VOL. 9 - Issue 4 2018
contents
PUBLISHER Envisage Productions Enterprise Inc. Editor-In-Chief Daniel Del Valle executive Editor John Welsh MANAGING EDITOR George Beck DESIGN EDITOR Dari Izhaky Associate Editors Julia Torres Joe Uliano copy EDITOR J. Scott Wilson writers 6 editor’s point of view 43 open letter Efren Almodovar Dr. Brian P. Kelly Daniel Del Valle Dear Military Spouse, Chris Amos Bernard Kerik By Rachel Tenpenny Crawford) Caroline Angel Dave Littman 8 managing editor’s George Beck Capt. Lori Mambelli (Ret.) perspective 44 technology Robert (Bob) Bianchi, Esq. Jay Martinez George Beck The New Institute for Cybersecurity Joseph Biasco Brian Mast Greg Bogert Sheriff Leo McGuire (Ret.) Responds to the needs of Law 10 Out-front Enforcement in the 21st Century Michael D. Boll Anthony Mikitarian Should James Comey Be Treated Keith Bott Eddie Molina By Bray Barnes Esq. and Rebecca Calhoun Jacob Ortega Like Other National Heroes? Capt. Leonard Nerbetski, (Ret.) Jonny Castro Lt. Joseph Pangaro (Ret.) By Bernard B. Kerik Joseph Celentano Timothy Parlatore, Esq. 48 inside perspective Lt. Patrick J. Ciser (Ret.) Kris “Tanto” Paronto 14 upfront You’re Not Alone: Collin Congleton William Peppard Wanderlust Bridge the Gap, Ask for Help! Sheriff David A. Clarke Jr. Gary Przewoznik By Joel E. Gordon By Greg Bogert Daniel Del Valle Dr. Aaron Rapps Vincent D’Amico Rafael Rosa 18 straightforward 50 around florida Dr. Michael Doblin Thomas Shea Armed and Safe Chief Sarah Mooney and the West Bob Dvorchak Barry Sheinkopf By Sgt. Anthony Espino Sgt. Anthony Espino PO Valerie Stetz (Ret.) Palm Beach Police Department: Det. Sgt. Thomas S. Lt. Randy Sutton (Ret.) 20 operation rebound Fair, Professional, Productive Fano, (Ret.) Wanda Tejada Coletta From on the Ropes to Out on By Julia Torres Debra Ann Faretra Julia Torres the Beat Joel E. Gordon Joseph Uliano 54 up close Beth C. Grossman, Esq. Eddie Vega By Michael D. Boll This Should Never Have Happened Capt. Stephen Jones Brian Weitzman hear me out By Laura Vivian Fasil Khan John Welsh 24 Proactive Policing: 57 police chaplain’s cover design The Baltimore Equation perspective Daniel Larco By Joel E. Gordon Making Peace With Your Past Photographers 26 behind the Badge By Chris Amos Vincent D’Amico Marching for change, Screaming Barry Morgenstein 58 Home advice for Help, Living in Fear Investing in Real Estate Can Help You WEBSITE/SUBSCRIPTIONS By Joseph Pangaro, CPM Gain Financial Freedom www.TheBlueMagazine.com wellness By Fasil Khan EMAIL 31 Weightlifting (Continued) [email protected] 61 HEALTH news By Lt. Patrick J. Ciser, C.P.D. (Ret.) ADVERTISING Get Treated, Heal Faster. John Welsh 201.881.5100 32 cover story By Dr. Michael Doblin OFFICE Priority One Call 62 remembrance 279 Belmont Ave., Haledon, NJ 07508 By Jay Martinez State Trooper Corporal ph: 973.653.3446 | fax: 973.653.3447 Stephen Ballard Blue Events 36 By Jonny Castro Walk to Remember
productions ENTERPRISE 64 Blue PaWS 39 inside view Law Enforcement Officers The opinions and information provided in this Teamwork to Keep magazine are the sole opinions of the editor and Their Canines and contributors and not their employers. the Wolves Outside By Joseph Celentano The Blue Magazine is published 9 times a year. (c) By Anthony Mikatarian 2018 - The Blue Magazine/Envisage Productions LLC. All rights reserved. While every reasonable effort has 65 blue classifieds been made to ensure that the information is accurate 40 spotlight as of the publication date, The Blue Magazine and Local Merchants Serving its employees, agents, clients and distributors shall Chief Jonathan R. Parham (Ret.) Our Community not be liable for any damages arising from the use By Valerie Velazquez-Stetz of or reliance on the information contained in this publication or from omissions to this publication. The www.TheBlueMagazine.com website is powered by ENVISAGE PRODUCTIONS, enterprise. Layout & design by Dari Izhaky: [email protected] God Bless Our Troops! Please share and recycle this magazine.
editor’s POINt of VIEW
e start this job excited and ready to take on whatever comes our way. The police academy pushes us beyond many of our expectations and preconceived limitations. This prepares and challenges officers mentally and physically. When I was in the academy, I witnessed Wmany remarkable men and women physically withstand tough challenges that I never imagined they could do. I also saw many (including myself) lose drastic weight by the time the academy was completed. At that point we all understood why being fit and healthy was essential in our careers. Yet, as the years roll by, we must ask ourselves why do so many in our profession become overweight? Our cover story deals with this crisis since many in our profession are facing it. I want to discuss this issue with the hope that we can find ways to inspire many officers to regain control of their health. Blue Magazine is about helping officers, and this issue is no different. Obesity negatively affects us in so many ways that we must prioritize and recognize that we have a problem. It’s obvious law enforcement at any given time will require you to be physically prepared to protect yourself, the public, or your fellow officers. We cannot be unprepared in a life or death moment. Unfortunately, obesity can do just that. Obesity also negatively affects appearance. We all know how much we depend on appearance to either de-escalate a threat and/or encourage respect. I understand this cover story deals with an uncomfortable discussion. Many may feel sensitive that we discuss a subject like this. But the reality is that obesity can literally kill you. We don’t want that to happen. We must do what we can to help each other survive. It is well-documented that being overweight will eventually cause you to have an unhealthy life, often complicated by preventable diseases. Having health issues can also cause depression and pain that we can avoid. Your life matters to all of us, including your loved ones, so push yourself to get healthy and secure the great days ahead of you. There is no coming back from death. This is why you must act now. Let’s face it most of us will struggle to stay fit. I personally understand. There was a time in my life when I was able to eat anything on the menu and barely exercised, and to my surprise, I was able to stay fit. But those days are gone. I now struggle every day to maintain my current weight. I have to watch what I eat and have to exercise routinely just to maintain. And believe me, I am no shining example. I encourage those battling obesity to take the first step to recognize you have a problem and commit to doing something about it. It’s never too late to get healthy. We must all encourage each other to be better. So if you see someone who needs help, encourage him or her to get healthy. This is not just an individual issue, this is an issue we all in law enforcement should pay close attention to, from departments, to unions, and law enforcement organizations. We can not only save lives but improve them. We can fix this. But you must first want to change your lifestyle. So make the right choice today. We need you healthy and alive. Be well and good luck! You can do it! A special thank you to our friend and Blue Dentist, Dr. David Silverstrom, for his generosity and support of law enforcement. Dr. Silverstrom (left) awarded Valeri Webb (center) and Pamela Daniel Del Valle, Editor-in-Chief Boykin’ (right) the “Smiles for Life Fallen Heroes Award.” Valeri is the daughter of Officer Nathaniel Webb, PAPD Holland Tunnel Command, who died in the line of duty on 9-11-2001. Pamela is Officer Webb’s grandaughter.
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Managing editors’ perspective
ecently, we had a conversation about being overweight in our profession. We discussed what adverse effects this has on our profession and families. I understand this is a sensitive topic, even for me. I am no longer in top shape since age, work, family and other commitments, Ras well as poor food choices, have compromised my former level of fitness. I’ve come to realize that I am among the many who find excuses for their current fitness situation, and do little about it. But I am willing to discuss this matter if it will save even one officer’s life. Many of us are “dying” for the job. Think about that for a moment. Rotating shifts have proven to take years off our life expectancy, yet we still do them. Law enforcement is a psychologically toxic profession, yet we always come to work every day with little or no resources for officers enduring critical stressful situations and in many cases, officers battling PTSD are ignored. It is not until a blue suicide that we discuss these issues, and then—as typical—nothing changes. Why? Because our profession is like the fable of the boiling frog. That fable goes like this: When a frog is placed in boiling water, it will jump out, however, when placed in warm water that is slowly brought to a boil, the frog will not perceive the danger and cook to death. Many of us are that frog unaware or ignoring deadly threats that arise slowly in our profession. We are killing ourselves slowly for a profession that sadly in many departments shows little or real concern for their officers. Our cover story is a serious matter. Sgt. Martinez’s passion on this topic rings through. Our profession requires us to be physically fit, and able to react in a split-second. Whether it’s chasing a criminal on the street or running across the correction facility to respond to a fight in progress, we need to be physically fit to handle the response, and whatever rigors it takes to handle situations efficiently. My hope is that we realize the water around us is slowly boiling, and we make adjustments. Once again this magazine is packed with great articles. Former New York City Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik hammers selective and political prosecutions and the negligent usage of the Justice Department to destroy people’s lives. Chief Joel Gordon (Ret.) is out front following a new case where it appears an officer is under attack in Baltimore by State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby. Gordon’s additional article “Wanderlust” exposes the firing of a Washington officer because he responded to a nearby jurisdiction to aid an officer seeking help with an active shooter firing an AR-15! The officer was one of the first on scene and assisted with the apprehension of the gunman, who killed three people. The officer deserved to be commended! Instead, he was fired because he was working patrol alone that night and left his jurisdiction to aid an officer’s cries for help. Police Officer Anthony Mikatarian, Sgt. Anthony Espino and Lt. Joseph Pangaro (Ret.) are leading the call for change. Sgt. Michael Boll and Police Officer Valerie Velazquez-Stetz (Ret.) feature solid talent and leadership. Be sure to check out Julia Torres’ interview of West Palm Beach Police Chief Sarah Mooney. There is so much more inside! Have a safe and enjoyable spring. Summer is quickly approaching. Enjoy!
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8 the Bluemagazine | Vol. 9 - Issue 4 2018 To Advertise Call: 201.881.5100
Out-Front SHOULD JAMES COMEY BE TREATED LIKE OTHER NATIONAL HEROES? By Bernard B. Kerik
n the dark of night on May 2, 2011, two torney to have the book cleared by DOD, there are some passages in his book that black stealth helicopters carried twenty- but the attorney failed to do his job, unbe- clearly would never been allowed, had the Ifour U.S. Navy SEALs to a secluded knownst to Bissonette. Justice Department cleared the book for compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, and Bissonette’s punishment for having an publication. just as they were about to land, one of incompetent attorney was the seizure of So, did the Justice Department Office the two choppers crashed into the wall of every single dime of the book’s profits, most of the Inspector General review the book the compound. Undeterred, the SEALs of which was going to charities supporting for privileged or classified information? continued with their mission. the special operations community. Federal Is James Comey going to be charged with Back in Washington, D.C. President prosecutors seized close to $7 million just making false statements, or leaking classi- Barack Obama, Secretary of State Hillary because they could. They didn’t let the fied information? Are his book profits go- Clinton and other members of the adminis- funds go to a charity, they just took it, in ing to charity? Is the government going to tration huddled in the situation room mon- addition to leaving him with $1.3 million in seize the profits from his book as they did itoring the assault on Osama bin Laden’s legal expenses. Bissonette’s, even though Bissonette had no fortress. Besides being one of three SEALs who classified material in the book? Then came the words, “For God and put bullets into the body of Osama bin Lad- Shouldn’t James Comey receive the country, I pass Geronimo… Geronimo, en, and being involved in the iconic “Cap- same treatment as Matt Bissonette, General E.K.I.A.” Geronimo, bin Laden’s code tain Phillips” mission that also resulted in Michael Flynn, and so many others who name, was dead. The president and his team another major motion picture, Bissonette’s have dedicated their lives to the service of just sat there in disbelief. career involved thirteen combat tours and our country, only to be targeted by the very Forty-five minutes after the SEALs en- hundreds of covert missions during which government they worked for, for selective tered that compound, they were back in the he was awarded one Silver Star, one Purple and political reasons? air with the corpse of the man responsible Heart, 5 Bronze Stars with “V” (for valor), Congress, the U.S. Attorney General, for the most substantial terror attack in one Joint Commendation medal with “V,” and the FBI director must do something world history. one Navy Commendation medal with “V,” to stop selective and political prosecutions, In the days and weeks after, the special and a number of other awards. He suffered and stop allowing political, personal, and operators on that mission watched the pres- a substantial neck injury in the helicopter professional critics to use the Justice De- ident and members of his administration, crash on the UBL raid, and has received partment as a tool to destroy people’s lives, and the press, discuss their mission in de- little to no support in the aftermath by the just because they can. It has impugned the tail, and nearly every report was inaccurate Veteran’s Administration. integrity and credibility of the Justice De- or just dead wrong. With all that, our government… the partment and FBI, and destroyed good Disgusted by the inaccurate reporting, U.S. Department of Defense and U.S. Jus- people who have put their lives on the line one of the SEAL team leaders on that mis- tice Department… tortured this young for this country, but were targeted by over- sion by the name of Matt Bissonette decid- man with the threat of taking his liberty and zealous prosecutors seeking victory and ed to write a book outlining his career as a seized every dime of his book royalties that trying to make a name for themselves. SEAL, and detailing the bin Laden mission. were rightfully his, and did everything they It’s time for it to stop. Writing under the pseudonym Mark Owen, could to destroy his reputation in the court (Article courtesy of Newsmax) his book, titled “No Easy Day,” topped the of public opinion, for absolutely nothing! New York Times Best Seller list. Then there’s highly decorated Lt. Gen- Bernard Kerik was New York Within weeks after hitting the book eral Michael Flynn, the former National City’s police commissioner stands, the U.S. Department of Defense and Security Advisor to the president who during the 9/11 attacks. He Justice Department targeted Bissonette, spent 33 years serving his country, only to became an American hero claiming there was classified information be targeted by the U.S. Justice Department as he led the NYPD through in the book, and that he had not cleared the and charged for making a false statement, rescue and recovery efforts book for release by the government, as was even after FBI Director James Comey has of the World Trade Center. His resumé as a required under DOD policy. stated that he believed Flynn was never un- public servant is long and storied, and in- For five years, the Justice Department truthful. cludes honors from President Ronald Rea- tortured Bissonette and his family and So, fast forward to James Comey’s new gan, Queen Elizabeth II, and the NYPD’s threatened him with criminal charges and book. Medal for Valor for saving his partner in a imprisonment. In the end, they were forced Based on reports and/or his own pub- gun battle. In 2004, Kerik was nominated to admit that there was no classified infor- lic statements, he has made false statements by President George W. Bush to head the US mation in the book, and their investigation under oath, he admitted to leaking a clas- Department of Homeland Security. also revealed that Bissonette retained an at- sified memo to The New York Times, and
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By Joel E. Gordon Sometimes a news story is toldWanderlust that Brier is a small town of only about 6,000 radio frequency, I would routinely back up brings back a memory of our own careers people, and commonly only had one patrol Anne Arundel County officers on area calls or incidents. When I read about Officer officer working at night. Officer Anderson for service outside my jurisdiction. Legal Dan Anderson in August of 2016, I found was the only officer working in the town and potential workers compensation issues myself reminiscing about a job performance on that night, and when he left the city, no notwithstanding, I always was one to put evaluation that I received during my officers remained in the city to answer calls. officer safety first and was not reluctant to Crofton, Maryland policing years. According to Officer Anderson, the Brier work closely with my fellow officers who The headlines on Officer Dan Ander- police chief was so upset about the incident had concurrent jurisdiction within my own son’s story read Cop Fired for Responding that he fired the veteran police officer for Special Tax District primary area of respon- to Officers’ Cries for Help at Active Shooter - leaving the city unprotected. sibility. Brier Police Officer Dan Anderson was fired To put things in context, Brier fre- Luckily, I wasn’t fired for my dedication from his employment after he responded to quently has nights where there is not a to duty and the safety of my fellow officers, other officers’ cries for help as they responded single call for service. The low call volume but lo and behold I was chastised in one of to an active shooter at a party. is why they only need to staff one officer at my written performance evaluations for The incident occurred on a summer night. Violent crime in Brier was extremely suffering from “wanderlust” for time spent night in the affluent suburb of Mukilteo, low. The chances were exceedingly low outside the Special Tax District boundaries. Washington. The 19-year-old shooter that there would be a call where someone’s Most police officers would agree that it showed up at the party of his friends while safety or property would be in immediate would be a higher priority to respond to armed with an AR-15 and was upset that danger. In the unlikely situation that such a officers in need, rather than having an his ex-girlfriend was moving on with her call did come in, other agencies would po- officer physically present in a city with no life without him. After arriving at the house tentially be available. calls, but not everyone does. party, he found his ex-girlfriend and started The firing was able to smoothly go In my case, I took the criticism and shooting at her and the people at the party through, because Anderson was still in his moved on, never changing the way that who had been his friends. probationary period. He had only been I worked. It is incumbent upon all of us Three people were murdered in the with the police department for about eight to always be willing to help one another shooting including the ex-girlfriend. In months at the time he was fired. The official beyond any other concerns. The thin blue addition, one other person was also shot, reason for the termination was due to line is becoming increasingly thinner in but survived. “performance issues.” many jurisdictions, and we must never let The night of the shooting, Officer Dan It happened to me… artificial boundaries keep us from looking Anderson was working in the nearby small As the lone midnight shift officer, when out for our own then, now or ever. city of Brier, Washington. Officer Anderson not teaching D.A.R.E. in the Maryland Spe- heard Mukilteo officers’ cries for help while cial Tax District of Crofton, I too frequently Joel E. Gordon was a D.A.R.E. responding to the active shooting, and so had nights with little to no calls for service. Instructor and patrol officer the 25-year law enforcement veteran, who Crofton is a suburban community roughly with the Crofton Maryland had recently retired from a full career in the halfway between Baltimore and Washing- Police Department and is a State Patrol, answered the call. ton D.C. and is home to many high-earning past Chief of Police for the city Thanks to his quick response, Officer dual income federal employee households. of Kingwood, West Virginia. He Anderson was one of the first police officers Crofton’s affluent Special Tax District, built has also served as vice- chair of on scene of the shooting. They made entry around a private golf course, comprised a a regional narcotics task force. An award- to the house and took the shooter into population about 10,000, but the general winning journalist, he is author of the book custody. Crofton vicinity was much larger in size. Still Seeking Justice: One Officer’s Story While many people would expect Of- Working in conjunction with the Anne and founded the Facebook group Police ficer Anderson to be commended for a job Arundel County Maryland Police and be- Authors Seeking Justice. Look him up at well done, the Brier police chief disagreed. ing dispatched on their western district stillseekingjustice.com
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Armed and Safe By Sgt. Anthony Espino n the wake of the last mass school edge and the mindset needed to engage a also lessen the manpower burden on local shooting at Marjorie Stoneham High potential school shooter. These officers police departments by keeping them from School in Parkland Florida, there has spent an entire career, sometimes a lifetime, taking an officer off the streets. Ibeen lots of talk about how can we training to work under stressful conditions. The reality is armed officers are needed stop these senseless acts of violence and All of them had experienced stressful situa- in schools today. Our children must be how to protect our children better. Arm- tions at one time or another when they pa- protected. Signing (S2983) is obvious that ing teachers or hiring armed security of- trolled the streets. our local legislators want to protect our ficers are popular conversations. However, Having an armed officer in a school schools. Now our local community leaders in New Jersey, talk had already moved to will change the overall “soft target,” because need to do their part. The time to start action. On November 30, 2016, legislation no longer will an active shooter enter a implementing Class III officers at every (S2983) established a new category of po- school without being engaged by an armed school is now, not when the next school lice officers—Class III Special Police Offi- officer. Active shooters tend to pick easy shooting happens, because unfortunately as cers designated to provide security at both targets. They do not select locations where history has proven over and over again, the public and private schools working regular someone will be shooting back. The ability next school shooting may be coming soon school hours and their jurisdiction limited to use force is what keeps the threat from to a school near you. to school grounds only. happening. Class III positions are open to retired Class III officers are affordable for ju- Sgt. Anthony Espino is a 18- officers under 65 who left a police depart- risdictions to hire because they do not re- year veteran police officer, ment in good standing. Class III officers are ceive health benefits or contribute to a pen- assigned to the Patrol and required to meet the same firearm qualifi- sion, and their salary ranges from $30,000 Crime Prevention Unit. His cations as active-duty police officers. Hav- to $40,000 for the school year compared to passion is to lecture to com- ing these officers patrol our schools pro- an active police officer who’s making over munity members, teachers, vides security and a sense of calm to our $100,000 per year. At that comparison, and students to promote awareness and offer teachers and students. you can hire three Class III officers for the tips to prevent crime and victimization. These officers can provide skill, knowl- price of one police officer. Class III officers
18 the Bluemagazine | Vol. 9 - Issue 4 2018 To Advertise Call: 201.881.5100 operation rebound From On The Ropes to Out On The Beat
By Michael D. Boll
For the last few years, the Operation Aaron Stride and Chris Steeler. Freeman ing woman who always put her family first. Rebound Racing Team has been able to get won a 16-man battle royal in record time of She is his true hero and he always wanted to unique people to join up. One of my favor- 1 minute and 45 seconds, also winning the do something that would make her proud. ite members is former Professional WWE IWF Heavyweight Championship. While wrestling with the WWE, Free- wrestler and New Jersey Police Officer, Shortly after, Freeman signed a devel- man felt strongly about becoming a police Teon Freeman. Freeman has a larger-than- opment contract with WWE and was sent officer that he met with the owner, Vince life personality and stands 6 feet 5 inches to FCW to gain experience. He made his McMahon and Paul Levesque (Triple H) and weighs 300 lbs. debut in the tapings on January 5th and six and told them about his dream to be in months later, Freeman became law enforcement. Both McMahon and a member of the NXT. On June Levesque were extremely supportive, im- 27th, Freeman aka “Dante mediately helping Freeman to get out of his Dash” made his debut in the contract. WWE, losing to Antonio Ce- Less than a year later, Freeman’s dream saro. came true and he was hired as a New Jersey During his time with the police officer. As a police officer, Freeman WWE, Freeman was able to was able to use his dynamic personality at travel all over the United States numerous community events and school and do some amazing things as programs. Freeman is a hardworking police a professional wrestler. Free- officer and is always learning how to be a man loved being a member of better street officer. What makes Freeman the WWE, but his real dream different is that he is able to be both a was to be in law enforcement community and street cop. Freeman truly like his mother. Growing up cares about the community and makes his poor, Freeman didn’t know his mother proud every day. father and was raised by his If you are interested in joining the This giant of a man is one of the nicest mother, who was a corrections officer. Free- Operation Rebound racing team, please people you will meet, and he is loved by all. man’s mother was a tough and a hardwork- feel free to contact me via email Mdbollio@ It’s amazing watching Freeman in a room optonline.net or call (973) 332-1556. because so many people warm up to him instantly. Freeman loves being a police of- Michael D. Boll is a police ficer and is committed to making the com- sergeant at the Union Police munity a better place to live. Also, he helps Department in NJ. He is Operation Rebound’s team members with currently in his 23rd year of events and has made a positive difference law enforcement service. He with our team members. previously served as a United Freeman began his career as a wrestler States Marine, and is a Gulf War veteran. He after practicing both football and bodybuild- is the founder of Operation Rebound Racing ing, in the Independent Wrestling Federa- Team, a nonprofit organization that helps tion where he made his debut in a doubles wounded veterans and first responders enjoy match with Kevin Knight winning against a better quality of life.
20 the Bluemagazine | Vol. 9 - Issue 4 2018 To Advertise Call: 201.881.5100 the Bluemagazine | Vol. 9 - Issue 4 2018 21
Hear Me Out Proactive Policing: The Baltimore Equation By Joel E. Gordon
hoever coined the popular idiom liams said her client, 21-year-old Darrian more action than an internal review to “Never bring a knife to a gun Carr, was the victim. He is being held with- determine compliance with departmental Wfight” probably didn’t have this out bail on gun charges related to the inci- policy and any mitigating circumstances. in mind: an officer using his departmentally dent. “I’m pleased to hear the officer is being The larger question to be answered - were issued baton against an outlaw with a gun. charged,” she said Friday. “I’m displeased that the officers’ actions actually within the Officer Kevin Battipaglia is yet my client is still fighting criminal charges.” boundaries of departmentally trained de- another officer who appears to be under She said Carr was walking down the street escalation techniques or exceeding what attack in the City of Baltimore by State’s when Battipaglia approached him, struck could reasonably be anticipated to be Attorney Marilyn Mosby. Unsuccessful him over the head and knocked him to the required to stop any threat? Did, in fact, the in prosecutions against the six Baltimore ground. officer fail to draw his own service sidearm police officers she formerly charged with The video shows Carr on the ground, due to fear of repercussion and reluctance criminal offenses in the Freddie Gray death with an officer — not Battipaglia — strad- to force generation of newly enacted and case - whose death occurred subsequent to dling him and holding him down. Another consent decree-mandated written reports injuries received while being transported unidentified officer is holding what appears and justifications? In the final analysis and and in police custody - NOW THIS... to be a service weapon drawn. Battipaglia most importantly, the encounter resulted A five-year veteran, the officer has can be seen holding his police-issue club, and in neither officers nor the suspect receiving been arrested and charged with first-degree at one point kicks a can toward a crowd that serious injury or worse and resulted in a assault and misconduct for using his baton has gathered. successful handgun arrest. against an illegal gunman he was disarming Carr was charged with a handgun of- Some say that the charges brought and placing under arrest while on duty. fense in relation to the incident. Francis- by Mosby in this case may be an election Details remain limited, but a Baltimore Williams disputed the charge, saying “no year ploy in an attempt to garner votes in Sun newspaper article excerpt revealed the one can figure out where this handgun came her re-election campaign playing to the following: f r o m .” “progressive” base of Mosby and Baltimore A Baltimore City police officer was -ar It has been further noted that Officer Democrat voters. rested and charged after he arrested the al- Battipaglia, who is also a military veteran, In the meantime, the officer is left to leged victim for handgun violations. During was physically arrested and was required try and maintain his life while suspended the on-duty incident the officer allegedly to spend a night in jail as part of what was and facing further internal review of the in- struck a man over the head with a club on called “the process” nearly three months cident along with the criminal prosecution. Christmas Eve, according to police and the after the initial incident Having just closed on a home, he had just alleged victim’s attorney. Would the powers that be have started planning for his wedding. City prosecutors charged Officer Kevin preferred that officers, perceiving a threat When the police go out and work to Battipaglia and police suspended him with- of handgun violence, used force of a take deadly weapons off the street, risking out pay, police spokesman Chief T.J. Smith potentially more deadly nature higher up their own lives and livelihood, and this is said in a statement. In addition to assault, on the use of force continuum? Were the what happens to one of those officers, the Battipaglia is charged with misconduct in of- officer’s actions worthy of criminal charges question must be asked: Is this the death fice. “We take these matters very seriously,” for an incident in which he was proactively of proactive policing and a final nail in the Smith said in the statement. “At this stage, affecting a handgun arrest? Without more coffin of law and order in Baltimore? the evidence in this case will be scrutinized complete incident details, it is hard to Who could be surprised if it is? in the judicial system.” determine answers to those questions The incident occurred on Dec. 24, 2017 or if even those are the right questions Joel E. Gordon is a former Field and the aftermath was filmed and posted to be asked. Given Marilyn Mosby’s past Training Officer with the Bal- online. actions, it is highly suspect at best that the timore City Police Department Defense attorney Latoya Francis-Wil- incident would legitimately warrant any and is a past Chief of Police for the city of Kingwood, West Vir- ginia. He is an award winning journalist and is author of the book Still Seeking Justice: One Officer’s Story. Joel is the founder of the Facebook group Po- lice Authors Seeking Justice. Look him up at stillseekingjustice.com
24 the Bluemagazine | Vol. 9 - Issue 4 2018 To Advertise Call: 201.881.5100 SARA DOWLING, PA-C
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(973) 870 -0777 For immediate service Contact John (201) 394 -0856 oneoakmedical.com behind the badge Marching for change, screaming for help, living in fear By Joseph Pangaro, CPM he Parkland High School shooting media would look at an issue and examine that is not the truth of the argument, that on February 14th has changed the both sides in an attempt to get to the truth. is the emotional side of the debate and it’s T equation again. Since that terrible Now it seems clear that they simply seek hard to get past the emotion, which leads day, we have seen the emergence of a very out people who hold the same opinion they to name calling and attribution of negative vocal movement demanding change to the do and report their opinion as fact and motives. nation’s gun laws. This movement is being describe anyone who disagrees as doing Let’s see if we can focus the argument led by young people; some of them students so for personal gain, hatred, or some other for better perspective. To do so requires us who attended the Parkland High School. hidden reason. There is no critical review of to look at something most of us hate, and These students are articulate, com- information, it is all opinion. those who are ruled completely by emotion posed and passionate about their message. The kids from Parkland are scared. I cannot often tolerate. We must look at sta- They are speaking for their fellow Parkland think many of us are scared of random vio- tistics to determine the real threat and gain students and young people around the lence striking us or our loved ones, espe- perspective so we can make rational deci- country, and by the unavoidable news cov- cially in our schools. They are demanding sions. erage; their message seems to be resonat- we, the adults, do something to keep them AR-15-type rifles are used in very few ing with many people beyond the student safe, and they are right to demand that. It homicides, and yes, even one is too many. population. is our responsibility to protect our kids. But the gun is also used in many more self- At its essence, these kids are saying, The problem we have as a society is finding defense actions, which saves people’s lives; “We don’t want to get shot and killed at a way to do that without trampling on the we just don’t hear about these incidents school and we don’t feel safe”. rights of millions of Americans who are not because they don’t fit the agenda of those I don’t know anyone who could have violent. people who control the news. anything negative to say about this feeling The kids are demanding stricter gun In fact, teenagers die by the hundreds and their sentiments. In fact, the equally laws and restrictions on gun ownership. It each year from car accidents. Many times vocal group of citizens who see their move- seems obvious that if there were no semi- more than in gun incidents; do we stop ment as an attack on the Second Amend- automatic rifles like the ones used in the driving cars? ment and their gun rights would agree that most prominent school shootings that I do not mean to trivialize the deaths they don’t want to see kids being shot and many of those killed would not have been. of our kids killed by guns, but if we want killed in their schools either. Granted, the use of an AR-15 type rifle does to save kid’s lives, don’t we want to save all Unfortunately, this is where the con- afford a shooter a powerful weapon that can kid’s lives or just those killed by guns? versation has come to an end. fire a large amount of rounds very quickly; The logical answer is that cars should The fact that the conversation ends there’s no denying that, to do so would be be banned as they are responsible for thou- here is symbolic of our national inability to intellectually dishonest. sands more deaths than guns, it’s a fact. debate the important issues of our day. We But, is that a valid reason to ban a Why then don’t we ban cars? cannot have differing opinions without be- weapon that hundreds of thousands of Critical thinking, not emotional think- ing called a growing list of negative names; honest law-abiding people want to own and ing, demands we ask the question and many are accused of harboring “secret” have a right to own? This is where the ar- answer it honestly. If we banned cars we hateful beliefs, others are called ignorant or gument strays into opinion and emotion; would save many thousands of lives taken uninformed, and everyone has evil intent which is not intellectually honest if we ap- senselessly every year, and that’s a fact. and is owned by other nefarious organiza- ply critical thinking skills to the question. It I’m sure many people are answering tions. is a surface argument. that cars are part of our lives and we need Lost in all of this is a review of facts. That is not easy to say because of the them for our society to function, but we What used to be seen as the proper way to emotional aspect of the argument itself, don’t need guns. Which means we are investigate any issue was to use “Critical which goes like this, “Saving even one kid willing to accept car-related deaths; those Thinking Skills,” and then compare the data is worth it to get rid of these guns.” Who deaths are acceptable because we need cars. and make an appropriate decision. is going to argue the other side of that Is it acceptable then for your child to die in a Critical thinking requires us to ask the statement and say that keeping the guns car wreck because we want the convenience obvious and deeper questions, to question available is worth the death of one child? of driving? motive based on fact, not on innuendo, Whose child should be sacrificed so Critical thinking is not easy, it strips personal belief, or the need to back up our we can keep the AR-15 type rifle legal and bare our emotional shell. Facts are cruel own agenda. Critical thinking requires all available? Would anyone on either side of and we don’t like them, as they force us to of us to look at our own arguments with the argument stand up and raise their hand look inward and face ourselves. the same microscope. It is a search for the and say, “I’m OK with it even if it’s my kid, The next part of our examination then truth. the right to own an AR-15 is more impor- states, “We are willing to accept car deaths, There was a time in America when our tant”- of course no one would say that. And Continued on page 28)
26 the Bluemagazine | Vol. 9 - Issue 4 2018 To Advertise Call: 201.881.5100
Marching for change… Continued from page 26) but not gun deaths, since we don’t really stitution as a cornerstone of freedom; is it? As the adults we must look at all of this need guns.” Once again the divide in our country and ask the pertinent questions. Is there OK, then, let’s ask the obvious; “Do we reveals itself here in the answer to this a danger to the kids? The answer is “Yes.” need guns?” question. Therefore, we must take actions to make In 2018, we have food stores where we In fact, we see huge numbers of our them safer; armed guards in the schools, can get meat, even deer meat if you like it, fellow citizens who see much of the Con- better training for staff members, more so we don’t really need to hunt. We have stitution as outdated and out of touch, not psychological counseling for troubled kids, police departments all around us, even the worthy of our adherence, respect or sup- better background checks for gun pur- rural communities to protect us, so we re- port; created by men who hated others, chases, stiffer penalties for those who use ally don’t need guns for protection. Some were selfish and wanted power and pros- guns in a crime, and ensuring that persons people like to shoot for recreation. We have perity for themselves only. Many of our fel- suffering from mental problems do not get virtual reality and video games for shoot- low citizens see the Constitution as a thing guns. ing so we really don’t need actual guns any- of the past, something to be re-written to fit Taking away the rights of the law- more. modern sensibilities and beliefs. abiding individuals will not make the kids These arguments can be made ratio- Others do not. Many people see safer, it is an illusion of safety; an emotional nally. We might not agree with them, but the Constitution as the single thing that response. Are there bigger agendas afoot? I they can be made rationally. But what separates us from the default position of think so! I’m not a conspiracy guy, but I am about those people who like to hunt, and humanity- which is tyranny. Without the a critical thinker, I can see facts for facts. those people who don’t feel the police can Constitution, it is believed by many that we I want to protect all the kids in the right respond quick enough to protect them and would fall back into an existence where the way, and anyone who would use our kids their families, or the men or women who state makes all the decisions and holds the as pawns to move their agenda forward like to shoot for sport or recreation? power, determines who is right and wrong should be called out, but we must keep the In the name of safety, should we disre- and who should be punished and controls kids safe. gard their opinions and preferences for the freedom. Let me know what you think. greater good? We already do that in other There was a time that we all agreed areas, don’t we? People like to use cocaine on the basics of what America and the Lt. Joseph Pangaro retired after and heroin, but as a society we have said Constitution was and meant to all of us, we serving 27 years at a police de- “No.” Even if you want to do it, and it is just disagreed on how to get things done partment in Monmouth Coun- your body, for the greater good we say co- within that framework. ty, NJ, having served as the Lead caine and heroin are illegal and you can’t do Today, it seems we are two different Training Officer. Pangaro is a it. Should guns be treated the same way? peoples. graduate of Fairleigh Dickenson Well there is the Constitution to con- So the children march and call out University’s Certified Public Managers Pro- sider. Drugs and driving are not mentioned for our help and we argue over the merits gram (CPM). He’s a newspaper columnist who in the Constitution, but guns are. In fact, of their call to action. Is it valid? Is it be- writes about the rigors and joys in law enforce- guns, gun rights, and gun ownership is very ing used by others to implement their own ment. Joseph Pangaro is the CEO and President prominent in this world-changing docu- agenda? Is it a ploy by one side or the other of Pangaro Training and Management, and ment. So important to the concepts of a to get the change they seek? Or are the kids Pangaro Global Training, an online training free state and the freedom of people that just scared of getting shot and killed in their company. Email Lt. Pangaro @JPangaro194@ the founders placed this right in the Con- schools? yahoo. com or Twitter: @Pangarotraining
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28 the Bluemagazine | Vol. 9 - Issue 4 2018 To Advertise Call: 201.881.5100
wellness
Weightlifting(continued) By Lt. Patrick J. Ciser, C.P.D. (Ret.) n March of 2018, I wrote about can always go online and check it out, as days and Fridays. Legs are done on Wednes- weightlifting for beginners, but this I don’t want to be overly redundant here. days and Saturdays or Sundays. Imonth, I’d like to kick it up a notch. I’ve If you’ve been following my advice with I always liked the idea of varying always said that many times, police officers the three compound exercises, bench weights and reps. For bench press, I’ll go a are judged by their appearance. When a cop press, squats, and dead lifts for strength little heavy one day and do 5-6 repetitions keeps himself or herself in good physical and bulk, now you’re ready for the next per set. Then the next time I benched, I’d condition along with clean uniforms and level. Think of your body as a sculpture. go moderate weight of 10-12 reps. I would good hygiene, they immediately command The artist starts with more clay than he/ do 6 sets each time. Dips are one of the best more respect than a sloppy or overweight she needs, and then whittles it down to the exercises on the planet, so I would go from officer. On YouTube I once saw a suspect likeness of their subject. This is where we the bench press right to the dipping bars being questioned by an obese officer. The “bulk up” and then go through a period with 3-4 sets of dips in the 10-rep range is guy started running away, but not too fast, of “cutting up.” Most bodybuilders like to my standard. If you want to hit chest with as to “taunt” the cop while being chased. bulk up in the winter, when we wear a lot this exercise, lean over into it, if you’re He ran mostly in circles to frustrate the cop of clothes. April or May are good months looking for triceps growth/activation, stay while watching him gasp for air. If you ask to start cutting. Diet has a lot to do with straight-up, with good posture. If you’re a suspect to step out of a car, or perhaps it’s this process, which I’ll touch on another getting more than 10 reps, add weights a pedestrian, do you think he’ll consider day. The caveat, however, is that you don’t around your waist, or hold a dumbbell with “testing” you? Perhaps he’s sizing you up for want to “purposely” put on fat with muscle your legs. I’ll do 4-5 sets of triceps push a sucker punch; or decides to “beat feet” as gains. When bulking up/becoming stron- downs after dips. I like to alternate the reps he surmises that he can outrun you. Staying ger, it’s OK to gain 10 pounds of fat with and poundage, mostly with compound in good physical condition has so many 10 pounds of muscle. During the cutting exercises. benefits, not only what I alluded to above, phase, you’ll lose maybe 8 pounds of fat. Be sure to mix up back training with but health benefits as well. Would you like Create a solid program and start a daily dead lifts, lat pull-downs, seated and bent- to play soccer, basketball, or another sport log! I always liked the concept of “push/ over rows. Have you ever heard of German with your kids’ right through their college pull.” This routine allows ample rest days be- Volume Training? I love it from time to years? Would you like to have energy and tween body parts. You lift on this program time for barbell curls. You do 10 reps of drive, throughout your 60s or even 70s? every other day, 3 days a week. Legs are ten sets, with only one-minute rest. It can Retired Clifton Police Officer Ross LaCorte, age 72 on a separate day, once a week. On “push” actually be done with any body part, for its days you train, chest, triceps and shoulders. serious shock value. My 750 words are up! On “pull” days you train back, biceps, and Good luck! abdominals. I train on Monday, Wednes- day, and Friday, alternating push, and pull Pat Ciser is a retired lieuten- exercises. I’ll pre-mark my calendar, push- ant from the Clifton Police Monday, pull-Wednesday, push-Friday, Department, and a 7th Degree pull- Wednesday, and so on, while my leg Black Belt. He was a member day is Sunday; you should be “crushing it” of 5 U.S. Karate Teams, win- on leg day BTW. “Natural” bodybuilders ning gold medals in South Photo credit: Patrick J. Ciser normally need extra recovery time between America and Europe. He is the Author of OK, let’s not get off track, and back body parts, especially legs. If you’re getting BUDO and the BADGE; Exploits of a Jer- down to business. If you missed my extra help (wink wink), you can do push, on sey Cop (BN.com/Amazon), and is a guest weightlifting 101 article in March, you Mondays and Thursdays, and pull on Tues- writer for Official Karate Magazine.
the Bluemagazine | Vol. 9 - Issue 4 2018 31 cover story Priority One Call
By Jay Martinez, Former U.S. Recon Marine, Retired Detective, Active Sheepdog
he demands that are placed squarely the most obese children in the world. Of tionally demanding the business of police on the shoulders of today’s first re- course, we can blame the design of our and corrections work are, the officer now is sponders are exceedingly heavy. societies. Fast and processed foods are ev- tipping the scale at 300-500 pounds. They TBody and car cameras, Narcan, active erywhere. Last week at the movies, between are a ticking time bomb in a sense. That shooters, runaway cars—this is more than the buttered popcorn, Raisinets and the coupled with stress can be extremely det- some can carry. Even for the fittest of cops 64 oz. soda, my family consumed approxi- rimental and critically harmful. We know that load weighs as much as a piano and mately 7,000 calories. I wanted to push my that the heart is taxed (it’s working over- Butterbean the former super heavyweight car home just to burn that stuff off. time just to sleep), breathing is tough to champ after he’s eaten lunch at an all you But never mind the scale, the harm of come by, joints are aching, internal organs can eat buffet. All joking aside, envision the carrying 100-300 extra pounds may poten- are struggling mightily. The officer has no officer who is out of step and has become tially plunge the officer into the same black motivation, no drive, they are suffering obese throughout his or her career. abyss that Leonidas kicked the Persian into, from insomnia, depression and have had Approximately 40% of Americans as he screamed out, “This is Sparta!” thoughts of ending their own tour. are considered obese. Moreover, we have Setting aside how physically and emo-
32 the Bluemagazine | Vol. 9 - Issue 4 2018 To Advertise Call: 201.881.5100 Ever so often, the officer’s heart rate lation. And as a matter of fact and for the similar activities, such as: climbs dangerously. A blood pressure check strict reasons of clarity, by all means, this is • Walking in a park proves that they must take action immedi- a rigorous personal matter! Personal to the • Playing ball with your kid ately! But then a priority one call comes extent of choices and decisions. The choice • Basketball in, and the officer struggles to regain their to eat healthily or eat crap. The choice to • Biking wherewithal. When a code comes over the walk the dog or lay around on the couch, • Racquetball radio, overweight officers walk down long cajoling yourself with excuses. It’s time to • Swimming corridors and slowly climb steps while discard the excuses. It’s time to let go of the • Hiking other CO’s sprint. The preservation of life pacifier and reach for your running shoes. demands officers to push themselves to po- This is a priority one call, officer, and you Like Dr. Oz likes to say, “You cannot tentially save a life of an officer down. are potentially the officer down. depend on willpower.” Basically, you need A similar call on the street the police So, avoid the hindrances and find in- to find a plan that is fun and works for you. officer can hardly gain entry behind their tervention. High blood pressure, diabetes, But we also realize that there are other con- driver’s seat. But the time is ticking and an high cholesterol, hypertension and infer- tributing factors that the fraternity in blue officer needs assistance. Not able to climb tility are related to obesity. If your BMI is needs to push through, like: the seven flights of stairs expeditiously. At 25-30, you need to immediately find rem- • Tough work hours the flag folding ceremony, all eyes are on edies, over 30 means you are obese. You do • High stress the ostracized officer who failed. He failed not want to be part of that other category! • Alcohol and police work go hand and the graven officer and his children. These You must generate a workout regimen and hand (so can the 12 oz. cans of suds) hypotheticals paint realistic possibilities of a clear, simple nutritional plan. Medica- • Some officers do not pack meals (packing a business that is, as Yoda once explained it tion can help and surgery can assist you in a meal is sensible, inexpensive and can to be to his padawan. “Do or do not, there gaining some needed motivation and in- help you significantly) is no try!” spiration. Call your insurance carrier and • Mandatory overtime demands Annually, on the Officer Down list ex- request nutritional advice. But, follow the But again, excuses are futile here. You ists a category labeled, other. On average, KISS rule- keep it simple, stupid (officer). need to push past them before your body other claims approximately eleven officers. I believe that the hardest part of a workout pushes back and hits the wall. Another se- Yes, by all accounts, other refers to heart at- is getting your sneakers on. Furthermore, Priority rious topic of discussion needs to be obe- tacks. Heart attacks are caused by issues that who said that you need to get into Olympic sity causes depression; lackluster work ethic are compounded by lack of personal regu- shape? How about simple consideration of (which in police work creates more stress from the brass and no one likes a lazy cop) and all of this can be the causation of a vast chasm. That space now creates a divorce, and that loneliness dramatically intensifies and has a prolonging effect. One Call Can we end on a very personal note, can we sit down and mention this part? In this magazine, we care enough to write clear articles that tug at the root of the Approximately matter. The Blue root of the matter. At times we are in the business of saving the lives of the nation’s first responders, because if not us, then who? Officer, your kids, and your family want and need you around. You of can do this, we at Blue can help. Reach out before it is too late, this is a life-altering 40% article and I really mean it. I can be reached Americans at, [email protected], stay safe, are Ooo-rah! Jay Martinez is the founder considered of Warning Order—a highly specialized law enforcement obese. training company. For more information on EDP training, e-mail Jmartinez@warnin- gorder.net or visit warningorder.net
the Bluemagazine | Vol. 9 - Issue 4 2018 33
blue events Walk to Remember SATURDAY, APRIL 28, 2018 A ‘Walk To Remember’ in Jersey City celebrates the lives of all fallen officers
Photos courtesy of Joshua Oliveri
36 thethe BlueBluemagamagazinezine | Vol.Vol. 9 - Issue 4 2018 To Advertise Call: 201.881.5100 Photos courtesy of Vincent D’Amico & Ed Dolan
thethe BlueBluemagamagazinezine | Vol.Vol. 9 - Issue 4 2018 37 head, neck & back comprehensive care by specialized physicians • pain management by board certified physician • acupuncture by physical medicine & rehabilitation physician • headache management • specialized spine therapy by certified therapists • we offer a conservative approach to our patients
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38 theSADBlueDLE magazineBROOK • 44 4| Vol. MAR K9 E- TIssue ST | 4 2018GLEN RIDGE • 230 SHERMAN AVE | JERSEY CITY • 550 NEWToA AdvertiseRK AVE, Call:SUIT E201.881.5100 308 inside view Teamwork to Keep the Wolves Outside By Anthony Mikatarian eamwork in law enforcement is the der proficient teamwork will help us. As au- We, brothers and sisters, now more oil that makes your agency run at an thor Patrick Lencioni describes in his book than ever have to prioritize our teamwork Toptimal level. With optimal team- “The Five Dysfunctions of a Team.” Len- effort because until a real loud voice or voic- work, your agency will develop such things cioni explains that as difficult as it is to cre- es of reason who understand and support as synergy, comraderie, equity, equality and ate a cohesive team, it is not complicated. our profession comes around, this hill we most importantly organizational success. He describes that no matter the size or type are climbing will only get steeper and more The teamwork within the ranks is so essen- of agency you are focusing on, it is critical dangerous. The mainstream media and oth- tial in today’s law enforcement because of to take a simple approach. He offers that ers are once again attacking us while they all the negatively exaggerated, unrealistic in most organizations, genuine teamwork ignore the ultimate sacrifices officers make and unfair positions we find ourselves in remains elusive. He lays out five distinct every day. Our officers are bleeding in the because of pot stirring folks on social me- dysfunctions that could damper effective streets while the mainstream, self-serving dia, like entertainers, government officials, teamwork. politicians and others cast our profession in so-called activists, and others, who either Absence of Trust a negative light. My heart goes out to all the are misinformed, think they know the ca- The worries of being vulnerable with team many officers who are being unfairly criti- reer, have agendas, and/or have no idea or members avert the process of building cized for doing actual good police work, or don’t care to know what we officers face trust within the team. those who were seriously injured or made day in and day out in our profession. These Fear of Conflict the ultimate sacrifice. folks have a contrived sense of purpose and Maintaining the need to preserve We must stand united. We must head, neck & back often reject facts or arguments contrary to pretended balance hinders the strengthen our team-working ability to their engineered platforms. achievement of productive ideological protect each other from the perils that our Therefore, law enforcement officers discord. profession faces continuously. And remem- comprehensive care by must unite and strengthen their team- Lack of Commitment ber: Even though the media coverage of working ability. Operating on smooth-run- these events and tragedies are minimal and Without translucence’s or investing in ning teamwork can be challenging, with all are suffocated by the negative attacks, there decision-making, team members will find specialized physicians the different and unique personalities and are many others out there who do support, themselves making decisions that they will beliefs that make up the individuals in your understand and appreciate us. As always, not stay with. agency. However, in this profession, usu- Avoidance of stay safe, and God Bless. • pain management by board certified physician ally trying to go through it alone and not as a team member will probably end up Accountability Anthony Mikatarian has • acupuncture by physical medicine & rehabilitation physician being detrimental to the individual and Intentionally avoiding interactional been a police officer for over the agency as a whole. There are plenty of discomfort with team members hinders 17 years. He is currently as- • headache management wolves out there attacking our profession the process of holding one another signed to patrol in a northern from the outside. It is imperative to find accountable. NJ municipality. He earned a • specialized spine therapy by certified therapists common ground where everyone buys into Inattention to Results Bachelor’s degree from John- the system, and we keep the wolves outside Individual goals and personal status son & Wales University, Providence, R.I., and • we offer a conservative approach to our patients departments—rightly where they belong. chasing gnaw at the core of collaborating another degree in Mortuary Science from the Knowing specific pitfalls that can hin- successfully. American Academy McAllister Institute in New York City.
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SADDLE BROOK • 444 MARKET ST | GLEN RIDGE • 230 SHERMAN AVE | JERSEY CITY • 550 NEWARK AVE, SUITE 308 the Bluemagazine | Vol. 9 - Issue 4 2018 39 spotlight Chief Jonathan R. Parham (Ret.) By Valerie Velazquez-Stetz
etired Chief Jonathan R. Parham, emy West Point; New Jersey State Associa- after they engaged in a shootout that led to CPM was born in Newark, New Jer- tion of Chiefs of Police. the capture of the man wanted for bomb- R sey. Soon after his birth, his hard- Additionally, his experience includes ings in NY and NJ during September of working parents decided to move to the working as a detective with the Union 2016. Therefore, Chief Parham believes in City of Linden, New Jersey for a better life. County Prosecutor’s Office (1996-1998), training continuously. He states, “No mat- At the time, his family was one of only a few Senior Training Consultant-Cardinal Point ter how much training you do, you’re never black families in town. Chief Parham took Strategies (2015-2016), and currently serves really sure how you will respond in differ- the civil service test after working several as the owner and Chief Law Enforcement ent situations.” “These officers did a fantas- jobs and not knowing which career path Trainer at 360 AOR Worldwide. tic job, and I thank God that they are alive to take. He scored very high and was hired today” Parham added. It’s impossible to in 1992. He worked with the Linden Police fully prepare for such a situation, and he re- Department until 1996, when he decided to called being very thankful for a discussion take a chance at the Union County Prosecu- they had at the morning roll call on the day tors Office, where he served until 1998. of the shooting, as they talked about the During 1998, he found himself looking importance of wearing a bulletproof vest, to return to the streets of Linden and help which one of the officers was shot in dur- his community, and after several negotia- ing the altercation with Rahimi. Without tions and attempts he was able to return to his vest, he would most likely not be alive the City of Linden as a police officer. He im- today. mediately began to study and learn every- “The amount of stress that the officers thing needed to become a sergeant with the were under and the amount of time that it help of his loving wife. Together, their hard takes them to discern a situation and react work paid off and in 2005 he was promoted there’s no way to re-create that in training” to sergeant. When eligible for future pro- said Parham. motional exams, Parham was always eager Following the incident, President to advance in his career, coming out num- Obama called the officers on their phones ber one or two each time he tested, eventu- and personally communicated to them ally landing promotions as a lieutenant and about how appreciative the American peo- then captain. ple were for their courageous actions. Chief During his time in the trenches, he His professional associations include, Parham is the first black Chief of Police in worked in many specialized units including Municipal Representative-Joint Terrorism Linden, New Jersey. His advice to new offi- but not limited to holding the prestigious Task Force, National Organization of Black cers is “Develop their communication skills title of Lieutenant Commander of SWAT. Law Enforcement Executives, New Jersey and develop relationships with the public. As a Captain and without his full 25 years State Association of Chiefs of Police, Na- This is their greatest tool in law enforce- on the job, the Chief wanted to resign, due tional Field Trainers Officers Association, ment. Put your ego aside. Stay healthy and to a turbulent year the department endured, International Association of Chiefs of Po- in good shape, study and learn from your and he wanted to implement many new lice, National Tactical Officers Association, mistakes.” operational improvements, but was held Union County Police Chiefs Association, back by the administration. International Association of Law Enforce- Valerie A. Stetz (Velazquez) Chief Parham’s education is not only ment Intelligence Analysts. retired on accidental disability impressive, but a credit to his motivation, Parham also founded and headed his from the Jersey City Police which was admired and viewed by oth- department’s Counter Terrorism Unit and Dept. She was injured in a ers who believed he was leading by ex- played a key role in capturing Islamic ter- radio car accident responding ample. His education includes attending rorist, Ahmad Rahimi, serving as the In- to a robbery in progress call. the American Military University for In- cident Commander during the arrest and Valerie is a member of the NJ Police Honor telligence Analysis, in Charles Town, WV shootout. While under his command, Of- Legion. She is the radio host for the popular (2013-2018); Certificate Public Safety Lia- ficers Peter Hammer and Angel Padilla be- Internet show “Your World Uncensored” on bility Mitigation, Richard Stockton College came national heroes, as they were credited DDV RADIO. She is also the Public Relations of NJ (2015); West Point Command and with apprehending Rahimi. Chief Parham Manager for NJ Blue Now Magazine. Valerie Leadership Academy, U.S. Military Acad- is very proud of his officers’ preparedness is married, with a son and daughter.
40 the Bluemagazine | Vol. 9 - Issue 4 2018 To Advertise Call: 201.881.5100 Joseph Horsfield General Manager 732-557-7997 42 the Bluemagazine | Vol. 9 - Issue 4 2018 To Advertise Call: 201.881.5100 open letter
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Everyone has a STORY. Do you want to share yours? please contact us at: [email protected]
the Bluemagazine | Vol. 9 - Issue 4 2018 43 technology The New Institute for Cybersecurity responds to the needs of Law Enforcement in the 21st Century By Bray Barnes Esq., NSA Global Center for Public Safety, Institute for Cyber Security and Capt. Leonard Nerbetski, NJ State Police (Ret.)
aw enforcement is entering a new mul- crimes, and that local police are struggling threats, as no business is immune from tifaceted area – that of cyber. It seems to know how to respond.” attack, and small companies, less than $25 Lthat almost daily, we see reports and Senior law enforcement executives million in sales are less likely to survive a news headlines that speak to cybercrimes, went on to say that the evolving nature cyber attack.” cyberattacks, cyber threats, cyber security of the cybercrime threat, including how Sheriff’s departments must address cy- or cyber intelligence. Attacks on govern- “nearly every type of ‘traditional’ crime to- ber threats in a variety of ways, including ment, business, health care, universities day, can contain cyber aspects”. FBI Execu- training, intelligence gathering, social me- and even police agencies are occurring ev- tive Assistant Director Joe Demarest, the dia and collaboration. ery day. The February 2018 The Council of former head of the FBI’s Cyber Division Starting with training, it is necessary Economic Advisors, Executive Office of the noted: that the department is not only capable of President of the United States Report esti- responding to the needs of their commu- mates that malicious cyber activity cost the nity, but must also protect itself from at- U.S. economy between $57 billion and $109 tack. As former US Capitol Chief of Police billion in 2016. and US Senate Sergeant at Arms Terrance In the Office of the Director of National Gainer said: Intelligence, Worldwide Assessment of the “With all the electronics we use in our US Intelligence Community Report (May offices, we need to educate our employees 2017), Director Daniel Coats stated: about how they should protect themselves. “Cyber threats are already challenging Our system counts 100 instances a day of public trust and confidence in global insti- people in the Senate community trying to tutions, governance, and norms, while im- access websites that we consider malicious. posing costs on the US and global econo- I think we need to educate our employees mies. Cyber threats also pose an increasing to make sure they aren’t unintentionally risk to public health, safety, and prosperity making us vulnerable through unsafe In- as cyber technologies are integrated with ternet use” critical infrastructure in key sectors.” “Combating cybercrime is a team Additionally, officers need to be able In his March 2018 Worldwide Threat sport. Whether it is a local, state, or federal to investigate crimes. William O’Toole, Assessment Report, National Intelligence level agency, one agency can’t do this alone. Northern Virginia Criminal Justice Train- Director Coats went on the say: We must confront these challenges as a ing Academy stated: “From U.S. businesses to the federal global law enforcement community”. “All officers need to have some basic government to state and local govern- So how does a law enforcement agency understanding and skills related to cyber- ments, we are under cyberattack. While respond to this new and complex respon- crime investigations. We want our patrol state actors pose the greatest cyber threats, sibility? As recently noted by FBI Director officers to use the same skills of observa- the democratization of cyber capabilities Christopher Wray on March 7, “[t]his threat tion, awareness, and good documentation worldwide has enabled and emboldened a is now coming at us from all sides. We’re that they use for all crimes and apply them broader range of actors to pursue their ma- worried — at the FBI and with our partners to cybercrime.” lign activities against us.” — about a wider range of threat actors, from In response to this ever-increasing It is the law enforcement officer who multinational cyber syndicates and insider need for sheriff’s officers, the National must now become knowledgeable about the threats to hacktivists. And we’re concerned Sheriff’s Association, Global Center for growing threats that cyber imposes, as well about a wider gamut of methods…” Public Safety, has created the Institute for as the actors and motivation behind the Businesses, utilities, health care and Cyber Security. The Institute will offer a se- threats. Additionally, the law enforcement financial institutions are now looking to ries of training courses that will be tailored officer must now understand the new law enforcement to not only be able to to the needs of both the Sheriff’s Officer criminal using cyber as their weapon. As adequately respond to attacks and cyber- and senior staff, addressing those topics stated by the Police Executive Research crimes, but to be proactive, gathering intel- that are relevant today. Summit: ligence to prevent continued threats. The “[C]ybercrime is changing policing, confidence and trust a community has for Institute for Cyber Security because it allows criminals on the other side their law enforcement agency is an impor- The list of courses outlined below rep- of the world to suddenly become a problem tant measure of effectiveness. In November, resent an initial offering of training avail- in your own back yard. Victims often don’t 2017, Insurance Journal noted: able through the NSA’s Global Center for even know where to go to report these “Executives can no longer ignore cyber Public Safety’s Institute for Cyber Security.
44 the Bluemagazine | Vol. 9 - Issue 4 2018 To Advertise Call: 201.881.5100 Recommendations Additional courses will be added to meet a particularly popular tool of extortion.” the needs of law enforcement and the ODNI Report (May 2017). Government to practice good rapidly evolving cyber threat environment. agencies, including law enforcement agen- cies, have been victimized by this malware Cyber-Hygiene Introduction to variant. This course will examine ransom- Cyber Security ware from infection to mitigation, and 4 Create strong passwords. Here are a This course will provide an overview discuss strategies for reducing the risk of few tips to consider: of the cyber domain and its components. becoming infected. It will also discuss how • Make your password longer than It will discuss cyber security best practices crypto-currencies are used to facilitate the eight characters and why they are critical to law enforce- ransom demands of the attacker. • Use uppercase, lowercase, numbers, ment agencies. It will also examine what and special characters like $@!&*/? information is available open source, the Social Media types of attack, and differences between for Law Enforcement • Do not use words or dates that are the hacker, hacktivist and terrorist, corpo- This course will include a comprehen- related to you (i.e. family members, rate attacks, nation-state’s advanced persist sive overview of social media, to include your son’s birthday, a pet’s name, etc.) threats; and the breadth of increasingly di- its practical use in improving community • Instead you can use combinations verse and sophisticated threats in the cy- engagement and connecting with citizens, of words that have numbers, special ber domain that impact the United States the ability to leverage social media as an characters, and capitalization mixed at the federal, state, and local level. intelligence tool, and discuss how social in. Misspelled words that do not exist media can support investigative efforts. in a dictionary are also a good idea Law Enforcement The course will also highlight the limita- • Creating a password based on a and the Fusion Center tions and policy considerations of social phrase that you can remember is an The course examines the key respon- media used by law enforcement. easy way to create a strong password sibilities of fusion centers, and the current 4 Consider using two-factor authentica- and pending legislation, policies and regu- Understanding tion lations impacting fusion centers and the Crypto-currency relationships among these fusion centers As the use of crypto-currency, such as 4 Ensure that all software in use is up- to other national-level entities, such as the Bitcoin, increases among the general pub- dated / patched on a frequent basis. National Cybersecurity and Communica- lic, criminal actors and terrorist organiza- As new cyber threats and vulnerabili- tions Integration Center (NCCIC). It will tions have evolved to use crypto-curren- ties are discovered, software vendors also provide an overview of how fusion cies to facilitate their illicit activities. This release fixes to mitigate future risks centers collect, analyze and share emerg- course will provide an overview of how the 4 Turn to industry-accepted secure con- ing cyber threat intelligence. crypto-currency monetary system oper- figurations/standards like NIST and ates, how blockchain technology facilitates CIS Benchmark The Dark Web the recording of crypto-currency transac- 4 Create and maintain an inventory of This course will review the history of tions, and special considerations for law all your hardware and software the Dark Web and how it has evolved to enforcement. support illicit activity. It will demonstrate 4 Back-up your data on a regular ba- the low barrier to entry, the hardware/soft- Certification for sis to an external drive, USB or cloud ware required, how to navigate and operate Law Enforcement storage service within the Dark Web, and the level of ano- in Cyber Intelligence 4 Avoid using unsecured Wi-Fi net- nymity it affords illicit users. Case studies The National Criminal Intelligence works. If you need to connect to an will expose the types of activities (many Sharing Plan (NCISP) is a blueprint for unsecured network, consider using a criminal) conducted in this environment, law enforcement agencies that are building personal virtual private network (VPN) discuss projections on the future use of the and/or engaged in the enhancement of the 4 Limit the number of users who have Dark Web, and identify examples and op- intelligence function. Among the 28 rec- administrator rights. Develop a pro- portunities for law enforcement to operate ommendations is the analyst certification. cess for software installation by end more effectively within it. The Institute for Cyber Security will users The Fundamentals offer a 40-hour certification course in 4 Educate users on phishing emails, mal- Cyber Intelligence. The course will be de- ware and known malicious websites of Ransomware signed for the more in-depth study of cy- Criminals are developing and using ber intelligence analysis, including how to 4 Limit the amount of personal data / sophisticated cyber tools for a variety of develop information into meaningful in- travel itinerary information that you purposes including theft, extortion, and telligence which is critical to the planning, share via social media facilitation of other criminal activities. intelligence, and investigative activities of 4 Create and maintain a cyber-incident “’Ransomware,’ malware that employs a sheriff’s department. Additionally, cyber response plan deception and encryption to block users intelligence has a role in corrections since from accessing their own data, has become (Continued on page 46)
the Bluemagazine | Vol. 9 - Issue 4 2018 45 The New Institute for Cybersecurity (Continued from page 45) many offenders do not stop committing crimes when they enter prison or stop af- ter they are released. “Dismantling drug smuggling op- erations, taking down large gangs, and disrupting contraband networks within a correctional facility are examples of efficient uses of correctional intelli- gence.” Criminal Intelligence for the 21st Century. In conclusion, the Global Center for Public Safety’s Institute for Cyberse- curity will be able to provide the sheriff with a wide variety of opportunities to enhance their department’s cyber capa- bilities, support ongoing investigations, respond to the needs of cyber victims, and deliver services that meets many of the needs of 21st Century policing. As Former US Dept. of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano stat- ed in the DHS Quadrennial Report: “[S]ecuring the homeland is an enterprise-wide national interest… the “safeguarding and securing cyberspace” is one of the 5 key missions of the De- partment.” This critical mission focus contin- ues into the 2014 DHS Quadrennial Re- port. Therefore it is everyone’s respon- sibility, especially the law enforcement community, to have an understanding of the threats that now face this country every day. (Article originally appeared in the May/June 2018 issue of the Sheriff and Deputy Maga- zine.)
46 the Bluemagazine | Vol. 9 - Issue 4 2018 To Advertise Call: 201.881.5100 inside perspective You’re Not Alone: YouTube Bridge the Gap, Ask for Help! By Greg Bogert
n the morning of April 25, 2015, af- grabbed his waist, pulled him back, and be- I couldn’t stop my own momentum from Oter a three-year personal war against gan securing him on the ground. He tried running when I was able to grab him, what a corrupt mayor in the Borough of to resist and finally backup arrived. Once would happen to the people driving below, Riverdale, I received a phone call from my he was secured, he was transported to the to this man’s family, to me, to my family? attorney with news of a settlement offer, hospital for evaluation. There are so many “what ifs”. As police of- while I was on a structure hazmat call. I The incident was caught on my dash- ficers, we make good and bad decisions, we accepted the offer, hung up the phone, and board camera and released on my depart- have good and bad days just like everyone within seconds, I received a radio transmis- ment’s Facebook page. Within a few hours, else. We are human just like everyone else! sion from headquarters. The dispatcher I was interviewed by local news and before Law enforcement officers don’t always have said an unknown male was pacing on In- the night was over, the video was being the time to sit back and contemplate the terstate 287. Dispatch said he was looking shared across social media, which led to me possible outcome when in situations like over the edge of the Paterson Hamburg spending most of the next day doing sev- this. We are not robots. This shows the hu- Turnpike overpass. I responded to the call eral interviews. man element to police officers. I truly be- and began driving toward the location. As There are a few things I think are im- lieve every officer I know would have done I entered 287, dispatch transmitted that the portant. The video is much more than just or tried to do what I did on April 25, 2015. male was now jumping in front of moving me and what I was able to do. It is also what Lastly, I learned more positives can vehicles on the highway. I’ve learned and how I’ve been able to help. be created from a potential negative in- As I approached, I saw what looked to I’ve learned over these past months that an cident. Several days after this incident a be a man standing in front of a vehicle in individual like the man I was able to stop, young man tried to make money off the the right lane of the highway. I positioned don’t always want to take their own lives. incident on the Internet and began to sell my patrol car between the man and the They want the pain they are feeling to stop. t-shirts. “Riverdale PD SAVES LIVES, edge of the bridge. I then exited my vehicle We all, at one time or another have experi- DONT F%^&*ng Do It”. It bothered me and made eye contact with the man in an enced pain in our lives and wanted that pain that someone would try to make money off attempted to communicate with him by to stop. I want the young man I was able to the incident. I immediately began a t-shirt asking, “Hey, what’s up man?” However, the help and others like him to know they are selling campaign to put the individual out man quickly broke eye contact and focused not alone. I’ve witnessed the outpouring of business with plans to donate the money his attention on the edge of the bridge. I be- from the public and concern for this young to a cause. I raised close to $10,000 and gan to yell “NO” as he sprinted toward the man. I have seen thousands of comments decided to help a neighboring school sys- edge preparing himself to jump. I instinc- posted on the video on Facebook of people tem that suffered several teenage suicides tively chased after him to the edge and as he who have wept for him. I’ve received pri- within a couple years. Retired Sgt. Colleen began to climb over the concrete barrier, I vate Facebook messages, emails, and letters Pascale of the Butler Police Department from individuals stating that they and I researched and met with the Society too wanted their pain to stop and for the Prevention of Teen Suicide (SPTS). Would you like this video reminds them that are in We then approached the school system to win a one of a fact people who care and are will- and presented them with the SPTS school ing to help. I think it is important training program and the donation to fi- kind 2018 Blue Line for those that are in pain to know nance it. In the end the money was used to Edition F150? that they will not be labeled in a implement training and standardization for negative manner or shunned if suicide prevention in both the Butler and they ask for help. We are not used Bloomingdale school systems. to people thanking us. The letters In closing, I’m an 18-year police veter- I’ve received are displayed on my an. I served four years in the US Air Force, office wall. including three deployments to Egypt dur- The public can learn about law ing Operation Restore Hope, Kuwait during enforcement in the video as well. Operation Vigilant Warrior and Korea in It’s a great example of how fast an support of the 17th Aviation Apache. I have incident can escalate and how little three years left before I can retire. I would Head on over to time officers have to make life or be remiss not to say that the outpouring of BrothersBeforeOthers.org death decisions. If I got out of the support during this incident has made my for more info. car slower, if I didn’t run parallel career of shift work, working holidays, and to the barrier on the highway, or if time away from my family all worth it.
48 the Bluemagazine | Vol. 9 - Issue 4 2018 To Advertise Call: 201.881.5100 the Bluemagazine | Vol. 9 - Issue 4 2018 49 women in law enforcement Chief Sarah Mooney and the West Palm Beach Police Department: Fair, Professional, Productive By Julia Torres
an athlete were experiences went through the ups and downs and the that prepared her for the up- craziness involved. He just got consumed coming future she had not by police work and almost lost everything sought but would love. as a result of it. We try to make sure that Let’s listen to Chief we have a conversation that if someone Mooney’s own words on dif- needs help, they get it, and if somebody sees ferent topics: that somebody needs help, that they’re not How was West Palm afraid to make a referral or let somebody Beach when you know, “Hey, I think we need to reach out first got on the job and get some assistance to this person.” in 1995 compared to Do they absolutely know that what it is now? it’s not going to be frowned It’s kind of night and day. upon? When I started, it was a little I think so, but I think it’s the nature of cops bit like a war zone. That year, that they sometimes think that they’ve got we had a really high murder to be indestructible. That’s kind of the mes- rate and a lot of shootings. sage we try to preach to them, that you Back then, it felt like there don’t. It’s the guardian, warrior thing. You was 10 times more activity, can’t take care of other people if you can’t but it never really got adver- take care of yourself. I try to put that out tised. There were certain ar- there. We try to build it into in-service eas that would be historical- training. We offer opportunity for people ly known as, oh, you don’t go to get training in crisis intervention, to rec- in those areas, but we went. ognize signs and symptoms of things that That’s where you learned you can do to adjust your lifestyle a little bit ounded in 1894, the West Palm how to do police work. that will make you healthier when things Beach Police Department has be- West Palm is turning into a big city, but are really not. come a pioneering city, one in it still has a smaller city feel. There’s been which developers flock, culture diversity As a female, how hard was it to F a lot of growth over the years, some areas is evident and opportunities for police ad- go up the ranks? have been reinvigorated, new buildings, vancement are available to all who prove I never looked at it as being a female trying new businesses, new housing. I think I see themselves capable, knowledgeable and to get up the ranks. This city, this depart- more cohesiveness in the city now. professional. Sarah J. Mooney, the current ment in particular, offers a lot of opportuni- Chief of Police for approximately one year, Tell me about police suicide. ties to anyone who’s going to come in here foots that bill. Have you seen that here? If so, and do what you gotta do, work hard and Mooney, who is the second female what do you try to do to try to do your best every day. As far as being Chief in West Palm, joined the officer ranks prevent it? a female, sure, there’s only a couple of in- in 1995 at the age of 25. Law enforcement, We had, unfortunately, a couple of years stances where that even crossed my mind, however, was not her initial career. After ago, we had on officer who committed sui- that I was different because I was female. I receiving her Bachelor’s degree in Social cide. It struck everybody to the core because think that a lot of other people like to show- Work, while working on her Masters in I think a few people felt guilty themselves, case that. Clinical Social Work, Mooney began an and everybody was second-guessing. With I like to be recognized as a Chief be- internship at the federal prison in Tallahas- my background as a clinical social worker, cause I’m a Chief, not because I’m a female see. There, her interest in law enforcement one of things I try to do as Chief is devel- Chief. It was kind of a double edge sword was piqued and once the interning ended, op ways so that conversation is out on the for me, too, because yes, I think it’s really a she put herself through the academy. When table, that the officers and the other people great honor to be the Chief here, but I don’t finished, Mooney was hired by the West that work in our building have the resourc- want to minimize the position by saying, Palm Beach Police Department, exactly es so they can speak with someone. “Oh yes, I am a female.” To me, that’s not where she wanted to be. We have opportunities for people to the most important part, but it is important Being an avid swimmer, understand- get help. I have a gentleman coming in to showcase that for people, to say yes, you ing the meaning of teamwork and main- next month that really focuses on the en- have a female Chief and it’s possible. taining the discipline associated with being tire dynamic. He was a police officer and (Continued on page 52)
50 the Bluemagazine | Vol. 9 - Issue 4 2018 To Advertise Call: 201.881.5100
Chief Sarah Mooney (Continued from page 50)
I’m actually the second female police so it’s just a matter of remembering that tance. It’s not just cops and robbers. This is chief in our county but the second police cops aren’t just uniforms running around. a community engagement. It’s just as im- chief in our city. We have a lot of females There are people inside those uniforms and portant for officers to experience the posi- sprinkled out through the police depart- everything that gets reported affects these tive feedback. Younger kids have a tenden- ment. We just had our first female make officers. cy to provide more of the positive feedback, the SWAT team. The SWAT team has been What do you say to the people to tell you that they appreciate you. You around since 1974. She was the first female who say that cops don’t get don’t hear that a lot. If all you do is watch to get through the trial process that’s hor- what they deserve when they the news when everything bad happens rendous mentally, emotionally, physically, are caught doing something and that’s what’s being glorified, then you but she did it. When I see things like that, wrong? keep banging your head against the wall, that’s when you know you’re really even Put yourself in their shoes. The whole time like, “What am I doing?” Then you go to an keel and everybody’s got an opportunity. you’re in the police job, you’re learning. Ev- afterschool program, you have 10 little kids What are the challenges ery single day, you’re learning something so excited to see the police officer and have that media brings on law new and if you have stopped learning, then a conversation. You’re making an impact on enforcement? it’s time to get out because you will never those 10 little people. That’s going to stick I think that they draw conclusions a little bit know everything. Cops aren’t infallible. with them forever. It’s being able to look too quickly and they expect us to have the Should they get punished more severely? at the whole picture and understand why answers to everything immediately when No. Should they be held accountable? Ab- you’re doing what you’re doing and really something happens. Sometimes, we’re not solutely. You have many officers in the make an impact in the community. able to answer as quickly as possible. In- world, there’s bound to be some that are not stead of just creating a narrative without above board but the majority of them are. Indeed, Chief Mooney’s background in our input, one of the things would be to try To take 1 million people and say they’re all clinical social work paved the way for her to get them to pull back, give enough infor- bad because one guy did something wrong, career in law enforcement. For a year now, mation out, and try to educate them a it doesn’t paint the right picture. the members of the West Palm Beach Police little bit on the negative impacts of Department and the community have ex- What do you see for the perienced working and living with a leader trying to put a story out there just future of this agency? to try to be the first one, whether whose progressive mind includes relation- Right now, we have a couple ship, mutual respect and understanding for you have the facts or not. billions’ dollars in building We try to be as forthcom- the betterment of society. projects, residential, retail. Surely, West Palm, whose 2017 homi- ing as we can when incidents Whole parts of the city are happen, and in this day and age cides included 27, is bound to find a drop being reorganized so the in next year’s statistics. The fact that over- with instant gratification, every- population is going to grow body wants to see it right now. all crime has decreased 5-6% according to and the department itself is last year’s Uniform Crime Reporting may That is killing us. If we have a growing. We have some plans to crime, we want to solve it as quickly be an indication that this developing city is update our technology and some headed in the direction of unity. as possible, and believe me, we want of the crime-fighting tools. Every to solve it quicker than that reporter wants We at Blue pray much success over time I look at the technology, it seems to Chief Mooney, the West Palm Beach Police, to solve it. I want to give you the whole be updated for next week and then a month story. I want to tell you how we did it, how and its community. May God protect the later, something greater comes out. Our of- men and women in blue. the bad guy got arrested and put away, that ficers are really doing a good job of fighting we saved a life, and give you all the details crime. Julia Torres is a Doctoral can- on everything, but we get crucified if we I’d like to push for the guys and girls didate at Drew University. give you one piece of information that ends to be out in the community. The com- She earned a Master of Sci- up not being correct, so we have to be very munity will tell you what they want from ence in Homeland Security cautious. you or what they don’t want, what they with a certification in Ter- Having a good relationship with the think you’re doing good, what you’re not. rorism Studies from Fairleigh media, having an understanding that we It’s important to be in touch with that be- Dickinson University; a Jersey City State want to be as transparent as possible, we cause sometimes you have officers driving College, K-12 Teacher Certification; and a want to give you the information you want around, the windows up, not really paying Bachelor of Arts Visual Arts from Rutgers to put in a story, we want people to know attention. I see our agency, get your win- University, where she enlisted in the Army what we’re doing, but keep in mind, we’re dows down and park your car, get out and Reserves. Upon graduating Rutgers, she be- not infallible. Sometimes, we do things talk to people, fill needs in the community. gan a career in law enforcement, and later wrong and we take responsibility. Don’t It might be something as simple as to go by volunteered for the Gulf War. Once home, paint everybody with the same brush, be- a community center that has afterschool she worked undercover until retiring in 2001 cause I have 294 officers and I have 294 programs, play basketball, teach a class or due to a Gulf War illness. Since then, she has different ways of doing things to a certain something, be present and available. done volunteer work, acted, and written two degree, different personalities, different It’s not about trying to create more dis- non-fiction books. people going to react to different things,
52 the Bluemagazine | Vol. 9 - Issue 4 2018 To Advertise Call: 201.881.5100 the Bluemagazine | Vol. 9 - Issue 4 2018 53 up close This Should Never Have Happened By Laura Vivian
might be a few years older than you, abused my body. My mind. My soul. involve experiencing a disconnection and but just three years ago, on June 27, I was a mature 12-year-old again who lack of continuity between thoughts, mem- I2015 to be exact, I was suddenly had come to realize that what he was doing ories, surroundings, actions and identity. transformed into a child several decades was so very wrong, and I had had enough. People with dissociative disorders escape younger. My mind became a 12-year-old I told Mom, who was well aware of his reality in ways that are involuntary and frightened little girl again. I was the child constant abuse, that I planned to tell my unhealthy and cause problems with func- whose father had continuously abused her teacher the terrible things he was doing to tioning in everyday life.” The same coping and her siblings since birth. The girl who us the next morning. She did not react, but mechanism that allowed my mind to escape feared for her very life, who desperately that was normal for her. She had emotion- his torture, dissociative amnesia, has been wanted to do something to change the lives ally shut down years before that fateful day. used by many to emotionally survive trau- of myself and my siblings. Three years ago, But she had heard me. She was completely matic horrors, such as those you may have for the first time in my life, I felt every pain, controlled by him, and that night I found experienced during war. smelled every smell, tasted every taste as he out that whatever I told her, she would tell My nightmarish memories stayed hurt me. I was that child again. him. And he would make sure I paid for locked away, deep within the chasms of my Like many of you, I am a survivor of even thinking about daring to cross him. brain, until my father’s death allowed me atrocities that no human being should have Up until that point, I had been fully to finally process the terror of those early to experience. I know how it feels to live aware of the daily abuse of my brothers, years. Even while I did not remember, the under the constant threat of pain or even sisters and myself. I knew that the days in- pain was never gone. It was just hidden death. I know the frustration and terror of volved routine physical beatings, usually of from my view. But it was ever-lingering, an imprisoned body, depending on my life my brothers but sometimes of the girls as menacingly tearing me apart, trying to de- sustenance from those who are responsible well, often with a belt, fist or whatever was stroy my otherwise happy and love-filled for providing my basic life necessities. within arm’s reach. That young girl knew life with a wonderful husband, two great Like you, I am a survivor of horrendous, that, since birth, his sexual abuse of all of children and grandchildren. While my unspeakable acts. I know too well the effects us, boys and girls, was a nightly ritual. It mind never deleted the horrors, Laura did post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has wasn’t a matter of whether it would happen. not know. Every aspect of my life was af- had on every aspect of my life and the lives We knew it would, around 3 a.m. The ques- fected by that clandestine truth. of those with whom I have shared it. But tion in our young minds was, who would My brothers and sisters turned to drugs until three years ago, I was unaware that be his victim, his innocent lamb for the and alcohol for reprieve from the pain. I was suffering from PTSD. I had always slaughter, tonight? I tried to dull the nagging sense of self- known something was seriously wrong When he came to the bedroom I shared worthlessness with food. I tried to eat away with my mind, but I could not put a finger with my sisters that terrible night, I pre- the pain. Eventually, I became morbidly on what it was. tended to be asleep in the hopes he would obese, requiring gastric bypass surgery to My father passed away in April of that go for one of my sisters instead of me. But prevent my self-destruction. year, but I was not a sad, grieving daughter. he did not, because I had to be taught a les- In addition to a loving spouse, chil- In fact, I was oddly relieved, almost happy son. That night, I was horrendously sexu- dren and grandchildren, I also had a good that he was finally out of my life. All those ally abused, to the point the bedsheets were job and nice home. What was causing this many decades, I had always known he had covered in blood and I could barely sit on sadness and inexplicable sense of dread physically and emotionally abused my sib- the desk chair at school the next morning. that surfaced when all seemed good in my lings and myself throughout our youth into And that night, for the first of many times, world? When the memories returned like early adulthood. I remembered instances my mind went to another place during the a violent, unceasing storm on that warm, when he had sexually abused my siblings. abuse. My mind dissociated. But not only June night, I knew exactly what demon I But until that warm June evening, after did my mind leave my physical body going had been secretly fighting. My own father. celebrating the anniversary of the day my forward, I also forgot the terrible things he The past three years of my life have precious husband and I had met forty-four had done to me up to that horrific night. brought me to a much different place. years prior with a “little” too much to drink, Dissociation became my mind’s coping There has been a rude awakening, if you and three months after my father’s death, I mechanism. will, not only for myself, but also for my had no idea how extensively that person According to Mayo Clinic, “Dissocia- precious husband. Just as I am not the who had created my very existence had tive disorders are mental disorders that person I thought I was, he too has had to
54 the Bluemagazine | Vol. 9 - Issue 4 2018 To Advertise Call: 201.881.5100 realize and accept that I am not that young trauma. When the event happens, the mind now safe, that he could no longer hurt me girl, the “virgin,” he fell in love with when I is overwhelmed, on overload. EMDR gently while I processed what he had done to me. was fifteen and he was sixteen, the woman works through the events until the survivor As I said in the beginning, I am a he married three years later and has shared is able to move forward, to accept that yes, survivor of atrocities that no human being a lifetime with. My awakening memories they did happen. Yes, they were terrible, should have to experience. My mind has have answered many questions we have indescribable. Yes, were life-changing. Yes, had to traverse dark, frightening hurricanes, both had about my emotional ups and they did leave lingering effects that have tornadoes and typhoons night and day to downs during those years. We now see the impacted every aspect of the person’s life get to this peace, this calm that I had never results of my father’s evil acts, the devas- since. But while the memories are still vivid felt before. God brought me through that tation that PTSD has wreaked on my life, and horrifying, with the help of a wonder- storm, and with His help as you reach out and that of all my brothers and sisters. Un- ful therapist and EMDR, I can now relive to others to guide you, as you traverse the like me, they remembered what he had those episodes knowing that I am in a safe, wild and raging waters, you can join me in done to us. non-threatening place, much unlike the en- this good place. Dissociative amnesia can be both a vironment in which they occurred. Because blessing and a curse. It allows the survivor of the extreme and prolonged abuse, along Laura Vivian is a mother and to live a “normal” life. But until the root with EMDR my therapist Julie Bellamy was a daughter, she was the of the problems that triggered that coping LCSW incorporated “The Developmen- victim of numerous acts of mechanism are identified and dealt with, tal Needs Meeting Strategy (DNMS)”, an assault by her father; she fights there will be no normal. Because there is ego-state therapy developed by Shirley Jean to protect and bring healing to a hidden, menacing monster in the closet Schmidt, MA, LPC (www.dnmsinstitute. the victimized. Laura Vivian of our mind, stealthily devouring our lives, com). DNMS training allowed my mind is a former Fortune 500 leader, speaker, our soul. The traumatic events in the per- to process the trauma in a less-threatening author, and educator. Laura is the author of son’s head must be addressed before heal- manner. For example, when I recalled that This Should Never Have Happened, a true- ing can happen. terrible night when my father made sure life account of Laura, a child whose mother I am thankful that God sent me to a I never told anyone of the abuse he was was only physically present, and a father’s therapist who is well-trained in Eye Move- inflicting on our family, I physically felt force that was ever present, imposing sexual ment Desensitization and Reprocessing all of the terrifying emotions and senses terror upon their seven children. Laura is (EMDR) therapy. I highly recommend it throughout my body. Using DNMS, I envi- beginning her second book release date to be for others who are experiencing explained sioned my adult self was in that bedroom, determined. or unexplained (dissociated) symptoms of assuring my twelve-year-old self that I was
the Bluemagazine | Vol. 9 - Issue 4 2018 55 56 the Bluemagazine | Vol. 9 - Issue 4 2018 To Advertise Call: 201.881.5100 police chaplain’s perspective Making Peace With Your Past By Chris Amos
A few years ago, I met with a veteran knew. Jesus loved him, Jesus had forgiven the Bible says we are as far from those sins of World War II. He was the epitome him, and Jesus was longing for the day to as the east is from the west! Psalm 102:12 of America’s Greatest Generation. He meet him on the other side of eternity! Less tell us, “As far as the east is from the west, left the mainland headed to the Pacific than six months after our conversation, so far hath he removed our transgressions Theater and did not set foot back onto the I had the highest honor of officiating this (sins) from us.” Satan is quick to remind us mainland for almost four years. I knew he WWII veteran’s funeral. of the very actions that God has both FOR- had experienced combat and that those I share this experience because I can’t GIVEN and FORGOTTEN! Hebrews 8:12 experiences had forever changed him. On help but think that many of you may be “For I will be merciful to their unrighteous- this particular occasion, this man, who by haunted by ghosts from your own past. ness, and their sins and their iniquities will now was in his mid-80s, began to share the Things you may have done, lives you may I remember no more.” many ghosts that had been hidden in his have taken, conduct you may have been Friend, the reason Satan accuses us closet for over 60 years. Without asking, engaged in that now you are ashamed of day and night before the throne of God is Bill just began to share one story after and tormented by. Law enforcement can because that is ALL he can do! He has lost another. Soon I found myself sitting next be a very difficult journey during the best all power and control over the Jesus Christ to an elderly man weeping like a baby. His of times and a literal hell during the worst. Follower, and so he is left with simply accounts were not filled with great feats of The things we see and do and the toll those making empty idle threats and baseless valor and unbridled courage but something experiences take on our marriages and accusations. He truly is the inventor of fake much different. He began to describe the families can be devastating. To you I have news! faces, the expressions, the very eye colors of some very good news. In Jesus Christ, we We whom the Lord set free are FREE men and women he had killed during the have been justified, just as if we had NEVER INDEED! We whom the Lord have forgiven war. He shared the ages he thought some of sinned! We have been made RIGHT in the are FORGIVEN indeed! We whom the Lord these men and women must have been. He eyes of God through the righteousness of loves are LOVED indeed! So, the next time painted vivid mental pictures of the clothes Jesus Himself. We have been redeemed or a fiery dart of self-condemnation is fired they were wearing, the shoes or sandals on RESCUED from God’s coming wrath on your way simply remind Satan that you are their feet. It was as if by closing my eyes I this sin cursed world. But wait, it gets even free, forgiven and loved! And when another could imagine not simply the two of us in better… person insists on throwing your past back that room, but a room filled the dozens of In Revelation 12:10 Satan is described up in your face, remind them that while men and women, young and old, whom Bill as “the accuser of our brethren…which ac- they may or may not choose to forgive and had killed during the war. With every story cused them before our God day and night.” forget, God the Father already has! a new emotional dam seemed to burst as And that is just what Satan does: He accus- See you at the finish line! tears began to roll down the cheeks of this es us before God the Father, while fanning broken giant of a man. the flames of self-condemnation in our own Chris Amos is a retired offi- Bill loved Jesus, had spent his entire lives. In other words, we all know and re- cer and former spokesperson life serving Jesus. He had an outwardly vis- member, for many of us in high definition, for the Norfolk Virginia Police ible excitement whenever the conversation the things of our past and so we are ripe to Department. He is currently turned to Jesus. Bill was a rock-solid follow- mistakenly and misleadingly be led back to the pastor at Chr1st Fellow- er of Jesus Christ and yet he still was very the place of self-condemnation for actions ship Church in Norfolk. He is much haunted by the things he had done that we have been completely, 100%, forgiv- married for 30 years and is the proud father of in combat decades earlier. I listened until en of. We beat ourselves up or allow others three children, two of whom are police officers. Bill had finished or at least run out of tears. to beat us up over things we have done in He serves as the volunteer Chaplain for Nor- I then reminded Bill of what he already the past. Things God has forgiven! In fact, folk Police Dept. and Norfolk Sheriff’s Office.
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the Bluemagazine | Vol. 9 - Issue 4 2018 57 home advice Investing in Real Estate Can Help You Gain Financial Freedom By Fasil Khan Investing in real estate is an excellent too much time doing the legwork yourself. in real estate, you have a good chance of way to build your wealth and help you The Khan Real Estate Team is here to not increasing your income cash flow within reach your goals of financial freedom. Yet, only help you invest in real estate, we’re a relatively short amount of time. This is investing itself can be a daunting process, here to invest in you. where the experts of the Khan Real Estate with many hard-working law enforcement You may be wondering if investing in Team can help you find solutions toward personnel left feeling as though success- properties such as a duplex is truly worth achieving wealth through real estate. ful investing is out of their reach. Let me the effort. There is one key aspect to keep A final note: As a member of law en- reassure you, investing in property is not in mind which can help you decide. With forcement, if you have yet to take the initial just for portfolio investors, house flippers typical investment opportunities through step of buying your first home, there are or landlords. With the right support from the stock market, you, the investor, have es- options worth looking into to get you start- a trusted real estate agent investing in real sentially only two choices, buy and sell. The ed. Did you know there’s a grant program estate is an attainable financial strategy for hope is you buy low and sell high. The real- through Bergen County to help first-time ‘regular working folk’ too. ity is there is a daily risk of losing money at home buyers buy property? The American the whim of things which are beyond your Dream Program can assist qualified appli- control. cants with down payment matches, giving This brings us to the key difference you more buying power by providing a 0% between property investing and the stock interest 2nd mortgage for making home market. As a property investor, you have improvements, thus increasing the equity more control on how your wealth can grow. value of a home plus many more oppor- You can improve your property, which, with tunities. To get started, reach out for more the right projects, can readily increase the information. value. With a duplex or other multi-family building, you also have additional cash flow Fasil Khan is a Paterson Po- available through rentals. As the owner, you lice Officer and a Real Estate control the rent, which can increase your di- Agent at Keller Williams Vil- rect cash flow. There are also tax advantages lage Square. Fasil enjoys help- available to property investors, which can ing fellow law enforcement significantly increase your income. You can officers with the purchase of Time is of the essence in all things also look into refinancing your mortgage to investment properties, as well as general sell- worth accomplishing; investing in real es- aid in gaining more funding leverage to in- ing and purchasing needs. If you are look- tate is no exception. With an experienced vest in additional properties. ing to become an agent, and have questions, team on your side, you can take advantage You may be thinking, this is a great connect with Fasil by calling or texting 201- of networking resources, investing options, idea in theory, but it takes money to make 739-7397 or email at fkhan@khanrealesta- and strategic planning without sacrificing money, right? This is true, yet by investing teteam.com. FLORIDA
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58 the Bluemagazine | Vol. 9 - Issue 4 2018 To Advertise Call: 201.881.5100 the Bluemagazine | Vol. 9 - Issue 4 2018 59 60 the Bluemagazine | Vol. 9 - Issue 4 2018 To Advertise Call: 201.881.5100 HEALTH news Get Treated, Heal Faster. By Dr. Michael Doblin
bstructive sleep apnea affects a third It is best to optimally prepare your tity and quality of sleep and increasing your of the adult population and is the body pre-operatively to increase healing, oxygenation while sleeping will improve Omost common sleep-disordered decrease inflammation, increase oxygen- or eliminate other sleep-related problems breathing. The throat muscles relax during ation and improve circulation. Obstructive such as shortness of breath, dry mouth, sleep whereby the soft palate, the uvula and sleep apnea causes intermittent hypoxia headaches, insomnia, daytime fatigue, ir- the soft tissues around the tonsils collapse, (decreased oxygenation), which causes en- ritability, attention problems, weight gain, obstructing breathing. This is a chronic life- dothelial dysfunction (endothelial tissues and minimize or eliminate heart or circula- threatening situation that prevents oxygen- line the blood vessels) and increased total tory problems. ation, causing sleep deprivation and other body inflammation. Sleep apnea is also as- complications. sociated with hypertension, heart disease, Dr. Michael Doblin graduated Identifying and managing obstructive type 2 diabetes, renal disease (kidney), non- from the University of Missouri sleep apnea before surgery improves airway alcoholic fatty liver disease, daytime fatigue, in 1972, and 3rd in his class function, which decreases healing time, attention problems and weight gain. Sleep from Howard University School promotes healing, and helps minimize the apnea is also responsible for metabolic syn- of dentistry in 1979. He has risk of respiratory depression from both drome, which is linked to a higher risk of maintained a successful dental practice for more than 37 years. For the past 5 general anesthesia and the opioids that are heart disease, increased blood pressure, ab- years, Dr. Doblin has been involved exclusively given to minimize post-operative pain. The normal cholesterol, higher blood sugar and in treating snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. time between the preoperative evaluation an increased waistline. He is dedicated to educating people and help- for the surgery and the actual surgery itself By treating sleep apnea prior to sur- ing them sleep better. With offices in Fair Lawn, is an excellent time in which to both get di- gery, you will minimize the post-surgical Trenton, Fort Lee, East Hanover, and Wood- agnosed by way of a sleep study and treated stress and help your body’s healing process. bridge, he is able to screen, evaluate, and treat using a PAP (positive air pressure) machine The benefits of treating sleep apnea do not snoring and sleep apnea. For questions or ap- or an oral appliance. end post-operatively. Improving the quan- pointments, call 1-855-859-3300.
the Bluemagazine | Vol. 9 - Issue 4 2018 61 remembrance Article & Artwork by Jonny Castro On April 26th, 2017, Delaware State Trooper Corporal Stephen Ballard conducted an investigation of a vehicle occupied by two men in a convenience store parking lot. Corporal Ballard noticed one of the men began to act suspiciously and Corporal Ballard requested that he step out of the vehicle. At that point, a violent struggle en- sued between the two. The suspect removed a handgun that was con- cealed in his waistband and shot Corporal Ballard. Suffering from a severe gunshot wound, Corpo- ral Ballard attempted to run for cover behind another vehicle but was pursued by his attacker, who continuously fired on him as he lay State Trooper unable to defend himself. Corporal Ballard was transported to the hos- Corporal pital but tragically he succumbed to his wounds. The suspect was tracked to a house where he had barricaded himself inside. After a 20-hour standoff, he was killed Stephen during a gunfight with officers -out side. Corporal Stephen Ballard was an 8 ½-year veteran of the Dela- ware State Police, a husband and a father to a 5-year-old girl. He was Ballard 32 years old.
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62 the Bluemagazine | Vol. 9 - Issue 4 2018 To Advertise Call: 201.881.5100 the Bluemagazine | Vol. 9 - Issue 4 2018 63 aw enforcement officers and canines are a natural pairing, providing loyalty Land pleasure to each other, forming close relationships and companionship. Send us a favorite photo of you and your ‘best friend’ to be displayed in Blue Paws!
“Echo” “Cali” “Cujo” “Lola” Officer James Phelan Officer Joe Vernotica 16 yr old Chihuahua Det./Sgt. Raphael Garcia Paterson Essex County rat terrier mix Passaic County Police Department Sheriffs Office Sco Tomaino Sheriff’s Department njdoc
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