Cherish Your Liberty? Thank a Veteran…
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VoteSee November back page for 5 POA Endorsements c Official Publication Of The c SAN FRANCISCO POLICE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION This Publication was Produced and Printed in California, USA ✯ Buy American ✯ Support Local Business VOLUME 45, NUMBER 11 SAN FRANCISCO, NOVEMBER 2013 www.sfpoa.org Cherish Your Liberty? Thank a Veteran… and dedication to what we hold dear calendar month. in this country. Also, in my opinion, I hope and pray that there will that is equally true with cops who have never be another name added to this served and are currently serving. Many heroic list. There are 99 members on active and retired law enforcement of- the Wall of Honor at the Hall of Jus- ficers went directly from their service tice, and each one has a story of duty, in the armed forces to public safety courage, and dedication. I have asked service. As we continue to receive Past POA Presidents Gary Delagnes the awful news of our soldiers killed and Paul Chignell and others to author in the line of duty in Afghanistan, articles about some of these officers. I we also hear the sad reports of our want our members to not only know fellow brothers and sisters in public how they died but, more importantly, safety (police officers and firefighters) how they lived and how they served making the ultimate sacrifice while our community. The first such article By Martin Halloran the “War to end all wars.” Sadly, that protecting us on the home front. Hav- is about Officer Joseph Brodnik, who President, SFPOA dream was shattered in 1939 when ing been in this arena for a quarter was murdered in the line of duty on World War II broke out in Europe. century now, I know that those who May 1, 1969. That article is on Page 13 Once we get Halloween behind us, In 1919, President Woodrow Wilson enter this profession, and who will in this issue. we are entering into the true holiday proclaimed November 11th as the first enter into this profession, do it for the I believe that members of the POA season of the year. Most people look commemoration of Armistice Day. It good of others and not for the good of have many things for which to be forward to and relish the upcoming was seven years after World War I that themselves. The same holds true for thankful. I also know that we will face Thanksgiving and Christmas sea- the United States Congress requested our veterans. many challenges in the future. In the sons. Thanksgiving not only affords that President Calvin Coolidge issue I have asked Editor Ray Shine to greater scheme of things many of our the longest stretch of legal holidays a proclamation to observe November start a new monthly feature in the issues are trivial in comparison to the in conjunction with regular days off 11th with appropriate ceremonies. It POA Journal remembering and honor- problems that face our veterans. Dur- during the year, but it allows families was not until 1938 that a Congressio- ing those in our own department that ing this month of thanksgiving we to come together from near and far nal Act made the 11th of November made the ultimate price for the citizens can certainly appreciate many of the to reconnect and bond. More so than of each year a legal holiday known as of this great city. Each issue of the blessings in our own lives but don’t the single day off for Christmas, the Armistice Day. After this country was Journal will remember those members forget to thank a Veteran, as well. Thanksgiving holiday weekend will plunged into World War II and with who have fallen during that respective Slainte! see more grandparents, parents, chil- the enormous loss of life of our men dren, nieces and nephews, cousins and and women in uniform it was a vet- close friends reconnecting after long eran of this war that led the charge to absences. Thanksgiving is truly a great rename this holiday to honor all Vet- A Glimpse into the Past American holiday. erans. With full support of President Even though I have given Thanks- Dwight Eisenhower (also a veteran and giving its due as a unique American Supreme Allied Commander of the holiday, I believe that the holiday in European theater), Congress amended November that should be most recog- this act in 1954 and Armistice was nized is Veterans Day, November 11th. replaced with Veterans. If it were not for those who served and Veterans Day should not be con- sacrificed for our country, there would fused with Memorial Day. Veterans not be a Thanksgiving holiday at all. Day celebrates the service of all Unites It was at the 11th hour, on the 11th States military veterans, while Me- day, in the 11th month of 1918 that morial Day honors those who have marked the armistice. After the sign- fallen while serving and defending ing of the Treaty Of Versailles in June our nation. 1919, World War I — also known as the Those who have served and those Great War — officially ended. At that who continue to serve need to be time, it was labeled and portrayed as recognized for their commitment Veterans Day Parade Honor and Remember Sunday, November 10, 2013 11:00 am Market Street Second to Periodicals postage paid at San Francisco, (USPS CA #882-320) McAllister to City NOVEMBER 11, 2013 Hall HONORING ALL WHO SERVED Page 2 POA Journal November 2013 Focus on the Airport Bureau PubSecAlliance.com Are you concerned about the future trends in law enforcement? Do you have ideas to present that will improve your job as a public safety professional? Are you in search of input from other law enforcement professionals regarding safety, working conditions, attacks on pensions and health care, and other job-related issues? Log on to PubSecAlliance.com and join the growing online com- munity of sworn personnel in law enforcement agencies in the U.S., Canada and around the world. It is not a formal organization. There is no president or board of directors. PubSecAlliance.com is simply a space for you to communicate with your colleagues about your most pressing concerns, while informing you about the issues that matter to you most. Alarmed at the increasing number of problems impacting the lives and careers of law enforcement officers, members of this site come to- gether to share information, find solutions, help each other, and keep everyone up to date about the organized efforts to privatize our jobs, cut our pay, and eliminate or reduce our pensions and health-care coverage. SFO Communications Division There are areas for public discussion as well as a private members-only By Val Kirwan approximately 400,000 safety calls forum to share sensitive information away from the eyes of the public. Airport Bureau POA Representative per year. The majority of the calls are for SFPD. SFO Communications Division is SFO PSAP communications is the a POST certified PSAP (Public Safety third largest agency on the peninsula. San Francisco American Legion Answering Point), the first airport SF is number1 and San Mateo is num- Police – Fire Post to achieve that goal, and the first to ber 2. Typically there are five dispatch- Officer of the Year Dinner actually be located at an airport. Most ers and one supervisor on duty during other airport public safety personnel day and swing shifts. All of the staff Honoring Police Officers of the Year and public answering points are dis- are Public Safety Dispatchers trained patched from the main city dispatch to handle a myriad of duties. They are point, including the Oakland and San very adept at multi-tasking. Because of Jose airports. Following SFO’s model, the importance of the PD the Patrol other national airports have followed Dispatcher is the only one dedicated suit, including O’Hare, Kennedy, La solely to the field units. They are not Guardia, and LAX to name just a few. responsible for taking other calls. There are 23 dispatchers and 10 The rest of the staff answer calls and supervisors assigned to SFO PSAP handle multiple channels. dispatch. They handle PD-1 (traffic/ All of the dispatchers enjoy working PSA (Police Service Aids), PD-2 (Fire, with the SFPD officers and have a good Medical, Maintenance and Airport rapport with them. Communications Duty Managers). They answer 9-1-1, supports and works as a team with police non-emergency, Operations the SFPD. and ADM’s calls. The center handles Honorees: Sergeant Patrick Griffin The San Francisco Police Officers Association Officer Michael Tursi Officer Michael Simmons POA JOURNAL Officer Robert Fung (USPS #882-320) MANAGING EDITOR PUBLISHED MONTHLY Ray Shine OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF Thursday, Nov. 7, 2013 SPORTS EDITOR WEBMASTER THE SAN FRANCISCO POLICE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION at the Irish Cultural Center 2700 45th Ave Nick Shihadeh Cyndee Bates 800 BRYANT ST., 2nd FL., SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94103 No Host Cocktails: 6:00 PM / Dinner 7:00 PM LAYOUT & PRODUCTION (415) 861-5060 Georgette Petropoulos www.sfpoa.org Main Course of Choices: Cross Rib of Beef or Chicken Pomodoro SFPOA BOARD OF DIRECTORS Vegetarian Option Available PRESIDENT ..........................................Martin Halloran Co. G ............................ Chris Breen, Yulanda Williams VICE PRESIDENT ....................................Tony Montoya Co. H .....................................Larry Chan, Frank Periera $60.00 Per Person SECRETARY ............................................ Michael Nevin Co. I ........................................... Russ Gordon, Jody Kato Please write the choice of entrée on your TREASURER ........................................ Brian Stansbury Co. J ....................................Kevin Lyons, Joe McCloskey SERGEANT-AT-ARMS .............................. Joseph Valdez Co. K .................................... Steve Landi, Harold Vance, check made payable to: Greg Corrales Co. A........................................ Ed Carew, John Van Koll Tac ..................................Brent Bradford, Mark Madsen send to: Greg Corrales Co.