for the officer.

To be continued…

Occupy Las Vegas: Here to make a point, Peacefully and Legally

Upon entering the permitted parking lot of Occupy Las Vegas you are immediately struck by the simple but organized layout. There are cars parked in proper parking spaces the tents (approximately 35) all lined up in rows in clearly marked living areas. The common area consists of assorted tables, folding chairs and plastic outdoor furniture all in a defined an orderly fashion as are the Port-o-potties several yards away. “Both the Fire Marshal and the Police come through regularly we have had no problems at all and we are more than willing to comply with any request,” stated one of the Occupy Las Vegas members.

When I inquired about the number of people present versus the number of tents (more tents than people inside the common area) I received a warm smile and a snicker, “They’re at work, and the assumption that our protestors are bums, hippies or anti-government is erroneous. Most of our occupants have jobs; we are here to make a point”. When I further inquired about the events of “Occupy in Oakland and Atlanta” the response was equally interesting: “we (Occupy Las Vegas) are Law abiding citizens, our Protest and Occupancy of this Space was granted by the County, the Police have been very nice almost empathetic to the cause, we want to keep it this way”.

The obvious questions regarding what will “Occupy Las Vegas do when the 30 day permit runs out”? Answers were addressed in a vague but positive manner: “We are looking at this initial occupation and permit as a test and an opportunity to build trust with the community, the Police, the Fire Marshal and the County Commission. We will remain a Peaceful and Law abiding group”, stated another member of my round table discussion.

In writing this account of my unannounced visit to Occupy Las Vegas I walked away with a feeling of “good for them, they are doing it right”. Occupy Las Vegas truly is a group of Patriots exercising their rights to gather and protest in a Peaceful and Law abiding manner.  Tonight (thursday night) the Occupy Las Vegas group will have a .99 cent pot-luck in protest to the 1,000.00 per plate dinner President Obama enjoyed at his fund raiser earlier this week. OLV's point, 99% of Americans cannot afford a 1,000.00 meal.

We at VNR will continue to follow Occupy Las Vegas and report their ongoing progress. Click here to visit  OccupyLasVegas.org website. Occupy LasVegas is located across the street from the Thomas and Mack
Rick Singer, VegasNewsReview.com

Heaven Can Wait Animal Society: Marie and Rich Little Foundation

Comedian, Impressionist, legendary Las Vegas strip icon Rich Little made an appearance and provided a donation of 100,000.00 to the Heaven Can Wait Animal Society as tribute to his late wife Marie Little on Sunday. According to the Heaven Can Wait Directors, Mr. Little contacted their organization, (completely unsolicited by HCWS) came to the facilities and determined for himself that Heaven Can Wait was the organization that his late wife would have wanted to be supported. The next step by Rich Little was announcing his donation amount of one-hundred thousand dollars.

Mr. Rich’s generosity was further exemplified as he entered a small stage at Bunker Family Park bringing forward a few Presidential Voices; Bill Clinton, Barack Obama and Richard Nixon to a small group of HCWS.org  supporters and of course their K9 kids.

The Heaven Can Wait Animal Society  began with Founding Board Members Harold Vasko, Rachel Vasko, Pete Larez and Sharon Seltzer and operates in Las Vegas. The organization's mission is simple, "Eliminate  the senseless killing of more than 30,000 cats and dogs annually in Las Vegas area Shelter". The extraordinary structure and programs to meet this mission is both comprehensive and amazing. Here are some of the high points:

1.) Feral Cat Spay and Neuter Program with release
2.) Women's Prison Dog Training Program
3.) Adoption and Placement Programs
4.) Discounted Services for those pets and families in need

The Heaven Can Wait Animal Society is a full time operation and has a combination of Full time Workers and Volunteers. Most of the funding comes from grants and donations such as the donation made by Rich Little's Foundation.
  
As I was leaving the festivities I could not help but reflect on the experience of having met and shaken-hands with one of the true icons of entertainment. Visions of the great entertainers, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Bob Hope and Johnny Carson immediately came to mind. In as much as that was a great personal experience I further recognized the need to continue our story on the Mission of HCWS.org. I have contacted their offices and interview dates are being scheduled ...... more to come.

Rick Singer, VegasNewsReveiw.com

More Metro notables

Today is the scheduled grand opening for the new multi-million dollar LVMPD headquarters. (fox 5 story) Hopefully they will announce the grand opening for the newly completed “Eldora Substation” also, probably in late 2012, or early 2013.

I’m a little confused.  Employees of LVMPD are being told not to call it the “headquarters” and the buildings were not built to “headquarters” specifications. So is the media calling it “headquarters” or did the Public Information Office release the info as such?  We were told it’s the “Administration” building.

How about the “Money Pit”?

Metro will be paying 300 percent of what they were paying before in rent for the other buildings they used to rent.

After the building was completed, administrators added to the cost by incorporating improvements which should’ve been included in the building process.  Not included are the hundreds of thousands, maybe millions, needed to bring the buildings up to the 21^st century.

Several offices received different color paint, after the initial color, due to the occupants personal tastes (whatever happened to the LVMPD standard of “You’re lucky to have a job”?) at taxpayer’s cost.  Other improvements were installed after the completion, again adding to the cost instead of implementing them in the building process.  Brand new furniture and appliances for each floor and offices (nothing was wrong with the other furniture they were using, most of which was thrown away or bundled up for auction at an additional cost burden including; hiring additional manpower to move the furniture, load it, drive it to storage, wrap it and store it.  It would’ve saved money just by throwing it away!  Donating?  Guess it wasn’t considered.)  Other bureaus suffered due to the money needed for the accoutrements for the new building.  The Horse Patrol bureau office lost its air conditioner in July only to be told they had no money to fix it, only to find out that tens of thousands were being spent at the same time to purchase appliances for the unoccupied admin building.

Maintenance wasn’t considered when the building was planned.  No freight elevators.  Minimal access to roof for service technicians with equipment. High maintenance flooring.

But yet, they claim the lighting is planned around the employee’s schedules and will be cost effective.

I guess they forgot the costs involved when the schedules change.  Service requests to change the light schedules, technicians needed to service the equipment, etc.  

Rumors of civilian employees getting “bonuses” (brand new personal vehicles).  New equipment that is being thrown out to conceal the fact they were ordered erroneously.  The sheriff wanting to form an “Elite” squad of officers responsible for the new building’s security, complete with “dress uniforms” and specialized training, but yet, the new $7,000,000+ Southwest Substation at 8445 Eldora sits unoccupied (and with a complete display of local graffiti art on the back fenced in walls) and will continue to, because there are not enough officers and civilians on the department to man the brand new substation.  Because it will be vacant for some time, a monitored alarm system will be added, at extra cost, to maintain interior integrity.  Rumor is that forced transfers will be implemented (I can hardly wait to see the morale at that substation), leaving other stations at skeleton crew status.  So again, we pay rent on a building we aren’t using.  Yup.  We now have a jail AND a substation that isn’t being used and the taxpayers are footing the bill.  Oh, and no new academies, civilian or police, are scheduled for the next year.  Retirements are at a record pace.  Officers are spending hundreds of thousands of their own dollars to purchase time to retire early.  The common phrase upon seeing another officer is “I can’t wait to leave this place”.

Did we lose the holiday spirit or did someone steal it?

Someone stole “Michael Myers” from a local Halloween display.  Great.  Just when I thought I was done with those movies.  What are we up to now?  Part XII?  XIII?

I noticed that it seems that the holiday spirit wasn’t so prevalent going into this holiday season.  I used to see elaborate displays for the holidays, especially Halloween, set up in people’s yards and sometimes in entire neighborhoods.  I thought that it was a clause in the HOA for the neighborhood to set up a display.  Now, it appears that the folks' artistic touch is waning.

I wanted to take photos of all the displays and put them into a video collage in case some of our viewers didn’t get a chance to drive around town. 

I was lucky to find one great display on Durango, north of Lone Mountain.  That’s it.  I was able to surf the internet and find one from 2009 in Henderson

Someone suggested that the economy may have an effect on the lack of displays.  Someone else claimed it’s because the local and federal government have enacted restrictions on such displays on government property.  Even religious bias was mentioned.

I think folks are tired of the vandalism and theft that is occurring when the displays are set up.  It seems to be at epidemic levels. YouTube is rampant with surveillance videos of thieves and vandals caught on tape.  So as a result, Michael Myers is on the loose again.

Whatever happened to the house getting toilet papered?  The burning bag with the dog poop?  Smashed pumpkins?  Egging?  Am I outdated?

 Or maybe the economy does have something to do with it.  More people out of work and too much idle time on their hands.  More vacant/abandoned homes also.

Religious bias has also become an issue.  Christian, Atheist and other religious displays are vandalized every year.

Don’t allow these stories to prevent you from putting up a holiday display.  People do appreciate them.  You will see folks driving by and slowing to show the kids, taking photos or meeting friends. Neighborhoods become community meeting spots again.  The ambitious bring holiday treats. And guess what?  It’s free. For many people this is the best time of year. Halloween to New Year's Eve; a big holiday every month, all in celebration of something. There will be signs of that everywhere if you take the time to look, and you can always do your bit by adding your own.

Last year, the “Glittering Lights” display was featured at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway and was quite the hit.  (Vegas Glittering Lights) There is a small charge for this display but well worth the drive and the entrance fee.

Check it out and Happy Holidays…

Another “insensitive” police officer stops a citizen speeding to the hospital.

A Roswell, Georgia police officer stopped a driver for speeding, 44 in a 25 mph zone.  Well within my own criteria for stopping speeders.  The driver had his wife in the vehicle and claimed she was having chest pains and further explained she was a breast cancer victim. (wsbtv NEWS) They also said they didn’t have the proper insurance to call an ambulance.

Fortunately, the officer’s vehicle was equipped with a video and audio recording device, recording the stop.  The couple can be heard berating the officer for his insensitivity and even offering to show the officer her breast instead of signing the ticket and leaving.

The officer, upon hearing of the alleged medical dilemma, called for an ambulance and continued writing the ticket.

Insensitive?

All the training I received as an officer didn’t give me the ability or the right to diagnose anyone that I stopped.  I cannot count the times that someone has advised me that there was a medical problem and they were enroute to the hospital.  When I asked if they needed an ambulance, the answer was almost always “No”.  And if they wanted me to call an ambulance, they would never go with them, wasting the emergency personnel’s time from arriving on a real emergency.

The media plays the story as the officer should have a heart and maybe escort the driver to the hospital or give them a warning.

Many of these stories relay that the driver(s) were stopped doing in excess of 100 mph while enroute to the hospital.  Sometimes the medical emergency is apparent when the officer walks up to the car, sometimes not.  Sometimes, they don’t bother stopping for the police who are behind them, trying to stop them.

Why not let the driver take the “patient” to the hospital?

They’ve already exhibited a lack of attention to the posted speed limit, which was imposed to the conditions for that particular roadway and the safety of all the drivers and public thereof.  At 100 mph, it would take a vehicle approximately 700 feet to stop after perceiving a threat, reacting and implementing the mechanisms of stopping the vehicle. How many pedestrians could be plowed through or cars or buildings smashed into in 700 feet?  Do you think that if they had such a wanton disregard for the law, that they would have a disregard for you and your family?  If they forced you off the road or collided with you, would they have stopped?  They didn’t stop for the police.

Now who’s insensitive?

Not many people get to go through high speed training like the police or race car drivers. (insert evoc pix here) Even police departments have restricted their officers from speeding, even in training, as they attempt to conduct their day-to-day duties.  The training involves liability training as well as hands-on in a controlled skid pad or speedway.

Nevada law requires that drivers, upon seeing the red lights and hearing the siren, (insert police car pix here) pull over to the RIGHT side of the roadway (NRS 484B.267) and wait until the emergency vehicle passes or pulls in behind them.  It further states that if you refuse to stop, depending on how you are driving, you could be charged with a felony (484B.550) if you drive recklessly (remember 700 feet stopping distance?) or endanger the public (including your family) or worse.  Nowhere does it say that there is a provision to wave at the officer and continue on your way.

Then there is the “medical emergency”. 

99% of the population has a cell phone.  911 requires pushing 4 buttons on the phone.  You may not be the person I want to be working on me when I have a critical incident.  Medical response is usually quick and brings qualified medical personnel and equipment to your location (insert paramedics pix here).  If you are in the vehicle when the medical episode happens, you should still call 911 and drive in a reasonable manner while you speak with the 911 operator.  They are trained to ask the appropriate questions regarding the medical emergency and offer advice.  They may tell you to pull over and wait for the ambulance and medical personnel to meet you.

In my personal experience, I said I did have the occasion to stop people enroute to the hospital.  I usually could tell if it was a real emergency (the gal with the pillow sticking out from under her shirt was not having a baby) and could deal with it promptly. 

One gal was definitely having an issue with a recent “acid peel” on her face, (it was still peeling and blistering while I looked at her) and we were only about two blocks away from the hospital, so I allowed her to drive to the hospital after a warning to slow down.  She was doing 15 mph over the limit.  Could I have written the ticket?  Sure.  Would it been worth it?  No.  She pulled over.  She had proof of insurance, registration and a driver’s license.  She wasn’t doing 100 mph.  If I had waited for her to get cleared from the hospital, I could’ve waited hours for that one ticket.

There are numerous stories about the same situations and the media’s twist on it.  Most are a misdirected look at who is “in the wrong”, whether morally or lawfully.

Here’s some links of related stories; (KTRE) (autos) (the blaze).

So next time you see a story about an officer stopping someone for speeding to the hospital for a medical “emergency”, look a little deeper and put yourself in the officer’s shoes.  What would you say if you saw a car driving recklessly and an officer stopped him and then let them go to continue driving like a maniac?  Then watch that same vehicle plow into a crowd of people.

What would be the top news story of the day then?  I’m sure there would be an attorney involved. 

Oh yeah.  Where are those attorneys for these people crying about being stopped by the police while trying to get to the hospital? 

Thought so…

Have a safe Halloween

Have a safe Halloween

Halloween is coming up in a few days and one of my favorite holidays.  Okay, it’s not a holiday, but it should be. Lucky for us it falls on Nevada Day so it kinda is.

Again I digress to my working days.  I was always shocked to see unescorted children walking around, trick or treating.  Sometimes, I would see small groups of young children walking together without adult supervision.

When I called the parents, their excuse was;

            “It’s our neighborhood, we know everyone here.”

“We thought it was okay because there was a group of kids walking together.”

“What’s the big deal?”

“Is it against the law to go trick or treating?”

Etc., etc.

Halloween has always been a problem for law enforcement and not always because of small, unescorted children.

It’s a pedophile’s dream.  Children walking near the street, or by their house.

If you’re a business owner and someone walks in wearing a mask, what’s your first thought?  So police would get the panic alarm or a call.

Older kids thought it funny to snatch a younger child’s treat bag and run off. 

It terrifies the child and when the treat snatcher get caught, he goes to jail for a felony (larceny from a person).  The first question the officer asks is “where are your parents?”

As a traffic officer, I would respond to scenes involving an auto/pedestrian accident.  Children would indiscriminately walk into traffic and sometimes the driver wouldn’t see them because of the costume, lighting or they were looking at the other costumed revelers.  Again, “where are your parents?”.

These incidents were thankfully few during Halloween but they did happen.

Parents, get you and your children prepared for outing.  Give them the rules;

            Always stay within eyesight and close proximity of each other.

Make sure they have proper name labels, address and phone numbers on their clothing.

Your children should know their address and phone numbers by heart. (You may scoff but you would be amazed how many children don’t know this simple info)

Set a time that you will call it “quits” and have a designated meeting place.

Give each child a whistle to notify you of ANYTHING!!!!

Have reflective clothing or items on.  There are many types of flashing lights available that the kids will love to wear.

Be prepared to call the police if anything suspicious occurs. (Someone in the bushes, same car keeps driving by, etc.)

Inspect the treats your children get before they eat them.  Never let them keep unwrapped treats.  Usually if someone offers “homemade treats”, they will put a label with their address and phone number on them.

Parents, especially check out the listed websites regarding sexual offenders in the area.  Many are not allowed any close contact with children and some CANNOT entice children by decorating their yard for the holidays.

Familywatchdog  nsopw.gov  fbi.gov  nvsexoffenders

Children;

    Always tell your parents where you are going.

            Never enter any home without getting your parent's permission first.

            Never get into any vehicle, unless your parents know and have said it's OK.

            Always wear reflective clothing at night.

            Never approach any house that is not well lit.

Remember anything weird that an adult says or does to you and tell your parents or nearby adults immediately.

Run away from people who offer you candy or other treats or want you to help look for their puppy or kitten.

Scream, run, blow your whistle and fight if anyone tries to grab you or make you to go with them.

             Don't play in areas that you are unfamiliar with.

 Stay on well-lit streets and always use the sidewalk. If there is no sidewalk, always walk facing traffic.

Sounds like a lot but one incident can ruin the night and could cause long term issues to you and your family.  A little prep can prevent any worries and will add to a safe and fun night.

A Fat Tax - really?!

Taxed to death or because of it?

Denmark has recently instituted the world’s first imposed “Fat Tax” due to research showing that less than 10% of the population was considered “obese” and it contributed to 4% of the country’s premature death. The foods targeted are high in saturated fats such as dairy products and lard. (Time Magazine)

Opponents of the tax claim it is the government’s way of filling their coffers.

Denmark has banned potential harmful ingredients from being used in food products and forbid importation of certain foods into the country based on the ingredients used to process the food such as transfats, the ingredient used mostly in snack foods.  They have attributed the ban to a 30% lower incident of cardiovascular disease.

Is the “Fat Tax” a good idea or a knee jerk reaction?

The foods it targets are high in saturated fats, but mostly natural products.  Butter, other dairy products, olive oil, etc.

The French eat foods high in saturated fats (butter is the main ingredient in a lot of the food) and are among the healthiest people in the world.  They also ban harmful ingredients to be used or imported into the country.

Some would argue that it is not the type of fat, but the process the product is subjected to. 

Processed foods are refined, bleached, crunched, ground, mixed with fillers, emulsifying agents and anti clumping compounds. Artificial colors added to make it pleasing to look at. Synthetic sweeteners or heavily refined sugars are added under the pretense they are derived from “natural” sources.

Research has shown that artificial sweeteners contribute to cancer, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and don’t help you lose weight and actually cause you to gain weight.

High fructose corn syrup, used in almost everything we eat, contributes to weight gain, which will cause other ailments such as diabetes and organ stress.

Do you realize almost every “fast food” burger has high fructose corn syrup as an ingredient?  When I make my burgers (deemed among the best burgers ever by my guests), I have yet to add any type of sweeteners to them.  I only add, oh sorry…secret recipe, all natural ingredients.

So, could something like the “Fat Tax” ever fly here in the United States?

Doubt it. 

The government is uneducated or doesn’t care as to what is healthy or harmful to people. 

Your pet or farm animal is getting better nutrition than you are.

Many of the officials in Washington D.C. that are involved in the scrutiny of your food were also high administration officials in the very same companies that produce the artificial and/or harmful ingredients that you eat and feed your families.  Many of these ingredients are banned from importation into other countries based on their track record and research documenting their harmful effects on humans.

Start reading the labels on your food packages.  Do you know what each ingredient is?  Can you pronounce it? What’s a GMO? 

There is no way that we can implement a fair “Fat Tax” without sweeping reform in Washington and without pulling almost EVERY food item off the shelf. 

But changes can be made as to the production of our food and education to the public. 

Cigarettes now have warning labels on the packaging declaring what could (or will) happen if you smoke. 

How about food ingredients?

Might read something like this; 

These ingredients have been clinically shown to cause diabetes, weight gain, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, kidney stress/failure, liver stress/failure, heart disease, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, cancer, skin disease, hair loss, etc., etc.

Warning labels for food?  Yeah, that’ll happen…

Is there stress in Police work? Part 4

This is a continuation of a series of articles regarding the different types of stressors that officers face daily, in their personal and professional lives from a personal point of view.

Is there stress in Police work? Part 4

After being “forced” out of a detail, I chose to enter the Field Training Program to train the new officers, fresh out of the academy.

I enjoyed the challenges of exposing the new officers to the rigors of police work.  It was an eye-opening experience for most of the officers and it was my duty to make sure it was a safe learning (and mostly enjoyable) experience for the new person.

After some exposure to the various challenges inherent to law enforcement, some officers decided that police work was not for them and gracefully bowed out.  Some handled some situations poorly, certainly not to the best of their abilities and training, and continued to struggle throughout their training period.

It became apparent that some were not ever going to be suited for police work and needed to find other avenues for employment.

I digress.  I made sure the new officer was able to experience the full gamut of police work.  Dead body calls, bank robberies, report calls, public contact, traffic stops, foot and vehicle pursuits (yes, at that time, we could chase bad guys).  Everything from the most trivial of misdemeanor crimes to the most heinous felonies.  It was always a learning experience, but I wanted it to be interesting and enjoyable, if possible, for the new officer.

I had trainees tell me and my supervisor that I was the best, or one of the best FTO’s (Field Training Officer) that they had, because they were able to experience a variety of calls, not just drunks sleeping on bus benches all day long, etc.

After about 7-8 years of Field Training, I noticed a “shift” in the program and some of the candidates that entered it.

Some new officer’s personalities were more defiant.  A lot were more submissive and less apt to get involved in serious situations.  When critique was given after each incident, excuses and rationalization became the norm.  Blame was placed on everything/everyone other than the new officer.  If the defiance continued, I would bring the new officer into the Sergeant’s office to discuss the situation.  Several times the stubbornness of the new officer continued and would require an intervention by the Sergeant or even higher ranking supervisors. 

When it was very apparent that the new person was not able to successfully complete the training period, they were given several options to follow up with.

Some would get the hint, and again, some would not.  Other procedures had to be implemented to terminate the employee, requiring proper documentation from the FTO(s).  I’ll talk more about those people later.

But wait!  If you documented to the point that it made someone else work a little extra, like the sergeant in charge of field training, then you, as a FTO, were talked to about “too much documentation”.

Really?!?!?

The Sgt. claimed he didn’t have enough time to read a nine page daily evaluation report about a “problem child” as he had several others to read each day.  So, I was instructed to shorten my evaluations.  I refused as I explained that my ass would be on the line if I didn’t document the deficiencies exhibited by the trainee and he failed to progress properly, and due to the inability to “get it” may commit a grave error. 

As a result, we were subjected to a “FTO report writing” class.  We, as the trainers, were now being trained on how to document the trainees based on the training supervisor’s inability to manage his time to do his job.

The first two evaluations that were on the top of the stack of “How not to write an evaluation” were mine and a fellow squad mate, also a FTO.  Both were documenting two different trainees and both were fairly long.

Needless to say, it was a long class with much “discussion”.

Back to the people we were training out in the field.

As an officer, you HAVE to develop certain skills.  You have to look a little deeper, longer and harder at people and the things they do.  Sometimes you have to ask questions that you would never ask anyone else.  You have to be willing to put hands on people, to make an arrest and get physical, if need be.  Some of the new folks were absolutely terrified to get close to our contacts in the field.  They couldn’t/wouldn’t  make eye contact.  They danced around suspects as they attempted to get close to handcuff them.  They would run from a fight.

Others couldn’t wait to play “cops and robbers”, even off duty.

One particular academy classmate of mine would sit in his personal vehicle, while off duty, and in field training status, in a particular notorious area of town and try to conduct “undercover” surveillance of drug dealers in the area.

A trainee of mine, again while off duty, would dress up in his academy training gear, that had LVMPD emblazoned on it, and put his gun belt on and handle the domestics in the apartment above him (rumor had it that he was smitten by the female in the apt.)

The same trainee, off duty, would dress up in full uniform and drive his personal vehicle to his old work place and walk in with extra guns jammed into his belt.  When his old co-workers asked him what he was doing, his response was “just checking out the old neighborhood”.  When they asked about the extra fire power in his belt, his response was that he and his Field Training Officer (me) had been threatened by gang members and he wanted to be “prepared”.

Both incidents were documented and brought to the attention of the department, but yet nothing was done.  No discipline other than a “talking to”.

The rationale of the department was that they had spent a significant amount of money to attract, hire and train these new officers and they didn’t want to lose their “investment”. 

When the senior officers objected, the administration claimed that there was “strength in numbers” and we should be glad that there is another “body” that can back you up while on a call.  The senior officers stated they wanted “quality”, not “quantity”.  A “quality” officer was worth 10 of a “quantity” officer.

That’s when I knew it was time to look elsewhere on the department.

To be continued.

John Vellardita as a lead negotiator for CC Teachers - Really?!

School Union taking another leap…backwards

Clark County Education Association recently hired John Vellardita as a lead negotiator to head in their negotiations with the Clark County School District.

A logical choice?  Maybe, considering he is adept at misguiding and misappropriating.

Last year, Vellardita and 15 other defendants were ordered to pay out over $1.5 million in damages as a result of an investigation and a jury’s decision emanating from a scheme that sabotaged the Service Employees International-United Healthcare Workers West and claims that they were attempting to start a rival organization. (court case)

The trial revealed evidence of:

            A scheme to undermine the well-being of union members.

            The theft and destruction of union documents and property.

A conspiracy to use SEIU-UHW’s money and other resources to start a rival Union, even if it meant harming the very members whose interests they        claimed to represent.   

The jury’s verdict was unanimous, finding Vellardita and 15 others liable.  Vellardita was ordered to pay the largest chunk of the award.

Recently, a local article shows a quote from CCEA President Ruben Murillo that the union is “100% behind” Vellardita because he has no criminal record and “has vast experience in negotiations”. (RJ Story) Nowhere did I see any cites of his “vast experience”.

I’m pretty sure the suit was civil and would never show as a criminal offense, Mr. Murillo.

Vellardito was picked from a pool of 14 candidates and deemed the “best qualified”.  Best qualified as what?

Talk about the “bottom of the barrel”.  What were the qualifications of the other 13 candidates?  What kind of lawsuits were they involved in and how much did they have to pay?  Were they accused of destroying evidence and burglary?  Threatening other employees?

The teacher’s union has historically been deemed inadequate, without “teeth” by the membership, with no respect, support or faith from the teachers. 

What do they have to lose?

The last meeting had 30 teachers in attendance out of 17,000 represented employees.

Clark County School District is ranked the lowest in the nation, and now the union hires someone with less than reputable and documented background to represent the teachers they are meant to protect?

I’m wondering how the arbitrators are going to look at it when they make a decision.

Everything about Vellardita has been laid out, his credibility, integrity, morality for everyone to see and yet he still gets the job?

I spoke with a fellow police academy classmate about some of our fellow recruits.  We knew of their background and witnessed their inadequacies while in the academy as did our Training personnel.  We knew that they were not going to be the type of Police Officers the department was hoping for, yet they graduated, even after causing major problems in the academy and field training.  Years later, those officers were plastered across the paper for committing robberies, attempting suicide, and other embarrassing incidents that cost the department money, time and integrity.

Hopefully, they will look at the hardworking teachers that he will be attempting to represent and not his sullied past as he sits in front of them.