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 9 SAN FRANCISCO, SEPTEMBER 2015 www.sfpoa.org Shameful, but not Surprising By Martin Halloran Having no direct knowledge of any earlier this year. It would have been SFPOA President of these cases, or the specifics facts nice if he voiced his concern about that led to any of the confrontations, those officers who made the ultimate As the November election grows Mirkarimi decided to lend his voice to sacrifice. Perhaps that was not impor- closer, some elected officials will sink this cause. By doing so, he has become tant to him since there were no votes to desperate levels in their attempt part of the lynch mob that often reacts to be had by pandering to that crowd. to garnish any type of support. The on rumors and emotions rather than Now, the Sheriff wants his depart- antics of some politicians are predict- facts and truth. By his participation ment to patrol the streets of San Fran- able, but the recent antics of Sheriff in this event, he has turned his back cisco. It is a bit ironic that Mirkarimi Ross Mirkarimi are shameful and on all law enforcement officers in San is going down this path since, per despicable. Francisco. the City Charter, the responsibilities On August 22, 2015, a rally was held Mirkarimi said, “I believe that us of patrol clearly belongs to the SFPD, at 24th and Mission Streets. The theme and law enforcement have an obliga- and he would be ineligible to become of this gathering was Stop Murder By Po- tion, a responsibility, to achieve many a San Francisco police officer based on How does the Sheriff intend to patrol lice/Stop Police Terror. This group of less of the ideals and realities that I think his domestic violence conviction and the streets when he can’t maintain than 200 people marched to Mission people are talking about here.” prior suspended drivers license. minimum staffing in the jails without Station where they chanted the names What about his responsibility and This scheme is also questionable forcing his deputies into mandatory of individuals that they claimed were obligation to the men and women in considering that Mirkarimi claimed overtime? murdered by the police. Who was in his own department and all of law that he had inadequate staffing levels These appear to be desperate acts the middle of this march to Mission enforcement in California? It’s too when Chief Suhr requested assistance by a desperate candidate. Either way, Station while names were read aloud? bad he didn’t feel any responsibility or from the SFSD in the transportation of his actions are shameful and political None other than the elected Sheriff of obligation to attend the Peace Officer prisoners and the guarding the prison- posturing for a lost cause. San Francisco County, Ross Mirkarimi. Memorial ceremony in Sacramento ers at San Francisco General Hospital. Slainte! Blue Courage — The Heart and Mind of the Guardian By Mike Nevin, ing the lives and careers of men and ficer, in an instant, can impact an indi- ties they have a better opportunity to SFPOA Secretary women in law enforcement. vidual for life, and even a community draw support and motivation from the The transformational two-day for generations. Given this realization, public they serve. Blue Courage is a way of being, a philoso- workshop sets the stage for a deep every police officer must be centered Blue Courage is a unique and it is phy that inspires one to embody the noblest reflection reminding officers of the on what is important. Service, justice, expanding. Fortunately, the SFPD is of character and unquestioned devotion. noble reasons they chose this profes- and fundamental fairness — these sion in the first place. The seminar are the foundational principals in onboard and more workshops will be It is to flourish in all aspects of life, to honors the fallen, and it is a powerful which every po- scheduled in the future. act with practical wisdom, to exude vital- reminder of the risk associated with lice action must ity, and to hearten human connections. the job. be grounded” — The course is designed to reignite Dr. Stephen R. Michael Nila, a 29-year veteran the spirit required to be a police of- Covey. and Commander (ret.) from Aurora, ficer in these times of great challenge. The wise cop Illinois, is the creator of Blue Cour- Everything from the nobility of polic- will survive age workshops and the author of The ing to positive psychology are covered the toughest of Nobility of Policing. Lieutenant Jack drawing on literature and years of times because Hart, a 16-year veteran of the SFPD, research. law enforce- is currently assigned to the Academy The “16 seconds to clarity” focuses ment does not handling professional development. attention and mindfulness by quiet- get democratic Both men are involved in a nationwide ing the mind. This simple breathing legitimacy sim- effort aimed at improving and enrich- pattern has a long lasting effect when ply by enforcing practiced regularly. the law. When The practical wisdom concept is police show re- extremely valuable for 21st century po- spect and display licing — the right way to do the right fairness in their thing. “The actions of any police of- day to day activi- Lt. Jack Hart and Blue Courage creator, Michael Nila. Periodicals postage paid at San Francisco, #882-320) (USPS CA Attendees of the POA-hosted Blue Courage Workshop posing in the Atrium of POA Building. Page 2 POA Journal September 2015 Minutes of the August 12, 2015 SFPOA Board Meeting* 1. Vice President Tony Montoya called ing law enforcement support. This any changes to their beneficiary. the meeting to order at 1204 hours. fall a signature gathering operation 16. Treasurer’s Report. Treasurer Joe 2. Secretary at Arms Val Kirwan led will commence. Supporters of this Valdez handed out the monthly the board in the Pledge of Alle- initiative are requesting financial expense report. giance. He then asked for a moment support. The board of directors 17. New Business. Representative Paget of silence for all military members will vote on financial support at a Mitchell (Park) presented a signed and police officers killed in the line future board meeting. poster created by Officer Lilly Prill- of duty. 6. President’s Message. President Hal- inger. The poster was her original 3. Secretary Mike Nevin conducted loran met with Chief Suhr and they artwork for the Haight Street Fair. roll call. discussed the 9-hour day. They will President Halloran will have it 4. Representative Gerald Lyons (Bay- officially ‘meet and confer’ on the framed and placed at POA. view) made a motion to approve issue before the end of September. 18. Representative Chris Schaffer the July 2015 Board Minutes. The 7. Sgt. Martin Lalor (Hondas) and his (Bayview) queried about upcoming motion received a second from wife, Astrida Lalor, made a presen- promotional exams. The captain Representative Mario Busalacchi tation to the board on behalf of Astrida Lalor test will be given first followed by (Traffic). The motion passed unani- Purple Heart Anglers. This orga- Breed and Malia Cohen in regards the lieutenant test. mously by voice vote. nization takes disabled veterans to the in-custody death on Lom- 19. Representative Chris Canning (In- 5. President Martin Halloran in- on fishing trips in Alaska. Astrida bard Street last month. Halloran vestigations) reminded the board troduced San Bernadino County Lalor works for Alaskan Airlines, explained that there are currently of the role the D.A. has in OIS/ICD District Attorney Mike Ramos and and the airline assists with travel 5 separate and independent ongo- criminal investigations. Sacramento County District At- arrangements. The Lalor’s made a ing investigations into the matter. 20. Representative Joe McCloskey financial request of $5,000 in order torney Ann Marie Schubert. They 10. President Halloran attended the (Tenderloin) will be sending out to help fund more veterans for an spoke about an upcoming effort final “working group” meeting a packet to the board regarding upcoming trip. to reform the death penalty and sponsored by the Department on an autism study members will be passed out a PowerPoint. They 8. President Halloran met with Chief body cameras. The POA and city asked to participate in. represent the group called Califor- Suhr and agreed to postponing will still “meet and confer” after 21. Old Business. Representative Rey nians for Death Penalty Reform & the upcoming sign-up due to the the Police Commission votes on a Serrano (Airport) inquired about Savings. This initiative will seek to fact that with sergeant promotions policy draft. the 1-day sick note and FMLA for happening in September it would eliminate automatic review by the 11. Only 18 Department actives (of wellness program. Gregg Adam allow for the newly promoted to California Supreme Court, ensure over 2,000) are non-POA members. (POA Attorney) has sent a letter to appeal timelines, allow for death participate in the seniority sign-up. DHR requesting them to act after 12. The Frank Jordan Wendy Paskin row inmates to be housed at prisons The sign-up will close October 3rd the Department denied the request Scholarship Award night is August other than just San Quentin, and and go into effect on October 10th. to make any changes. 19. An e-mail invite is being sent to adopt a single drug protocol.