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A Publication of the Police Benevolent Association of Georgia, Inc., A Subsidiary of Southern States Police Benevolent Association, Inc.
Vol. 26, No. 1 Summer 2012
Georgia State Patrol Celebrates 75th Anniversary 001-012 editorial 5/5/12 1:14 pm page 3
Summer 2012 VOL. 26, No. 1
Georgia Trooper Chapter www.sspba.org Police Benevolent Association 2155 Highway 42 S McDonough, Georgia 30252
ON THE COVER TABLE OF CONTENTS
7 Letter from the Editor
9 Trooper Survival: Off Duty Confrontations
13 GSP Celebrates 75th Anniversary
21 Best War Story
23 The DPS Critical Incident Support Team Governor Nathan Deal speaking at the 75th Anniversary ceremony as the cadets of the 90th GSP Trooper School look on (GSP Public Information Office Photo) 35 Business Directory
Van Keller 43 Advertiser Index Editor The Georgia Trooper
The Georgia Trooper is the official publi - cation of the Georgia Trooper Chapter of the Police Benevolent Association of Georgia, Inc., a non-profit organization made up of state troopers dedicated to the improvement of the law enforcement profession in the state of Georgia, and is not an official publication of any governmental agency or department.
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GEORGIA TROOPER CHAPTER of the Police Benevolent Association of Georgia 2155 Highway 42 S Georgia Trooper Chapter McDonough, GA 30252 Executive Board 770/389-5391 1/800/233-3506
GEORGIA TROOPER CHAPTER BOARD President Sr. Vice President Vice President Steven D. Bone President Grievance Chairperson Membership Chairperson 809 Wrights Hollow Rd. SE Steven D. Bone Frank R. Mize Robert L. Sawyer Calhoun, Georgia 30701 Georgia State Patrol Secretary PAC Chairperson Board Member David L. James Stephen M. Strickland Tracey H. English (Cell) 706-773-0450 [email protected]
PBA OF GEORGIA BOARD President Vice President Joe Naia Benita C. Childs Senior Vice President/ Grievance Chairperson Frank R. Mize 604 Redwood Cir., A Subsidiary of Southern States Police Benevolent Association, Inc. McDonough, Georgia 30252 Georgia State Patrol (Cell) 404-660-2762 Your Comments, Please: The editor of The Georgia Trooper welcomes your comments, criticisms, or suggestions for the magazine. Your ideas for topics and/or types of articles which you would like to [email protected] see in future issues of the magazine will be appreciated and given every consideration. Please send your communications to: Editor, The Georgia Trooper, 2155 Highway 42 S, McDonough, GA 30252.
About the Publisher: The Georgia Trooper is published by Police Publications, Inc. for the Georgia Trooper Chapter of the Police Benevolent Association of Georgia . Unless otherwise copyrighted, all advertising material is the property of the Publisher and may not be reproduced without written consent. Advertising sales office: 3 Central Plaza, #286, Rome, GA 30161, 877-855-5065 or 800-520-5081. Vice President/ The publisher does not assume responsibility for the contents of this magazine, or for statements of Membership Chairperson fact or opinion made by any contributor. Robert L. Sawyer 475 Strickland Rd. Dublin, Georgia 31021 Georgia State Patrol [email protected] Request for Membership Application Trooper Chapter, Police Benevolent Association of Georgia 2155 Highway 42 S, McDonough, Georgia 30252
Secretary David L. James rank name (please prinT) 12 George Coggins Rd.
Newnan, Georgia 30265-1431 address ciTy sTaTe zip Georgia State Patrol (Work) 229-868-6441 (Home) 229-776-3104 Membership in the Georgia Trooper Chapter of the Police Benevolent Association of Georgia is open to all Georgia State Patrol members upon payment of an initiation fee.
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THE GEORGIA TROOPER
Letter from the Editor
The department celebrated its 75th anniver- time. We did the classroom portion then we sary this year and to me it just seems like yes- shot and we finished with a cookout. terday that we were celebrating the 50th. It I have noticed that there are new groups is amazing how time flies. I once remarked to of retirees meeting all over the state as well my old friend the late Emmett Whitfield, who as the groups that have been around for a retired from the GBI but served as a GSP Post while, we have been meeting for over ten Commander as well as an FBI agent, how fast years in Dalton, and I encourage everyone time seemed to be passing and he said “Wait to seek out a group nearby to visit or start until you reach 90 then it goes to light speed.” one of your own. I would love for someone, I was disappointed that there was no real- other than me, to organize a big cookout or ly cool commemorative item offered like the fish fry or low country boil or something at special revolvers we were able to purchase a central location for all departmental mem- in 1987. I was unable to attend the ceremo- Van Keller bers, retired and active, where everyone ny at the capitol so now my goal is to hang could get together in one location. I do not around for the 100th anniversary. I am sure it will be a good mind helping I just do not want to be in charge. one. I recently had the privilege of appearing on a radio The 90th trooper school has been going for several program called “Georgia Focus” with Col. Mark McDo- weeks now and I heard that they started with 52 and they nough and Gordy Wright where we discussed the changes have already lost 18. The department has been under strength to the GSP over the last 75 years with the host, John Clark. for many years and I wonder where they will find the peo- It was on the Georgia News Network and aired on 107 radio ple to fill the ranks. I understand that it is getting harder stations all over the state. I suspect I was invited because and harder to find and keep qualified personnel. I was of the research I did to write the GSP history in the 70th amazed to see that the GSP has to advertise the job of troop- Anniversary album. er. When I was hired in 1975 there were over a thousand If anyone has any old GSP memorabilia of any kind men on the waiting list for trooper. I guess times have that they might like to donate to the GSP Historical Society changed. To paraphrase the old Marine Corps slogan the I understand that they are always on the lookout for old GSP is looking for more than a few good men and women. photographs, newspaper clippings, and anything else relat- I would like to thank Lt. Andy Carrier, Assistant Troop E ed to the department. Even if you don’t want to get rid of Commander, for his outstanding article on the new Critical it right now, you might want to put it in your will or ask Incident Support Team. I am very interested in this concept family members to send it in after your death. Most troop- and I think it is a tremendous resource for the department. I ers have saved stuff that was significant to us but might be know that Col. McDonough is very excited about the team considered trash by anyone except other GSP members. and is expecting great things from them. I also would like to As this is being written the retired officers from sever- thank Gordy Wright and Allison Hodge for their invaluable al different agencies recently did the yearly qualification assistance, again. I truly could not do it without their help. required for our LEOSA permit at the Whitfield County Sher- To submit an article, make a suggestion, present an iff Office range. We have been doing this since 2006 and we idea for an article, make comments or to offer construc- have more and more people each time. This time there were tive criticism please contact me at 706-673-5690 or over 30 participants. As usual the sheriff, Scott Chitwood, [email protected] or Van Keller 3220 Old Crider Rd Rocky and his staff treated us like royalty and everyone had a great Face, GA 30740 K
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Off Duty Confrontations
Studies of law enforcement gun- time and the dangers of law enforce- Another factor that affects a troop- fights have shown that approximately ment work are well known, the troop- er’s mindset is when he feels a legal, 25% occur while the officer is off duty. er should be able to maintain the prop- moral, or even imagined obligation to Because troopers spend far more time er mindset for the entire shift. try and intervene during the commis- off duty than on duty there is a definite This is not normally the case while sion of a crime even when he is off duty. possibility of having to either defend off duty. Off duty is the time to relax Two important dangers concerning themselves against criminal attack or and not have to worry about criminals. off duty response are that the off duty having to make an arrest or perform If a trooper is not mentally prepared trooper is not easily identified and he some other type of law enforcement for a deadly force confrontation he will does not carry the necessary equipment function while off duty. The off duty probably not win no matter what to perform law enforcement functions. trooper wants to do everything possible handgun-holster-ammunition combi- Although an off duty trooper has a to stack the odds of survival in his favor nation he is carrying. badge/ID case to identify himself with it but there are a number of factors in the The presence of family members is much less effective than wearing a uni- trooper’s favor when he is on duty which or friends during a deadly force con- form. Because the off duty trooper is not are not present while off duty. frontation can impact negatively on easily identified he might be shot by anoth- The primary difference is in the mindset. Troopers are not used to hav- er law enforcement officer or possibly by mindset. The proper mindset is the ing to protect anyone other than them- a legally armed civilian. There are many mental condition that is required to be selves during on duty encounters. If a tragic examples of this happening even prepared for combat. A trooper must trooper is required to protect one or with officers in the same department. change into this mindset before each more other people his attention will be Also the trooper does not benefit shift when he is preparing to go on duty. divided and the tactics used will be dif- from the psychological advantage offered Because a shift is a limited period of ferent from only protecting himself. more ®
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by wearing a uniform. The uniform is If you do not carry a gun do not carry trooper is likely to carry is a personal a large part of command presence and ID. Of course the reason that one needs size canister of OC spray. Although this the projection of authority. Obviously an ID while carrying a gun is to iden- is not as effective it does give him a use it is much harder psychologically for a tify himself as a trooper. Because of the of force option between talking and criminal to assault a trooper in uniform danger of being executed during an shooting. No flashlight means if target than one wearing a T-shirt and shorts. armed robbery or a hostage situation identification in reduced light is nec- Even after considering all of the if he is discovered to be a trooper, if he essary they have a problem. disadvantages of performing law enforce- does not carry a gun to protect himself The U.S. military special operators ment functions off duty, a trooper may he should not carry his ID. have a saying “Two is one and one is be forced to do so anyway therefore he Another difference is the equip- none.” This is because vital equipment should carry at the minimum a hand- ment available. The off duty trooper can fall victim to “Murphy’s Law.” It gun and law enforcement identifica- normally does not have access to hand- is the reason GSP Troopers are issued tion. The best way to carry ID is in a cuffs, a TASER, a baton, a flashlight, a two handguns and two spare maga- wallet type case that holds a badge as radio, body armor, a back-up handgun, zines. The handgun that is used as a well as the departmental ID card. spare magazines or a shoulder weapon, back-up on duty often serves as the off A trooper must realize that the badge shotgun or rifle. Obviously the reason duty handgun. It is smaller than the or other indicator of law enforcement a trooper carries these tools on duty is primary duty handgun and it does not status may not be noticed by responding to perform daily law enforcement func- hold as much ammunition. This means officers. It is critical to follow the com- tions and to increase the odds of sur- the off duty trooper is armed with a mands of the responding officers because viving a deadly force confrontation. smaller primary handgun as well as they can easily justify shooting an armed Without handcuffs they have no having less ammunition. individual but it would be extremely dif- way to secure the suspect. With no A significant difference is the lack of ficult to justify shooting them. TASER or baton this intermediate level direct radio communication by off duty A basic rule for law enforcement of force is not available. The only inter- troopers. With modern radio equipment officers is if you carry a gun carry ID. mediate force level weapon an off duty more ®
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the availability of back up officers and strong duty to protect, because a troop- civilian and is considered to be acting emergency medical personnel is an er is a trained observer, sometimes it under the color of state law. This could accepted fact. There are Communica- is more practical for him to witness a be an important consideration if any tion Equipment Operators whose job crime but take no immediate action and type of legal action, civil or criminal, it is to keep up with the troopers’ loca- then have the criminal arrested later. arises from an off duty confrontation. tion and status. They use the new Com- Unfortunately the less experienced a A major consideration is whether puter Aided Dispatch system which is trooper is the more likely he is to want the off duty trooper is intoxicated, even much faster and more efficient than to do something, not just stand back slightly, because this can affect his judg- any previous system. and observe. ment, alertness, and marksmanship The biggest advantage troopers have A tactic employed by armed rob- ability. It is generally considered a bad over criminals is the ability to request bers is to use seeded backup. This means idea to mix alcohol and firearms. and receive help from other troopers allies of the criminal, who are carry- A good guideline is not to get involved when needed. Imagine if the bad guys ing concealed weapons, go into the in anything off duty that is not life threat- had this option! Knowing that medical establishment first and attempt to blend ening. This means the crimes will be assistance can be easily summoned is in. They are alert to anyone who might felonies and not misdemeanors. Some also a comforting thought. Off duty interfere when the actual robber/gun- basic tactical considerations while off because no radio is available a trooper man comes in. This includes civilians, duty are to remain alert, sit with your should always carry a cell phone. But, off duty or plainclothes police officers, back to the wall, be cautious entering even with a cell phone, be aware that and even uniformed officers. convenience stores, banks and other tar- the communication will be much more They are prepared to shoot any- gets of armed robbers, always have your susceptible to confusion and delay than one necessary to prevent being cap- badge case out when your handgun is when a radio is used. tured. This tactic has led to the death drawn, carry at least one full reload, and The most important piece of pro- of several would be heroes. Because remember to use cover, no vest. tective equipment a trooper wears on some troopers wear clothing off duty After examining the differences duty is soft body armor. The vest increas- that identifies them as such they are between an off duty trooper and an on es the odds of surviving a gunfight, in danger of being targeted in this type duty trooper, it is easy to see why it is especially in an ambush type situation. of robbery. more dangerous for the off duty troop- Since almost all of the situations an off If a criminal starts indiscriminate- er to encounter a criminal. It does not duty trooper might encounter will be ly shooting innocent people, like hap- take a rocket scientist to see that a troop- defensive in nature, the lack of body pened at Virginia Tech University where er is much more capable of surviving armor may be critical. 32 were killed and 15 were wounded a confrontation on duty than off duty. Considering these differences the or in Tucson Arizona where 6 were killed Unfortunately on duty law enforce- tactics that should be used to survive and a congresswoman and 12 others ment officers are not always around an off duty encounter are often very were wounded, quick action by an off when you need them. Sometimes the different from the ones used while on duty officer may be the only chance of off duty trooper finds himself in a sit- duty. An off duty trooper must not lose preventing a massacre. As in most dead- uation that requires immediate action. sight of his objective. His objective is ly force confrontations, the trooper As always Stay Alert-Stay Alive. to preserve his life, the lives of his fam- should attempt to take cover and offer ily or friends, and the lives of innocent a verbal challenge. But in some extreme Authors note: The use of he instead citizens. His objective is not to enforce cases immediately shooting the gun- of the more cumbersome he/she in the laws or capture criminals. He should man may be the only alternative. text is intended for ease in reading and let the on duty troopers do that. They Before an off duty trooper performs not to slight the many outstanding female have the equipment, the proper mind- any law enforcement function he must troopers nationwide set, and it is their job. identify himself if at all possible because Even though most troopers feel a once this is done he is not acting as a ©Van Keller April 15, 2012 K
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GSP Celebrates 75th Anniversary
Col. Mark McDonough speaking at 75th Anniversary ceremony with Cpl. Lisa Bowen standing at ceremonial parade rest as Capt. Derrick Durden and LTC Russell Powell look on (GSP PIO Photo)
The Georgia State Patrol turned 75 years old on March er Ralston administered their oath of office. 19, 2012 and special ceremonies were held at the State Capi - During the ceremony, the names of the 27 troopers and tol to commemorate the historic anniversary. Governor agents of the DPS who have been killed in the line of duty Nathan Deal was the keynote speaker for the ceremony were read out loud and a bell was rung after each one to which was held in the North Wing of the Capitol. In addi - pay tribute. This solemn ritual was followed by a 21-gun tion, Lt. Governor Casey Cagle, House Speaker David Ral - salute from the GSP Honor Guard, to pay homage and ston, and Colonel Mark McDonough also delivered remarks ensure that their sacrifice will never be forgotten. The Honor to commemorate the occasion. Guard played a major role in the ceremonies performing In attendance were former Department of Public Safety several different functions. Commissioners, the Board of Public Safety, and other hon - On display outside the Capitol was a 1937 Ford GSP ored guests as well as active and retired GSP personnel and patrol car that had been meticulously restored as well as cur - their families and friends. The cadets of the 90th GSP Troop - rent patrol cars, SUVs, motorcycles, SWAT, and other DPS er School were present for their first day of training and Speak - more ®
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Restored original GSP patrol car (above), 1937 Ford Coupe, compared to the current Dodge Charger (right) shows how much has changed in 75 years (GSP PIO Photos)
vehicles, in addition to other exhibits agency, so as with most change and as the Georgia State Patrol, a “plain - and equipment from various units to innovation it was controversial. clothes” division known as the Divi - showcase the evolution over the past 75 In response to the huge increase of sion of Criminal Identification, Detec - years for the public. motor vehicles on the roads and the tion, Prevention, and Investigation (offi - This diamond anniversary might numerous traffic accidents involving cially changed to the Georgia Bureau have been several years earlier if the injuries and deaths as a result, the long of Investigation in 1940), and a divi - Peach State had followed the lead of her awaited legislation was finally passed. sion to license drivers, known as the neighbors, Tennessee and North Caroli - On March 19, 1937, one of the first Drivers License Bureau. na, who established highway patrols in orders of business for the recently elect - Temporary headquarters were set 1929 instead of waiting until 1937. Iron - ed Governor was to sign into law House up at a hotel in Atlanta and recruitment ically E.D. Rivers had tried for seven Bill 18, the 220th Act of the General began. Approximately 3,000 men applied years to have legislation passed to cre - Assembly. This Act created and estab - for the job of state trooper, but only 102 ate a highway patrol but was repeated - lished the Department of Public Safe - were chosen. From those 102 candi - ly blocked, even while serving as Speak - ty to be part of the executive branch of dates 80 became the charter members er of the House. So when he ran for gov - Georgia government. of the Georgia State Patrol. The first ernor in 1936, one of his campaign promis - The three divisions of the DPS were Trooper School began on July 26, 1937 es was to establish a statewide law enforce - to include a uniformed division, known at Georgia Tech. ment agency. It would assist local sheriffs who were undermanned and restricted by On display outside the Capitol was a 1937 Ford small budgets. From 1733 when the state was chartered until 1937 local gov - GSP patrol car that had been meticulously ernments were responsible for law enforcement. Although Rivers’ election restored as well as current patrol cars, SUVs, was popular with law enforcement sup - porters many Georgians were not sure motorcycles, SWAT, and other DPS vehicles that they wanted a statewide police
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The 80 original troopers graduated ers, two clerks, 31 cars, and a budget of eral huge office buildings. from Trooper School on August 28, 1937, $350,000. In 2012 the budget of the Geor - The GSP has evolved from strictly and were given one week of leave before gia Department of Public Safety is a highway patrol riding the roads, writ - they returned to Atlanta to be issued $94,800,477.The department currently ing tickets and investigating accidents, their uniforms and firearms and given employs approximately 771 Troopers, to a multifunctional organization. Over their duty assignments. It is hard to 157 Customer Service Agents, and 273 the years increased responsibilities have believe that the first trooper school was civilian employees. Also there are 260 been placed on the department and this only four weeks long. Currently it takes officers assigned to the MCCD and 66 has necessitated the formation of sever - 32 weeks to train a trooper including officers assigned to the Capitol Police. al specialized units. In the old days the 12 weeks of on-the-job training with a In addition to 1236 marked and unmarked only special unit was the predecessor to field training officer. cars and SUVs, the department utilizes the current Safety Education unit which The original troopers were very dif - helicopters, motorcycles, trucks, a com - teaches classes to high school students ferent from present-day troopers. In those mand center bus, and even two armored as well as presenting other programs pro - days a trooper was a white male who cars for the SWAT team. moting safe driving. was at least 5’10” tall and weighed at In the late 1930’s the state was divid - Today there are several units that least 155 pounds. Of course today a troop - ed into ten districts with eight or nine are full-time assignments for troopers. er can be male or female and of any race. men at each station. The stations were: Implied Consent is responsible for cal - Also there is no height or weight require - (1) Griffin, (2) Cartersville, (3) Gainesville, ibrating and repairing the machines ment but they must be physically able (4) Madison, (5) Americus, (6) Moultrie, that test a driver’s breath for alcohol to do the job. One of the biggest differ - (7) Perry, (8) Washington, (9) Swainsboro content. Troopers assigned to Execu - ences between then and now is the pay and (10) Waycross. The headquarters for tive Security provide personal securi - scale. In 1937 a trooper started at $1,200 the State Patrol was located upstairs in ty for the Governor, his family, and the a year. In 2012 a trooper starts at $35,471 the Old Confederate Soldiers' Home in mansion as well as several other high a year. Even with inflation factored in Atlanta. Today there are 48 patrol sta - ranking state officials. the modern trooper is paid much better tions to work the same 159 counties and The Training Division is responsible than his 1930’s counterpart. each trooper is assigned a vehicle which for conducting the basic trooper school in The GSP has undergone tremendous can be driven to and from work. Head - addition to providing ongoing in-service growth and change during the past 75 quarters is in same location on Confed - training. The Aviation Division utilizes 14 years. In 1937 it started with 84 troop - erate Avenue but it now consists of sev - more ®
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GSP Honor Guard (in foreground from left TFC Chris Stallings, TFC Felix Bradshaw, TFC Nathan Truitt and SFC Ritchie Howard) marching in for - mation through hallway of Capitol to participate in ceremony (GSP PIO Photo)
pilots and helicopters that are strategical - cles, and other criminal activity on the They are available to provide support to ly located at six hangers around the state. interstate highways. They are the only other agencies in all types of tactical sit - The Specialized Collision Reconstruction GSP unit that utilizes K-9‘s. The newest uations such as a barricaded gunman, Team (SCRT) has five teams also strategi - special unit is the Critical Incident Sup - hostage rescue or serving a high-risk war - cally located statewide; their purpose is to port Team (CIST) which was formed to rant. The Dive Team shares the full-time aid GSP and local agencies in reconstructing provide assistance in dealing with the staff with SWAT but the members are fatal accidents and prosecuting the drivers emotional and psychological aftermath part-time and are composed of a mix - who were responsible in court. of a traumatic event. ture of SWAT members and other troop - The Commercial Vehicle Criminal The SWAT team has a full-time staff ers. Their purpose is to assist other agen - Interdiction Unit (CIU) is a full-time but is primarily composed of members cies in evidence recovery and searching assignment but most of the members are who are assigned on a part-time basis. for drowning victims. detached from field posts. They con - The unit includes the tactical team, the Five GSP special units are consid - centrate on drug couriers, stolen vehi - support staff, and the crisis negotiators. ered sole source providers to other law
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Dan Bray, the GSP Departmental Piper, and the GSP Color Guard in the Rotunda of the Capitol (GSP PIO Photo)
enforcement agencies in the state, par - boro, and Columbus areas. The Motor - tial services and are an asset to the entire ticularly rural departments. They are cycle Unit and the Troop C Crime Sup - state of Georgia. the SCRT, the SWAT Team, the Dive pression Unit also patrol the Metro Atlanta Another tremendous advancement Team, the Aviation Division, and the area. DPS Special Investigations includes through the years is in communications. CIST. Most departments are not large the Internal Affairs Unit, the Background From the primitive red flag system of enough to have personnel assigned to Investigations Unit, the Polygraph Unit, notifying troopers to telephone the post these functions full time or to even have and the Permits Unit. to the current state-of-the-art Computer anyone with the necessary training or The Governor’s Task Force for Drug Aided Dispatch system in each Troop experience to do the job. Suppression (GTF) is a multi-agency unit Communication Center, the GSP has Throughout the years many troop - that is administered by the GSP. The changed with the times. The Customer ers have been assigned to various task Honor Guard performs when request - Service Agents who staff them are respon - forces that have operated around the ed at funerals, memorial services, and sible for handling a variety of commu - state such as the current Nighthawk units other ceremonies both in state and out. nication related tasks. in the Metro-Atlanta, Savannah-States - All of these special units provide essen - more ®
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Honor Guard prepares to fire 21-gun salute as a tribute to the GSP troopers killed in the line of duty (GSP PIO Photo)
The hundreds of civilian employ- One change was losing two of the orig- Transportation in 2005. ees at headquarters provide support to inal three branches. The GBI became Capitol Police officers prevent and the troopers in the field and are essen- a separate organization in 1974. And detect criminal acts, enforce traffic reg- tial to the day-to-day operation of the the Drivers License Division became a ulations, and provide personal and build- department. They are assigned to the part of the Department of Motor Vehi- ing security in the Capitol Hill area. various Administrative and Support cle Safety in 2001. MCCD officers conduct safety inspec- Units in addition to serving in several Another change was gaining two tions of commercial motor vehicles, other positions. Also the command staff, large divisions from other agencies. The inspect highway shipments of hazardous each troop, and most of the posts are Capitol Police Services Unit, formerly materials, and enforce laws and regula- assigned civilian secretaries. under the Georgia Building Authority, tions that govern vehicle size and weight. Several major organizational changes became a part of the DPS in 2001 and In the Metro-Atlanta area they are respon- have been experienced by the Depart- the Motor Carrier Compliance Division sible for enforcing High Occupancy Vehi- ment of Public Safety through the years. (MCCD) came from the Department of cle (HOV) lane laws.
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Cpl. Ron Calvert rings bell in honor of troopers killed in the line of duty as Cpl. Renia Wooten stands at ceremonial parade rest GSP PIO Photo)
The Department of Public Safety 58,876 square miles. More importantly Since the first troopers went on patrol has been the foundation from which the population has continued to increase; back in 1937 there has never been a sin- several separate state agencies have it was just over 3,000,000 in 1937 and is gle moment that the troopers of the Geor- been created through the years. These expected to top 10,000,000 in 2012 mak- gia State Patrol have not been on duty include the GBI Crime Lab, the Peace ing Georgia the eighth largest. protecting and serving the state. Over Officers Standards and Training Coun- There are over 20,000 miles of state the past seventy five years one thing that cil, the Governor’s Office of Highway roads and interstate highways in Geor- has remained constant with active as Safety, the Georgia Police Academy, and gia and the current trooper to citizen well as retired troopers is the pride felt the Georgia Crime Information Center. ratio of 7.7 per 100,000 is far below the in being a member of an organization Obviously the department has expe- national average of 23 per 100,000. The that has a long proud history and is rich rienced unbelievable growth but so has GSP command staff estimates that a min- with tradition. K the state itself. Geographically it is the imum of 1,200 troopers are needed to largest state east of the Mississippi River, fulfill the mission of the department.
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THE GEORGIA TROOPER
Best War Story
Once upon a time many years ago he said. He was surprised she had even looked at his buddy then they ran as fast a grey-haired Master Trooper had to said that since she had been with him as they could back into the woods. have his shoulder cut on by an ortho- when he had in fact had to shoot some- The trooper checked behind him pedic surgeon. Unfortunately for him one several years before. He took the gun, to make sure the two did not have any it was his right shoulder and with him without the holster, and put it in a pock- friends he had not noticed. He con- being right handed he was temporari- et on the left side of the vest. centrated on their description so he ly transformed into a one armed man He walked on the Silver Comet could call the police when he got home and he had to learn to do everything Trail, a wide concrete pathway built and make a report. Then it dawned on left handed. After weeks of eating and on an old railroad line. It was designed him that he had a cell phone in his drinking anything he desired, because for walkers, runners, and bicycles but other pocket. So he put up his gun and his wife felt sorry for him, in addition no motorized vehicles. There were called 911. to drinking a “sympathy milkshake” benches scattered along the trail so he As he was trying to co-ordinate meet- every night, because he felt sorry for planned to walk until he got tired then ing with an officer at the start of the trail himself, he had gotten so fat that none stop and enjoy his cigar before head- the dispatcher interrupted and said “You’re of his clothes would fit. ing back. It was nice and cool and quiet. not going to believe this. These dumb- So he decided to begin an exercise “It doesn’t get any better than this,” he asses just called in to report on you.” program, with his doctor’s permission thought. He had not been walking long “What did they say?” the trooper asked. he planned to start by going on a leisure- when he arrived at a place where the “They said they weren’t doing anything ly stroll the day after Thanksgiving. It trail passed near some houses. He saw and an old man pulled a gun on them was a beautiful fall day, perfect for a walk. a man shoveling in the backyard and on the Comet Trail.” To get ready he put on a photographer’s the two spoke to each other. The trooper chuckled to himself. He vest, the type with all of the pockets, and After passing the houses the trail had let his hair grow long and also grown loaded up with all of the items he felt entered an area that was heavily wood- a beard while he had been on sick leave were necessary for his excursion. ed on both sides then it made a fairly so he sure did not look like a trooper. His wife assisted him as he packed sharp turn that prevented seeing down The dispatcher said, “We have a unit a bottle of water, a Cuban cigar and lighter, the trail very far. Instinctively the troop- headed to their location to arrest them. a cell phone since he could not drive he er moved away from the side nearest Can you go by and ID them? Another would need to call for a ride home and the woods as he rounded the curve. unit will pick you up and take you there.” his gun. He never left home without one Suddenly two individuals holding base- “Sure,” the trooper replied. so he surely would not now with his ball bats burst from the woods and When he arrived at the suspects’ strong arm in a sling. He was glad he stopped on the trail in front of the troop- house the trooper was amused to see law had spent a fair amount of time through er. They were approximately 25 feet enforcement vehicles from several dif- the years practicing shooting with his away, staring intently and holding the ferent agencies including a GSP patrol left hand only since now it was the only bats menacingly. car. After he confirmed the two were hand he could use. The trooper instantly drew his gun indeed the right ones the trooper walked When his wife handed him his snub- with his left hand and held it in the over to talk to the GSP Corporal. After nosed 38 Special revolver it was in a “ready” position, pointed at the ground listening to the trooper’s story he said leather pocket holster. “Take it out of that at a 45 degree angle from his body. His “Those two didn’t know who they were holster, I’ll never be able to get it out with finger was on the trigger. “How’re you messing with.” “What a crippled old man just one hand,” he said. “What difference doing?” the trooper growled locking eyes with one arm.” “Yea right,” the corporal does it make, you won’t need it anyway,” with the larger of the two, who was also said skeptically, shaking his head, and his wife replied. “You don’t know that,” closer. “Uh, uh,” he stammered as he grinning. “Just a crippled old man.” K
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The DPS Critical Incident Support Team
By Lt. Andy Carrier
Annually, between 130 and 180 law enforcement offi - cers are killed in the line of duty nationwide. Take the num - ber of officers killed in a given year and multiply that num - ber by three. This is the estimated number of officers who will take their own life every year. During the month of Jan - uary 2012 alone, four NYPD officers died by their own hand. Physicians, EMT’s, Paramedics and Firefighters have high suicide rates as well. Annually, it is estimated that between 300 and 400 physicians will commit suicide. While medical professionals have easy access to power - ful drugs, police officers have easy access to weapons. Both NCSHP Master Tpr. Larry McKeithan, VSP Sgt. Ken Blank, SCHP Cpl. professions tend to work long, irregular hours. Dealing with Sally Farmer, and the author at the Post Critical Incident Seminar in people at their worst is a stressor. Consistently dealing with Hayesville, NC in February 2012. All are the Peer Team Coordinators people at their worst when you have not had proper rest is for their respective states an eventual recipe for disaster. Exposure to human tragedy day in and day out becomes How long a person remains in a state of crisis depends on “toxic” over time. Dr. Eric Skidmore, director of the South three things. An individual’s coping skills (usually based on Carolina Law Enforcement Assistance Program (SCLEAP) their life experiences), the seriousness of the event and the likes to say that the seeming end result of our profession is support offered will determine how quickly they can get back that we take in “small amounts of radiation” with each crit - on track. For our purposes, crisis is the reaction to a specif - ical incident we encounter. While images of a single inci - ic event or critical incident, not the event itself. dent may be “filed away” or compartmentalized, it is the total - When critical incidents occur, they almost always hap - ity of a career in dealing with human tragedy that eventual - pen with little or no warning. Tragedy is difficult enough, ly catches up with us. Sooner or later, what’s filed away or but when it occurs with no warning, it can totally rock our suppressed comes back, and can sometimes do so with trag - “assumptive world,” so much so that our paradigms, beliefs ic consequences. and priorities change. This is when our ability to cope is The macho-attached image associated with our profes - challenged. This is when we may sense almost a “loss of sion tells us to handle a situation, press on and forget about innocence.” Terry Rando, PhD speaks of the “assumptive it. If an officer should become troubled or want to seek help, world” in several of her books on Traumatology and Thana - they are, or at least believe they are stigmatized. This rea - tology (the study of grief, death, bereavement, and loss). In son alone is why many officers will never seek help. To our “assumptive worlds,” we have embedded expectations “show weakness” is just not acceptable. There is a reason that we will grow up, have children, retire, bury our parents why the profession of law enforcement is at the top of the and that our own children will one day bury us. list with regard to suicide, alcoholism, divorce and heart dis - Life will have its ups and downs, but we will generally ease (and other ailments). By not choosing to accept and deal be happy and productive contributors to society. When the with the aftershock of a traumatic event, we can open our - unthinkable happens, like the death of a child, our “assump - selves up to one of the four unfavorable results just men - tive world” is challenged, if not shattered. Other assump - tioned. Often times, these negative results run hand in hand, tions may include the belief in personal invulnerability, the or one can spawn from another. It sometimes can turn into perception of the world as meaningful and viewing one’s self a downward spiral that can get out of control quickly. as positive. Stressors can be placed into two categories. Mat - An answer to dealing with personal internal aftermaths urational stressors include life span events, such as reaching of a critical incident or tragic event is timing, an open mind certain ages, children leaving home and retirement. Situa - and interaction with people who have been in your shoes tional stressors would include a line of duty death or the and who do what you do. When a coworker has experienced death of a child. A divorce could fall into either category. a traumatic event, either personally or professionally, they With regards to law enforcement and public safety in are bound to enter into a “crisis phase” for an amount of time. more ®
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general, we most often times deal with of trust are almost immediately estab- situational stressors. Situational stres- lished. Also gained is some comfort in sors are usually very tragic and sud- that Peer Team members have been in den, occurring with no warning. The the same place from a “state of being” very nature of our job would dictate perspective as the person or people they this, since much of what we do is reac- are assisting. It lets people who may tive. We are responders. The distress be in crisis know that what they are that we deal with on a daily basis will feeling (emotionally, cognitively, phys- take its toll if not dealt with in a healthy, ically, etc.) is a normal reaction. Some- productive way. times, the only way possible to know As already stated, law enforcement Jeff Valentine, Eric Skidmore, Andy Gruler, Bev- where someone is “coming from” is for is no stranger to suicide. A police offi- erly Coates and Mike Jones of the South Car- them to have experienced a similar cer in the U.S. is nearly nine times more olina Law Enforcement Assistance Program, event themselves. With that said, Peer likely to die as the result of suicide as which was the first of its type, at the PCIS. Team members convey that you can to die as the result of homicide. An offi- get through the rough spots and that in cer is three times more likely to die as enforcement comes in. Enter the world time, things get better. Peers know, a result of suicide than dying acciden- of Peer Support. because they have done it. tally. Nearly every study ever conducted Peer Support has been around for The more formal applications of shows that feelings of isolation are com- centuries. Although not “officially Peer Support emerged in the mid 1980’s, mon threads associated with depression. termed” as such until the last few decades, when the FBI started debriefing agents Feelings of isolation are born from the it has been a given for a very long time after they had been involved in shoot- belief that no one cares or understands that people like to talk and relate to ings. More than thirty years ago, the what someone may be experiencing. others who have been exposed to what FBI saw Critical Incident Stress Man- This is where one of the best practices they have been exposed. This does sev- agement (CISM) debriefings as a useful to ever emerge in the business of law eral things. First, credibility and a level more ®
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tool to address the cognitive and emo- Georgia Department of Public Safety. ings, Mass Critical Incidents, Police Sui- tional well-being of their agents. Along After much research and planning, GSP’s cide and Interpersonal Communications. with a proactive Employee Assistance first Peer Support Team was sent to The training is conducted by Dr. Program (EAP) at every level, the FBI Raleigh, North Carolina in September Eric Skidmore and Andy Gruler, Licensed has deemed the mental health of its 2010 for their first week of training. It Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). As already employees a priority. was established that GSP would train stated, Dr. Skidmore runs the SCLEAP. Nationwide, there are few depart- fifty members for the new team, thirty Andy is a retired U.S. Secret Service ments that incorporate a formally trained initially, followed by twenty later. The Agent who has a Master’s in Social Work. Peer Support Team. It is still a relatively first week’s training was at the North He serves as a mental health profes- new concept. Many head administra- Carolina State Highway Patrol Acade- sional in many CISM debriefings across tors are reluctant to utilize peers for sev- my. GSP troopers and Motor Carrier South Carolina and has helped us in eral reasons. Many who still subscribe Compliance Officers (MCCD) were Georgia as well. Both Dr. Skidmore and to the old school mindset believe that trained, along with troopers and dis- Andy have assisted in New York in the traumatic incidents are a reality of the patchers from North Carolina. immediate aftermath of 9/11 and in job and that we must merely brush it The training model that GSP decid- Blacksburg, VA in the wake of the Vir- off and move on. Others believe that ed to use was that of the International ginia Tech shootings. psychiatry is the only answer. The big- Critical Incident Stress Foundation Dr. Skidmore’s assistant at SCLE- ger picture is that administrators are (ICISF).This training encompasses seven AP is Beverly Coates. Beverly’s son, largely ignorant to what peer interven- various levels of training that troopers Mark, was a South Carolina State Troop- tion is all about. and officers get. At the time of this writ- er who was murdered on the shoulder Several years ago, Georgia State ing, everyone has been through the first of I-95 in November, 1992. Beverly is Patrol Colonel Bill Hitchens, Human two levels of training, with many through also the President of the South Caroli- Resources Director Dan Roach and Mar- level five. The training topics include na Chapter of the Concerns of Police tin Teem (HR EAP) began working on Individual and Group Crisis Manage- Survivors (C.O.P.S.).All three have worked the idea of a Peer Support Team for the ment, Critical Incident Stress Debrief- more ®
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tirelessly in the training of Peer Team patched to Atlanta after Cpl. LeCroy the same uniform that you do, and was members from Virginia, North Caroli- was shot. CIST members were sent to your friend, it’s next to impossible. Mem- na, South Carolina, Georgia and Texas. Grady Hospital where Cpl. LeCroy was bers of the CIST remained in constant On December 27, 2010, Cpl. Chad pronounced dead a short time after his contact with Cpl. LeCroy’s co-workers, LeCroy was murdered in the line of duty. arrival. He was the 27th Georgia Troop- from immediately following the inci- He was shot and killed immediately fol- er to lay down his life in the line of dent through long after the funeral. A lowing a vehicle pursuit in Atlanta. His duty. CIST members also responded to week after the funeral, the CIST con- murderer was captured a short time the various crime scenes. After the ducted Critical Incident Stress Debrief- later, not far from the scene of the shoot- team left the hospital and the crime ings in Atlanta. ing. It was the first time since 1975 that scenes, in the early morning hours of Three debriefings were held. A a Georgia Trooper had been murdered December 28, 2010, a Crisis Manage- debriefing for supervisors, a target group by gunfire and the first time since 1940 ment Briefing (CMB) was held at DPS (most affected) and a volunteer group that a Georgia Trooper had died on the Headquarters. With members of Cpl. were conducted. All were extremely well side of the road as the result of gunfire. LeCroy’s Crime Suppression Team in received. After debriefings, individuals Exactly 70 years and one week after we attendance, several CIST members were were called by CIST members for follow- lost Sgt. William F. Black to an escaped tasked with trying to take the edge off up. The members of DPS’s Critical Inci- convict from Missouri, we lost Cpl. one of the Georgia State Patrol’s worst dent Support Team responded unselfish- LeCroy to the hands of a cowardly drug nights in its history. ly and showed great character and com- dealer. Barely three months after the Learning concepts and theories in passion throughout. The resolve and ded- first troopers and officers received their a classroom, then applying what you ication displayed by all during this trying initial peer training, the newly formed learn to real world trauma is a daunt- time was more than noteworthy. For this Georgia State Patrol Critical Incident ing task. When the deeply affected are debriefing, Peer Team members from the Support Team was faced with the “Super your friends, and wear the same uni- Virginia State Police, North Carolina State Bowl” of critical incidents. form that you do, it’s tough. When the Highway Patrol and South Carolina The DPS CIST immediately dis- person who is no longer among us wore more ®
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Highway Patrol volunteered their ser- ence discipline, having a MHP is not based on personnel and incident dynam- vices. Also in attendance were Dr. Skid- always feasible. There are several peo- ics. Generally, after a traumatic criti- more and Andy Gruler. Their help was ple on the CIST that have taken a spe- cal incident, peer team members respond appreciated very much. cial interest in filling the MHP role to where the affected personnel are The Critical Incident Stress Debrief- when we do not have a practitioner located. Informal, one on one meet- ing can be considered the cornerstone available. These team members have ings take place. During this time, team of any Peer Team’s function. During done research on their own and fill this members are merely there for support. debriefings, peer members will take on role very nicely when summoned. If Within 24 hours, either a “defusing” or several functions. One team member in a debriefing, there are thirty partic- a Crisis Management Briefing (CMB) will lead the debriefing. This role ipants, the optimum number of peers may take place. Defusings are often involves asking the various questions, would be five or six. Other team mem- targeted more towards smaller groups setting the tone of the meeting and gen- bers may be in attendance, but would and are not as formal as a CMB. Dur- erally keeping the integrity of the debrief- sit outside of the group. ing a CMB, a person who possesses ing in check. With an entire spectrum Having the right number of team knowledge of the incident may review of emotions sometimes displayed, this members seated within the group is cru- the facts or what is known at that time. can be a challenge. The questions asked cial. It could be overbearing to have This helps stop rumors and prevents are dependent upon the dynamics of more peers than necessary. Team mem- people from drawing their own con- the critical incident. Another team bers seated outside of the group (outer clusions. People who relay facts may member will let the group know about circle) can serve as “chasers”. General- be a chief, district attorney or hospital ground rules. This basically involves ly, there are no breaks taken during spokesperson, for example. sharing a standard set of instructions, debriefings. If a participant gets up and During a CMB, some of the phases such as turning cell phones off, stress- walks out, a peer member will follow of the CISD are covered. This general- ing the importance of confidentiality, them out of the room to check on them. ly involves the MHP teaching phases. etc. The team member who sets the Debriefings wind down with final CMB’s usually involve many people, so ground rules for the debriefing has an thoughts from participants and peer they are not as interactive as the CISD. important role in conveying the struc- team members. Participants are advised A CMB is more informative by nature, ture of the meeting. that team members will remain for some than it is participative. The true essence In debriefings, there are seven steps time after the debriefing for one on one of a Critical Incident Stress Debriefing that are generally followed. Steps five communication. Seeing the climate of is participation. The optimum time for and six can be considered a “teaching a debriefing change as it progresses is a CISD will always be after a funeral if phase” in which a Mental Health Pro- very rewarding. It’s almost a given that there is a line of duty death (LODD), or fessional (MHP) talks about symptoms, as time passes during a debriefing, par- any death, for that matter (i.e., suicide). cautions and remedies. Since a MHP ticipation increases. Although a funeral may not offer a full will have either a Master’s or PhD in The Peer Support process has a gen- sense of closure, there is a semblance Clinical Social Work or other Social Sci- erally followed script but with latitude, more ®
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of order when debriefings follow. Even the NCLEAP and SCLEAP with Post ed someone for years. As a team of car- the worst of tragedies must include a Critical Incident Seminars in Hayesville, ing individuals, it is the goal of the DPS progressive order of events (incident, NC, Eden, NC and Lexington, SC. CIST to save careers, marriages and manhunt, funeral, debriefing, etc). In a Team members have identified mem- maybe even lives. If, at the end of the LODD, a funeral with a suspect still at bers of this department and other agen- day, the team has made someone sleep large is extremely unsettling for the offi- cies who needed further assistance beyond a little better at night, our mission has cers and family. what the CIST offers. Everyone select- been accomplished. In just over a year and a half, the ed was offered additional assistance. From GSP Colonel Mark McDonough DPS CIST has been a part of the after- more in-depth one on one conversations likes to refer to the CIST as an “emo- math of numerous critical incidents with a MHP to seeking out peers who tional SWAT team”. The mental well- statewide. Not only has the team been may be a “better fit” for an individual to being of any public safety officer is in involved in assisting DPS personnel, EAP recommendations, the team is mak- the best interest of law enforcement but it has offered and been requested ing an impact. The compassion and under- administrators and leaders everywhere. elsewhere as well. The CIST has assist- standing shown while assisting others to It is primarily in our best interest ed Dougherty County PD, Bulloch Coun- better navigate their way within the “new because we care about our people, more ty SO, Statesboro PD, Albany PD, GA normal” that has been dealt is a reward so than from a liability standpoint. It Department of Corrections, GA Pro- for team members. makes sense to believe that truly car- bation, Clayton County SO, Athens- Recommending that a fellow offi- ing for your people now will lessen the Clarke County PD, Atlanta PD, Rich- cer try EMDR Therapy to finally put to chances of liability later. It is also in mond County SO, Aiken, SC Public rest a horrible image is something that the best interest of the public that we Safety (two occasions), W. Columbia, maybe only a peer can suggest. Eye serve. The public has a vested interest SC PD, Richland County, SC SO, Burke Movement Desensitization and Repro- in having the most well rounded, both County SO, Waynesboro PD and oth- cessing (EMDR) is a form of psychotherapy physically and mentally, officers pro- ers. CIST members have assisted the that can nearly erase (or greatly dissi- tecting what they hold dear. They North Carolina State Highway Patrol, pate) images or thoughts that have haunt- should expect no less. K
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