Social Media Vs. Privacy Rights from Burning Building by Martin Halloran Are Often Nonsensical
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LEBRATIN CE G FRANCIS N CO SA 40YEARS P O LIC E W O S M ER EN OFFIC c Official Publication Of The C SAN FRANCISCO POLICE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION This Publication was Produced and Printed in California, USA ✯ Buy American ✯ Support Local Business VOLUME 47, NUMBER 2 SAN FRANCISCO, FEBRUARY 2015 www.sfpoa.org Big Brother is watching Heroic Rescue: 13-Year-Old Jumps Social Media vs. Privacy Rights From Burning Building By Martin Halloran are often nonsensical. Why? Those After Saving His Dog SFPOA President departments believe that they have to demonstrate to their Boards of Super- SFPD personnel from This past December, the depart- visors, City Counsels, Mayors, and the Mission Station save ment issued Department Bulletin public that they are ahead of this new- a 13 year old boy and 14-267, Social Media Policy. This DB media curve. I do not believe that is his beloved dog from addresses new grounds beyond DGO the situation in the SFPD. Chief Suhr’s 10.07 and DGO 10.08. All members DB 14-267 is a fair and reasonable first a raging four alarm need to be aware that this DB will step in this new and ever-evolving apartment fire. likely be amended within the next employer/employee arena. year. It is highly probable that the On the flip side, law enforcement In what seems like a se- department will establish, in the very associations are scrambling to get a quence right out of an action near future, a new DGO related to so- handle on appropriate member de- movie, Alessandro Gonza- cial media and information shared by fense premises. The violations are so les, 13, was fast asleep in his members — both on and off duty. new that many are not specifically room when fire engulfed his In the October 2013 issue of the POA jacketed as a defined offense, and of- building. He didn’t hear the Journal, I authored an article related ficers across the nation are falling into smoke alarms, but the hys- to this issue. (See Page 7). The reason “Conduct Unbecoming” rabbit holes. right of privacy in comparison to a terical screams in the building I brought this to the attention of the A case in point is SFPD DGO 2.01, nexus of that member’s communica- woke him up. members then, and why I raise it again, Rule 1 through Rule 57. That’s a lot tion in relation to his or her standing Trying to get out of the is simply this; there is NO ANONYM- of “conduct unbecoming an officer.” within the department. Big Brother three-story blazing building ITY when posting, texting, or messag- The POA will always defend a mem- is out there, and even though they alive, Gonzales ran toward ing, while on duty, on a department ber accused of wrongdoing during the maybe watching us, we (the POA) are the fire escape with his dog – issued mobile device, or a department course and scope of his or her duties. also watching them … a mixed Shih Tzu-miniature computer. NONE! That will never change as long as I am Slainte! poodle. He successfully made it Departments throughout the coun- President. One of the challenges facing Read more about the impact of social to the second floor, but found try are frantically establishing social us now in the social media era is to de- media on the SFPD on Page 7. himself stuck there with seem- media policies and procedures that termine what constitutes a member’s ingly no possible way out. Scan the QR code or go Few comparisons to Ferguson, MO Dedication of New to the link and listen to this Officer Douglas Gibbs young man’s account of the Memorial February 10 fire. Great job SFPD! Halloran Gives Interview to CBS Bay Area; Has Confidence in the Training and Diversity of SFPD Officers POA Staff Report contributes to. And just a couple of them off the top of my head, would be the San On Sunday, January 4, 2015, San Francisco Police Department Wilderness http://tinyurl.com/llmqr9o Francisco Police Officers Association program, the Omega Boys Club, headed president Martin Halloran appeared by Dr. Joe Marshall and many other or- The Officer Douglas Gibbs me- on KCBS In Depth where he gave a ganizations throughout the city.” morial Dedication Committee of 30-minute interview discussing the Listen to the entire interview by the Veterans’ POA will hold a cer- training, diversity, and experience of visiting: http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal. emony at the SFPD Lake Merced the SFPD, particularly as those topics com/2015/01/05/452077/ Pistol Range. All members, police relate to police, community relations, Or by scanning officers, and community support- and race. this QR Code (Scroll ers are invited to attend. “We need to keep an open, healthy down to start the Officer Gibbs was shot and dialogue with these groups of individuals interview) killed in 1977 while arresting a and with the services they get throughout parolled felon during a decoy op- San Francisco, or the services that the POA eration in the Tenderloin. The case drew extraordinary media cover- age, and more than 1500 people attended his funeral. A memorial plaque had been placed in his honor near the fishing pier at the Lake Merced Boathouse, but years of neglect and the destruction of the pier left the plaque obscured by overgrown brush. The VPOA formed the com- On December 29, 2014, a group of SFPD mittee that raised the funds and supporters rallied in front of Central obtained the necessary permits Station. We don’t know their names or af- needed to relocate the memorial. Periodicals postage paid at San Francisco, #882-320) (USPS CA filiation, but we certainly appreciate their The ceremony will follow the confidence. Thank you, whoever you are! regularly scheduled VPOA meet- —Martin Halloran ing on Tuesday, February 10, 2015 at 2:30 pm. PHOTO BY JOHN VAN KOLL Page 2 POA Journal February 2015 Minutes of the January 21, 2015 SFPOA Board Meeting* 1. Sergeant-at-Arms (SA) Val Kirwan acknowledged the following former Next month, a determination will ment Officers Memorial. called the meeting to order at 1201 representatives: Raphael Rockwell be made as to how much active 8. Michael Stasko (Ret.) made a pre- hours. (Admin), Greg Stechshulte (Co D), members will have to contribute sentation on behalf of a fundraiser 2. SA Kirwan led the board in the Yulanda Williams (Co G) and Ed toward their retirement contribu- for Riordan High School. Stasko is Pledge of Allegiance. Following the Carew (Co A). tion. Stansbury encouraged anyone raising money for floor mats to be pledge, Kirwan asked for a moment 4. Secretary Mike Nevin conducted with questions to contact him at used in the Riordan H.S. gym. [email protected]. of silence for police officers and roll call. 9. Representative Kevin Lyons (Co J) military personnel killed in the 5. Brian Stans- 6. Dermot Dorgan (Elections Chair) made a motion to approve the De- line of duty. bury (Co B / discussed the results of the online cember 2014 minutes. The motion 3. The following representatives for Retirement election that was held from Janu- received a second from Represen- the board of directors were sworn Board Mem- ary 12 through January 16, 2015. tative Chris Schaffer (Co C). The into office by President Marty ber) addressed Co A had 103 voting members; motion passed unanimously by Halloran (note: some are current the board re- Co B had 90 voting members; Co voice vote. D had 141 voting members; Co G members): Larry Chan (Co A), Rey garding recent 10. A discussion on a proposed sale of Serrano (Airport), Mark Trierweiler events involv- had 64 voting members; Co H had 41 voting members; Airport had 87 800 Bryant was led by President (Airport), Louis Wong (Co B), Joe ing the retire- Marty Halloran. John Lewerenz Brian Stansbury voting members. Clark (Co D), Scott Edwards (Co ment board. (senior director at Cushman & D), Damon Keeve (Go G), Crispin He spoke about hedge funds, 7. Mike Amoroso (Co A) and Jennifer Wakefield) was in attendance Jones (Co H), Jim Trail (Co H), Phil fossil fuels, a housing investment Irwin (Co I) made a presentation and answered questions. After a Busalacchi (Co G), Kevin Moylan proposal, and ethics. Stansbury seeking funding support for the bond measure passed, 800 Bryant (Admin), Frank Pereira (Co K). said the retirement fund was 90% 2015 Police Unity (bike) Tour ben- (POA Building) is in the future President Halloran thanked and funded and worth about 20 billion. efiting the National Law Enforce- plans for new court-jail building. The City has done an appraisal and offered to purchase the POA Board of Directors Meeting Roll Call building for $8.2 million. This would mean a significant return Wednesday, January 21, 2015 on the original investment of $3 Vote Vote million (plus about $900,000 to 1# #1 outfit the location). If the POA does not accept the offer it would likely President Martin Halloran P Y Co. G Phillip Busalacchi P Y be faced with “eminent domain” Damon Keeve P Y Vice President Tony Montoya P Y legal proceedings in the coming Secretary Michael Nevin P Y Co. H Crispin Jones P Y years. The POA would need to James Trail P Y Treasurer Joseph Valdez P Y relocate to another building and Co. I Michael Ferraresi P Y Sergeant-At-Arms Val Kirwan P Y a lease-back option would need Jody Kato E to be worked out in the interim.