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 46, NUMBER 4 SAN FRANCISCO, APRIL 2014 www.sfpoa.org On Friday MARTIN HALLORAN March 21st, at President approximate- TONY MONTOYA Vice President ly 7:00 PM, SAN FRANCISCO POLICE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION MICHAEL NEVIN several people 800 Bryant Street, Second Floor Secretary telephoned San Francisco, CA 94103 9-1-1 to re- 415.861.5060 tel JOE VALDEZ Treasurer port sighting 415.552.5741 fax a man with a www.sfpoa.org VAL KIRWAN Sergeant At Arms gun in Bernal March 28, 2014 Heights Park. Supervisor David Campos SFPD uniformed officers responded San Francisco City Hall to the scene and located a suspect #1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place Room 244 matching the description provided. San Francisco, Ca. 94102-4689 As these officers approached this Re: Bernal Heights Neighborhood Town Hall Meeting individual, they ordered him Supervisor Campos, to show his hands. Instead, the suspect produced a weapon — It has come to my attention that you attended the town hall meeting held by SFPD Chief Suhr on Tuesday, equipped with a laser sight — from March 25, 2014. While I commend elected city officials who remain involved with the community, I take ex- a holster and pointed it at the ception to your public comments made at that meeting. It is my understanding that you were not present for officers. Fearing for their safety, the initial report about the Bernal Heights shooting incident. Yet, you felt compelled to publicly lambaste and and the safety of the people in the berate members of the San Francisco Police Department. You said that you were “appalled by some of the police park, the officers discharged their investigative tactics”, “disgusted by the actions of the Inspectors”, and believe that “it was shameful how it was firearms at the suspect. done.” All investigators and supervisors Statements such as these are common when uttered by individuals unfamiliar with the law enforcement pro- of the SFPD followed standard and tocols, best practices, and restraints mandated in this state by the Commission on Peace Officers Standards and accepted protocols for investigat- Training (POST). However, for a sitting member of the Board of Supervisors — who also is the chairman of the ing officer involved shootings. Public Safety Committee and who has previously served on the San Francisco Police Commission — your public On March 25th, Chief Greg Suhr comments are inexcusable. It appears that you did not bother to speak to a single SFPD Investigator assigned to organized a town hall meeting to this case, or to any SFPD Command Staff member, yet you passed judgment on the involved officers and inves- brief the community regarding tigators, and inflamed an already tragic situation. It was irresponsible of you, as a public servant, to reactively this incident, and to answer any lead with your prejudices and political ambition, rather than with the leadership expected from a San Francisco questions that the public might of Supervisor. had. The tone of this forum was I wonder if you made these comments because you are seeking a higher elected office? But I also wonder why changed dramatically due to the you were not as outspoken and equally concerned two weeks ago when one of my members was wounded on inexcusable statements and actions the job in the Mission District? of one of the city’s elected represen- These officers responded to 911 calls from frightened members of the community, and located a suspect tatives. That person was Supervisor waving a weapon about in a public park. The officers acted appropriately, within policy, and the investigation David Campos, and immediately that followed adhered to established protocols. If there is blame to be placed, perhaps it lies with the City and after learning of the statements County of San Francisco for its failure to provide appropriate social and mental health assistance to the indi- and conduct of Mr. Campos at this vidual who pulled a laser-equipped weapon on uniformed officers, forcing a confrontation in a public park. A meeting, I wrote the letter that is sad and tragic event has now been made worse by your ill-conceived and irresponsible demagoguery to simply reprinted here. The letter is about elicit votes. supporting members of the SFPOA, the protocols of the SFPD, and the disturbing conduct of an irrespon- Martin Halloran sible local official. President San Francisco Police Officers Association Martin Halloran, President San Francisco Police Officers Association Condolences for Slain Mendocino County Deputy By Martin Halloran, President killing the Deputy. The suspect was subsequently killed SFPOA in a shootout with responding officers. The incident oc- curred on Wednesday, March 19, 2014. The men and women of the San Francisco Police Deputy Del Fiorentino was an experienced 26-year Officers Association extend condolences to the family veteran of law enforcement, and the 5th Mendocino and co-workers of Mendocino Deputy Sheriff Ricky deputy to die in the line of duty. Del Fiorentino. The deputy, 48, was killed by gunfire Donations may be made to the: in a shootout with an armed robbery and kidnapping Ricky Del Fiorentino Memorial Fund suspect from the state of Oregon. The suspect, who led Savings Bank of Mendocino County law enforcement officers on an extended hot chase on PO Box 3600 Highway 101, was located on a dirt road by Deputy Del Ukiah, CA 95482 Fiorentino. Before he could exit his patrol vehicle, the (707) 462-6613 suspect ambushed the patrol car with an assault rifle, LEOKA Status Report NCIC: ‘3801’ Name: San Francisco Police Department Year: 2013 Monthly Counts of Officer Assaulted NCIC Agency Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Total Periodicals postage paid at San Francisco, (USPS CA #882-320) 3801 SFPD 38 41 34 37 41 35 26 28 47 44 22 26 419 Page 2 POA Journal April 2014 Off-Duty Gun Deal for Active Cops in April By Paul Chignell, Legal Defense Administrator For the third year, Springfield Ar- mory is offering a discounted gun purchase deal for active San Francisco police officers. Angelo Spagnoli of the Police Range and yours truly are the intermediaries between the Armory and those officers who are interested in purchasing ex- cellent off duty weapons. Available from the Armory are 40 caliber and .9mm compact and sub- compact semi-automatic handguns Paul Chignell at a discounted price of $439.00. In Our New Department Chaplain addition, San Francisco’s only gun Any member who is an active of- store, High Bridge Arms, will receive ficer at the time of purchase is eligible By Jim Kelly, Station, Sgt. Stephanie Long of BSU, the weapons and process the requisite to participate in this program. Our BSU Inspector Martin Halloran President registration for a fee of $75.00 instead deadline for submission of checks is of the POA, and Officer Tom Cunnane of the usual $150. April 30th. Deputy Chief David Shinn swore in from Central Station, a long time friend Due to the high volume of gun For more technical information on our newest chaplain Father Michael of Father Mike. Father Mike’s brother purchases across the country in the the weapons go to the Springfield web- Quinn on St Patrick’s Day March 17. Jim Quinn was also in attendance face of gun control proposals, there is a site at www.springfield-armory.com. The ceremony was held in the Police along with officers Art Howard and Jim delay in receiving handguns. Members If you are interested in a purchase Commission hearing room at the Hall Kelly from BSU. of Justice. Father Mike is a Roman Cath- purchasing these weapons may experi- contact me at [email protected]. After introducing Father Mike to ence 6-9 month wait for the weapons. olic priest and a true San Franciscan. He the guests DC Shin administered the was raised in Eureka Valley attending Oath of Office. He thanked Father Most Holy Redeemer School with his Quinn in advance for his service and twin brother. He graduated from Rior- turned over the podium to our newest SFPD Appreciation Scholarship dan High School in 1970 and went on chaplain. Father Mike thanked the DC to earn an accounting degree at USF. for the opportunity to serve the men He worked for the IRS, AC Transit and and women of the SFPD and spoke of Accepting New Applications For Fall 2014 did forensic accounting at his own firm his great respect and admiration for all By Nicole Greely, or academic excellence. Scholarship before entering St Patrick’s Seminary the members of the department. He Retired SFPD recipients in good academic standing in 2003. He was ordained in 2009 and especially noted the constant vigilance will be welcomed to apply for renewed assisted at Holy Name and St. Brendan’s and selfless dedication of the officers he Children of active SFPD officers are funding during their years of under- Parishes before being named pastor has worked with in the past. He stressed invited to apply for the SFPD Apprecia- graduate study. of Star of the Sea Parish in Sausalito. how valiant and courageous he found tion Scholarship. This scholarship sup- Applications for the Fall semester of Father Mike trained and volunteered at the officers and that they are always ports academic studies at an accredited 2014 can be found at San Francisco Suicide Prevention and is ready to do the next right thing. four-year college or university. It was www.10000degrees. active in marriage counseling.