New Gang Awareness & Recognition Course Added

<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpQd8zulIFinFf2-bDUwfoQE2Dd-rVnuEM5eXXTGycQXteD5KyaqGRTdgSSaqd6FGrwm22Yx7pojLWlIaT7lWObaFXvXq2qbcfxC-foptEA9bWE8h-FZ1mqFFF89pYrMaI6XxcC0uDB4_a/s1600/imagesCADL1VJ9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" hca="true" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpQd8zulIFinFf2-bDUwfoQE2Dd-rVnuEM5eXXTGycQXteD5KyaqGRTdgSSaqd6FGrwm22Yx7pojLWlIaT7lWObaFXvXq2qbcfxC-foptEA9bWE8h-FZ1mqFFF89pYrMaI6XxcC0uDB4_a/s200/imagesCADL1VJ9.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>The Misahawaka Police Department (Indiana) will be hosting our two day Gang Awareness & Recognition Course <span style="color: yellow;"><strong>November 29-30</strong></span>. The course is open to Police Officers, Educators, Social Workers, Security Directors, Mall Security Directors and Youth Out Reach Workers. For more information follow this <a href="http://bit.ly/pGKFxH">link.</a>

New Gang Awareness & Recognition Course Added

The Misahawaka Police Department (Indiana) will be hosting our two day Gang Awareness & Recognition Course November 29-30 . The course i...

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August is Neighborhood Watch Month

A neighborhood watch is an organized group of citizens devoted to crime and vandalism prevention within a neighborhood. In the United States it builds on the concept of a town watch from Colonial America.<br /><br /><div> </div>A neighborhood watch may be organized as its own group or may simply be a function of a neighborhood association or other community association.<br /><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8z8j64vguDd-G1-2XucS8TTy9QTGdOYdub1_vVXGgN3v0AiMh2Ykc0UOpjFDJkUTgpHZ0_NYx1F4GUC2XjxCLQo2O6OFeh3ixFY4xxgD9ghoyWXqZh4BnkrSe8_qoA1wIKTZbGvNEGtNh/s1600/nhoodwatch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8z8j64vguDd-G1-2XucS8TTy9QTGdOYdub1_vVXGgN3v0AiMh2Ykc0UOpjFDJkUTgpHZ0_NYx1F4GUC2XjxCLQo2O6OFeh3ixFY4xxgD9ghoyWXqZh4BnkrSe8_qoA1wIKTZbGvNEGtNh/s200/nhoodwatch.jpg" /></a> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Neighborhood watches are not vigilante organizations. When suspecting criminal activities, members are encouraged to contact authorities and not to intervene.</div><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The current American system of neighborhood watches began developing in the late 1960s as a response to the rape and murder of Kitty Genovese in Queens, New York. People became outraged after reports that a dozen witnesses did nothing to save Genovese or to apprehend her killer. Some locals formed groups to watch over their neighborhoods and to look out for any suspicious activity in their areas. Shortly thereafter, the National Sheriffs' Association began a concerted effort in 1972 to revitalize the "watch group" effort nationwide.</div><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">There are a variety of ways a community can develop and institute a neighborhood watch. This includes the use of their Citizens Police Academy. The Citizens Police Academy allows a law enforcement agency to develop relationships within their community of business members, residents and community leaders. Once these people have been trained they can intern be developed into Volunteers. The next evolution of this is the Volunteers in Policing program backed by the Department of Homeland Security.</div><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhavp9sJldr_ALVZhsncuLYwzH48cyFDxkSRMCWyMtlggcEOVvlwmoX3BuFTwB4c6M-vXihJ3IcT2tw1RfzJPdehjJX2iVJgLyb5yGXCA6p7Z5A5yyvYcfF5V-2m6XIk-U4sO6Msl1si1bv/s1600/logo.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhavp9sJldr_ALVZhsncuLYwzH48cyFDxkSRMCWyMtlggcEOVvlwmoX3BuFTwB4c6M-vXihJ3IcT2tw1RfzJPdehjJX2iVJgLyb5yGXCA6p7Z5A5yyvYcfF5V-2m6XIk-U4sO6Msl1si1bv/s1600/logo.gif" /></a>The VIPS Program provides support and resources for agencies interested in developing or enhancing a volunteer program and for citizens who wish to volunteer their time and skills with a community law enforcement agency. The program’s ultimate goal is to enhance the capacity of state and local law enforcement to utilize volunteers.</div><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div>Through this program, the VIPS staff seeks to:<br /><ul><li>learn about promising practices being used in existing VIPS programs and share this information with law enforcement agencies that want to expand their programs, </li><li>increase the use of volunteers in existing programs, </li><li>help citizens learn about and become involved in VIPS programs in their communities, and</li><li>help agencies without volunteer programs get them started.</li></ul><br /><div>If you are looking to volunteer for a program or want to get involved go to this website and find a group in your area. http://www.policevolunteers.org/</div><br /><div>  </div>

August is Neighborhood Watch Month

A neighborhood watch is an organized group of citizens devoted to crime and vandalism prevention within a neighborhood. In the United States...

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Wilding? What is driving this growing phenomenon

Wilding, is not something new to the United States, nor is it unique to the us. According to <a href="http://www.dictionary.com/">Dictionary.com</a> "<strong><em>wilding is the activity by a gang of youths of going on a protracted and violent rampage in a public place, attacking or mugging people at random." </em></strong>The media has erroneously reported these groups as "Flash Mobs" which are<strong><em> "</em></strong><span id="hotword"><strong><em><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: transparent; cursor: default;">a</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: transparent; cursor: default;">group</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: transparent; cursor: default;">of</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">people</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">coordinated</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">by</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: transparent; cursor: default;">email</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">to</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">meet</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">to</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">perform</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">some</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: transparent; cursor: default;">predetermined</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">action</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">at</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">a</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: transparent; cursor: default;">particular</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">place</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">and</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">time</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">and</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">then</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: transparent; cursor: default;">disperse</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: transparent; cursor: default;">quickly,"</span> according</em></strong> to Dictionary.com. </span><br /><br /><div></div>The differences are vast should be obvious, specifically <strong><em>"Wilding Groups"</em></strong> are committing criminal acts, where "<strong><em>Flash Mobs"</em></strong> do not. The media may have been lured into thinking they were similar, because some of the some of the Wilding groups had been posting on sites like <a href="http://www.facebook.com/">Facebook </a>and <a href="http://www.twitter.com/">Twitter </a>. This was done to prearrange meetings between fellow conspirators to commit their acts of violence. Much different than doing a synchronized dance or all showing up holding umbrellas and wearing derby's like "<strong><em>The Thomas Crowne Affair" with Pierce Brosnan.</em></strong><br /><br /><div></div>The act of <strong><em>"Wilding"</em></strong> is not new, in fact it dates back to the acts committed in New York's Central Park back in 1989, when a female jogger was attacked, raped and left for dead. This is the first time the word <strong>"<u>Wilding</u>"</strong> was coined. This was then followed with attacks in New York City on the <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/1990/11/03/nyregion/wilding-youth-and-homeless-a-blood-feud.html">homeless population</a> resulting in assaults, ball batting's and stabbings. Then in 1991 a rape and murder in which a female was stabbed 132 times occurred, described as the most brutal murder in <a href="http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/bostonherald/access/69044291.html?dids=69044291:69044291&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Dec+20%2C+1991&author=CHARLES+CRAIG&pub=Boston+Herald&desc=Coercion+a+key+issue+for+jurors+in+wilding+case&pqatl=google">Boston History</a>. The incidents continue through the 1990's in New York. In 2000, June 11, during the Puerto Rican Day Parade a group of teens began an series of unprecedented acts of "Wilding" in which young women, were groped, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puerto_Rican_Day_Parade">sexual abused,</a> battered and attacked. Much of this was seen through video by the television media. In 2008, in <a href="http://www.amnation.com/vfr/archives/011161.html">St. Louis</a> teen African American males in large groups were attacking riders at train stations.  In early, March 2010 in <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/25/us/25mobs.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&src=ig">Philadelphia</a> the acts of "Wilding" utilized technology and social networking sites in which they would commit acts of group bullying, sprinting down the block, stop to brawl with one another, assault pedestrians or vandalize property. It took concerted effort by the Philadelphia Police Department through stepped up enforcement to reduce these acts acts of violence. These acts began to snowball through Boston, South Orange, N.J. and Brooklyn. Milwaukee had an a group of 50-60 teens disrupting a area <a href="http://www.theblaze.com/stories/destructive-teen-mob-shuts-down-large-milwaukee-mall/">Shopping Mall</a> in January of 2011. Now it has infected Chicago. Thus flurry of attacks included 8 attacks in just one weekend and the closing of one of the most famous beach's in the Midwest, <a href="http://www.myfoxchicago.com/dpp/news/metro/garry-mccarthy-said-north-avenue-beach-closing-not-linked-to-gangs-20110602">North Avenue Beach</a>. <br /><br /><div></div><strong>So what is the cause to this growing problem?</strong><br />This growing trend may be attributed to the "herd behavior" or "crowd hysteria.". "Mob Mentality" was first studied by a pair of French social psychologists <a href="http://www.criminology.fsu.edu/crimtheory/tarde.htm">Gabriel Tarde</a> and <a href="http://etext.virginia.edu/toc/modeng/public/BonCrow.html">Gustave Le Bon</a>. The term <em><strong>"mob mentality"</strong></em> is used to refer to unique behavioral characteristic which emerge when people are in large groups.  But it goes beyond more than just crowds which have gotten out of control. When in a group people behave differently in small groups of individuals than they do in big crowds, and a variety of factors affect the behavior of the crowd. This leads towards a theory called the Convergence theory, which holds that crowd behavior is not a product of the crowd itself, but is carried into the crowd by particular individuals. What this really says that crowds amount to a convergence of like-minded individuals.  <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crowd_psychology">The Convergence theory</a> says that crowd behavior <em>"is not irrational, rather, people in crowds express existing beliefs and values so that mob reaction is the rational product of widespread popular feeling."</em> This theory may bolster behavior may factor into the thoughts and issue that are facing teens in urban environments today.<br /><br /><div></div><strong>What factors may be contributing to teen "Mob Mentality"?</strong><br />Teens are faced with a variety of difficulties as they move towards adulthood. Contributing to this difficult time includes factors such as safety and security. For teenagers especially teens in the inner city, survival is one of those basic psychological needs that if not nourished will become negative factor in a teens life. Maslow's hierarchy of needs is a strong motivator for teens, check out our post on <a href="http://www.itstime.com/maslow.htm">Maslow and teens</a> for greater insight.<br /><br /><div></div>Survival (psychological) includes: food, water, teens may also survival as those basic things that they believe are necessary. Which would include money, which is a major contributing factor for teens, in a depressed economic environment and neighborhood. Teens may look at s<span style="color: navy; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">surviving</span></span> (psychological)<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">, which means viewing life in a very inexperienced way, seeking survival at any cost. </span>  Teens who may operating primarily at a surviving perspective live on the fringes of society, they cannot see the larger picture or understand the larger rhyme or reason to life. If the basics needed to sustain physical life, are not met they will continue to act in that surviving mode until they are met.<br /><br /><div></div>The second major issue for teens includes <strong><em>Safety and Security</em></strong>. It has been said that much of the reason why these<strong> "Mobs"</strong> are traveling into the shopping centers and downtown areas of the city is two fold. First, it is far too dangerous for them to stay in their home communities. As evidenced by the 2009 beating death of <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/09/27/beating-death-of-derrien_n_301319.html">Darien Albert</a> outside Fenger High School. Being in their communities is unsafe, shootings, drug over doses, senseless killings are pushing teens from their communities to areas that are known for their safety. <br /><br /><div></div>Also a contributing factor to <strong><em>Safety and Security</em></strong> which may contribute to teens leaving their home communities include police presence. Increased police presence and the police perceptions, "run-ins", negative perceptions may play into the role of what they can do in their home community. Hanging out on the corner or front porch, will undoubtedly result in contact by the police. That contact in a 'teens' eyes may result in unwarranted contact, arrests, beatings, regardless of the realities of the outcome the perception of an inner city teen is molded and shaped by what they observe, encounter and are exposed to. Environment definitely plays a role in their experiences. This is not to say that behavior is excused, there is never any excuse for criminal behavior and the actions that bring someone to the commission of a crime of their own free will.<br /><br /><div></div>Lastly, economics play a role in "Mob Mentality." How it plays out is different for individuals and ethnicity's. For example, teens way of thought surrounds on comparing what they have to others. Appearance, clothing, electronics are motivating factors for teens surrounding issues of depression, perceptions of poverty, whether real or not, etc. For a teen, having the same things as their peers is an extremely motivating factor. If you do not have a "smart phone" or the new "IPhone" you not as "cool" or in the "in crowd" as your peers. <br /><br /><div></div>Consequently if you do not have an income, your family does not have discretionary funds, how do you what you want. If you do not have a means to get employment, or in most cases live within an economically depressed area such as the inner city, or "ghetto". According to the <a href="http://www.bls.gov/news.release/metro.nr0.htm">Bureau of Labor Statistics</a> unemployment in Illinois in April 2011 was at 8.7%.  But that number is not representative of individual cities or communities. In neighborhoods in Chicago unemployment is hovering at twice or three times that state statistics. Depressed communities do not have the businesses, customers and items that these groups of people are looking for.  Do you believe that this is a contributing factor?<br /><br /><div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF0URFcHYtLKePL-w325IV_Sm_JGkStCh23cKG-obANND_m1-a5eM0FlhHlvPA1NKV1sMQ_JauoxF4YbTIDl3rSRrqkdk_TUXTezFTmruhtOGPNRSmmSoMsP-BEd8HRCjEcBCbGCMexiK5/s1600/triangle.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF0URFcHYtLKePL-w325IV_Sm_JGkStCh23cKG-obANND_m1-a5eM0FlhHlvPA1NKV1sMQ_JauoxF4YbTIDl3rSRrqkdk_TUXTezFTmruhtOGPNRSmmSoMsP-BEd8HRCjEcBCbGCMexiK5/s200/triangle.gif" t8="true" width="200" /></a><strong>So where do teens go to get what makes them feel normal like their peers?</strong> They travel to where they know there is money, downtown shopping districts, beaches, entertainment districts, anywhere people may have the items in their possession or where the stores are that you can buy them.  This should be obvious from a law enforcement perspective and understanding the crime triangle, Opportunity, Desire and Ability. Remove one of those outer issue and the crime does not occur. </div><br /><div></div>As a result, teens traveling into an area where the opportunity to rip off stores, pedestrians,. vehicles make those areas ripe for large groups using blitz type attacks to get "rewards" for their actions. <br /><br /><div></div><strong>So what can be done to prevent it.</strong><br />The approach is broad and will not likely sit well with most in these very difficult economic times. <br /><strong><u>Law Enforcement Response:</u></strong><br /><ul><li>Proactive approach  in areas where the "Mobs" might appear, this includes increased uniform personnel, use of CCTV cameras, interaction with business and community leaders in targeted areas. </li><li>Building community relationships with teens within those communities in which teens are coming out of. High crimes areas, depressed communities etc. </li><li>Involving religious leaders in the building of those relationships with teens.</li></ul><strong><u>Business:</u></strong><br /><ul><li>Promote businesses into investing into those communities that have a need for jobs, income and affordable, quality products not currently available in their home communities.</li><li>Reduce the union restrictions on business. Do not require unions in order for employees and business to keep more of the hard earned money to both increase profits and personal wealth.  This will go far in infusing income into the community.</li><li>Invest in the community by bringing business and job opportunities for the communities located in the inner city.</li></ul><strong><u>Community:</u></strong><br /><ul><li>Be involved in the activities in your community. Attend community policing activities. Get to know your neighbors. Report criminal activity. Participate in the solution by being witnesses instead of relying on the police alone to police your community.</li><li>Be roll models for your communities youth. Setting good examples, expressing your dislike for behavior and provide active self-esteem building constructive criticism to youth. </li><li>Work with Police, legislators, local business and informal community leaders to continue to build strong community relations.</li></ul>These are just some of the ideas that can be utilized to change a community. There is not a silver bullet that will fix everything and it takes a community to raise a child. Become part of the solution, not part of the problem.

Wilding? What is driving this growing phenomenon

Wilding, is not something new to the United States, nor is it unique to the us. According to Dictionary.com " wilding is the activity ...

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What motivates you in Law Enforcement?

<strong><em><span style="font-size: x-small;">Written by Sgt. Robert Tornabene</span></em></strong><br /><br /><br />In over the period of nineteen months I authored a newsletter for our patrol officers and supervisors as a training tool. My goal was to spark some thought, develop some personnel and inspire others about our commitment to the vocation of law enforcement.  But as I began gathering information for an edition of the newsletter, which is titled "Beyond the Stop", it became apparent that my motivations for providing this newsletter were irrelevant to the officers. <br /><br />For those officers in my department who have seen the roll call videos on officer safety, particularly the Sean Hannity video about the increase in attacks on officers. In particular those attacks at the later half of last year and into the beginning of 2010, you know how serious I take each and everyone’s safety here. My goal, each shift is to send my officer home safely to their  family and loved ones, as should every supervisors.<br /><br />Yet with difficult times facing all of us, either financially, personally or the recent issues facing the department asa whole professionally we all have a responsibilities. When I began to write this newsletter it was a really dreary day, wet,rainy and cold. Not exactly the type of weather that makes a person feel happy or want to be outside in it, I recall a comment that one of your asked me, how do you stay motivated. I don't need to reference who the officer was, just simply that the question was asked. My answer was not a simple one. But I will try to paraphrase it for simplicity sake. Everyone get’sfrustrated at times, difficulty is part of life and yet I must continue. My father surprised me one day with some simple philosophy.<br /><br />I was having a discussion with my father and talking about the cold and crappy weather we have been experiencing. My father related a fact about the month of March that had an entirely different spin on it for me. He said, “March has the largest number of temperature swings in it than any other month.” When I heard that I paused and realized, “Wow, from my dad that is an almost philosophical statement.” My dad is not much of a deep thinker, but in my dad’s own way he was telling me that it will get better. We know it will be warmer, soon, with rain, comes cleaner roads, greener grass and eventually warmer and sunny weather.<br /><br />Back to the question that one of my officer's posed, I turn to a comment that I have sitting on my desk near my kids picture, it is by Albert Einstein. “In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity.” Since the day I read that line it has been a center piece to keep me looking forward. In times when we are all faced with tough financial times, family stresses, personal health issues or professional angst we need to look towards living our values in our lives. <br /><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN-b18yM-_hoFy9HB9gvPNewke5buR5YMm_lcLzU1JN6Vq_yxaFrOMAO0x8Yfjr-0itLenhs4fd2Xby90AuHKjeQK7Cj6DLvYy9uj4Q-7c86RAF4VS3Mi7-KHrxNk6JDPnH8ssgZ6ypU2y/s1600/chicago-police%252520car.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN-b18yM-_hoFy9HB9gvPNewke5buR5YMm_lcLzU1JN6Vq_yxaFrOMAO0x8Yfjr-0itLenhs4fd2Xby90AuHKjeQK7Cj6DLvYy9uj4Q-7c86RAF4VS3Mi7-KHrxNk6JDPnH8ssgZ6ypU2y/s1600/chicago-police%252520car.jpg" /></a>In today’s very competitive world, whether it in the private sector or public sector how can I succeed where there are so many factors influencing my success that I can not control. What do I mean when I talk about values, most of us think moralistic values—trust, integrity, accountability. But we have moved away from pragmatic values—customer service, innovation, performance. But values no matter which ones you pick are meaningless if you do not live up to them.</div><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">In the digitally connected hyper paced world we live in, what we say we stand for or what we say we do are without value if we do not set ourselves apart in how we do our profession. How we communicate, how we interact and how we treat others is what will set you apart from others. Being a Police Officer is a profession. Each and everyone of us chose this profession for one reason or another. One factor is for sure that becoming rich off of this profession was not a motivator. Why you chose this profession is a personal issue for you, but some of the common reasons include, “enjoy helping others.”, “making a difference”, “you wanted to serve” etc. The great thing about this profession and it is a profession is why you chose it does not matter, but rather because you chose it that makes you special, in comparison to others in society.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Setting yourself apart is a key value in your own psyche whether you believe so or not. However, continuing to be that person you were when you chose this profession is an entirely different thing. For those of you who have tested from other departments, you know the stress there is in having to take another psychological examination. Many candidates who are already law enforcement officer’s at another agency do not typically pass another psychological test, particularly after being on the job for an extended period of time. Why? Because your personality changes, you become jaded and influenced by the experiences you have, the tragedy, disappointments and outrage that you experience in your day to day interactions. As a result, you have been forever, irrevocably changed.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Still not sure, think of this! What are your answers to the following questions? When you go out to a restaurant, who sits with the back to the door? You or your spouse? How often do you catch yourself sizing up people when you encounter them, looking for weapons, signs of recognition, or threatening behavior? Do you find yourself hanging out with only law enforcement type people as friends? These are just some of the indicators to say that you have changed. It is not to say it is because there is something wrong with you. Simply that you are a different person, flavored by changes that were influenced by the type of profession that you are in.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We again experienced another line of duty death on November 26, 2010 in Chicago Police Officer Michael Flisk. Ofc. Flisk was a evidence technician processing a crime scene from burglary when he and  a retired Housing Authority Officer (the burglary victim) were shot and killed. This is the fifth officer killed in the line of duty in just six months.  But to recall another officer who died this year Chicago Police Sergeant Haymaker. Here is a man, who had strong religious beliefs, strong family ties and strong community roots. I wanted to relate a story about Sgt. Haymaker as it was related by a Commander from the Chicago Police Department. Sgt. Haymaker was a supervisor on a call of a infant, new born located in a pile of trash, possibly an abandoned baby. Sgt. Haymaker, located a blanket for the now obviously dead baby and wrapped the baby in the blanket and transported the baby in his arms to the hospital. When the mother or family could not be located, Sgt. Haymaker through his church paid for and handled all the arrangements of the wake, funeral and burial of the baby. His compassion and reverence for life was extraordinary. Sgt. Haymaker didn’t have to do anything at all, but his humanity and his strong moral convictions brought Sgt. Haymaker to a high level of involvement! Sgt. Haymaker was truly putting a high value on his definition of service, the service to the infant’s soul.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">It is extremely easy to be positive and motivated when times are good, but when it seems that everything in life is not going well keeping that positive attitude is tough. Sometimes we need simple reminders, like the example my father gave me about the weather in March. At other times, it takes effort on your part to try and make the best of the situation at hand. Have you ever heard of “misery loves company?”. How true it is, when you are in bad situations and tough times, avoid being around those people who are simply going to “moan” and “groan” about what aches them. Negativity fuels the fire within everyone.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">When we are down or caught off guard it spreads like a virus. Imagery! When we were all in Field Training we all utilized imagery in going through our tasks, visualizing the activity. Such as how we are going to respond to a dangerous confrontation. Using your mind to help you over come those things that truly may not</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">matter can improve your outlook on life. For those who have been in sports or read about professional athletes, in order to overcome plateaus in your career or game you have to visualize the task and focus your mind and body on overcoming that obstacle. You can do the same thing with your law enforcement career as well.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Lists. Make a list of things you enjoy doing. This list is a personal listing of everything in your life that actually makes you feel good. For example, smiles on your children’s faces, mom’s homemade cooking, the time you made that really outstanding arrest. Go through your list and pick something off of the list that brings a smile to your face or makes you feel good about yourself. Then do it.</div><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">When you look good your feel good. It is extremely important for you to always look as good as you can. One of the most important aspects of dealing with poor morale and self image in the military is to maintain a clean and healthy appearance. It is important to remain clean shaven, showered, hair groomed and styled, fingernails: cut, clipped or painted. Attention to your personal appearance helps you deal with difficult times.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Fitness! Physical fitness or activity is paramount to maintaining a strong healthy attitude. Exercise helps to dispel nervous energy, relax muscles and release valuable endorphins into the body which improves the mood. In addition, physical fitness or activity releases tension, reduces the risk to high blood pressure and heart attack. Get out and get active!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Be part of the solution, not part of the problem. If you have suggestions about improvements, special skills or knowledge that can improve your working environment then speak up. Make suggestions, offer to become involved in a particular aspect of what you are interested in. This not only makes you feel good about yourself in helping others, but it makes your job on day to day capacity much more interesting.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Those who see the end are immovable. They always have a light in the darkness. Sometimes the only difference between the incredible success and the failure is the ability to endure. Many times we have the right idea, the right plan and the right opportunity. But if we do not see it through, all the way to the end, we never know! We are left in that vague tormenting uncertainty, was the problem me or the problem the plan. We must always be ready to walk away from a bad plan. We need to know when it is time to quit. A bad </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">plan will never work regardless of how long we work hard at it. A person of character does not equate a bad plan with being a bad leader. Great leaders know when to walk away.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Do whatever it takes to keep your goal alive in your heart. The mark of a winner is not that he never falls or fails. He or she just keeps getting up. Maybe all you can do today is show up. But that’s better than any other option. The person who keeps showing up eventually shows up at the right place at the right time.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE0wmGTxHQwx-3AqXOYdtrpEz9NiHw-oAjDLBwPxtaD_ORL-XZGIjU_UmYPcrLCIXMnvzBLlK1Gvq8Sms-9WQD8aJO1X5twod_S2ksRjBzPvRp1M8wKhLm0JR7r6l5-2l8_PRTW6Cp6hrm/s1600/Chicago_police_car_horiz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE0wmGTxHQwx-3AqXOYdtrpEz9NiHw-oAjDLBwPxtaD_ORL-XZGIjU_UmYPcrLCIXMnvzBLlK1Gvq8Sms-9WQD8aJO1X5twod_S2ksRjBzPvRp1M8wKhLm0JR7r6l5-2l8_PRTW6Cp6hrm/s320/Chicago_police_car_horiz.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div>

What motivates you in Law Enforcement?

Written by Sgt. Robert Tornabene In over the period of nineteen months I authored a newsletter for our patrol officers and supervisors as a ...

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