Beyond the Shield

Is police technology killing and maiming cops? Call for Safe Police Vehicles Petition

Policevet's Blog — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 05:37:00 GMT

Is police technology killing and maiming cops?

SIGN THE CALL FOR SAFE POLICE VEHICLES PETITION

Have you or someone you know suffered career ending injuries or death from colliding with computers, consoles, weapons, roll bar cages and associated hardware? Would a side impact air bag have reduced injury severity or saved a life?

We constantly hear the testimonials of the values of ballistic vests, so why are we ignoring the values of common sense? We have officers commuting to and from work in the safest cars their money can buy, while working in one of the most dangerous work environments in America… a police cruiser!

As a parent of young children, I'm well aware of the dilemma toy manufacturers face in getting their product from factory to the user child. Have you ever experienced the overkill of flex cuff like fasteners, wire ties, tape, etc that ensure the product arrives undamaged?

As I look at today’s cruisers, I'm instantly aware of the similar mindset in ensuring that a Mobile Data Terminal (MDT) or Laptop survives any challenge. A quick look at the above image is revealing. Look at the puncturing bolts and sharp edges and corners and rigid columns. This stuff is packaged to survive the trip just like that well secured toy. To dispel the image of this frequently observed problem being caused by improper installation we can look to the Motorola Mobile Workstation 800 Mounting Solutions BROUCHURE of equipment images with rigid pole and exposed bolt ends.

To make matters worse, many police agencies are said to be disabling the passenger side airbags to presumably prevent officers injuries from having all of this technology thrust into them in a collision. Computers are being protected at the expense of police officer lives and safety.

As an specialist in accident reconstruction and analysis, I have knowledge of the dynamics of motor vehicle accidents and the interaction between occupants and vehicle components. Although I no longer investigate accidents, I'm still a card carrying member of several reconstruction and forensics organizations. Based upon my experience, I find it unreasonable that officers are being put in unnecessary danger to protect technology.

I grew up in the era of the highway safety evolution. The early cars I drove had hard unrelenting interiors. Steering columns, wheels, knobs and other features didn't bend much or yield in a collision. All of that changed, or did it? Collapsing steering wheels, air bags, and other technologies increased occupants chance of survival and reduced the scope and severity of injuries. Dummies were sacrificed instead of people to create a safe interior environment. The evolution succeeded to such a degree that today the dummies are sacrificed to test repair costs and bumpers.

Are cops, engineers, reconstructionists, government agencies and officials, and medical experts allowing cops to be sacrificed in the name of boosting law enforcement technology? Why aren’t cops demanding safe work environments when traffic accidents are a leading cause of death and career ending injuries?

Has there been any collision testing with this common equipment setup in three frequently occurring types
of police collisions - offset frontal and a side impact test with vehicles and fixed objects such as poles and trees. Why does OSHA investigate hand and finger injuries in the workplace, while ignoring police injuries and deaths?

Recent side impact crash testing of the 2008 Ford Crown Victoria and the 2008 DODGE Charger 300 in their family car configuration rated the Crown Vic as marginal and the Charger as poor. The 2008 Chevrolet Impala was rated as good. This underscores the need to be uncompromising in choosing and installing each and every component of law enforcement technology into a law enforcement vehicle.

It is time to start answering these and other questions. Among other areas of concern is the development of anti-submarining technology in seat design and the proper alignment of seat belts for gun belt wearing officers. It is time to demand that the interiors of law enforcement vehicles provide officers with safe police duty vehicles rather than converted passenger cars.

I’d like to ask you to join the American Police Veterans in asking Congress to investigate the deaths and injuries of America’s law enforcement officers and agents, while operating police vehicles. To that end, I’d like you to sign on to a petition demanding:

- that all newly purchased police vehicles be equipped with side impact air bags by the 2010 model year,

- that disabling an airbag in a police vehicle result in the forfeiture of all federal highway safety funds to the parent political subdivision for the following fiscal year, and

- that the National Highway Safety Administration investigate all police crashes involving a death or injury to an occupant law enforcement officer.

SIGN THE CALL FOR SAFE POLICE VEHICLES PETITION

Sgt. George Brown, a line of duty disabled police veteran of the Plainville Massachusetts Police Department, is the founder of American Police Veterans www.policevets.org. Sgt. Brown has been recognized as an expert in accident causation and analysis in the Massachusetts Trials Courts. He is a member of the Society of Accident Reconstrunctionists (SOAR), the International Association of Accident Reconstruction Specialists (IAARS), a Fellow in the American College of Forensic Examiners (ACFEi) and a Diplomat on the American Board of Law Enforcement Experts (DABLEE). Brown has a Master of Science in Criminal Justice Administration from Western New England College.

Notes:

1) Motorola Mobile Workstation 800 Mounting Solutions

2) Redesigning police cruisers: In Rhode Island, it's an art
    Industrial design students streamline vehicles to increase officer safety

3 ) Why did so many die in accidents last year

4) Cg-lock seatbelt locks
   http://www.cg-lock.com/press_reviews/OfficerCom-10-24-07.pdf
   http://www.cg-lock.com/police/safetytesting

5) Overall crashworthiness evaluations, current models LARGE FAMILY CARS

SIGN THE CALL FOR SAFE POLICE VEHICLES PETITION

I am Policevet!

Policevet's Blog — Tue, 27 May 2008 02:58:00 GMT

Please think about the following statement. I AM POLICEVET!

I've provided you, the former American law enforcement officer an chance to co-create a community about you, for you, and by you.

www.policevets.org is the place that everything about retirement, disability, injury prevention, aging, memories, desires, interests, fears and hopes should be woven into a fabric that is policevet.

By making a small commitment of self, you'll contribute to building an American icon. This Memorial Day weekend, I attended several parades and other events. The America's military men and women that have served their country with a duty and honor similar to your service, have a place in America's heart, political, social history and legends.

As I watched men and women march, or ride by stricken by disability or age, I knew their story. It has been acted out, written and passed from father to son. I knew just a few of veterans, marching proudly, honored for achievements and service long ago. Each veteran has contributed to their legacy. They've become part of the story.

You as Policevet, have a unique chance to shape your legacy. Who are you? What are your joys, sorrows, memories, sources of pride? What are your plans, dreams and aspirations? How do you successfully or unsuccessfully manage your post career years?

You are a very important. You are policevet!

What interests you? Would you like to find insider knowledge on the best hunting and fishing locations in Georgia? Would you like to find a friend who'd drive you to a hospital or doctor's appointment?

Would you like to know that you are not alone when your police occupational injury or illness throws you into the gauntlet of worker's compensation and legal hell as you struggle to provide for your family?

You are POLICEVET! Please become a co-creator of www.policevets.org, it is time to brand an America icon.

Fraternally,
George Brown, Policevet

American Police Veterans must grow and by doing so we must reach out to the community we represent.

Policevet's Blog — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 01:49:00 GMT

By Detective Michael J. Saxe Retired/Disabled

American Police Veterans must grow and by doing so we must reach out to the community we represent. We not only represent Disabled or Retired Law Enforcement Officers and Professionals, we represent the working or on duty LEOP’s, we represent the experienced LEOP’s who is injured and wants to go back to work; we represent the LEOP’s who are thinking about retiring as well as the LEOP’s who have retired regularly as this can be an extremely taxing and emotional time; and we represent the disabled, retired LEOP’s who struggle through every day life. We must remember that the disabled include those suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Survivors Guilt. Finally, every Law Enforcement Officer Professional who has died in the line of duty IS a Police Veteran.

To make this group grow we must reach out in friendship to groups like the Concerns of Police Survivors, I am a member of that organization as well (co-worker-Survivor). They are a wonderful, successful group who deserves their well earned respect and our friendship

We must reach out the hand of friendship to the Fraternal Order of Police, again a group to be respected and regarded as a friend.

I use these two groups as an example, we need to realize that if we come across negatively or as a challenge to their existence and we do not give the respect they and other groups deserve, we WILL FAIL!

I want the law written designating Peace Officers Memorial Day as May 15th and the week that May 15th of every year falls in, as Police Week to be observed properly and fairly.

The Law enforcement Officers Professionals who died deserve their representation as do the Law Enforcement Officers Professionals who are disabled. The law clearly recognizes both.

My objective is to get Police Veterans recognized as just that...Veterans. We are the first (or last) line of defense before disaster and terror strikes our land. I have seen it first hand. I lost two close Law Enforcement friends in one of the first attacks on 9/11/2001. We will not get this by insisting our job is harder than the brave soldiers. It is different as well as the same. Law Enforcement is standing beside soldiers protecting sights that have been determined as vital to the survival of our great country. After a LEOP is retired, they no longer can proudly wear their uniform, they no longer can march in parades with their brothers and sisters. We have the only National Memorial that will never stop having names added to it year after year. The National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington has a lot of room left, yet sadly we must plan on where to put names when that room runs out...and run out it will.

I want laws passed that protect our Police Veterans. HR-218 was a recent victory for the disabled LEOP. It is one of the first laws since President Kennedy Signed the law designating Peace Officers Memorial day and Police Week, that recognizes the Disabled Officer; it begins to recognize our retired Police Veterans without injuries as well by joining a certain amount of time worked by the Police Veteran to the right to carry a firearm in every state.

We have brothers and sisters who have died protecting our nation; we have brothers and sisters who bare the scars both physical and psychological borne from protecting our great nation. There is a bible verse that is appropriate for both the veteran soldier as well as the police veteran; it begins, Yea though I walk through the valley of death I shall fear no evil for thou art with me. God and some of our country men and women recognize what it is that the LEOP does and will continue to do selflessly and without great reward. I long to have all of them recognize this sacrifice.

I have been to far to many funerals...I have seen the police department in New York recommend thousands of body bags, I have been to far to many hospitals, I have spoken to far to many brave men and women suffering from what the armed forces used to call shell shock and now the armed forces and the police departments, sheriffs, federal agents etc…call Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, for us not to be recognized as Veteran!

When a man or woman straps a firearm on their body, and they may die or become disabled in the performance of their duty; because they swore to uphold the laws of this great nation, they Are veterans.

I have an objective to have our LEOP's and families receive the assistance they need....both psychologically and physically.

I have an objective to see the P.S.O.B. pay out as it should...not abandon the LEOP's and their families.

I long to see the NATIONAL NEWS report on every Law Enforcement Officer Professional who is severely injured, disabled or killed; I am tired of seeing it posted almost as an after thought in the LOCAL paper or on the LOCAL news.

A police brutality case...even one not proven...just alleged, gets immediate national news coverage...yet when we, the Law Enforcement is seriously injured, disabled or killed; it’s as if it is yesterdays news.

My objective is to see even a quarter of the money spent on pork barrel issues, properly spent on raises to entice the best of the best to join our forces; to see money properly spent on the invention of equipment made to protect our LEOP's.

I would also like to see contracts for our LEOP's that do not force those working and voting on the contract to choose between money for newly appointed LEOP's or money for retired Police Veterans or money to put food on their own tables. It happens year after year and time after time...

I could go on for pages and pages more...I'm hurt, I'm tired, I'm disabled...but most importantly, I AM A VETERAN, A POLICE VETERAN!

Policevet's knowledge key to preventing future injuries and deaths,

Policevet's Blog — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 05:29:00 GMT

By Detective Michael J. Saxe Retired/Disabled

The difference between a law enforcement officer or agent recieving a medal for bravery, a law enforcement officer being injured or disabled in the line of duty and the difference between a law enforcement officer or agent being killed is sometimes a very thin line. All of the Law Enforcement Officers and Agents who have died in the line of duty ARE Police Veterans.

We need to make sure our officers/agents have the best equipment possible. Cars with airbags...not just front air bags but side, side curtain, rear and rear curtain air bags. Our LEO's deserve the state of the art balistic protection. We should put kevlar into the door panels (at least the front door panels). We have departments that run their cars twenty four hours a day, seven days a week, and then there is shock when the car has a major malfunction causing a tragedy. We have departments that allow vans or trucks with a high center of gravity to go on pursuits...and again, the shock that occurs when the vehicle the Law Enforcement Officer or Agent flips over causing mayhem and lives changed forever.

I'm not sure, but, having a single Law Enforcement Officer make a car stop, or go out on patrol alone, this seems to be a tragedy in the making. Is it because of financial constraints? We have many departments that have two man patrols.

We need to learn from these terrible tragedies. Unfortunately, that's what it seems the departments wait for...the tragedy; only then will they implement better procedures.

There are so many similarities between the deaths of these brave officers and the disabilities that we recieve...it is mind boggling. A fraction of an inch...a second longer or shorter, that road we took, the road we might have taken.

We must have discussions..alot of them...on how to make our job safer. Who better to spearhead these discussions than us...the "lucky ones" who lived; and we are lucky to have lived. However it is our jobs as the educated, disabled law enforcement community to right the wrongs. To speak for those in law enforcement who can speak no more...either by severe injury or death. Yes it is painful to list the brave officers who have died in the line of duty, but there is a reason we do it. To remember, no matter how hard it gets...and my God, it gets so hard...so many tears we cry for our injured and disabled...and yes the deaths! So many tears I have cried because I will never be the same; but I AM LUCKY!!! I AM ALIVE!

It is also painful that there is NO ACCURATE DOCUMENTATION of our injured and disabled law enforcement professionals year after year. Departments are to busy claiming our injuries are not line of duty. Well WE ARE THE DOCUMENTATION. Our voices can make a difference...the difference.

I'm not writing this to hurt or upset anyone of us. Please do not beat me up for this. I am not the enemy, I am pointing out simple and painful facts. We can talk about our procedures. We can talk about our medications. We can advise the on-duty, non disabled officer. But even better, WE CAN PREVENT ANOTHER DISABILITY. WE CAN MAKE THAT LIST OF OFFICERS WHO GO ON THAT MEMORIAL A SHORTER LIST!! We can hold our heads high. We are a brother and sisterhood. I do not want to have any of us monday morning quarterback....I want to hear about your suggestions for better equipment...for better procedures. I want us to write to our politicians. We are American

American Police Veterans

Policevet's Blog — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 02:10:00 GMT

American Police Veterans

American Police Veterans (Policevets) is a voluntary association of retired, disabled and active law enforcement professionals. Sergeant George Brown a disabled line of duty retired police officer from the Plainville Massachusetts Police Department founded American Police Veterans on March 28, 2005. 2005, The organization was informally operated with all operating expenses contributed by Brown initially as an online community offering peer advocacy and support.

No dues were charged, nor were they required to formally apply for membership. Policevet's proved to be a key element in post trauma transition from active healthy law enforcement officer dealing with long-term disability, worker's compensation, retirement and family issues. The core group of disabled officers revealed that their problems required grass roots local organization to bring remedies and a national group to give them a voice.

It quickly became apparent that reaching out to the disabled and retired community presented a daunting task. Law enforcement officer's addresses are typically shielded from the public making outreach extremely difficult. Law enforcement unions and similar organizations are reluctant to spread the word; many are indifferent or seek to protect themselves from losing members. Individual officers seeking aid, services, and fraternity found a stone wall in the internet search engines. You would find groups aiding retired K-9's and police horses, before you would locate a group for retired or disabled officers. Adding to the problem was that the big internet machines would locate all the "veteran," "retired" or "disabled" officers who had been arrested, charged, imprisoned, promoted or died. Just for kicks put in "injured police" and you'll find nothing but news reports about traffic accidents, assaults, etc.

Another issue that clearly evolved was the need to influence political action. It is hardly an effort that can be done out of the pocket of a long time retired cop. Many members were frustrated by the lack of a national voice on issues affecting their pensions, disability, social security, and public safety officer benefits. It was discovered that there was no organizations representing policevets. Take a look at your own agency, department, union, municipality, and fraternal groups and try to find someone or some group that will be there for you when you've retired or suffered career ending injuries. Be sure to look below the surface if you dare. There typically is some political action on retirement issues for the active cop. When you are out, you'll soon discover the politics beyond the shield. That is you will have no political voice. American Police Veterans will come to the table with only one agenda. It will be advocating for the issues that affect cops post disability and post retirement. Policevet's will not trade the future welfare of police families for raises, perks or political favor.

American Police Veterans has made a huge impact on officers suffering career ending injuries and their families. Many officers have gotten through the trauma, theft of pay and benefits, abandonment by fellow officers and unions with the help of their Policevet’s peers. Guns at the ready have been laid aside, when suicide seemed the only remedy. Families have stayed together because the injured officer had a place to work out problems, rather than take them out on family. Families have found the strength to continue the fight for a disability pension or worker's compensation as the bank was foreclosing on their home. They've fought and won!

American Police Veterans has begun accepting paid memberships. However, there is a fee waived membership so that no officers are barred on the basis of inability to pay. The leadership is comprised of George Brown and Michael Saxe, a disabled retired officer of the New York City Police Department. They receive no compensation.

The next steps are to seek non-profit status for American Police Veterans. As the group grows a board of trustees will represent the various regions off the United States.

A separate yet integral part of the American Police Veterans will be an American Police Veterans Fund. The purpose of the fund will be to provide for unmet medical and mobility needs of aged and disabled cops

You’ll find American Police Veterans at www.policevets.org

Fighting Mad –Vs- “Being Professional”

Policevet's Blog — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 03:07:00 GMT

Hey Folks!

I have been thinking and planning all month on what I wanted to write about. It’s been a tough choice because perhaps as a person that’s both a Professional Advocate and a person with Multiple Disabilities, I want to both scream and File multiple ADA and Civil Rights Charges against a host of Violators as we speak.

I will share with you surprisingly that despite the (17) years of my living with disabilities and my over 300 plus fights with Businesses and Organizations, I have never screamed once but I have shed more than a few tears and required New and Constant Refills on my Medications.

As such, this seems like an Appropriate Time and Topic for the Month because I am currently in a fight with a Gasoline Service Station in the State of Kentucky.

Almost a year ago, I was with my friend and Physician; Dr. T.C. McDaniel travelling to Tennessee from Ohio. Not unlike some trips, we find ourselves needing to urgently use the restroom. So, because, I am both a Shell and BP Credit Card user, I decided to stop at one of those Stations. As we pulled in, I could clearly see that there was absolutely no resemblance to the ADA. I’ve leaned that in the past that equates to “your wheelchair ain’t gonna fit”

So, with the help of my Physician, my Assistance Dog; Tank and my cane, I attempt to walk into the Station. As soon as I get into the station, the Clerk goes ballistic. He’s yelling at me to get the dog out of the store, while threatening to call the police. I try to quickly calm him as he is feverishly trying to crawl across the counter with the telephone in his hand. The only thing that stopped him was all of the items on the counter. I told him to please call the police and he then hung up as he runs around the corner charging at me.

I am moving in the direction of the restroom as he continues to block my path as Dr. McDaniel walks in. He sees the problem and right away try’s to explain my Rights as I hurry to the restroom.
I get into the restroom, lock the door and sit down. Oh No! It was every customer’s night mare. There was no toilet tissue, no paper towel nor even any soap.

Without going into detail, I try to get myself together to go out and ask for tissue. I tried yelling but the Clerk was so loud, they didn’t hear me.

The clerk is still going ballistic and Dr. McDaniel is taking it full force and now I am concerned that the Clerk is going to hit him. Dr. McDaniel has been a family friend since I was a child and he was then 93 years old. He had just had hip surgery and my concern was that if he got knocked down on a hard floor, it would be more than just devastating.

Dr. McDaniel is not only my friend and Physician but he is the oldest Practicing Physician in the State of Ohio and I am very proud to be his friend.

After additional pleas for tissue and learning that the Ladies Restroom also couldn’t be used, we both agreed that I better get to another Public Restroom. For those of you that are wondering about my having an “accident” you would be more than correct.

Now, I would have to get back into the van and go into another public business being very embarrassed and very uncomfortable.

When we returned home, I made the usual calls and sent the usual e-mails. Remember, I’ve been through these egregious incidents over 300 plus times so I know the drill. I contact the Corporate Office for the Service Station but I didn’t expect any compassion or concern because I have dealt with this Corporation on several occasions and they are simply a continual Repeat Offender.

I contact the Kentucky Protection and Advocacy Agency, the State Civil Rights Office and I contact the Local Press and no one was remotely interested.

With a few weeks, I learn that the State Protection and Advocacy Agency is going to attempt to collaborate with the U. S. Department of Justice on my Case.

So, to quickly move along, the first Telephone Conference between all parties was just a few weeks ago. The Mediator for the DOJ and the Attorney for the State of Kentucky all seemed pretty comfortable with the Station Owner writing me a Letter of Apology, training for all employees, a small donation to my Assistance Dog Training Facility and a Sign Posting for the Public, letting them know Assistance Animals are allowed, Wrong!

I have a File full of Letters from Corporate Attorneys, Chairmen, Presidents, Vice Presidents and all levels of lower management and even Insurance Adjustors. Each and every Letter has the same promise: “It will never happen again”. If this was correct, how did I ever reach 300 plus?

Odd but Wall Street and our Nations Stock Holders would be embarrassed to learn the repeated number of times, their Corporations have attacked me and hundreds of others over my/our Assistance Dogs but now I am being offered another Letter for my File, No Thank You!

I consider this besides being Violations of State Criminal and Civil Law and Federal Law, it’s a matter of the Wonderful Concept of “having a Right” to a “normal quality of life” Issue as spelled out in the Declaration of Independence in 1776, not just the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

Odd but as a person of African Ancestry, I/we have had to fight for it and still are today. Now as a person with a disability, I/we am/are still fighting for what the Law of the Land allows and to allow people and businesses to continue breaking the Laws and then hire lawyers to make excuses for them, is just unconstitutional and Unacceptable.

So, with the Quality of Life concept in my head, I Proposed another Settlement. For the last 10 years I have been in a too small hospital bed. I proposed they purchase a used Hospital Bed at a cost of about $950.

Secondly, I have a Van with a Bruno Electric Lift in the rear. Well, I’m an Electric Wheelchair User and although I’m very thankful to the VA Hospital for the Lift, it’s not what I need but who can afford a $50,000 Van with a Wheelchair Ramp?

Because of my health/disability, if I get out of my Hospital Bed to go to someone’s aid, it’s very difficult. To travel to the State Capital every other month for the Governor’s Council on People with Disabilities Meetings, to run to an Emergency Room to assist with a client or to even volunteer as an Ombudsman for Pro seniors and visit a Nursing Home weekly can be grueling.

So, I suggested, the owner of the Station also provide me with a Van with a Ramp.

You can guess their Response and the Mediator stepped in and suggested another Date and Telephone Conference time to have all Parties think about the Resolution. Keep in mind, neither the DOJ Mediator nor the State Protection and Advocacy Attorney felt my Resolution was Acceptable. I have even recently been contacted and informed that the Owner isn’t willing to Resolve this matter if Monies are required.

Could it be because they have not lived as a Minority for 50 years? Could it be because they are not disabled and haven’t been beat up over their Constitutional Rights since Birth?

So, throw me out of a Emergency Room; threaten to shoot me with a shotgun if I don’t leave; threaten to arrest my Assistance Dog; try to prevent me from seeing my 16 old daughter in the Exam Room that was sexually assaulted; force me out into a Thunderstorm to get Proof of the Law concerning Assistance Animals out of my Van; have the local Police remove me and threaten me with jail again and again; have the local Deputy Sheriffs remove me again and again, refuse to allow me into a Courtroom; stop me from being able to get my Meds at the Pharmacy; grab me by my collar; curse me out or just Scare the Hell out of me but you want me to accept these were just “unfortunate” incidents and they are sorry.

As I prepare for the Upcoming Telephone Conference, I would welcome your Input. TheADA.1@Juno.com

What We May Not Know as People with Special Needs - Part I - Wheelchairs

Policevet's Blog — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 01:34:00 GMT

By Colonel R. E. Jackson

Well, as promised, as I said in my last Article, I would go more into
detail about Services, Benefits and Resources for those with Special
Needs.

As for me, after waiting for almost one year, my new Insurance provided
electric wheelchair arrived. It didn't have any cushions but despite that
and according to the invoice, it cost tax payers $22,000. I compared it
to buying a motorcycle in the early Winter, don't you want to be able to
enjoy it outside?

So, let's start there:

Despite most myths and misinformation, getting an electric wheelchair
isn't that difficult. Providing your Physician can document the need,
clearly have them state that you need a manual, electric or even an
electric chair with tilt features, it's almost straight forward, but
people make some simple mistakes.

1)   You can't walk into a company that provides medical equipment and
say; I need an electric chair. Even though we know many people that need
electric wheelchairs may have some ability to stand and walk short
distances, the employees of that company are Medicaid Medicare licensed
and if they "see" you vertical and walking, they can't legitimately
provide you with a wheelchair.

It would be my guess that private insurance companies have the same rules
and guidelines so you may want to check with your insurance provider.

2)   For those of us that are Veterans; of which I am, you will need a
Medical Consult from your VA Physician and it is all handled in house by
the Physical Therapy Department. Though do know, there are guidelines
that will help keep from having to wait for some a unnecessary amount of
time.

3)   Whether private insurance, the VA or Medicaid and Medicare, your
Provider will want to provide a wheelchair for you that may end up being
problematic.

Example: If they provide you with a chair that has a 250 pound weight
capacity and you currently weigh 235 pounds, you may want to have them
upgrade you to a larger model because we all know, being confined to a
wheelchair is going to cause you to gain weight, not lose weight.
As the owner and long-time user of more than 10 chairs, I suggest you
avoid their kind offering of an electric scooter. I would avoid their
kind offering an electric scooter. In my opinion, they are just too big
and bulky for small apartments and being used on city buses and Para
transit vehicles.

Another hurdle that is a tough one to get around is that unless there is
a medical reason why you can't "self propel" a manual chair, that will be
what you get. My argument with that logic is that despite the ADA of
1990, businesses and communities are rarely accessible and trying to
propel yourself around could be exhausting, if not even debilitating.
.but in their defense, the insurance providers will argue that the chair
is to provide you with assistance "inside the home", not outside. I don't
think that makes a lot of sense because what about the "quality of life"
issue?

Shouldn't you be able to travel about, visit friends, go to college and
even make medical appointments which are, duh! outside of your home.

4)   Final argument, what if you don't have insurance? Good Question.
If you were a Public Safety Officer and you had to retire due to injury
or disease, again of which I am one, you are entitled to a unbelievable
Cash Payment depending on when you separated from your Agency, through
the U.S. Department of Justice - Bureau of Justice Assistance Programs -
Public Safety Officers' Benefits.
http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/BJA/grant/psob/psob_main.html

Other than that, this is where Fraternal and Social organizations have to
step in. Easter Seals is probably the best bet because of their national
offices. My saving grace for the last year was a one of a kind
organization in Columbus Ohio called: the Veterans First Foundation but
it's only for Vets.

Unlike organizations like Goodwill or Chain Thrift Stores, any item that
they have at their facility, if you need it, you can have it at no
charge. From medical equipment to clothing, if you can provide them with
a copy of your DD-214, stop by and go shopping.
There are no guidelines on having to be from Columbus or even the state
of Ohio. http://www.veteransfirst.us/

A BADGE With No Time

Policevet's Blog — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 03:59:00 GMT

Video tribute to fallen police officers who have died in the line of duty, an In memory of all deceased and disabled law enforcement officers. Lives cut short due to injury, occupational disease, sucicide, PTSD and from catestrophic career ending injuries. Features images from the www.badgeart.com collection by George Brown

Disabled People Doing Without May Not Be All That Bad

Policevet's Blog — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 02:58:00 GMT

I hope a few of you remember me. My new Assistance Dog is named Tank and my new non Insurance Provided Chair is called a "Tank".

Anyway, I’ve written a few Articles in the past with the plan of being a regular Contributing Writer but I had a hard time dealing with my desire to "rant and rave" and I didn’t feel that was appropriate for a person that clearly wants to be a help in educating and informing others.

Since I’ve written last, my original Service Dog: Lieutenant was retired in August of 2006. Then in February I learned from his new family that he had Cancer. I will miss him and fondly remember him for taking care of me always.

Anyway, I’ve always looked at my disability as a personal and professional challenge but after talking with the Inventor of the Tank, I basically said the hell with it.

Since I had my Heart Attack in my Police Cruiser in 1990, I have learned that its not the world I thought it was.

If you receive Benefits from your Village, City, Township, Parish, County, State and even Federal Services, you best plan on getting in Line and then plan on being in some of those Lines for the rest of your Life.

Forget that you even have a disability because a lot of those Services, if not all of those Service Providers should be coming to our residence so they can complete your Paperwork for the Services or benefits that we need and deserve but they generally won’t.

For those that don’t know, I suffered a Heart Attack in my Police Cruiser in 1990. Like almost everyone, I didn’t know squat about Workman’s Compensation; money lost, Early Pension; money lost, Social Security Benefits; money and benefits lost, etc, etc.

Well, I found out the hard way and the hard way didn’t take long to get harder. I started suffering Strokes and between my Depression, PTSD and the Unstable Angina, I basically was functionless and at times, I still am.

Interestingly and sadly, none of the Service Providers even seemed to care. If you want what they offered, you had to meet their Guidelines and their Rules on their Terms, so much for the ADA of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

People with disabilities should have the:

"The Least Restrictive Environment Possible"

Well, for me it all began in 1990 and it is now (17) years later and probably unlike the average person with a disability, I went out of my way to learn my rights and am now a very serious, professional and well known Disability and Civil Rights Advocate. Its just too bad, it doesn’t make any difference.

People talk with me all of the time because they want to know about the myriad of Services, Benefits and Resources that they are eligible for and I almost hesitate telling them because I know what they are going to experience is literally going to throw them into Shock.

As an Example:

Let’s say, they need an Electric Wheelchair, ok.

Once they get through the: Required Prescription, which may need to be rewritten (10) times for the exact language of the Chair being requested. The Physical Therapy Evaluation, the Paperwork of Medical Necessity and then the joy of Medical Insurance Company Representatives communicating with the Chair Providers Representatives.

…but, that’s only if you even have insurance.

If you’re lucky, it can go smoothly but that’s not normally the case nor is it the reason I’m using this as an example.

Even if you get the Chair, welcome to a planet that’s not designed for disability, despite the ADA and all of the other State and Federal Laws in place to Serve us.

Now you have to address questions that were not even on your horizon when you were thinking "finally independence":

How are you going to haul the Chair? An average Van with a Wheelchair Lift is about $45,000 and no insurance plan on this planet can help.

Not a problem, so you say. You’ll become reliant and use the Chair for your daily trips, wrong !

Its Raining, its snowing, its freezing, its blistering hot, there are no sidewalks, its Garbage Day and everyone has their trash cans on the sidewalks but "you have your wheelchair".

Yet, we haven’t even discussed not being able to get it into your house and even around the house.

Well, what if you were one of the lucky ones to get on the Medicaid Waiver after waiting "how many years", great, right ?

You have a Case manger that has no idea what their doing and this is a fair statement nationally.

So, you buck up and let your Case Manager know what you need.

Odd but its the same List that’s on every States DJFS Web Site:

The Traditional Items: Panic Alarm, Delivered Meals, Wider Doors, Roll in Showers, etc, etc., again, not so.

You ask, they decline. Then if you really need it and want it, remember that "Line", get back in it and File an Appeal or should I say: stand and stay in that Line because you will just be Filing more Appeals.

Oh, your Wheelchair now has a flat and the Provider wants you to pay for it because you had no business taking it out of your home, WHAT !

Didn’t the Chair Provider tell you, Medicaid and Medicare are Providing a Chair for you to use inside of your house only.

Or consider, your Home Health Care AIDE had to rush you to your Physician because of an urgent medical concern but it was when your Delivered Meals where Scheduled, too bad. There will be no Food for the Week.

So, I feel for all of us who need Medical Equipment and Services but even with what we need, the lack of compassion and concern from those whom are providing those Services and Benefits may just make your life more difficult.

With all of that said, I finally decided to throw caution to the wind and forget Specifications, Policies, Constraints and get me a wheelchair that I like.

It won’t go into my house and I’m sure the VA Para Transit Service won’t want to haul it but for me, I’m going to go where the heck I want to go for the first time in (6) years. Whether there is no sidewalk, mud, or snow and maybe for the first time in a long long time, I can finally enjoy myself as a person with a disability.

So, if your inclined to join in on finally having a good time and are also Interested in a Tank Chair, just give them a Call: (602) 882-4103 or Visit their Web Site: http://www.tankchair.com/default.htm

…and for those of you that are wondering about Benefits and Resources that you should or could be Getting, that’s planned for Next Months Article. See you then.

I looked down the barrel as the bad guy tried to pull the trigger, but it was the good guys that did the real harm.

Policevet's Blog — Sun, 14 Oct 2007 01:04:00 GMT

By Gene

I was in my 16th year when both my Lieutenant and Captain approached me. They stated that they believed I suffered from PTSD as a result of having been taken hostage some 5 years earlier. They stated they had received complaints of my being jumpy on gun calls. I had been taken Hostage and as I looked down the barrel the bad guy tried to pull the trigger. At this point I loose memory from retro-grade amnesia. The psychologist said it was not only the hostage incident but having been shot at a few times and another incident where I was held at gunpoint one time on someone's front porch and another time in some ones back yard. The hostage incident where I loose memory was said by both psychologists and psychiatrists that it was the worst form because of the retro-grade amnesia. I had become very sick then over time causing blood pressures of 160 over 120 on a regular basis and uncontrollable diarrhea 15 times a day.

My captain and Lieutenant sent me to a psychologist for treatment. The employer paid mileage under workman's compensation for the next 5 years. At first the bills were sent to the city for the treatment but then later turned over to Blue Cross Blue Shield. The city was self insured under both workman's comp and health insurance so any claims were paid directly from city funds and not any insurance.

I ended up very sick in the chiefs office in September of 1986 crying and told the chief I do not know why I am crying. I said I just cannot stop. He said it is about the PTSD. That the incident some 9 years ago had a very bad impact. That I really should consider retiring under duty disability. I said I do not want to. He said I understand but you are doing no one any good the way you are. He said take some days off on me and let me know what you decide. I said I would discuss it with family. A few days later I returned and told the chief that I didn't feel good about it but will retire on duty disability. I asked just what needs to be done. He said get an attorney, provide the doctor reports, fill out the application and we will sign it. That that would be it. I said OK, I want to continue my health insurance for me and my family as under out union contract paying the premiums myself. He said sure. I asked who to get for an attorney and he provided me the name.

I saw the attorney, got the doctors reports in from both the psychologist the Captain sent me to and the psychiatrist the psychologist sent me to. The reports said it all. I could not return to work under any circumstance then. The paper work then went to the personnel director to sign and he said no. He said we would like to send him to our own doctor. I said this is your doctor. He said I do not think so. So I went to the third doctor. The third doctor after the visit told me he I was suffering from PTSD as result of the hostage incident. That he could not send me back to work or could he treat such a severe disorder.

The personnel director then said if you sign this contract, we will agree to sign not to contest the duty disability. I said no. That I was told that as soon as papers went in that all would be signed. That the agreement takes away state and federal rights all people are entitled to and it takes away protections under the Union contract such as saying no longer entitled to city paid health insurance. I was told I better sign it or they are under no obligation to keep me on sick leave and can just terminate me. My wife did not work and I had two young kids. So my attorney then spoke with the outside attorney hired by the city. They agreed that I would receive all union benefits afforded to any other duty disability employee. (other duty disability employees had to pay there own premiums till reaching the age of 55 at which time the city began paying. That side agreement was then signed. Another stipulation which we required was that I am retiring and not resigning. That the employer has a habit of forcing people to resign. The attorney agreed that I would not be asked for a resignation. Then we signed the agreement. This agreement had gone before the 18 member city council for approval to tie the city and not it's employees to any errors. Right after the agreement was signed and went in to force, the attorney called the personnel director to inform hi, The city person director told the attorney that I now have to sign a resignation or they will not follow the new contract. So I figured that we have the new contract in force which says in many places in the contract I retired. So I said OK, I will sign the resignation and it will be tied to and made part of the new previous contract. In essence, a contract went in force agreeing was retired then after retiring I resigned. I do not think it is possible to retire then sometime after you retire that you resign.

I read in the paper several days later that someone went to the Police and Fire commission and told them I resigned.

The application how ever to go to the state for duty disability still was not signed. Me and my attorney went to the personnel director's office to have it signed. I refused to go in because I had PTSD and did fear problems with impulse control. As I really did want to kill him at this time. It was a good thing I waited in the hall. My attorney conveyed that the personnel director refused to sign. My attorney advised him we have a contract and in that contract it required him to sign. That we will sue for a considerable amount of money if he doesn't sign. So he signed.

A few days after this I had to find where they wanted the medical bills stemming from the duty injury. The contract stated that "no where contained with in shall prevent the employer from paying all medical costs. So I had to ask the personal director where to send the bills. I asked him face to face and witness by a secretary. He said do not send the bills here. I said you want me to turn them over to the insurance? He said I guess you will have to.

Now again, because they are a government entity, they are permitted to self insure under WC. Processing the bills then through the medical insurance was fine with the employer permission even though the policy said no WC claims can be submitted through health insurance. Over the past 20 years about $20,000 worth of claims went through the medical insurance carrier as per our contract. It had to work this way because the city, in there contract they required, barred me from applying for any further WC, any unemployment, any retraining through state or federal agencies. The agreement was also confidential and cannot be divulged to anyone.

So for 20 years i paid the premiums which then reimbursed me for the medical costs derived from my duty injury. Unlike WC, I had to pay co-pays and deductable in addition to the very high monthly premium.

When I reached age 50, a clerk for the city told me that if I were to die, that my wife would have 18 months to get off the policy. I thought that was odd as it was not that way with other retirees. I then reasoned that when I reach age 55, they never intended to pay my premiums so I filed a discrimination complaint with the discrimination division of the Justice department washing ton. The attorney called me and agreed it was discrimination and that they were taking my case. Well in the meantime, I had contacted the cities mayor and explained the disparity between disabled retirees and non disabled retirees upon reaching age 55. He turned it over to the new personnel director who wrote me and said they fully intent to pay my premiums at age 55. This was two days before the US Attorney called. So I had to stop and federal action as they now made clear they would pay my premiums. Then when I was age 54, they jacked my premiums from $650.00 per month up to $1700 per month. I refinanced my home and paid the extreme payment. It would appear that they wanted me off the rolls but that didn't work. I am age 55 and they pay the premium.

The Front Lines

Policevet's Blog — Sat, 29 Sep 2007 02:04:00 GMT

By Detective Michael J. Saxe Retired/Disabled

People...the public say that America's armed forces are working, fighting for America's freedom and rights on the front lines. Sadly, they are mistaken. The front lines they describe are thousands of miles away.
I remember the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center like it was yesterday...I was there; furthermore I remember the attacks on the World Trade Center on 9/11/01...I was there, I had friends that were there...friends who were killed.

But let me digress a little bit; the people of America enjoy their freedoms. They deserve to sleep at night without the worry that harm will come to their property or families, they are correct! Yet it is NOT the armed forces that grant them these wishes. It is the American Law Enforcement Officer who is working the battle on the war IN America every night and day.

Why then, does the American Law Enforcement Officer fail to get the respect that the armed forces get? After a brief stint in the armed forces, they are Honorably Discharged, forever recognized as soldiers and Veterans.

Cops are simply retired, as if we did not experience any type of combat; as if we did not see close friends die, as if we did not put our lives and the comfort and futures of our families on the line every time we went to work. If we are hurt or disabled or even killed in the line of duty; this should be of national interest and broadcast on national news, not the tiny blurb it gets on the local news. America does not know the sacrifices we make every day of every year because they are not informed.

If we are disabled or killed in the line of duty, we should get the same recognition that the men and women who bravely work our armed forces get. There are no disabled Police Benefits...there are no hospitals that will be there for our injured veterans. Yet we go out and fight the war within our borders everyday. We number in the hundreds of thousands, it is time that we informed America the sacrifices we make every day and night so that they may sleep safely in their beds at night.

Please don't get me wrong, I am not bitter, I just don't approve of the way our brave men and women are reported upon when they make a great sacrifice...or the ultimate sacrifice. Why is it that someone who is overseas and suffers serious injury or death gets reported on, and even those news "stories" begin to slide on the back pages of our newspapers? But there is help for their children, their families and themselves if they are alive.

It is time America was informed every time a member of law enforcement dies or suffered career ending injuries. It should not just be on the local news, it should be reported on the national news. Each and every death and career shattered.

The National Law Enforcement Memorial is different than any other memorial, we must leave room on the memorial for all those members of the law enforcement community that have yet to fall in the line of duty.
The memorial put up for the military are put up for wars that have been fought by soldiers and finished. The war on crime and the defense of a nation fought by police officers is a never-ending series of battles that will see no end.

While America has chosen to reject the military as its domestic defenders, it is the law enforcement community that is America’s first line of defense from all threats foreign and domestic. The service of these officers is no less noble or necessary. It is time to recognize the sacrifices, valor and professionalism through an acknowledgement of their contributions

Confessions of a Police Officer

Policevet's Blog — Sat, 29 Sep 2007 00:50:00 GMT

Confessions of a Police Officer

http://uneflic.blogspot.com/2007/05/confessions-of-beat-cop.html

Dear Citizens, Neighbors, Friends and Family,

My name is Jill and I am a cop. That means that the pains and joys of my personal life are often muted by my work. I resent the intrusion but I confuse my self with my job almost as often as you do. The label "police officer" creates a false image of who I really am. Sometimes I feel like I'm floating between two worlds. My work is not just protecting and serving. It's preserving that buffer that exists in the space between what you think the world is, and what the world really is.

My job isn't like television. The action is less frequent, and more graphic. It is not exhilarating to point a gun at someone. Pooled blood has a disgusting metallic smell and steams a little when the temperature drops. CPR isn't an instant miracle and it's no fun listening to an elderly grandmother's ribs break while I keep her heart beating. I'm not flattered by your curiosity about my work. I don't keep a record of which incident was the most frightening, or the strangest, or the bloodiest, or even the funniest. I don't tell you about my day because I don't want to share the images that haunt me.

But I do have some confessions to make:

Sometimes my stereo is too loud. Andrea Bocelli's voice makes it easier to forget the wasted body of the young man who died alone in a rented room because his family feared the stigma of AIDS. Beethoven's 9th symphony erases the sight of the nurses who sobbed as they scrubbed layers of dirt and slime from a neglected 2-year-old's skin. The Rolling Stones' angry beat assures me that it was ignorance that drove a young mother to draw blood when she bit her toddler on the cheek in an attempt to teach him not to bite.

Sometimes I set a bad example. I exceeded the speed limit on my way home from work because I had trouble shedding the adrenalin that kicked in when I discovered that the man I handcuffed during a drug raid was sitting on a loaded 9mm pistol.

Sometimes I seem rude. I was distracted and forgot to smile when you greeted me in the store because I was remembering the anguished, whispered confession of a teenager who pushed away his drowning brother to save his own life.

Sometimes I'm not as sympathetic as you'd like. I'm not concerned that your 15-year-old daughter is dating an 18-year-old because I just comforted the parents of a young man who slashed his own throat while they slept in the next bedroom. I was terse on the phone because I resented the burden of having to weigh the value of two lives when I was pointing my gun at an armed man who kept begging me to kill him. I laugh when you cringe away from the mess in your teen's room because I know the revulsion of feeling a heroin addict's blood trickling toward an open cut on my arm. If I was silent when you whined about your overbearing mother it's because I really wanted to tell you that I spoke to one of our high school friends today. I found her mother slumped behind the wheel of her car in a tightly closed garage. She had dressed in her best outfit before rolling down the windows and starting the engine.

On the other hand, if I seem totally oblivious to the blood on my uniform, or the names people call me, or the hateful editorials, it's because I am remembering the lessons my job has taught me.

I learned not to sweat the small stuff. Grape juice on the beige sofa and puppy pee on the oriental carpet don't faze me because I know what arterial bleeding and decaying bodies can do to one's decor.

I learned when to shut out the world and take a mental health day. I skipped your daughter's 4th birthday party because I was thinking about the six children under the age of 10 whose mother left them unattended to go out with a friend. When the 3-year-old offered the dog the milk from her cereal bowl, the dog attacked her, tearing open her head and staining the sandbox with blood. The little girl's siblings had to pry her head out of the dog's jaws - twice.

I learned that everyone has a lesson to teach me. Two mothers engaged in custody battles taught me not to judge a book by its cover. The teenage mother on welfare mustered the strength to refrain from crying in front of her worried child while the well-dressed, upper-class mother literally played tug of war with her toddler before running into traffic with the shrieking child in her arms.

I learned that nothing given from the heart is truly gone. A hug, a smile, a reassuring word, or an attentive ear can bring an injured or distraught person back to the surface, and help me refocus.

And I learned not to give up, ever! That split second of terror when I think I have finally engaged the one who is young enough and strong enough to take me down taught me that I have only one restriction: my own mortality.

One week in May has been set aside as Police Memorial Week, a time to remember those officers who didn't make it home after their shift. But why wait? Take a moment to tell an officer that you appreciate her work. Smile and say "Hi" when he's getting coffee. Bite your tongue when you start to tell a "bad cop" story. Better yet, find the time to tell a "good cop" story. The family at the next table may be a cop's family.

Nothing given from the heart is truly gone. It is kept in the hearts of the recipients. Give from the heart. Give something back to the officers who risk everything they have.

Jill Wragg is a retired Police Officer from Massachusetts. She can be reached at JKWragg@yahoo.com

(This piece is copyrighted and can be used by permission only)

Beat the retirement blues: What to expect when leaving LE

Policevet's Blog — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 04:04:00 GMT

Beat the retirement blues: What to expect when leaving LE
Editor, PoliceOne
with Rachel Fretz

AMERICAN POLICE VETERANS

There is a group for retired and disabled police officers. American Police Veterans www.policevets.org is a fraternal group offering peer support and advocacy. Policevet's members seek to maintain the sense of belonging, while aiding those seeking a successful transition to life beyond the shield.

Policevets also allows members to post articles on any subject relating to retirement planning, post career activities and post retirement advocacy in Beyond the Shield Journal of the American Police Veterans.

Policevet's peer support activities have proven to be a life saving resource providing understanding and compassionate response to those in need of an understanding audience.

Disabled officers are welcome in right from the moment of injury. Many of you know that a career ending injury will leave you socially isolated and financially strained. Policevets membership has been especially important to disabled police and their families throughout the disability litigation and retirement transition process. Policevets is does not offer legal, medical or mental health advice, yet its services cannot be underestimated.

Police officers need to promote healthy and truthful commentary on the effects of early-unplanned retirement due to career ending injuries. Throughout the country officers and their families are unprepared and will face a tough reality of few resources, little support and lost futures for their families.

The current retirement manta from the law enforcement media assumes a completed career on the heels of a pre retirement financial plan and adequate pension. It ignores the fact that injured officers suffering career ending injuries mirror those that die in the line of duty. They are young. Few die at the cusp of a retirement.

The disabled are in their 20's, 30's and 40's. They are paying college loans, mortgages supported by OT, extra duty details or through moonlighting; they have young children with plans for college educations.

These officers will be locked into pensions that reflect a portion of their base wages, while being locked out of the work force by income limits or threatened loss of the disability pension.

Many disabled officers will not qualify for social security disability. Their health care costs relating to the injury might be paid for by the employer or maybe not! They will take on a disportionate share of the healthcare costs. It some jurisdictions disabled officers must pay 100% of their healthcare costs until the statutory or contractual retirement age.

For the officers who have put aside money toward retirement or their children's education, they will find that will rapidly evaporate, as most disability retirement processes are adversarial.

Policevets is a positive experience for those in healthy retirement and those suffering the trauma of career ending injuries.

All American law enforcement officers are invited to participate in a unique American community of retired and disabled law enforcement officers at www.policevets.org.

Never Alone- Together as One

Original Article Source : http://www.policeone.com/health-fitness/articles/1295726/

Tarnished Badge, Shining Badge

Policevet's Blog — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 03:34:00 GMT

INTRODUCTION: When I first learned of this troubling story, I thought it might be inappropriate to post on the G/V WebBoard. After further consideration, I decided that was a wrong assumption as this story needs to be told. Denial may be in the forefront of many troubled marriages and reading about this pattern of abuse may help a victim to see things more clearly. All too often, domestic abuse can end in disaster for entire families. Prisons and graveyards are full of married partners who become either predators or victims of domestic violence. In this story, Mary was a victim, caught up in a brutal cycle of abuse, and possibly, she was emotionally unable to do anything about it. Could she be blinded by shame and fear, an intense uncertainty of what might happen if she fought back? My question, how much mental and physical abuse can a victim take at the hands of a monster and a bully? This story is true, the names are changed to protect the victim and the predator, I will refer to them as Mary and Ralph. This story is about a law enforcement marriage gone bad, a cancer of dysfunction, mental and physical abuse.

Tarnished Badge, Shining Badge

by: Dee Dee Serpas, Retired Police Officer

Mary's Story translated:

In the spring of 1985, Mary met a man, and as fate would chance, both wore the uniform of a peace officer. Mary was a girl protected most of her youth. Having been raised around law enforcement, she grew to be very trusting of most law enforcement officers.

Mary was youthful and curious, with an outgoing personality. After her appointment to the police academy she continued to be a lively personality, but always, conducted herself as a lady. For example, she knew little about the various types of illegal substances or what they looked like. In the Police academy she was taken under the wing of a DEA agent who taught her all about illegal substances.

Then along comes Mr. Right, so she thought. She fell in love with a Deputy Sheriff whom we will call Joseph. The courtship was sweet and enduring. He acted like a caring and courteous man, one who opened her doors, treated Mary like a princess, and made her feel very much appreciated. However, during the courtship, as Mary would explain, a few things did happen from time to time. Unexpectedly, his voice would show signs of roughness and impatience with me. But never enough to raise my concern or arouse any suspicion. Mary knew other officers had shown similar mannerisms, and because of that, maybe, Mary failed to recognize warning signs of possible trouble ahead with Ralph.

Shortly after a whirlwind romance, Mary and Joseph were married in a beautiful ceremony with all the trimmings. Her friends and fellow officers escorted her to the church. Joseph was already at the church in his dress blues and waiting for me to arrive, again, he was showing impatience toward me. And when the wedding ceremony was over, my story book romance as I believed it, took a sudden nose dive.

Would you believe Joseph's temper accelerated on our honeymoon? Yes, that very first night, and with his fist swinging at me, he boasted when I hit you, no one will be able to see the bruises.

Mary was now perplexed and in a sudden fear situation. She didn't know what to do or who to ask for help. She was too embarrassed to tell her family or her peers about what had taken place. What could she do? She was terrified and felt helpless. In the months to follow, the abuse continued. Both physical and verbal assaults escalated, a lady that loved being a law officer, was now caught up in the shame of being a battered wife at the hands of another law officer.

A BABY ON THE WAY

In the coming spring, Mary discovered they were going to be blessed with a newborn child, so excited, Mary first told her mother and father, and when she returned home to tell Joseph, his first words were: "it better be a boy is that clear." When she asked why he would say that, the fist flew again and struck her, however, this time she called 9-1-1. And to her dismay, the responding officers wanted to sweep this domestic incident under the rug. Telling Mary to keep silent, for she should not want to shame the honor of the badge.

After the officers left the house, Mary turned to face Joseph, and was knocked to her knees with the blow of his nightstick, as she laid their crying, he was screaming at her, if you ever call 9-1-1 again - you may end up in your coffin.

Later, Joseph was transferred to the day shift, and at 4am every morning and knowing Mary was now on complete bed rest so she wouldn't miscarry. He would drag her out of the bed into the kitchen and down a flight of stairs. All part of the brutal "made no sense" abuse pattern he was exhibiting in his off-the-wall behavior.

Mary feared telling her Sergeant for fear it would get back to Joseph and no telling what would happen then. Mary was so frightened that she could not tell any of her friends except a close few. A tactic she concluded might help her when things got out of hand. And when Joseph would begin his temper thing, she believed she could beep or call for help, and they would come to her aid.

The verbal abuse became as bad as the physical. In the fall, a beautiful daughter arrived, and would you believe, the violence even got worse. When he came home from a late evening shift, he would turn on the overhead light in the room or shine his light in the child's eyes, and wake her up. His favorite way to wake up Mary was to hit her with his police belt. Whenever the beatings would escalate, Mary would run for cover, after which she would end up getting handcuffed to the stair railing. Several times whipped with Joseph's police belt or punched in the back, or slapped on the back of her head.

Mary continued to absorb this physical and verbal abuse till the early 90's, when Joseph finally left me to go take care of his parent's house. However, he chose to stay married in names only, and told Mary he would kill her if she ever divorced him. Then in 1994, the unthinkable happened when Mary was hospitalized with a very serious illness, and to no avail, she tried to keep him away from her. The family was told by hospital officials because he was the primary insured, he had to be let in, they could not keep him away. When he was called to sign legal papers, he confronted Mary's mother in the ICU waiting room and said; "only beep me if she dies." Every day he would come to the hospital to badger her. If she was sleeping, he would kick the hospital bed to wake her. He would tell her if she would die, that would make his life much easier for him. Being separated did not stop the verbal abuse, and the fear was always there for physical violence toward me. Again, Mary had no one to confide in. However, she did tell a few friends, and unfortunately they made her feel ashamed for taking such abuse, telling her it was her fault, because she never left the animal or sought a restraining order to keep him away from her.

Today, Joseph's badge stands smudged from the abuse he inflicted on me. In his distorted mind, he believes his badge remains shining because it sits neatly tucked away in a closet after his medical retirement.

Women of abuse are made to feel the guilt as their friends will tell them - it is their fault for staying in that abusive situation, I can understand that opinion, however, until you're there, you don't really know what you would do. What makes it difficult for a battered spouse like me, we really don't know what the other spouse is thinking or feeling or to what level they may take their abusive behavior. That must be part of the denial phase so easy to fall into, thinking the abuse will just go away.

It's been very difficult for me trying to understand why my life would include so much abuse. As much as my close friends want to understand, they fall short of comprehending what it's really like. Maybe, you have to experience much of the same to ever really understand the destructive power it may have over you.

Naive she may be, however, Mary never thought another law enforcement officer would take her hand in marriage, then turn on her like a rabid dog. Just the other day, Mary was pulled over for a minor traffic violation, as the officer approached the vehicle, Mary felt a strong sense of fear, if you will, a pressing uneasy emotion that made her feel extremely vulnerable and uncertain as to what he might do to her. She started to cry as the perceived stress of uncertainty began to weigh heavily on her, as she sat there scared and very nervous. Of course, the officer had no idea of why or what triggered Mary to act out the way she did. After all, he only saw the exterior of a woman in distress, maybe thinking, she was upset for her being traffic stopped for the first time in her life.

The point I am making here is about the emotional baggage I now carry around with me. And all because of my accepting and tolerating the life of a battered wife. So I say to anyone out there who may be suffering the same, don't wait around to see what your abusive spouse might do next? And don't go to your friends for help, you need professional help, there are skilled services and persons who make it their business to help you. And once a domestic predator realizes he or she cannot continue to abuse their partner it should stop or they end up behind bars.

As in all walks of life, there are a few bad apples, this story is not about police officers being bad, it's about a fraud who hid behind the shining badge and the uniform, pretending to be what he was not. So you see, not every officer is abusive in their marriage, it just so happened to Mary, that a guy named Joseph, a retired police officer is a wife batterer, and I'm sure will pay a heavy price when he goes before his maker someday...

Unfortunately for me, I still have to contend with an abusive partner from time to time. Hopefully, I will get that long awaited freedom from abuse sooner than later. I'm working hard on it as I say goodbye for now . . .

Open Letter To My Daddy

Policevet's Blog — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 03:09:00 GMT

by Dee Dee Serpas, Retired Police Officer

I can write in my police story draft for hours on end, but when it comes time to write something about you daddy. Words are difficult to express my life long feelings of love for you. Well, here goes anyway, I cant wait any longer, as your stay with us may be limited because of your life threatening illness.

Daddy, you gave me the greatest gift a father could ever give a daughter, that was and to this day - your unconditional love. Yes, there were times when we would find ourselves on that emotional road that we often traveled together. A road of life full of energy and stresses that would cause us to collide at times but we always managed to find a safe road back to each other. .

Yes, Im so fortunate to have the greatest daddy in the world. A dad that has taken the time to love me no matter what, and has given my children a most special relationship with their papere. For that I thank you from the bottom of my heart daddy. .

Daddy every struggle you go through with your cancer, I experience the pain too. Not the physical pain, the emotional stuff you go through, please daddy never waver your fight to get through this dreadful illness. My heart cries and flutters with fear at the thought of your loss someday. I realize life on this earth is fragile and the good Lord may call you home at anytime. .

The fear of waking up one morning and you are gone is a frightening nightmare for me. Ive got to be strong through these difficult times and not to cry in front of you. So in the dark of night, that is my time to cry as I pray for your complete recovery. .

Daddy, words cannot say how much I love you. The galaxy is not big enough to store all of my love for you. My love for you daddy fly's like the clouds in the heavens above. Every breath I take is filled with love for you. .

I am my daddys girl. Momma always said when I was born, the doctor had told you I was just like my daddy, looks and all. .

All I can ever hope to do is follow in your footsteps. However, how do I fit my small feet in your big shoes? I never was able to fill your shoes daddy. Heaven knows; I have tried many times. .

You have been by my side every tough hurdle that I had to overcome. Every heartache of mine, and there have been many, youve always provided a warm comforting shoulder for me to lean on. .

Thank you daddy. .

I try to understand what youre going through, and only do I wish I could find a way for my love to take the pain and hurt away. I know now I cannot make your pain as mine only, even though I want too. .

My hearts been trembling since I was told your cancer is back. Daddy, I often remember our walks when I was very little. The trips to the zoo with my elephant key. The tears are falling down my cheek just thinking about those fun times. How precious were those moments in our lives. .

I love you daddy. No matter how old I become I will always be your little girl. You are my true hero. I know nothing else but to always love you. .

How many nights did you stand at the head of my crib and watch me sleep as a baby. When I was scared, you would hold and comfort me until I fell asleep. You taught me it was okay to say goodbye because our separation would only be temporary. That fond memory lives in our hearts today and becomes stronger each day we stay together. .

I'm not sure my heart can stand losing you. So please hold on. You're the one person in the world, I cannot say goodbye too. Daddy youre my hero of life. And I will always be your little girl FOREVER; I love you, and please, hang on best you can. .

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dee Dee Serpas is a retired police officer from Kenner Police Department (Louisiana). Currently, she is the President of the TAPS Memorial Web site. Following in the footsteps of her great-grandfather, Sheriff Paul Berthelot, Sheriff of St. John the Baptist Parish, and that of her father, who was president of FOP Lodge 2 in the late 1950s, Dee Dee became a Police Officer. First with the East Jefferson Levee Board Police, she also joined the Kenner Police Department and was the only female to graduate from the academy that year. Later, she joined the Jefferson Parish Sheriffs Office as a street cop. This makes her the only known female in Louisiana to have held three commissions at the age of 21. Her first book, Behind the Badge in the Atchafalya Swap is due out soon.

My Daddy is Gone

Policevet's Blog — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 02:36:00 GMT

My Daddy is Gone

by Dee Dee Serpas, Retired Police Officer

This story actually begins on December 13, 2000, in a south Texas prison 50 miles southeast of San Antonio. Where seven violent inmates, two of them convicted murderers would soon overpower a guard tower, confiscate an arsenal of weapons with ammo and make a daring escape in a white prison vehicle. A couple of days later near Houston, Texas, two of the escapees would rob a radio shack store for police scanners. For eleven days, they would evade detection by any law enforcement officer.

Not until December 24, 2000 would the "Texas Seven" meet a police officer face to face in a sporting goods store robbery-in-progress alarm. Where Irving, Texas, Police Officer Aubrey Wright Hawkins, a 29-year-old officer with 14 months on the force would be first on scene at Oshman's Super Sports USA. Reports indicate officer Hawkins was about to enter the rear of the store at 6:32 P.M. As the "Texas Seven," were exiting the rear doors. As they met, eleven shots rang out and officer Hawkins would lay mortally wounded in the deadly confrontation. As the lifeless officer lay on the pavement the robbers would purposely run over the body with their vehicle as they fled the area. These seven deadly killers are still on the loose one month later, and it's January 13, 2001.

Unknowingly, the wife of Aubrey Hawkins and their young son were preparing for the arrival of Saint Nick in a few hours. One can only imagine at this point the wrenching pain the Irving Police Department was feeling, as they prepared to deliver an agonizing message of officer Aubrey's death to the Hawkins family.

Will a little child after this life shattering event be able to connect with the eternal reverence of Christmas eve and the arrival of Saint Nicholas? What will the Hawkins child think for the rest of his young life? Will Christmas eve no longer be a special time because his daddy was shot down in the line of duty on this day? The 146th police officer to die on duty in the year 2000.

My heart as a mother of two children, and a retired police officer in the neighboring state of Louisiana, has turned to ice, cold and bitter. These "Texas Seven" need to be caught and not just given more sentence time. They have already left a note saying: "You haven't heard the last from us." That tells me they won't be taken alive, it could also be a death wish as they will be hunted down and taken in dead or alive.

They have much more fire power and ammo then any single police officer out on the street. Unfortunately, our news media does not carry their faces every newscast. And I worry they will kill again if not captured soon. My heart now hangs heavy, and the tears are frequent as I think about the Hawkins family left behind and the grieving Irving Police Department.

The following short story is my way of relieving the pain that I feel for the families left behind, and the pain of loss they must endure for years to come.

Momma: Why was my Daddy killed?

My Child: Daddy was a police officer, he wanted to protect people from harm, my dear.

Momma: Who protected daddy?

My child: His fellow officers were there, but they were not able to save daddy. They feel his loss too.

Momma: How did they escape from jail?

My Child: They stormed the guard tower and got out, they will be caught.

Momma: My Heart Hurts.

My Child: My heart hurts too little one, so does the hearts of his friends, and fellow officers.

Momma: Will Saint Nicholas Still Come?

My Child: He will still come visit us.

Momma: Can we leave a note that daddy was shot and killed, and is it okay that I don't feel like opening presents.

My Dear Child: We can do whatever you want.

Momma: What about the presents for daddy that Santa will bring?

My Child: How about we take them to daddy and he can take them to heaven with him.

Momma: I want daddy to come back home and hold me, why did they have to do that to him, and take him from us?

My Little One: They were determined no one was going to stop them. They are bad people.

Momma: I do not want to leave the house till they are caught?

My Little One: We are safe, daddy's friends will protect us, and daddy would not want you to fear and stay inside.

Momma: I want to help Catch daddy's killers?

My Little One: You are now the man of the house, but you're too little to help. You can rest that every officer from all over the United States is looking for them. Just say a prayer that they are caught and they do not hurt anyone else.

Momma: Can I hold you and give you a hug?

My Little One: I will hold you tight, daddy is an angel now, he will be in our hearts forever.

Momma: I love Daddy, Daddy I love you?

My Little One: I love daddy too, sweetheart I love you too.

THE END

It's unfortunate and sad that stories like this play out only too often and not just in the United States but all around the world. A Mother, Father, Son or Daughter each year is suddenly taken from their loved ones. Taken by the ultimate dangers they risk each day as they carry out their oath of office. "To serve and protect." In a split second, a young officer with only a few months on the job or a twenty-year plus veteran may become LODD victims. A shot rings out, a violent vehicle crash, an ambush by a lurking predator in hiding, it can come at anytime, it's the risk and dangers of the job. May God bless our police officers, our brave firefighters and dedicated medics who put their lives on the line each day .

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dee Dee Serpas is a retired police officer from Kenner Police Department (Louisiana). Currently, she is the President of the TAPS Memorial Web site. Following in the footsteps of her great-grandfather, Sheriff Paul Berthelot, Sheriff of St. John the Baptist Parish, and that of her father, who was president of FOP Lodge 2 in the late 1950s, Dee Dee became a Police Officer. First with the East Jefferson Levee Board Police, she also joined the Kenner Police Department and was the only female to graduate from the academy that year. Later, she joined the Jefferson Parish Sheriffs Office as a street cop. This makes her the only known female in Louisiana to have held three commissions at the age of 21.

Awakening needed:

Policevet's Blog — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 19:08:00 GMT

Awakening needed:

As members of this www.AmericanPoliceVeterans.org and a lot of us being disabled, we need to help each other and ourselves by contacting our legislators. And to keep contacting them, even though they acknowledge our previous contact.

With numbers we can be strong, and numbers elect. As we know from our recent elections, every vote does indeed matter!!

Perhaps, somehow we could create a list of the elected members of congress, etc. that are pro law enforcement, and those that for what ever reason, are not so pro law enforcement.

From my own experience, I have seen some changes start to take place, for instance the new phase for the Law enforcement memorial day. To the best that I can remember, this last year was the first that the disabled officers were also mentioned in the heading for the day.

Now, that is a start. Finally from all the efforts of those including myself, whom have been pushing the legislators for more recognition for the disabled law enforcement officers.The efforts are obvious!

Another area that needs attention is that new additions for the disabled officers benefits should all include every living disabled officer. To me it only makes sense, just because an officer was disabled, say, back in the 70's or what ever year, the new benefits should also include them.

I once had an attorney relate to my line of duty injury as " well, it just comes with the territory". That may be true, but also decent benefits for all of our line of duty injuries should also come with the territory!

In regards to the first line of defense, the Law Enforcement is indeed the first line of defense on our soil. We have been since the conception of the job. And this is not to take away from those whom have either died or became disabled protecting our country and our countries interests in other countries around the world. After all it seems that a lot of the military personnel are also our fellow law enforcement officers. That is just the way that we are made. So, weather we are disabled in the military or serving our country as Law Enforcement Officers, if we become disabled, we should be entitled to the very best benefits for us and our families. We deserve no less.

Chip Holk

Write your Representatives

Retried Officers: We Need Your Help for study of adjustment to post-retirement.

Policevet's Blog — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 16:36:00 GMT

Retried Officers: We Need Your Help!

What Do We Need?

Nnamdi Pole, Ph.D., a Professor at The University of Michigan is studying factors associated with both positive and negative post-retirement adjustment to police work. In order to participate, you need to be a retired officer who experienced at least one serious duty-related critical incident. The study involves a lengthy questionnaire. The questionnaire, which may take several hours of your time, will be completed at your own pace in the privacy of your home. You will be paid up to $50 for your participation. All information that you provide to the study will be kept STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL.

What Will Happen to the Results?

The results of the study will be used to help future generations of law enforcement officers throughout the nation. Dr. Pole has demonstrated long-term commitment to improving the occupational health of police officers by doing this kind of research. He can only continue in his endeavors through your participation. Please consider playing a role in advancing the physical and mental health of current and future police officers.

Who Should You Contact?

If you think that you might be interested in participating in this worthwhile endeavor, please contact Dr. Pole by e-mail: nnamdi@umich.edu or telephone: 734-763-4132. Leave your name, address, telephone number, and/or e-mail address and someone will contact you.

Meet Mike... Disabled cop to movie star!

Policevet's Blog — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 15:10:00 GMT

Surveillance video of disabled cop

http://media.putfile.com/bullshit-14

Get hurt on the job and you could become an action hero!

Meet Mike. Mike was a dedicated and decorated deputy sheriff sheriff. Through no fault of his own he sustained career ending injuries in the performance of his duties. Mike is not unaccustomed to appearing on the small screen. He once was featured on Court TV for his role in discovering a murdered infant and for bringing the savage murderer to justice. Mike is a lot of things and one of these things was being an honest and trustworthy cop. So why would the county treat him like a criminal. They staked him out like a drug dealer! They followed him as he shopped with his family. If he had helped his wife load the groceries into the SUV would he have been busted as a pension scofflaw? Would the county have stripped him of his pension?

I was struck by the apparent lack of professionalism displayed by the investigator. Every angle would have left Mike vulnerable to less than a clear understanding of the events in the case of a dispute about an act or action by this officer. Not demonstrated in this video is that the private investigators acted like law enforcement officers as the pursued mike throughout the county. The investigators, and Mike's family and the public's safety where put at risk. The investigators if not acting in the "public's interest" probably would have been charged reckless operation or road rage. But they weren't. Apparently, it isn't a crime in California to stalk a cop and his family.

For all the expense of following Mike as he went through a very difficult transition from active law enforcement officer, father and husband to being a retired and disabled cop, less active father and a husband that was forced to shift duties and responsibilities onto his spouse. This really shows how the job has your back when you get hurt on the job. The job will sneak around you back until they get a chance to stab you in the back. In all fairness, his fellow officers where there to strip him of all the tools and symbols of his office once they decided he was injured to an extent that would prevent his continues employment. It makes you wonder why the surveillances took place after the agency found disability. It should make you ask, "Why are they harassing this officer and his family?"

This is a waste of time talent and money and an insult to hard working law enforcement officers who have made the penultimate sacrifice of career ending injury. Absent probable cause this should never happen! Cops should be outraged as there is a good chance they'll be the next star on "disabled cops -candid camera."

It is time to transform the law enforcement disability system from its adversarial role . Disabled police officers deserve a right to work law. The only disabled cop that should be forcibly separated from the service due to incapacitating injury are those that have suffered catastrophic injury.

To all law enforcement officers, unions, legislators and the public to get behind the Mikes and our nation's disabled police officers with a helping hand, rather than a camera and a shive.

Front Lines by the DisabledDetective

Policevet's Blog — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 13:31:00 GMT

People...the public say that America's armed forces are working, fighting for America's freedom and rights on the front lines. Sadly they are mistaken. The front lines they describe are thousands of miles away.

I remember the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center like it was yesterday...I was there; furthermore I remember the attacks on the World Trade Center on 9/11/01...I was there, I had friends that were there...friends who were killed.

But let me digress a litle bit; the people of America enjoy there freedoms. They deserve to sleep at night without the worry that harm will come to there property or families, they are correct! Yet it is NOT the armed forces that grant them these wishes. It is the American Law Enforcement Officer who is working the battle on the war IN America every night and day.

Why then, don't American Law Enforcement Officers get the designation that the armed forces get. After a breif stint in the armd forces; they are Honorably Discharged, forever recognized as soldiers and Veterans. Cops are simply retired, as if we did not experience any type of combat; as if we did not see close friends die, as if we did not put our lives and the comfort and futures of our families on the lne every time we went to work.

If cops are hurt or disabled or even killed in the line of duty; this should be of a matter of national interest and broadcast on national news, not the tiny blurb it gets on the local news. America does not know the sacrifices we make every day of every year because they are not informed.

If we are disabled or killed in the line of duty, we should get the same recognition that the men and women who bravely work our armed forces get. There are no disabled police benefits for injured law enforcers...there are no hospitals that will be there for the injured police veterans.

Yet we go out and fight the war within our borders everyday. We number in the hundreds of thousands, it is time that we informed America the sacrifices we make every day and night so that they may sleep safely in their beds at night. Please don't get me wrong, I am not bitter, I just don't approve of the way our brave men and women are reported upon when they make a great sacrifice...or the ultimate sacrifice. Why is it that someone who is overseas and suffers serious injury or death, gets reported on, and even those news "stories" begin to slide on the back pages of our newspapers. But there is help for their children, their families and themselves if they are alive.

IT IS TIME AMERICA WAS INFORMED EVERY DAY , WHEN A MEMBER OF LAW ENFORCEMENT, NO MATTER WHERE, LOST THEIR LIVES IN THE PERFORMANCE OF DUTY, IT SHOULD NOT BE ON JUST THE LOCAL NEWS, IT SHOULD BE REPORTED ON THE NATIONAL NEWS...EVERYDAY.

THE LAW ENFORCEMENT MEMORIAL IS DIFFERENT THAN ANY OTHER MEMORIAL, WE MUST LEAVE ROOM ON THE LAW ENFORCEMENT MEMORIAL FOR THOSE MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY WHO HAVE YET TO FALL IN THE LINE OF DUTY. THE MEMORIALS THAT ARE PUT UP FOR THE WARS THAT HAVE BEEN FOUGHT BY OUR SOLDIERS ARE COMPLETED. THE SACRIFICES OF THOSE DEFENDING AMERICA'S FRONT LINE IN THE NATION'S COMMUNITIES WILL NEVER END.

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Awakening needed:

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