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 48, NUMBER 8 SAN FRANCISCO, AUGUST 2016 www.sfpoa.org Persevering the Violence and Blame America’s Cops Have Been There Before By Martin Halloran against law enforcement has escalated. much, whether it be on a local level or a SFPOA President Snipers have perpetrated cold-blooded, national level. calculated ambushes on public servants Through all of this recent turmoil, Many men and women in law en- – good people who were just doing their sadness, and heartache in our profes- forcement who serve and protect our jobs and were targeted simply because sion cops long for strong leaders that communities 24/7 365 days a year are of the uniform that they wear or because can send a clear and concise message asking this question “Am I next? Are of their race. not only to the first responders but more we now targets for factions of our com- Many have hypothesized as to why importantly to the public that we have munity who need us the most?” we are once again experiencing the taken an oath to serve. Thankfully a new These questions haunt police as they carnage in our profession similar to the voice of wisdom and common sense has go about doing the job that most people random murderous attacks on police of- emerged from the tragedies of Dallas. would never consider doing. This ques- ficers in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s. That person is Dallas Police Chief David tion cannot be surprising to anyone I believe that much of vilification of law Brown. after the brutal ambush assassination enforcement today is based on a false Chief Brown may have the most of five Dallas police officers on July 7, narrative and nonfactual information unique perspective on public safety 2016, along with the seven other officers that is spread not only through social and the personal feelings of loss and and civilians being wounded that day. media, but also through mainstream sorrow. Unfortunately, Chief Brown’s We are sent into the worst areas and The equally horrifying massacre of media. This message is easily accepted younger brother was killed in 1991 by a neighborhoods and are asked to deal three Baton Rouge police officers and by some because it is sensationalized drug dealer in Phoenix. Tragically Chief with the misery, the poverty, the crime, the wounding of three more officers with eight seconds of captured video Brown’s son, who suffered from mental the human condition and are expected to just ten days later also raised this same and nothing else. No facts and no con- health issues, killed an officer in the line resolve all of nation’s problems without question. The calculated deadly assaults clusions from any government orga- of duty in 2010. His son was then killed incident, without confrontation, and on police officers are now happening in nizations authorized and empowered by officers during an exchange of gun- without harming anyone. We are judged our own backyard with the unprovoked to investigate are even spoken of. No fire. With the cold blooded murder of by ten-second videos, anti-police groups, attempted murder of an Oakland police factual data from studies done by the five of his officers, Chief Brown has faced and a media that often could care less sergeant on July 23rd who was shot at Washington Post or Harvard Professor the most challenging and difficult times about the facts as long as they are the several times immediately after she was Roland Fryer Jr. are even considered of his career. He has handled it with lead on the nightly news. We chose this injured in a traffic collision. We now or reported. Both of those reports and dignity, class, and has remained poised profession because we care. To most, it is have the shooting of two San Diego many similar reports are readily avail- in the face of unimaginable heartache. a calling to those of us who want to make police officers on July 29th. One officer able on line. Part of his message during the eulogy of a positive difference in our community. died from the multiple gunshots, and When ill-informed individuals buy his fallen comrades was this: “Become Sadly, it appears that we are now being his partner is recovering in the hospital into this false narrative they tend to a part of the solution. Serve your com- hunted down and executed by some in after emergency surgery. lash out at the easiest government tar- munity. Don’t be a part of the problem. our own communities simply because These senseless cowardly acts have get-- the local police. Comparisons can We’re hiring,” This message has been of the uniform that we wear. shaken law enforcement to the core and be made that during the Vietnam era delivered before, by others, but now Despite this, we will persevere. We have sent shock waves through all of when organized groups lashed out at coming from Chief Brown, knowing will do what we always do, which is those who believe in law and order and the government over that long ugly war. what he has suffered, it should resonate go out there every day and every night the sanctity of life. The war of words Their wrath was targeted at the closest with everyone who believes in service and put our life on the line for people government entity — the local police. to their fellow man. we do not even know. We took an oath One of the main differences between The recent acts of cowardly cold to protect and serve our fellow man. We the Vietnam era and today is that most blooded murder of police officers have will not shirk from our responsibilities elected officials on a municipal, state, the potential to drive a wedge between as America’s first line of defense. We owe and national level openly supported law enforcement officers and the com- that to ourselves and our families. We law enforcement and the armed forces munities that we serve. But we will not owe that to our fellow officers, and to the who were serving in that era. Today our let this happen. We refuse to. Instead, public that we swore to protect. Today deserving military personnel rightfully we will continue to work hand in hand and every day, we rededicate ourselves receive the proper respect from govern- to forge ahead, to promote peace within to that mission. ment officials but the police? Not so our community and unity in our cities. Slainte! Militancy, Ambush, Bombings; SFPD Hit Hard in Crazy Times • November 14, 1994. Armor-clad gunman kills Officer Mission Police Station, which was discovered before James Guelff in extended fire fight. detonation. • January 28, 1972. Avowed cop-hating sniper random- • October 22, 1970. Militants explode bomb at fu- ly kills Sergeant Code Beverly as he walked a beat in neral of slain SFPD officer Harold Hamilton. Several the Mission. mourners injured. • August 29, 1971. Armed militants enter Ingleside Sta- • June 19, 1970. Officer Richard Radetich killed by tion and wantonly kill Sergeant John V. Young, injure ambush as he wrote a traffic citation in lower Haight one female clerk. district. Periodicals postage paid at San Francisco, (USPS #882-320) CA • August 28, 1971. Militants attempt machine gun am- • February 18, 1970. Sergeant Brian McDonnell killed, 9 bush of Mission District Sergeant George Kowalski; others injured in militant bombing of Park Station. shootout and arrest follows. • December 16, 1967. Officer Herman George killed by • March 30, 1971. Militants plant a bomb on roof of sniper shooting into Hunters Point sub-station. Page 2 POA Journal August 2016 Minutes of the July 20, 2016, SFPOA Board of Directors Meeting language of 835a of the California 15. Representative Frank Pereira (Traf- Penal Code, the carotid restraint, fic) stated that regular work hours and the use of firearms in regard to for solos were continuing to change engaging moving vehicle threats. with little departmental notice. 9. President Halloran reminded the 16. Old Business. Sergeant at Arms board of the upcoming POA-spon- Kirwan reminded the board that sored “Day of Remembrance” for we need sponsors (corporate and fallen officers and firefighters being private) for the Poker Tournament held on July 22nd at the Golden Gate fundraiser on Friday, September Yacht Club. 23rd. This event is the only sched- 10. Vice President’s Message. Vice uled event that raises money for the President Tony Montoya discussed POA scholarships. “Assist the Officers Foundation” set 17. Financial requests. Treasurer Joe up by the Dallas POA. Valdez made a motion to give $2,500 11. V.P. Montoya explained that the POA to funds set up for the fallen officers Parliamentarian Mike Hebel swears in new Tactical Reps Gavin McEachern and Dan will continue to reimburse members in Dallas and Baton Rouge. The Laval, along with Admin’s Christos Rallis. attending officers’ funerals up to motion received a second from Rep- $400 for traveling expenses. resentative Shawn Imhoff (Taraval). The motion passed unanimously by 1. Sergeant at Arms Val Kirwan called the June 2016 Board Minutes. The 12. Treasurer’s Report. Treasurer Val- voice vote. the meeting to order at 1201 hours. motion received a second from dez handed out the monthly ex- 2. Sergeant at Arms Val Kirwan led the Representative Dan Laval (Tactical). pense report. 18. The meeting was adjourned at 1352 The motion passed unanimously by hours. board in the Pledge of Allegiance.