MentalAmmo.com Blog

Will Your Name Be in the News?

If it is, let’s hope it will be for a positive event!

For those that follow Mental Ammo, you know that I update law enforcement news at least once each day on the Police News page.  I have focused on the following Law Enforcement News events:

• Positive / human interest stories
• Use of Force
• Officer suicides
• Officer down

I refuse to add negative news stories such as unethical and illegal acts that law enforcement officers do.

Each time I sit down and start googling for news to add to my website, I
come across so much unethical and illegal acts that cops are involved in.  I still refuse to add this type of news to my website.   I will address it here on my Blog.

Here are some headlines from the past 24 hours of posting:

• Police officer arrested in domestic disturbance
  Drunken trooper kicks in door, assaults resident
  Police Officer Arrested For D.U.I.
  Airport K-9 Officer Arrested For Soliciting A Minor

There has been more news stories related to officers arrested for child porn, and other illegal and unethical acts.

This is unacceptable!
How do we get the message to our fellow officers that this must stop?

I know a majority of law enforcement officers are ethical and do the right thing.  To all of you – Thank You!  Keep up the great work!

To those officers that break the law – STOP! You give our
profession of warriors a black eye!  We are tasked with keeping our communities safe.
How can officers do this when we have a few that break the law?

I haven’t figured out why cops are doing this.  At first I thought it was a generational
thing.  I noticed two recent incents where a 20 and 30 year career officer were both charged with soliciting a minor.  I know it is not a generational issue.  I still haven’t figured this out.  If anyone has any idea why so many cops are breaking the laws please zap me an email.

I have been involved with a major law enforcement web site
for several years.  These illegal and unethical acts are not anything new.  They have
been going on for years.  In fact, I have noticed that the illegal and unethical acts that LEOs (Law Enforcement Officers) commit have the most hits.  It is sad that the positive, heroic actions of LEOs on websites I contribute to have a lower hit ratio than the illegal and unethical actions.  Why is this?

Can some of these acts be preventable?  I believe so!
As cops, we tend to look the other way when a fellow officer is believed to be doing something wrong.  We suspect that an officer may be having marital problems that can lead to some type of violence.  If our gut tells us that something is not right with Sgt. Smucketelly.
Listen to your gut!  Encourage those officers that you think have or will have issues to call your employee assistance program.  I know many agencies have something set up for these types of issues – we need to use them more often.

Maybe, just maybe our early interventions can save a career of a LEO!

Please check out the Police News Page on Mental Ammo’s website for daily news!

REMINISCING

As I sit here sipping on a Sam Adams waiting for my steaks on the grill and listening to
the Little River Band and other 70’s and 80’s tunes, I start ‘Reminiscing’
of the good ole days when I grew up in a small town in Nebraska

A few things I remember from the 70’s and 80’s:

Sitting down with the entire family and eating dinner (I still do this).  We didn’t have cell phones to interrupt a family discussion.  My mom was the ‘Lady’ that made sure we all had an awesome meal!

Getting my butt spanked when I deserved it.  It worked!  Mom had a wooden spoon she used to ‘Whip It’ (my butt).  I use to tell her to ‘Take it easy on me’.  I never said, ‘Do That
To Me One More Time’.  Most of those spankings were for ‘Little Lies’.  Be honest and always tell the truth!!! Boy, did I put myself in ‘Jeopardy’ at times!

I remember telling my parents to leave me alone, this is ‘My Life’.  I did try to ‘Escape’ a couple of times.  I’m glad they didn’t leave me alone.  I’m definitely glad I didn’t ‘Give it up”.  After all, if I left, who would do my ‘Dirty Laundry’?

We use to take our bikes to the Nature Hole and ‘Jump’ them!  That hole is gone now.

I remember going to the skating rink in Grant and wow, ‘Oh What a Night’ we had!

I use to DJ several dances in High School and I would ‘Play that Funky Music’.

I enjoyed running and did well in track and cross country.  I really loved running when ‘Raindrops kept falling on my head’.  I think I was ‘Born to Run’!

During high school, I thought it was time for ‘A Cool Change’, so I signed up for the Marine Corps with several of my buddies (The Boys of Summer)!  My girlfriend at the time begged me to ‘Please Don’t Go’.  It was definitely ‘Time For Me to Fly’.  I was a little worried about ‘Stayin alive’.  The Corps was willing to ‘Take a Chance on Me’!  After Marine Corps graduation, I heard someone say ‘The boys are back in town’!  After the Marine Corps, I did tend to ‘Drift Away’, but now in the Facebook era, I’m easy to find.

Looking back, I can’t complain at all because ‘Life’s been good’!

If only ‘I Could Turn Back Time’!  I sure was in a hurry to grow up back then.  Couldn’t wait unit I turned 16 then 21.  Time seemed to move so slow back then.  Now, it is going too fast.  I guess we can’t be ‘Forever Young’.  I definitely had a lot of ‘Dreams’ growing up, but am very happy with the life I have now!!  I guess ‘That Was Yesterday’.  I’m thankful for every experience in my life – ‘I wouldn’t have Missed it For the World’!

After all this reminiscing, maybe Imperial is ‘Back Where I belong’

As I write this, my wife reminded me that today is my parents 48^th Anniversary.  I made sure to call and say, ‘Happy Anniversary’.

I was recently back home for a ‘celebration’– we had our family reunion.  I reconnected with many family members that I haven’t seen in years.  I did ‘Cherish’ the time I spent with family

What do you remember from your early years?  How many times do you have to ‘Roll With The Changes’?

Here’s some help if you are having a difficult time thinking of one:  Go home safely at the end of each shift.  Training needs to occur to help us all go home safely!  Here are some of my recommendations (please feel free to add to them):

Get to the Range

Not just to qualify twice a year.  Practice!  Move and shoot.  Draw and fire with your right and left hand.  Draw and fire from unorthodox positions (sitting, on back, on belly, on side, etc).  ALWAYS TRAIN SAFE!

Hit the Mat Room

It’s very likely that you will be in a fight during your career as an LEO.  Get in the mat room and enhance your arrest control techniques. Don’t just go through the motions, get tired and sweaty and fight and then get those cuffs on (don’t forget to double lock them).  Don’t forget the groundfighting!  Most fights end up on the ground – If you don’t train for fighting on the ground, chances are you won’t win the fight.

Go to the Gym

You owe it to yourself, your family, your partner and your department to be in shape!  You do not need to be Mr. or Ms. Universe, but you do need to be in shape.

Read Books

Keep your mind sharp!  There are many excellent books related to the law enforcement profession.  I have several recommendations on my website (BOOK RECOMENDATIONS). 

Seek Training

Chances are that your department can’t afford to send every officer to Street Survival or the ILEETA conference.  Many officers attend quality training on their dime.  Start saving and choose a training course that you would benefit from.  Check with your State POST.  In Colorado, there are many free training events if you keep looking for them.

These are just a few ideas.  I hope whatever you choose will definitely give you the ammo you need to Go home safely at the end of each shift.

Each May during National Police Week the nation pauses to recognize the service and sacrifice of U.S. law enforcement.    This week we remember those brothers and sisters that have lost their lives serving our communities. 

A few people do not understand the importance of this week.  Some just do not care.  But those of us that don the blue, brown, green or whatever color of uniform know the importance and significance of this week.  We honor the officers who made the ultimate sacrifice.  Their honor, service, and dedication to duty will never be forgotten.

I had the honor to serve with Melissa Schmidt while in the US Marine Corps. 

On August 1, 2002, The Minneapolis Police dept lost a great Police Officer. Melissa Schmidt was shot and killed by a 60 year old woman.

Melissa Schmidt

Melissa and I served together in the Marines on Emabassy duty in Nassau, Bahamas and Havana, Cuba. Melissa was a dedicated and honorable Marine! She was also one heck of a basketball player. She always kicked my tail all over the basketball court.

I will never forget the great moments I spent with Melissa. This week, I pause to reflect on all the great times I have had with Melissa and cherish those memories. My thoughts and prayers continue to be with her and her family.

I also pause to remember ALL the law enforcement officers that gave their life to protect all of us.

We should never forget the mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, husbands, wives, family and friends that lost their loved one.  The brother and sister law enforcement officers should be kept in our thoughts and prayers as well. 

Please take some time each day this week to offer a moment of silence and reflect on those officers that died doing what they loved with honor!

So far this year, 61 law enforcement officers have lost their lives.

Total Line of Duty Deaths: 61
Aircraft accident: 1
Assault: 2
Automobile accident: 16
Fall: 2
Gunfire: 22
Gunfire (Accidental): 1
Heart attack: 5
Motorcycle accident: 3
Struck by train: 1
Struck by vehicle: 2
Vehicle pursuit: 2
Vehicular assault: 4

By Month:
January: 19
February: 15
March: 14
April: 9
May: 4

Average tour: 12 years, 12 months

Average age: 41

By Gender:
Female: 2
Male: 59