the San Francisco [ I1 I Jl]:1 IEIY if']IN 111k I I 4* I ;fl ['WI'i'LJ'i II 1'l [_1*f'IH I I 'IJ 110, To Promote the Efficiency and Good Name of the San Francisco Police Department and its Members Member of COPS - California Organization of Police & Sheriffs OLUME17 SAN' FRANCISCO, MAY 1985 NUMBER 5 THE LEGACY OF JERRY D'ARCY by Paul Chignell BLUE COAT CATALYST 1970s in bringing the San Francisco Police Officers' Jerry D'Arcy's greatest legacy with the San Francisco Association to a position of respect, power and Gerald C. D'Arcy, Commander of Police and Police Department will not be his ascension ta the high effectiveness ranking position with the Department. That high rank can- Younger officers have never heard of the former President of the San Francisco Police Of- not be taken away as his pension will be based upon that BLUECOATS. But the BLUECOAT team that was form- ficers' Association retired in May of 1985 after important rank. But Jerry D'Arcy will be most ed originally by Lou Calabro and Jerry Crowley in 1970 thirty-three (33) years of service. remembered for his tremendous leadership in the early was guided by the firm leadership of Jerry D'Arcy. As Lou Calabro recently stated, "Jerry D'Arcy's greatest talent was to utilize the enthusiasm of his colleagues to af- fect change." BARRY RESPONDS TO CHIEF And change the shape of the Police Department he cer- tainly did. May 16, 1985 The BLUECOAT movement stood for the rights of police officers in total, but most importantly the rights of Cornelius P. Murphy, Chief of Police view, with amazement, that such an ap- the uninformed forces, who until 1971 were frozen out of San Francisco Police Department proach could ever result in a well disciplin- policy making with the San Francisco Police Officers' Association. The BLUECOATS were formed to change 850 Bryant Street ed, efficient and empathetic police San Francisco, California 94103 department. continued on page 24 While the department has been criticized Dear Chief Murphy: from the bottom up for a negative attitude INFORMATION in relations with the public, perhaps con- It is with considerable regret that your re- sidering your "people last" attitude, it BULLETIN cent action in terminating the exemplary, should be re-evaluated from the top down. thirty-one years service of Commanders We in the police profession are in the Canepa and D'Arcy necessitates the writing "people" business with the inherent desire SAN FRANCISCO POLICE DEPARTMENT 85-75 of this letter, however, the manner in which to assist people in need - to have the you exercised your discretion in changing tolerance of understanding and to display DIVISION COMMANDERS your leadership in shameful and without the human empathy to the victims of crimes justification. and to the downtrodden. These are qualities The reecent change of Division Commanders has im- Commanders Canepa and D'Arcy have which are indispensible in our profession pacted. the department and needs some explanation. Con- trary to what was reported in the media the Commanders served our department and our citizens and they are the same qualities which must did not learn of the change through the rumor mill or the with distinction for over three decades, yet, be displayed, internally, at every level of media. They learned of the change from their immediate in their final days of service, these our department, because we "the people," supervisor. That was not the way it was intended, but gentlemen were denied, through your experience the very same problems extant nonetheless I accept responsibility for the manneer in which precipitious and insensitive action, the op- in society. We are as fallible as all others, it was handled. I also regret any embarrassment to the of- portunity to end their careers on the "high ficers involved. None was intended or deserved and I have and when personnel problems arise, communicated that to the officers. note" to which they were entitled. regardless of the severity, they must be It is important to recognize that the leadership of the At the very least, upon your arriving at a dealt with in a firm yet sensitive and P.O.A. has chosen not to thrust the department administra- decision to change your command, which is understanding manner. This is the message tion into an adversarial role with the POA. No good could certainly your prerogative, Commanders that must be transmitted to our officers - have come from such an action. Our goals are not mutual- Canepa and D'Arcy were entitled to an im- not the rigidity to which you now subscribe. ly exclusive and by working together we can accomplish those goals. That is not to say that we will not have mediate and personal explanation of your There is no monopoly on wisdom, Chief disagreements from time to time but we can resolve them intentions. Instead, the insensitivity which Murphy. in a professional manner. you displayed in allowing the "rumor mill" As you may firmly believe in this "new The POA's recognition that long range goals should take and the press to be recipient of the news found" philosophy, it would go a long way precedence over the short range frustration is commendable first, has caused these individuals great to restore the integrity of Commanders and deserves your support. consternation and has outraged our entire It has been a trying year for the department and what Canepa and D'Arcy and the department in has held us together is our belief that we are a good depart- police department. general, for you to now re-evaluate your ment. It's time to, once again, close ranks and get on with It was a tragic mistake that must be theory of task orientation over people. the business of serving our City. acknowledged and personally conveyed to In the spirit of cooperation and for the CORNELIUS P. MURPHY these gentlemen and publicly acknowledged good of our department, I ask you to give Chief of Police to the men and women serving our depart- my thoughts and concerns very serious con- ment. Otherwise, this unfortunate situation sideration and to convey to our members a IN THIS ISSUE: will remain as an unwanted legacy to you. more positive approach. Police Post ...................................... Page 2 You speak of change - a "new style of Widows & Orphans .................... .Page 2 leadership," a "more aggressive" ap- Very truly yours, Retirement Column ..................... Page 2 Exec. Bd. Columns .................... Page 3 proach to administering our department, Right Here in River City. ................ Page 3 emphasizing "tasks before people" rather SAN FRANCISCO POLICE Off With His Head ............... ....... Page 4 than "people before tasks" as you say was OFFICERS' ASSOCIATION 0CC Articles ........... ............... Page 5 the style of Commanders Canepa and Uniform & Safety Comm. Reports ........ Page 6 BOB BARRY Fed. Lit Update. .. ..................... Page 7 D'Arcy. In spite of the fact that you com- President Around the Dept ......... ............ .. Page 8 mand our department and set the direction Veterans POA ........................ Page 10 for internal and external policing, I find BB: 1w Minutes ............................. Page 14 Letters ............................... Page 16 great difficulty in subscribing to your cc: Diane Feinstein Sports & PAL ..................... Pages 20-23 "tasks before people" philosophy and Members, Police Commission The Last Word .............................. Page 24 PAGE 2 SAN FRANCISCO POLICEMAN MAY 1985 RETIREMENT COLUMN POLICE By Gino Marionetti by turning in the old license and filling out some forms. POST and Michael Sugrue But your auto insurance policy probably will have to be Retirement Planning Seminar Coordinators rewritten - or cancelled if your insurance company isn't #456 Policemen who are considering moving to another licensed in the new state. area, the following article may be of interest. One of the most important financial considerations for people thinking of retiring is the cost of living in the area NEWS PRIME RETIREMENT STATES in which they live or to which they plan to relocate. No In an attempt to cut expenses, many people approaching matter where a retired single person or couple reside, it's "Will it help others?" That was the question asked by retirement consider relocating. According to a recent study, a good idea for them to pay constant attention to the rising the wife of the last recipient of the artificial heart who died the following ten states offer the best values for retirees costs of goods and services available in the community. of complications last month. That must rank as one of the in the 1980's: Utah, Louisiana, Florida, South Carolina, Each fall, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Depart- most unselfish questions to be asked of a doctor, by a Nevada, Texas, New Mexico, Alabama, Arizona, and ment of Labor prepares an annual budget for a hypothetical woman in her time of grief. Even at a time of great loss Georgia. Items taken into consideration are: (1) modest liv- retire couple with lower, intermediate, and higher level in- she still had time to think of others. What a beautiful ing and fuel costs; (2) low taxes; (3) nearness to shopping, comes. This can be a useful tool for pre-retirees to help person. medical and recreation facilities; (4) availability of hous- them measure how far their retirement dollars may stretch May is an active month in American Legion circles. ing; and (5) opportunities for part-time employment. The in various parts of the country. The living-cost study, which May 18th was Armed Forces Day and I hope that there survey also listed the worst retirement areas: New England, cover 24 metropolitan areas, four non-metropolitan areas, was a good turnout at the Hunter's Point Naval Shipyard.