the broward centurion - broward county police … 2006 for web.pdf · volume 8 issue 6 the broward...

Volume 8 Issue 6

The BrowardCenturion

The BrowardCenturion

The Official Publication of the Broward CountyPolice Benevolent Association

The Official Publication of the Broward CountyPolice Benevolent Association

June 2006

In This IssueStun Gun LegislationPasses ................................. 4

2006 Legislative Wrapup . 11

Scholarship Winners ........ 12

Safety Alert ........................ 13

Letters and Thanks .......... 18

Zapata Retrial BeginsDefense says detective a scapegoat for clearance scandalFor the second time this year,

BSO detective ChristianZapata is facing a jury of hispeers. His retrial for his allegedpart in BSO's massiveexceptional clearancescandal began on May 17.

This is the first trialZapata will have toface, dealing with eightof the 14 countsof officialmisconduct he hasbeen charged with.

The prosecutionopened with thecase of 13-year-old ReylerLlanes, whoZapata saysconfessed to dozens ofcrimes. Llanes, now 20, denieshe made the confessions.Prosecutor Tim Donnellyclaims he can prove Llanesdidn't commit the crimes.

Zapata's defense team isasserting that Christian is beingmade an example of, and thathe is taking the fall for those inhigher places, including SheriffJenne.

Three days into the newtrial, Broward Circuit JudgeMichael Gates granted Zapata

a two-week continuance so his counselcould review several documents thatprosecutors failed to turn over

previously. In February,another judge

declared a mistrialbecause the StateAttorney's office

provided thedefense withdifferentdocuments than

were presented tothe court. Gatescommented that at

least one of thefailures was"willful.'' The trial

was set to resume onMay 30.

If Zapata is convicted, hefaces up to five years in prison,probabtion or a fine. He will also lose hisjob with BSO, from which he has beensuspended with pay since December2004. He is being defended by attorneysRhea Grossman and Al Milian.Support From An UnlikelyPlace

In a Miami Herald editorial datedFebruary 23, 2006 (during the time ofZapata's first trial), Fred Grimm statedthat the prosecution "seemed crafted toprotect BSO's power boys from

culpability." He alsopointed out that districtchiefs, not deputies,collected salary boostswhen their stats were high,thus making a motive hardto prove.

We will keep youupdated on the progress ofthe trial.Sources: Sun Sentinel, Miami Herald

The Official Publication of theBroward County PBA

(A Charter of the Florida PBA)2650 West State Road 84

Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33312Telephone: 954/584-7600

Fax: 954/583-0405

Megan Gordon, Editor

E-mail: [email protected]

The Broward Centurion is published bythe Broward County PoliceBenevolent Association for the solebenefit of its members. The BrowardCenturion is dedicated to theadvancement of the law enforcementprofession through better andstronger community relations. Theopinions expressed in the publicationof The Broward Centurion are notnecssarily those of the BrowardCounty PBA, its Executive Board orthe Board of Directors.

Members or readers submitting lettersto the editor or articles for publicationare requested to adhere to thefollowing:

• Submissions should be sentto:

Broward County PBAAttn: Centurion2650 West State Road 84Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33312

• Letters or articles must beaccompanied by thewriter's true name andaddress.

• All articles submittedfor publication must beaccompanied by astatement givingpermission to publish.

• All submissions must belegible.

• The Broward County PBAreserves the right of theExecutive Board orEditor to amend or to add aneditor's comment to anyarticle or letter submitted.

• Advertisment in thispublication does not implyendorsement by theBroward County PBAunless otherwise specified.

The Broward Centurion

President'sMessage

The Broward Centurion June 2006

2 Dick Brickman

Although this legislative session was not the bestfor all PBA members, it was a excellent session for

the over 12,000 members of the state correctional andprobation officers who, along with the FDLEmembers, received a larger pay raise than any otherstate employees. The other state union (IUPA) isblaming the PBA for taking money away from theirmembers (FHP), but instead of the troopers blamingthe PBA why don’t they just look at their union andask why does the PBA get what they want and IUPAcannot?

This was not the best of sessions, but maybe wehave been doing so well in the past eight years underGovernor Bush that we have forgotten what it waslike before he became governor. Remember after Jebbecame governor, the first day of the session ourmunicipal police and fire bill was passed, raisingminimum benefits for our local pension plans andmaking cities use the 185 funds to purchase thosebenefits. That was the first bill Governor Bush eversigned. Think back over the last eight years andremember all the benefits and legislation that the PBAwon for the betterment of our members. Aftercomparing this session to the last eight years you cansee why we feel that this year could have been better.

It is now that we should look forward and seehow the PBA and our membership can influence andmake a difference in the upcoming election for thegovernor of the State of Florida. The Florida PBA hasendorsed both a republican (Charlie Crist) and ademocrat (Rod Smith) for the Florida primary. Whenthe general election comes along the Florida PBA willchoose one candidate to support for governor. It isimperative that our members support and vote for thePBA-endorsed candidates so that we can continue tohave successful years in Tallahassee.

On a last note: By the time you receive this issuewe hope to have Chris Zappata's trial behind us. Ihope and pray that I can write in my next letter thatChris was victorious ….

PresidentDick Brickman

Senior Vice PresidentPatrick Hanrahan

Vice PresidentNeil Vaughan

SecretaryDebbie Reggio

TreasurerJeff Marano

Legislative DirectorMike Casey

General CounselBarbara Duffy

Executive Board

Board of Directors

Broward CountyPBA

BSO (Support)Paul Weiss

BSO (LE)Roger CaronAndrew DunbarArmando EnriquePete GearyDean MirraJim PendergastAl PollockJeff Poole

BSO (Lts)Barry Derose

Coconut CreekRalph CaponeDominic Coppola

Coconut Creek (Sgts)Tim Bradshaw

Hallandale BeachMike FowlerRafael MatiasFrank Gobel

Hallandale Beach (Sgts)Robin Varone

HollywoodSteven BolgerTony FernandezKeith WadsworthWilbur Fernander

Lighthouse PointMike SearchJon Esposito

Margate (Spvrs)Ed Blonder

WelcomeNew

Members


3

New

Reinstated

MiramarAdam LernerTim NevinsRo Durney - Alt.Steven Toyota - Alt.George Mankowski

Pembroke PinesJeff David - Alt.Adam Feiner - Alt.Jim FisherGlen ParkerJim Ryan

Sea Ranch LakesJames O'Brien

SunriseJohn Jaslowski

Sunrise (Lts)Athena Skellion

Wilton ManorsBrian BehanEd CostelloDavid Jones

Alternates - BSOJonathan BailenKelli CovetRonnie DeAngeloJames DeMatoRich EngelsJulie FosterCraig JacobsonMatt PattenMike SweeneyJerry VossbergJim Wilson

Retired

June 2006

PBA Office StaffCharter Secretary

LindaReceptionist/Membership

LynnSecretary/Detail Coordinator

KimMembership Secretary

MaxineLegal Assistant

MaryannCommunications Director

Megan

Mary T. Barth - PlantationJeffrey D. Beculhimer - BSOCraig A. Davis - Miramar

Damaso M. Espiritusanto - MiramarAntonio D. Hester - Miramar

Matthew D. McGee - BSOJames A. Nolan - Hillsboro Support

Michael E. Okun - BSOJohn J. Pavicic - BSO

Erwin L. Steel - Hillsboro Beach

Andrew M. Albury - HollywoodFrank M. Cornetta - BSOSamuel L. Dunlap - BSODesiree B. Shirley - BSO

Mitch Zion - BSO

Richard J. Dunne - SunriseEdna A. Pollock - Broward School Board

Edward Neil Rafailovitc - BSOKenneth Smith - BSO

Rogelio J. Torres Jr. - SunriseRobert J. Tunmore - Sunrise

Gretchen E. Walker - Broward School Board


4

June 2006

On March 6, the BrowardCounty PBA filed a

representation-certificationpetition with the PublicEmployees RelationsCommission, seeking to becomethe bargaining agent for policeofficers, police corporal anddispatchers working for theTown of Hillsboro Beach.

The PBA was granted anelection. Ballots were mailed onMay 31 and are due inTallahassee on June 21.

With all the controversy surrounding stun guns of late, it was just a matter of time before one of ourstate representatives attempted to ban them. Florida Senator Gary Siplin, a vocal critic of the

weapons, set out to accomplish this. Knowing the importance of non-lethal weapons, the PBA set out tocreate legislation that would set standards for training and use of dart-firing stun guns. That bill will soonbe signed into law by GovernorBush.

PBA Executive Director DavidMurrell worked withRepresentative Dick Kravitz,Senator Stephen Wise andTallahassee Police Lt. David Folsomto create SB 214 on the use of dart-firing stun guns. The bill passed thefinal hurdles on May 4 and is on itsway to be signed.Source: Florida PBA Capitol Report

It’s good to be a Florida prison guard these days, looking forward toa raise of between 2 and 6 percent next year. State troopers,

wildlife officers and other state cops got nothing during the 2006legislation. The difference? The correctional officers are represented bythe PBA. The troopers are represented by IUPA.

The PBA sought to solve the “compression” problem, which iswhen the state raises starting salaries to compete with state and localagencies, leaving officers with 3 to 5 years of experience making thesame or little more than a rookie, in increments rather than all atonce. The PBA requested, and got, $9.3 million, while IUPA requested$38 million and got nothing.

According to David Murrell, state director of the Florida PBA,“We’ve just been trying to chip away at it, year after year, whileIUPA tried to do it all at once. It took years to get into this hole and itwill take three or four to get out.”Source: Miami Herald/Tallahassee Democrat

PERC Approves Petition

Hillsboro BeachTo Vote On PBARepresentation

PBA vs. IUPAState correctional officers to get raises courtesy of the PBA

PBA Stun Gun Legislation PassesStatewide training and use standards to become law

SB 214 Highlights

1. Use of a dart-firing stun gun must involve an arrest orcustodial situation, and the subject must escalate resistance frompassive physical resistance to active physical resistance and havethe apparent ability to physically threaten the officer or other oris preparing or attempting to flee.

2. CJST is to establish standards for training in the use of theguns, and that training must include the effect the weapons haveon the subject. Stun-gun use will be a required basic skill forcertification as a LEO, requiring a minimum of 4 hours instruction.

3. Already certified officers must complete four hours of initialtraining before carrying a dart-firing stun gun, and those carryingthe weapons must complete an annual 1-hour training course toremain certified to carry them.


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June 2006


6

June 2006

To find out if you have the SILENT KILLER call:Candice Ryan Lederman 954 801 0744

to schedule your appointment

Are you

for heart disease?at high risk

YO U A R E I F Y O U H AV E A N Y O F T H E F O L L O W I N G:

• high cholesterol

• high blood pressure

• diabetes

• family history of heart disease

• overweight

A HEART SCAN COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE!Perry Krichmar, M.D. of South Florida Cardiology Associates is pleased to offer all police officers who schedule a consultation a complimentary heart scan* ( a $350 value).As a thank you for protecting our community.

*This scan is a state-of-the-art screening that detects the early signs of heart disease, often undectable by traditional tests - EKG, stress test, etc.

Perry Krichmar, M.D.1601 N. Palm Avenue, Suite 109Pembrokes Pines, FL 33026

(954) 432.1511


7

June 2006


8

Health & FitnessJune 2006

You’re sitting there, mindingyour own business, when

you suddenly get the hiccups. Oryour eye starts twitching. Whydoes that happen? Read on todiscover the answer to these andmany other body oddities.

TwitchesTwitches, known as

fasciculations, apparently resultfrom nerve abnormalities, whichtrigger a response in musclegroups associated with thatparticular nerve. They can beprompted by caffeine, stress, lackof sleep and even exercise. Youcan get a twitch just aboutanywhere you have a muscle.

Ear WaxThe inside of the ear is

lined with cerumen glands,which excrete wax to coatthe walls of the ear canaland trap dirt. The wax usuallyworks its way out naturally, butsometimes builds up.

Funny BoneThe ulnar nerve, which runs

along the forearm, is covered byonly a thin layer of skinwhere it crosses over theelbow. Hit the elbow, hitthe nerve, which givessensation all the waydown the arm.

Toe CheeseThe main ingredient is sock

lint. It mixes with dead skin, dirtand bacteria and hides betweenyour toes. Eww.

HiccupsCaused by spasms of the

diaphragm, a muscle at thebase of the lungs. Curesusually involve raising thelevel of carbon dioxide in theblood (holding your breath) orsimulating the vagus nerve(pulling gently on the tongue).The vagus nerve is thought tobe responsible for the hiccups.

ShiversThe body shakes to

generate more heat.Shivering is the body’sattempt to raise itstemperature. Shiversare common in certain

ailments like colds orflu. Raising the bodytemperature helpsmobilize antibodies to fight

the infection. That’s also thereason for fever.

Brain FreezeThe pain is actually

centered on your sinuses andface; the brain has no painreceptors. The ice headache,or “Brain Freeze,” maybe due to chilling thetrigeminal nerve,

located near theback of themouth. It is

responsible for allsensation in thehead and face.

Sleep StartsYou’re slipping into sleep

when all of a sudden you feellike you’re dropping off a cliff.

Why Does It Do That?Your guide to body oddities

It is believed the brain sometimesgets the wrong message during thetransition to sleep and associatesthe loss of muscle tension withbeing in midair. The sudden jerkingof arms and legs is an attempt to“save” yourself.

Jumping When StartledA leftover fight-or-flight

response. The body prepares todeal with a threat before thebrain even registers it. Whensurprised, we instantly jumpto distance ourselves andface the threat.

Hair Standing On EndEach hair is held in place bya follicle, a tiny tube in theskin. In response to fear,cold or even touch, the

muscles connected to the folliclecontract and cause the follicle tostiffen, making the hair stand upstraight.Source: MSN Health & Fitness

POLICE OFFICERSFIREFIGHTERS

&TEACHERS ONLY

1% DOWNon all

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Office .................. 954-583-4007Cell ...................... 754-224-9553Fax...................... 954-581-0001

Tim Parisi, Police OfficerTara Parisi, Vice President

Diane Martin, Principal Broker


9

June 2006

C R I M I N A L J U S T I C E I N S T I T U T E

The M.S. in Criminal Justice program at Nova Southeastern University offers an online course of study for individuals committed to becoming the finest of criminal justice professionals. At NSU, you can choose from various

specialty tracks:

n Organizational Leadership

n Behavioral Science

n Business Administration

n Public Administration

n Substance Abuse

n Community Solutions and Partnerships

n Information Systems

n Conflict and Crisis Management

n Child Protection and Juvenile Justice

n Information Security

Nova Southeastern University admits students of any race, color, and national or ethnic origin. � Nova Southeastern University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097, Telephone number: 404-679-4501) to award associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, educational specialist, and doctoral degrees. 10-206-05PGA

(954) 262-7001 n 800-541-6682, ext.7001 n www.cji.nova.edu

Fast Forward Your Career

Home of the Criminal Justice Honor Society, Alpha Phi Sigma national headquarters.

Members of the PBA are entitled to a 20% discount.


10

June 2006

Political & Legistlative AffairsThe Broward Centurion

11

June 2006

That being said, we werealso able to pass legislationthat affects us here is BrowardCounty. Most notably, was thepassage of SB 214, which wassponsored by Senator Wise.This legislation setsstatewide minimumstandards for the useof dart-firing stunguns (Tasers).Thephilosophysurroundingthislegislationwas “the bestdefense is agoodoffense.” As you may know,for the past two sessionsSenator Gary Siplin has beenattempting to ban the use ofTasers due to, amongst otherthings, a lack of statewidestandards. Thus, he wasputting law enforcement in theposition of defending themerits of Tasers. With thepassage of SB 214 thecomplaints, for the most part,have been silenced.

Another piece of legislationthat affects us here in Broward

By: Neil Vaughan and Mike Casey2006 Capitol Report

County is SB 428. Thislegislation increases the statesmileage reimbursement to 44.5cents per mile. In addition, this

legislation increases perd i e mto $6.00 for

breakfast,$11.00 forlunch,$19.00 fordinner and$80.00 forlodging. Unfortunately,the SpecialRiskBuybackforAcademy

Time and the Internal Affairslegislation did not pass. Thebuyback bill did not make itthrough all of its assignedcommittees. The InternalAffairs bill passed out of theHouse but remained on theSenate’s calendar of bills onsecond reading. However, weare very optimistic that bothbills will pass next session.

Although it wasn’t a PBAbill, we were supporting the 3-year AFC for FRS. Regretfully,it did not pass.

The 2006 Legislative Session proved to be veryproductive for the PBA and its members. We

were successful in acquiring pay raises for our StateCorrectional Officers as well as our FDLE Agents.

In fact, this was one of our most successful budgetary sessions ever.

Legislative DirectorMike Casey

We would to thank thefollowing Board of Directorsfor their lobbying efforts inTallahassee:

Dick BrickmanPat HanrahanDebbie ReggioJeff MaranoBrian BehanEd CostelloPaul Weiss

Vice President Neil Vaughan


12

June 2006

Justin AugustusChristina GobelGreg Leljedal

Eric StrzalkowskiVincent DeAngelo

Katie Morgan Erin Butler

Christa RaphaelMary Rogers

Kaitlin O’Connell

Daniel FisherMelissa Ward

Cherise MedinaJustine Morgan

Michael SprouseAdam Robl

Joseph Brownlee Katherine Brady

Brittany BomentrePeter Geary Jr.

2006 Broward PBAScholarship Winners2006 Broward PBA

Scholarship Winners

Send them toThe Broward

Centurion and we'llget the facts.

[email protected]

or call 954/584-7600

Heard anygood rumors

lately?

13

The Broward Centurion June 2006

If you’ve ever been the subject of an internalinvestigation, you want it over with as soon aspossible. The State of Florida agrees with you,

and has passed a law that gives departments atime limit in which to complete an investigationand undertake disciplinary action if warranted.

Florida State Statute 112.532 sets a limit of 180days after the date the agency receives notice of anallegation against an officer in which to completean investigation and give notice to the officer ofany disciplinary action.

There are exceptions to the 180-day rule, andan investigation may be reopened under certaincircumstances. Reopened investigations must becompleted within 90 days of reopening. The lawapplies to actions/incidents that occurred on orafter July 1, 2005.

If you have any questions about FS 112.532,please contact the PBA office.

State Law Sets TimeLimit On DisciplinaryAction

You Heard It Here First...Cell phone gun makes national news

Article from The Broward Centurion, September 2004

Back in September 2004, we told you about cellphone guns that had been

turning up in Europe. Now theNYPD is keeping their eyes open forthe weapons, along with othercustom-made guns.

An internal memo warned NYPDofficers that the gun is difficult todetect visually, but will feel heavierthan a normal cell phone. The guns aremade of high-grade plastic that will foolmetal detectors.

ATF agents said that these cell phoneguns are the latest in a long line ofseemingly harmless objects that have beenconverted to lethal weapons, includingbelt buckle guns, beeper guns and penguns.

The cell guns are considered illgealbecause they are not made by a licensed gunmanufacturer.Source: Sun-Sentinel; local6.com


14

Money Matter$June 2006

Financial rules of thumb aregood general guidelines that

help you keep your finances inorder. However, everyone hasdifferent circumstances so beflexible when applying the rulesto your individual situation.1. Keep three to six monthsof expensesin anemergencyfund.

If youhave twosubstantiallyequal wageearners inyour home,you shouldkeep aboutthree monthsof expenses inyouremergencyfund. If youonly have one wage earner keepat least six months of expensesin an emergency fund.

2. Pay no more than 20% ofyour take-home pay towardshort-term debt.

The most widely used formof short-term debt is creditcards.

3. Your mortgage or rentpayment should be no morethan 28% of your grossincome.

Mortgage companies willlend you more than that, but

By: Jennifer W. Thomason, Financial Advisor, UBS Financial Services Inc.Financial Rules of Thumb

you may find those monthlypayments to be a tight squeeze.

4. Total monthly debtpayments should be no morethan 36% of gross monthlyincome.

Total debt includes auto andwatercraftpayments,mortgage, andshort-term debtpayments. Itdoes notincludepaymentstowards lifeinsurance or apre-paidtuitionprogram.

5. Contributeat least 10% ofyour grossincome into a

retirement plan.If you start saving early

enough 10% is a good rule ofthumb. However, if you waited,you may need to contribute more.

6. Set the percentage of stocksin your portfolio to 100 minusyour age.

This rule will vary greatlydepending on your own risktolerance and your lifeexpectancy. If you are a moreconservative investor or someonewith a shorter life expectancy, youmay want fewer stocks in yourportfolio. An aggressive investoror someone with a longer life

expectancy may want morestocks in their portfolio.

Remember these rules aredesigned to provide you withquick guidelines. You shouldconsult a financial advisorregarding your personalcircumstances.

Jennifer Thomason is a Financial Advisorwith UBS Financial Services, Inc. As amember of a law enforcement family, she hasdedicated her practice to financial planning*for law enforcement officers. Her focus isretirement planning** for officers leavingthe Deferred Retirement Option Program(DROP) or taking lump-sum payouts fromthe State of Florida Investment Plan.Jennifer can be reached at 1-800-327-8630or by email at [email protected].

*UBS offers financial planning services asan advisory service in our capacity asinvestment advisors.**Depending on your needs, we can helpyou implement your retirement strategiesthrough both our brokerage and advisorycapabilities.


15

Inside BSOFor Our Members With The Broward Sheriff's Office

June 2006

Sgt. Van HamilinCentral Broward

Dep. Geoffrey BrownCooper City

Sgt. Carlos CarrilloCourt Services

Dep. Matthew OwsianyCourt Services

Dep. Jose InterianCourt Services

Dep. Winston BlackmanCourt Services

Dep. Bradley ThompsonCourt Services

Dep. Robert PalumboCourt Services

DLE Field TrainingDeputy of the Year

Dep. Kevin McClernon,Pembroke Park/West Park

Detective of the YearDet. Craig BrownCentral Broward

Employees of the MonthApril 2006

Dep. Melvin SmithCourt Services

Dep. Edward ValderramaDania Beach

Dep. Richard KreuterLauderdale-By-The-Sea

Dep. Brian O’DonoghueLauderdale Lakes

Dep. Gregory LaCerraNorth Lauderdale

Dep. Michael JooNorth Lauderdale

Dep. Roger PetersonNorth Lauderdale

Dep. Monica JeanOakland Park

Dep. Gina SmithParkland

Dep. Dean KorenicParkland

Dep. Kevin McleanPompano Beach

Dep. Erick ZamoraPompano Beach

Dep. Thomas MartonePort Everglades

Dep. Michael SweeneyPembroke Park/West Park

Dep. Thomas O’KeefeTamarac

Annual Awards HonoreesSilver CrossDep. Arik Levy

Lauderdale LakesDep. Jose Rene Gonzalez

Lauderdale Lakes

Gold CrossDep. Ronald Faircloth

Central BrowardDep. Christopher Ortis

Airport

Attention PBA Members25% Off Attorney’s Fees*

*Includes immediate family members

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633 SW 3rd Ave., Ste. 302Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33301

954/524-9798 Evenings: 954/254-088124-Hour Pager: 954/360-3450

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16


What's Up?News From

Our Members

Births

June 2006

Pembroke Pines officer Heath Wagner and hiswife, Kayla, celebrated the

birth of their son, RyanAndrew on April 27. Ryan

weighed in at 8 lbs., 11 oz. Mom, dadand baby are all doing well.

Pembroke Pines officer Kevin Peddy and hiswife, Rosa, welcomed their third child and secondson, Tony Stewart on May 20. Tony weighted in at8.1 lbs. and was 19 inches long. Mom, Dad, Tonyand big brother Kevin and big sister Christina areall doing well.

Congratulations to everyone!

E-PBAGet Online to the

21st Century!NOT AN E-PBA MEMBER YET? Become one! Be thefirst to know about breaking news... direct to yourinbox. Don’t wait, sign up today for E-PBA. Send youre-mail address to [email protected], type SUB-SCRIBE in the Subject box, and type your first and lastname along with at least the last four digits of yourSocial Security Number in the text (body) area.

Knowledge about PBA issues is the strength of ourAssociation. PBA will be e-mailing members timelynews about what’s up at the Florida PBA, helpful infor-mation regarding legislative issues, quick tips, and bestpractices for members.

Your e-mail address will not be given to any other groupor organization and you will receive no advertising fromoutside sources. E-PBA is available to PBA membersonly.

[email protected].


Law Enforcement NewsItems of Interest From Around The U.S.

17

June 2006

St. Petersburg, Fla. – A mockexercise conducted by the St.Petersburg Police went wrongwhen officers who were notinvolved in the exercise shot afellow officer with a Taser.

The mock arrest involved theinjured officer role-playing as asuspicious person carrying a golfclub and acting in a threateningmanner. The radio transmissionswere heard by two other officers,who responded to the sceneunaware that a training exercisewas being conducted. Theyapproached the “suspect’ frombehind, and when he threatenedthe other officers with the golfclub, one gave a verbal commandand discharged his Taser. Theofficer who was struck received amild abrasion when he fell to theground. An investigation ispending.Source: Officer.com

Tampa – Members of the TampaPolice Department staked out alocal doughnut shop, posting amounted officer in the drive-through and a uniformed officeron the roof while the buildingwas surrounded by lawenforcement vehicles, includingthe mobile operations unite andan armored personnel carrier.

No, the police weren’t takingover the Krispy Kreme. Theoperation, Cops on DoughnutShops, was a fundraiser forathletes in Special Olympics

Florida. The event raised about$12,000 for the charity.Source: Tampa Tribune

Maricopa County, Ariz. – TheMaricopa County Sheriff’sDepartment is stepping up itsefforts to find illegal immigrants.

The department has puttogether a 25-membr posse thatwill patrol the county looking forillegal immigrants who paysmugglers to cross throughArizona, the busiest illegal entrypoint along the U.S.-Mexicoborder. The posse will use bothsheriff’s deputies and members ofthe department’s 3,000-memberreserve of trained, unpaidvolunteers.

Those that are captured bythe posse may end up in theMaricopa County Jail, chargedunder a state law that has beenused against more that 100 illegalimmigrants this year. The lawmade human smuggling a statecrime in Arizona and wasintended to crack down onsmugglers, but the countyattorney has argued that the lawcan apply to immigrants whopay smugglers to enter the U.S.as they are committingconspiracy to smuggle. Thesheriff’s office has been arrestingillegal immigrants under thisinterpretation since March.Source: Associated Press

Atlanta, Ga. – The State ofGeorgia has passed a lawgranting compensation to blackpolice officers who had beenbarred from taking part in a statepension fund under a Jim Crowlaw.

The new measure allowscurrent law enforcementemployees to buy into the PeaceOfficers Annuity and BenefitFund for their service prior to1976. It is unclear how manystate and local officers areeligible or will apply.Source: Cypen & Cypen Newsletter

West Palm Beach, Fla. - ABoynton Beach Police detectivegot a letter of reprimand from hisdepartment after appearing onHoward Stern's radio show.

Investigator Troy Raines andhis wife were on Stern's showdiscussing their sex life. Raines'wife was naked. Troy identifiedhimself as a police officer andgave Stern a patch and minibadge.

An investigation was begunafter citizens complained to thedepartment. The allegations ofconduct unbecoming weresustained.Source: Sun-Sentinel


18

Letters and ThanksJune 2006

Dear Sheriff Ken Jenne,

I would like to commend and recognize one of your Deputies, Detective Michael Kennedy for“being credited by Plantation Officer Brian Boos for saving his life.” It seems on May 4th, Plantation Police Officer Brian Boos was in a car accident as he wasresponding to assist another police officer. The results of the crash ejected one civilian from hercar and injured her mother as she too was in her car. Officer Brian Boos was injured with a broken leg and pinned in his police car as it started toburn. Detective Kennedy, who was at a red light, saw the aftermath of the crash and the injuredwoman lying on the pavement, and immediately called 9-11. At this time, my understanding isthat he saw the police car on fire, and noticed Officer Boos inside unable to get out. With no regard for his own safety, Detective Kennedy wedged himself into the driver’scompartment and began to pry the driver’s door open. Detective Kennedy was telling OfficerBoos that they needed to get out immediately as the car might explode. Officer Boos indicatedto Detective Kennedy that his legs were pinned, and one of them might be broken. Detective Kennedy grabbed the Officers feet where they were pinned, pulled them out,undid Officer’s Boos’ seatbelt, and with the assistance of an on-looker, they carried the injuredPolice Officer to safety. The car became engulfed in flames, and basically was “burnt to the ground.” Detective Kennedy waited with Officer Boos until he was taken to the hospital. Detective Kennedy then left the scene after it was secured by appropriate personnel. Sheriff Jenne, it should be noted that I am personal friends of Detective Kennedy for thepast 40 years, and this type of behavior / reaction is so typical of Detective Kennedy. Herepresents your Police Department with integrity and loyalty It should also be noted that I had the honor and privilege of visiting Officer Boos at hisresidence with Detective Kennedy. Officer Boos’ wife asked Detective Kennedy to come overand to meet with her husband. This would be the first time they met since Detective Kennedysaved Officer Boos’ life. It was a surreal moment, as Officer Boos, laid up with a broken leg in 2 places, introducedDetective Kennedy to his wife and newborn son. Officer Boos credited Detective Kennedy with saving his life, and thus allowing his son tohave the chance to grow up with a dad. Knowing Detective Kennedy as I do, he would not be happy that this letter has been sent toyou, but those close to him are very proud of him, and hopes that your Department recognizesthe “ above and beyond” actions of your deputy.

Thank you.

Matt Organ

Cc: Chief Larry L. Massey, Jr. Plantation Police Department


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