Trust, But Verify.

I found Jason Hoschouer’s article on professional courtesy (Cars & Crashes, September 2013) to be interesting, but I’d like to add a few comments based on my 30+ years in law enforcement. When someone you stop presents a badge, check it out thoroughly. Is it just a badge or does it also include an ID card? Ask for the card and compare it to the badge. Do the badge and ID match? Is the badge from one agency and ID from another? Does the name on the ID match the driver’s license or registration info? There are lots of people carrying phony public safety IDs and badges out there … for various reasons.

Don’t get yourself into deep stuff by letting a drunk go because he requested professional courtesy. Just like Jason experienced, that drunk can always tell the cab driver to go around the block, and then get back behind the wheel after you’ve cleared the scene. And after he/she kills somebody, it’ll bite you in the butt when it comes to light you had him stopped but let him go. It would be better to call your supervisor and let them make the decision. Even if the drunk is from another agency, you can always request one of their duty supervisors to come to the scene and then the problem is out of your hands.
Lt. Nick DeMarco (Ret.)
COP website

Like-Minded

Since the first edition of American COP, I have consistently read the articles and information you place in your subscriber’s hands and found myself largely agreeing. A few times I disagree, but have never written you to let you know how thoroughly I enjoy the efforts, opinions and knowledge of the staff. I had occasion to again review the June 2013 issue for some information I was putting together when I noticed four of the sections were so well written and complimented each other so well, I finally took the time to let you know I feel COP outdid itself with this issue.

“You’re A Business” (From The Publisher) advised how officers should manage their careers; “Wisdom Is Where You Find It” (Street Level) reminds us we can learn something from everyone, no matter what our rank or level is; “An Intentional, Subtle And Damaging Change?” (From The Chief) describes the important differences between the Code of Ethics and the Code of Honor, and; “Things I Learned From My Dogs” (Vantage Point) is a nice reminder about behavior/actions at different experience levels — and passing on this experience. These four articles hit their points right on the head in plain, easy to understand and straightforward language. I’ve always enjoyed your willingness to sometimes poke, jab or slap at a problem/situation/trend when needed and wish more periodicals would follow in your footsteps. Thanks for what you do.
Capt. Dave Reaves (Ret.)
Ft. Stewart PD, Ga.

Well, thanks Capt. Reaves. I assure you we’ll keep poking, jabbing or slapping at problems and trends within law enforcement that need it. No bobble head mentality here. We’re happy to point out all the good in LE, but we’re not afraid to call out the stupidity. Our goal is to make sure everyone goes home in the same condition they went to work — everyday. SH

We’d love to hear from more of you. What is your agency doing right? Are you being trained or equipped with something silly or dangerous? If you’re aware of a problem, speak up. Share your concerns with me at [email protected], but don’t just whine about it, offer solutions. We’ll bring it to the rest of our readers to open the dialogue to a wider audience. Also, we’d like to feature a focus on how agencies handle problems in their jurisdictions. Has your agency handled something in an innovative manner? Let us know about it. SH


American COP ® welcomes letters to the editor. We reserve the right to edit all published letters for clarity and length. Due to the volume of mail, we are unable to individually answer your letters or e-mail. In sending a letter to American COP, you agree to provide Publishers Development Corp. such copyright as is required for publishing and redistributing the contents of your letter in any format. Send your letters to Speak Out, American COP, 12345 World Trade Dr., San Diego, CA 92128; e-mail: [email protected]

Email Suzi at the address above, or leave a message in the comment section of this page. All comments can take up to 24 hours before they will be posted. We have the right to edit all comments.

All letters above published in The November 2013 Issue Of American COP.

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Got Your Six

Jerry Boyd is not alone. I have raised my right hand seven times stating I will defend the Constitution. His article (“Is It Right?” From The Chief, August 2013) was directly on point. Keep up the great work and call me if you need me.
Art Hoffman
Via email

Jane, You Ignorant Slut!

I had to chuckle when I read D.M. Chamberlain’s column (“Wake Up And Smell The…” Corrections, August 2013). Many years ago when I was a sophomore in college I accused my roommate of “casting dispersions” upon my TV hero Matt Dillon. He laughed and corrected me. He said, “You mean aspersions.” I could be excused for the mistake, as I was not “wordly!” However, when a writer for a national magazine makes the same mistake I have to wonder about him and the editors!!
Roy E. Landstrom
Cumberland, Ohio

Well shoot Roy, now that you point out the mistake it sticks out like a sore thumb. Amazing thing is, with all the sets of eyes looking at the magazine while it’s in production, we all managed to miss it. And I’ve been familiar with the idiom since I was in high school — word play was big in my family. We’re only human and you can probably count on us to continue being human … zits and all. SH

Trustworthy Government?

Great article Suzi (“Very Personal,” Vantage Point, July 2013)! But what are we to expect from a government whose Supreme Court doesn’t understand the Fourth Amendment? (Maryland v. King)

I’m sure the government can be trusted to keep things confidential. After all, they did tell our parents and grandparents their Social Security numbers would never be used for identification purposes…
Arling
Via COP website

I agree on principle with you regarding the 2nd Amendment, but was disappointed you didn’t take the time to verify the information you put in the article without doing a bit of research. As a Special Agent for an OIG (Office of Inspector General) I took offense to your inaccurate statements.

We’re tasked with conducting felony-level criminal investigations pertaining to fraud, waste and abuse in government programs and conducting criminal internal affairs investigations of federal employees. In addition, Social Security Administration (SSA) OIG agents investigate identity theft and criminal misuse of SSNs. We’re authorized to carry firearms both on- and off-duty, execute arrest/search warrants and conduct warrantless arrests. We’re empowered to issue Inspector General subpoenas and obtain Federal Grand Jury subpoenas. Your portrayal of us as “semi” law enforcement discredited all the OIG agents who’ve been injured or killed in the line of duty.

SSA OIG investigates those committing fraud against the SSA Trust Fund — the taxpayers’ trust fund. If you had an inkling about the amount of fraud committed against SSA. We save taxpayers billions of dollars and more often than not bring in more savings and criminal restitution than spent on our organization.

The SSA already has the medical records of people applying for disability; they’re required to make a medical determination of eligibility. Requesting state records (in this case concealed carry records) to contradict false statements made by fraudsters is a common investigatory process. If someone claims to the state of Missouri to be in good mental health and have the mental capacity to exercise that right, but allege to SSA they were completely incapable of work because of their mental capacity, that goes to substantiate their false statements to SSA (a felony offense). They can’t have it both ways.

I agree with your stance regarding SSRI prescriptions. As a veteran and former uniformed officer I’ve witnessed many LE officers take antidepressants and they haven’t affected their capacity to do their jobs. I hope you publish a correction or apology to the OIG Special Agents out there doing their jobs. If your or a family member’s identity were compromised you might be grateful we’re around to help. And when you begin to collect SSA retirement benefits, the money will be there because we fought to protect theft from the trust fund.
Name withheld upon request
Via email

Thanks for the letter and your service. My intentions were not to offend nor disseminate inaccurate information. The OIG’s own website alludes to the idea you may have limited LE powers, stating, “Criminal Investigators use traditional investigative techniques and are armed when on official duty.” I’d think if investigators were using “traditional investigative techniques” they’d have a specific criminal case they are investigating when they ask for private records such as concealed carry permit records and rules of evidence would be followed.

I’ve never applied for nor received SSA disability benefits, therefore no matter how much y’all do to protect us from fraudsters, there’s no justifying the batch request for all gun permit holders in Missouri. It’s this kind of “investigating” that discredits all cops and erodes the trust of the citizens. SH


American COP ® welcomes letters to the editor. We reserve the right to edit all published letters for clarity and length. Due to the volume of mail, we are unable to individually answer your letters or e-mail. In sending a letter to American COP, you agree to provide Publishers Development Corp. such copyright as is required for publishing and redistributing the contents of your letter in any format. Send your letters to Speak Out, American COP, 12345 World Trade Dr., San Diego, CA 92128; e-mail: [email protected]

Email Suzi at the address above, or leave a message in the comment section of this page. All comments can take up to 24 hours before they will be posted. We have the right to edit all comments.

All letters above published in The October 2013 Issue Of American COP.

Check Back For More Letters To The Editor

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