Mattis Pays Tribute to Prisoners of War, Missing in Action

Service members who were held as prisoners of war and those still missing from the nation's wars deserve respect and admiration from the nation for which they fought, Defense Secretary James N. Mattis said.

https://ift.tt/2O6MlIq John D. Banusiewicz September 21, 2018 at 09:45PM

You Never Know Where They’ll Show Up

On a JSDF base. https://ift.tt/2PYtEnO SSD September 21, 2018 at 09:45PM

MCTSSA Personnel Welcomes Vietnam Veterans, Share Legacy

Marine Corps Tactical Systems Support Activity CAMP PENDLETON, Calif.— Marine Corps Tactical Systems Support Activity welcomed Vietnam veterans from Marine Air Support Squadron 3 to MCTSSA’s headquarters aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton this summer. Marine Corps Tactical Systems Support Activity personnel hosted U.S. Marine Corps veterans who served with Marine Air Support Squadron 3 […] https://ift.tt/2NYwmfL SSD September 21, 2018 at 09:45PM

NRA Thanks National Police Shooting Championship Sponsors

The National Rifle Association wants to thank its sponsoring partners for their support of the 2018 NRA National Police Shooting Championships, scheduled for Sept. 24-26, 2018, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The competition unites law enforcement professionals from across the world to test their marksmanship skills in an exciting, challenging competition.

Support for the NRA Law Enforcement Division and the 2018 NRA National Police Shooting Championships is graciously provided by Ruger, Mossberg, Kahr Firearms Group, Rocky Brands, Odor Crusher, Otis Technology, and TRU-SPEC. Additional support for this year’s championships is provided by the U.S. Border Patrol, Nine Line Apparel, and Present Arms.

In addition to the shooting matches, tuition-free armorer courses, including courses from Glock, SIG Sauer, Walther, Double Star and Smith & Wesson, are scheduled on Saturday, Sept. 22. The courses will be available on a first-come, first-served basis and pre-registration is required.  The 2018 Law Enforcement Equipment Expo will also take place during the NPSC, allowing law enforcement professionals to meet local and national firearm and equipment manufacturers and explore new products.

A shooting tradition since 1962, the NPSC is open to all public and private law enforcement professionals and select law enforcement members of the U.S. Armed Forces. Participation in the event does not require an invitation, and registrants can shoot in as few or many matches as they wish.

For more information about the 2018 NRA National Police Shooting Championships, including schedule, hotel reservation information, match details and descriptions, and more, visit https://lecompetitions.nra.org/national-police-shooting-championship/. To learn more about the NRA Law Enforcement Division and NRA Law Enforcement competitions, call (703) 267-1632 or email LEcompetitions@nrahq.org.

 

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https://ift.tt/2PRntBU PoliceMag September 21, 2018 at 09:45PM

Mattis Pays Tribute to Prisoners of War, Missing in Action

Service members who were held as prisoners of war and those still missing from the nation's wars deserve respect and admiration from the nation for which they fought, Defense Secretary James N. Mattis said.

https://ift.tt/2QR1Xi6 John D. Banusiewicz September 21, 2018 at 06:45PM

Airbnb Wants Hosts to Be Shareholders: DealBook’s Closing Bell

The start-up asked the Securities and Exchange Commission to revise its rules on whom private companies can award equity to. https://ift.tt/2xHgoMH By STEPHEN GROCER September 21, 2018 at 06:45PM

Airbnb Wants Hosts to Be Shareholders: DealBook’s Closing Bell

The start-up asked the Securities and Exchange Commission to revise its rules on whom private companies can award equity to. https://ift.tt/2QN7I02 By STEPHEN GROCER September 21, 2018 at 06:45PM

PEO Digital will change global AF software acquisition

Dr. Will Roper, the Air Force's senior civilian acquisition leader, redesignated Program Executive Office Battle Management as PEO Digital, to be headquartered at Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts, Sept. 17.

https://ift.tt/2xJeTgY Benjamin Newell September 21, 2018 at 06:45PM

White House Releases First National Cyber Strategy in 15 Years

The first new National Cyber Strategy in 15 years is built on four pillars: protecting the American people, the homeland and the American way of life; promoting American prosperity; preserving peace through strength; and advancing American influence.

https://ift.tt/2QR1OLA Terri Moon Cronk September 21, 2018 at 06:45PM

N-Vision Sponsors 2018 Albuquerque PPC and 3-Gun Championship

Platinum Sponsor N-Vision Optics Will Be Exhibiting at the 2018 Albuquerque PPC and 3-Gun Championship Sponsored by the NRA September 24-26th We look forward to meeting with the law enforcement community and tournament spectators. https://ift.tt/2xFB33I SSD September 21, 2018 at 06:46PM

DoD Agency Identifies Soldiers Lost in Korean War From Returned Remains

Two soldiers who died during the Korean War have been identified from the remains returned from North Korea, President Donald J. Trump announced.

https://ift.tt/2QQLMkQ Jim Garamone September 21, 2018 at 06:45PM

Google and RapidSOS Now Provide Emergency Location for 911 Calls Nationwide

RapidSOS announced they are partnering with Google to deliver life-saving 911 caller location information to public safety agencies nationwide. With the U.S. activation of Android Emergency Location Service (ELS), emergency communications centers using the free RapidSOS Next Generation 911 (NG911) Clearinghouse will now receive faster and more accurate caller location for 911 calls from Android devices.

Due to outdated infrastructure, public safety agencies today often receive no data around an emergency besides a voice connection and a broad estimate of location. The FCC estimates that faster response from improved location for 911 calls could save over 10,000 lives annually.

Android ELS, a service supported on 99% of Android devices, transmits faster and more accurate emergency location both indoors and outdoors to emergency services during a 911 call. With this announcement, emergency location from Android devices is now being delivered to emergency communications centers in the U.S. via the RapidSOS NG911 Clearinghouse, a secure source of emergency data that is offered as a free service to every public safety agency nationwide.

"Emergency Location Service in Android has made a profound impact on emergency response in the 15 countries where it is live today," said RapidSOS CEO, Michael Martin. "This partnership between Google and RapidSOS puts life-saving data directly into the hands of 911 telecommunicators in the United States via modern NG911 mechanisms."

"I've been in 911 for over 20 years and for the longest time we had to wait for someone else to fix the wireless location challenge," said Bob Finney, 911 Communications Director at Collier County Sheriff's Office. "With ELS and RapidSOS, we can actually take action in the emergency communications center to improve the safety of our citizens."

The NG911 Clearinghouse is currently integrated in over 1,000 emergency communications centers nationwide, covering more than 100 million Americans. Agencies not yet connected can start receiving data from the NG911 Clearinghouse today through one of two methods:

Any emergency communications center can access data from the NG911 Clearinghouse today with RapidLite, a 100% free, secure, web-based tool for public safety agencies. Authorized agencies can request an account in minutes at RapidLite.com. RapidSOS partners with all major public safety software companies to integrate data from the NG911 Clearinghouse directly in existing dashboards and workflows. Public safety officials can view the list of RapidSOS partners here.

The announcement of nationwide Android ELS activation comes after a January 2018 pilot project conducted by Google and RapidSOS to deliver ELS location to emergency communications centers in the U.S. Throughout the pilot, participating emergency communications centers reported several incidents, from medical emergencies to car crashes, where faster and more accurate location contributed to an accelerated emergency response, saving lives. To see the full results and learn more about the pilot project, download the report here.

 

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https://ift.tt/2xHjIaN PoliceMag September 21, 2018 at 06:45PM

White House Releases First National Cyber Strategy in 15 Years

The first new National Cyber Strategy in 15 years is built on four pillars: protecting the American people, the homeland and the American way of life; promoting American prosperity; preserving peace through strength; and advancing American influence.

https://ift.tt/2QO9NZD Terri Moon Cronk September 21, 2018 at 03:45PM

DoD Agency Identifies Soldiers Lost in Korean War From Returned Remains

Two soldiers who died during the Korean War have been identified from the remains returned from North Korea, President Donald J. Trump announced.

https://ift.tt/2xGzD9g Jim Garamone September 21, 2018 at 03:45PM

PEO Digital will change global AF software acquisition

Dr. Will Roper, the Air Force's senior civilian acquisition leader, redesignated Program Executive Office Battle Management as PEO Digital, to be headquartered at Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts, Sept. 17.

https://ift.tt/2QPTBXU Benjamin Newell September 21, 2018 at 03:45PM

AF Week in Photos

This week's photos feature Airmen from around the globe involved in activities supporting expeditionary operations and defending America. This weekly feature showcases the men and women of the Air Force.

https://ift.tt/2xG2jPP DoD News September 21, 2018 at 03:45PM

Samson Releases US-Standard Thread Adapters for 9x19mm and 9x37mm AKs

Keene, NH – Samson Manufacturing has just released their new AK thread adapter for 9×19 and 9×39 AK-type rifles with 14 x 1 LH threaded muzzles. Constructed from 17-4 stainless or 4140 carbon steel, these adapters are designed to fit standard thread ½ x 28mm 9mm suppressors to the AK pistols hitting the market. These […] https://ift.tt/2QPTzPM SSD September 21, 2018 at 03:46PM

Air Force Assists Army During Saber Junction 18

During Exercise Saber Junction 18, part of an annual U.S. Army Europe-directed exercise series, the U.S. Air Force provided aircraft during training that promotes interoperability between U.S. troops and participating allies and partner nations.

https://ift.tt/2xGVehJ Air Force Airman 1st Class Milton Hamilton, Air Force Staff Sgt. Jimmie Pike and Air Force Airman 1st Class Alexis Schultz September 21, 2018 at 03:45PM

Spirit of Blue Awards Tourniquet Grant to Kentucky State Police in Memory of Fallen Trooper

FRANKFORT, KENTUCKY – September 17, 2018 – The Spirit of Blue Foundation announced that it has awarded the Trooper Joseph Cameron Ponder Memorial Safety Grant to the Kentucky State Police Foundation (KSPF) to outfit all 1,000 troopers and officers of the Kentucky State Police with lifesaving tourniquets inside of rugged duty belt cases.  The KSP […] https://ift.tt/2QPTxr8 SSD September 21, 2018 at 03:46PM

Off-Duty New York Officer Shot, Wounded in Love Triangle Gone Wrong

An off-duty police officer was reportedly shot and wounded by his girlfriend's ex-boyfriend on Friday morning, according to the New York Post.

Police responded to a 911 call from a woman who said that she had been shot by her boyfriend. When police arrived to the apartment—finding the door locked—they heard multiple gunshots inside. When the police entered, they discovered the woman dead with two gunshot wounds to the head.

A 47-year-old man was also found dead inside the apartment, shot once to the head.

A 43-year-old off-duty police officer with the Yonkers (NY) Police Department, was transported to a nearby hospital in serious condition with a gunshot wound to the shoulder and two wounds to the back which may be the result of a stabbing, according to The Post.

Authorities say the wounded officer is the dead woman’s boyfriend and the dead man is her ex-boyfriend. It is initially believed the ex shot them both before taking his own life.

 

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https://ift.tt/2xFhUim PoliceMag September 21, 2018 at 03:46PM

Virginia Deputies, Officers Make Surprise Visit to Boy's Birthday Party

Deputies with the Isle of Wight County (VA) Sheriff's Office and the Windsor (VA) Police Department made a little boy's birthday dreams come true as they descended on the event after learning that the boy wanted a "police themed" party.

Lieutenant Jernigan, Deputy Bertram, Deputy Hopko, and Sergeant Acey were seen in photos posted to the IOWSO Facebook page.

The boy's mother told WTKR-TV that the officers' appearance at the party made his dreams come true.

 

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https://ift.tt/2QQLHO6 PoliceMag September 21, 2018 at 03:46PM

Massachusetts Man Advertised for Cop Killers on Craigslist, Police Say

A Massachusetts man who allegedly placed an advertisement on Craigslist inviting would-be cop killers for drinks was taken into custody by Cambridge police, according to Newsweek.

"Sick of Somerville and Cambridge cops who live in Sudbury or some other f--- place? Let’s kill them," the Craigslist post said.

"I want to see people killing cops and Uber drivers in and around Cambridge and Somerville and I'll buy you a drink," the advertisement said.

James Seawell was booked and charged with soliciting and threatening to commit a crime.

 

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https://ift.tt/2xEJWdT PoliceMag September 21, 2018 at 03:46PM

Fallen Kansas Deputy's Partner Posts on Facebook the Harrowing Story of Shooting

The patrol partner of Deputy Robert Kunze—a 12-year veteran of the Sedgwick County (KS) Sheriff's Office who was shot and killed Sunday while responding to a suspicious character call—has broken his silence with a post to a social media page.

Deputy Tony Farias was the first deputy to arrive on scene Sunday afternoon after Kunze was shot and killed in the line of duty.

The text of Farias' post is pasted in its entirety below.

I don't want to, but I feel it's finally time to break my silence so here it goes....

On Sep. 16 2018 my Sedgwick County family lost a extremely valuable member of our team. Robert Kunze was not only a great deputy, but he was a great person. I don't know a single person that EVER said a bad thing about this man and he could make a stranger feel like family in seconds.

Deputy Kunze didn't know the evil he was about to walk into on Sep 16.

Deputy Kunze and I were dispatched to your "everyday call" (a suspicious character). Prior to the call, we messaged each other getting our locations coordinated so we could arrive at the same time.

The location we were given had changed and Deputy Kunze just happened to roll up on it. He notified everyone of the location change upon arrival. Due to me just arriving at the original location I headed towards my partner. HE KNEW I WAS CLOSE....

I arrived on scene shortly after, having no idea of the events that just occurred. Deputy Kunze had suffered a wound that doctors said no human would be able to function after receiving. Deputy Kunze was no regular human.... And HE KNEW I WAS CLOSE.....

After receiving this wound Deputy Kunze did the impossible and demolished the evil that thought it had him beat. He made the hardest decision anyone can make in seconds. HE KNEW I WAS CLOSE....

I believe Deputy Kunze found strength to protect incoming deputies (including me) from this evil and knew he had to eliminate it. ASAP! nothing was going to stop him from doing so. Certainly not some fatal wound....

I owe my life to this hero who made the ultimate sacrifice to bring justice to evil and to protect me. Kunze did not know the evil he was about to walk into, but faced it down in true Kunze fashion. The devil himself couldn't have stopped Kunze that day and he proved that. I did not know what I was walking into that day either. That day will haunt me for the rest of my life....

My condolences go out to his family. I will always be here for you. Thank you to everyone who has reached out or attempted to reach out. If I didn't get back to you its cause I'm overwhelmed, heartbroken, and feeling so many emotions.

Thank you Deputy Robert Kunze for not only the actions you took that day, but the actions you took everyday in how you conducted yourself.

You are the definition of a hero, I love you and I owe my life to you....

Deputy Kunze is survived by his wife and child.

 

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https://ift.tt/2QPTtYq PoliceMag September 21, 2018 at 03:45PM

Tony Danza, Josh Groban to Star in New "Family Friendly" Netflix Police Procedural

Embed from Getty Images

According to Entertainment Weekly, actor Tony Danza—who serves on the Board of Directors for NYPD's Police Athletic League—will return to acting in a role as a "disgraced" ex-NYPD cop who was fired for chronic violations of departmental policy.

Danza's character's son—played by singer and occasional cameo actor Josh Groban—is the exact opposite of his father, assiduously following every policy to the letter.

According to a Netflix press release, "this 'odd couple' become unofficial partners as Tony Sr. offers his overly cautious son blunt, street-wise advice on everything from handling suspects to handling women."

The show's creator—Andy Breckman, who is also responsible for bringing TV viewers the show "Monk," about a San Francisco Police homicide consultant with an obsessive compulsive disorder—aims to make the new show a "buddy cop" program for family viewing.

"Many cop shows feature dark and provocative material," Breckman wrote in a statement. "The show I want to produce is playful, family-friendly, and a celebration of old-fashioned puzzle-solving."

The new Netflix series is an adaption of an Israeli series of the same name. It debuts on Friday, September 21.

 

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https://ift.tt/2xGzBhE PoliceMag September 21, 2018 at 03:45PM

Maryland Man Who Shot and Wounded 2 Officers Will Not Be Charged

A man who shot and wounded two Prince George's County, MD, police officers will not be charged because he was not the man they were after—he was in fact, under the impression that he was defending himself from a home invasion, according to Fox45 News.

Chief Henry Stawinski said in a Thursday news conference that the man was a "law-abiding, hardworking citizen" who did not know that it was police officers attempting to enter his residence.

Stawinski said that the investigation led the agency to the wrong address, but "we did not serve a search warrant at the wrong address," Stawinski said.

An investigation into the incident remains ongoing.

 

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https://ift.tt/2QPIKgv PoliceMag September 21, 2018 at 03:45PM

FBI Turns 3 Hackers into Assets Assisting in Anti-Hacking Investigations

Three convicted hackers—22-year-old Paras Jha, 21-year-old Josiah White, and 22-year-old Dalton Norman—continue to cooperate with the FBI on cybercrime and cybersecurity matters, as well as continued cooperation with and assistance to law enforcement and the broader research community, according to a DOJ press release.

Jha, White, and Norman pleaded guilty to criminal Informations in the District of Alaska charging them each with conspiracy to violate the Computer Fraud & Abuse Act in operating the Mirai Botnet. Jha and Norman also pleaded guilty to two counts each of the same charge, one in relation to the Mirai botnet and the other in relation to the Clickfraud botnet.

Jha, White, and Norman were each sentenced to serve a five-year period of probation, 2,500 hours of community service, ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $127,000, and have voluntarily abandoned significant amounts of cryptocurrency seized during the course of the investigation.

According to court documents, the defendants have provided assistance that substantially contributed to active complex cybercrime investigations as well as the broader defensive effort by law enforcement and the cybersecurity research community.

 

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https://ift.tt/2xDphHb PoliceMag September 21, 2018 at 03:45PM

Brad Keselowski Races in the #2 REESE® Draw-Tite® Ford Fusion September 22

Draw-Tite®, Reese®, and Horizon Global Americas invite you to help us wish Brad Keselowski good luck this weekend at Richmond Raceway for the #Federated400 #NASCARPlayoffs SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE ~For the latest videos on all our products and everything towing~ https://youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=CequentPerformance WEBSITE https://ift.tt/2pIyt9W https://ift.tt/1vty0kM FACEBOOK https://ift.tt/2MT4i8L https://ift.tt/2psalYA TWITTER @DrawTiteHitches LINKEDIN https://ift.tt/2HDHbOy https://ift.tt/2ppdLeS Horizon Global Americas September 21, 2018 at 02:03PM

White House Releases First National Cyber Strategy in 15 Years

The first new National Cyber Strategy in 15 years is built on four pillars: protecting the American people, the homeland and the American way of life; promoting American prosperity; preserving peace through strength; and advancing American influence.

https://endlesssupplies.org/blogs/news/https-dod-defense-gov-news-article-article-1641969-white-house-releases-first-national-cyber-strategy-in-15-years Terri Moon Cronk September 21, 2018 at 12:45PM

DoD Agency Identifies Soldiers Lost in Korean War From Returned Remains

Two soldiers who died during the Korean War have been identified from the remains returned from North Korea, President Donald J. Trump announced.

https://ift.tt/2OGmxQt Jim Garamone September 21, 2018 at 12:45PM

Air Force Assists Army During Saber Junction 18

During Exercise Saber Junction 18, part of an annual U.S. Army Europe-directed exercise series, the U.S. Air Force provided aircraft during training that promotes interoperability between U.S. troops and participating allies and partner nations.

https://endlesssupplies.org/blogs/news/https-dod-defense-gov-news-article-article-1641390-air-force-assists-army-during-saber-junction-19 Air Force Airman 1st Class Milton Hamilton, Air Force Staff Sgt. Jimmie Pike and Air Force Airman 1st Class Alexis Schultz September 21, 2018 at 12:45PM

PEO Digital will change global AF software acquisition

Dr. Will Roper, the Air Force's senior civilian acquisition leader, redesignated Program Executive Office Battle Management as PEO Digital, to be headquartered at Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts, Sept. 17.

https://ift.tt/2OGmowp Benjamin Newell September 21, 2018 at 12:45PM

AF Week in Photos

This week's photos feature Airmen from around the globe involved in activities supporting expeditionary operations and defending America. This weekly feature showcases the men and women of the Air Force.

https://endlesssupplies.org/blogs/news/http-www-af-mil-news-article-display-article-1641639-af-week-in-photos DoD News September 21, 2018 at 12:45PM

Face of Defense: Goalie-Turned-Air Force Officer Earns NCAA Accolades

Air Force 2nd Lt. Sidney Peters, the four-time Western Collegiate Hockey Association Scholar-Athlete, WCHA All-Academic, Academic All-Big Ten honoree and 2018 Hockey Humanitarian Award recipient, has been named as one of the NCAA’s Top 30 Woman of the Year honorees for her excellence in academics, athletics, community service and leadership.

https://endlesssupplies.org/blogs/news/https-dod-defense-gov-news-article-article-1641275-face-of-defense-goalie-turned-air-force-officer-earns-ncaa-accolades-1 Sharon Holland, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences September 21, 2018 at 12:45PM

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https://ift.tt/2NZqXF1 SSD September 21, 2018 at 12:46PM

How the Bond between Cops and Kids Might Help Solve the Police Recruitment Crisis

VIDEO: High School Kids Surprise SRO with Awesome "Thank You""

Police officers and kids often have a special bond. Police officers have a unique opportunity to positively influence the lives of countless children — many of whom do not really have very many positive role models in their lives — to become productive members of society when they grow up. They can quite literally turn a kid's life around with one interaction.

Police officers intervene in domestic disputes at which the children present are scared and uncertain. They come to the rescue at the scene of a traffic collision or a house fire. They walk the halls of the school, not only enforcing the law and school policy, but providing mentorship and friendship to kids who might otherwise feel shunned.

Cops do all of these things not because they have to, but because it's hard-wired in their DNA. They want to solve problems. They want to HELP.

With each positive police interaction, officers are — hopefully — making deposits in the Bank of Goodwill, creating lasting memories of being "the helper" and "the good guy."

Another possible outcome — someday seeing some of those kids sworn in as fellow officers.

Recruitment Crisis

It's no secret that many police agencies are having a hard time finding qualified candidates to become police officers. The problem has been well documented that many people entering the workforce look at policing — with diminishing pay, vanishing pensions, high risk of death or great bodily harm, and of course, a hostile public — and are deciding en masse to choose another career.

Cops on the streets — acting as ambassadors to children from infants to teenagers — might have the ability to reverse that trend.

It has long been my contention that the long-term solution to the current anti-police sentiment is the long-term strategy of increasing officer involvement and visibility with the nation's young people — in essence, to "Get 'em when they're young."

This same philosophy can also be used by the recruiting unit.

Many police departments have a pop-up tent, a folding table, and a bunch of knick-knacks with the department badge or logo to give away during street festivals and other events. This is a very passive recruitment tool — and arguably, a substantial waste of time and resources.

Where the real recruitment opportunities exist are in the day-to-day contact between young people and the police officers who serve their communities.

Formal Programs

Where time and resources are better applied are formal programs that put cops and kids in close proximity so that real relationships are naturally developed over time.

Naturally, this begins with employing SROs in your schools. Particularly in middle and high school years, having direct daily contact with an officer in the hallways can have an incredibly positive impact on kids. When an SRO is really active and really successful, kids will go out of their way to not only talk with him or her, but to thank them for their service.

Just ask Officer Mitch, who works at Heritage High School in the San Francisco Bay Area. The way the kids there said thanks was truly EPIC — watch the video above to see what they did.

If your department doesn't have an SRO program—but is considering one—get in touch with the National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO) for their advice and recommended best practices.

However, there also are numerous other formalized endeavors for departments to consider in addition to SROs in schools.

I'm talking about things like Explorer programs, Police Athletic Leagues, Teen Cadet Academies, summer internship programs, Shop with a Cop, and other department-funded initiatives that deliver valuable services to children of all ages.

I'm particularly a fan of the athletic leagues, the Cadet programs, and the Explorer programs, because they directly develop police-related skills, and encourage interest in learning about the profession from the inside out, well before any career decision must be made.

Admittedly, these programs require a considerable investment in both police officers' time and the city's money, but when one makes the argument that the return on that investment is an increase in the number of qualified — and interested — police recruits, the expenditure begins to look like a good idea.

Further, if there really is no budget, seek outside help. Local philanthropists might donate to a program, or you can make contact with your local American Legion post —nationally, American Legion encourages local posts to assist police in creating cadet academies for teenage boys and girls who have completed their junior year of high school.

Beyond these formal programs, there is simply the impromptu actions of officers on patrol that help kids see that the police are just regular people — who, admittedly, carry a gun and have the authority to arrest bad guys.

Informal Interactions

One simply cannot understate the impact that spontaneous and unplanned interactions can have on a child's perception of police.

Remember when officers from the Brooklyn Park (MN) Police Department heard that a young boy’s lemonade stand profits were stolen from him, and responded by sending squad car after squad car to the location to purchase about $50 dollars' worth of fresh lemonade.

Remember when officers from the Westwood (NJ) Police Department delivered a new bicycle to a 13-year-old boy who discovered one morning that his had been taken from his front porch.

Remember when officers from the Augusta (ME) Police Department showed up en masse with balloons and a birthday cake when they learned that none of an 8-year-old girl's friends were able to attend her birthday party.

It's impossible to say how many other stories such as these happen every single day in America — as I've previously written, one of the things that departments have to get better at is telling those stories.

It's also impossible to estimate how many times such incidents and interactions directly led to a child making up their mind that they wanted to grow up to be a cop. But the potential upside of such actions — while unknown — is enormous indeed, and the potential downside is non-existent.

Whether it is kids raising money with a lemonade stand to help a wounded officer, or officers buying a new toy electric car for a little boy who had his stolen, the relationship between little ones and the men and women of law enforcement can be heartwarming and inspiring.

Cops and kids — a potentially magical combination.

 

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https://ift.tt/2OGm9kZ PoliceMag September 21, 2018 at 12:45PM