COVER STORY: The Value of AI in Police Investigations: A Deep Dive into Law Enforcement's Future

COVER STORY:The Value of AI in Police Investigations: A Deep Dive into Law Enforcement's Future

By Lt. Joseph Pangaro

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in police investigations marks a significant turning point in law enforcement. This technological advancement enhances efficiency, accuracy and overall effectiveness, revolutionizing how police departments approach crime prevention, investigation and resource allocation. Here we will explore the multifaceted benefits of AI in police investigations, detailing its impact on various aspects of law enforcement.

Enhanced Data Analysis

One of the primary advantages of AI in police investigations is its unparalleled ability to analyze vast amounts of data swiftly and accurately. Traditional data analysis methods, reliant on human capabilities, can be time-consuming and prone to errors. In contrast, AI algorithms can process extensive datasets, including crime reports, social media activity, surveillance footage and digital footprints, in a fraction of the time.

This capability allows AI systems to identify patterns and correlations that might elude human analysts. For instance, AI can detect crime hotspots, link seemingly unrelated incidents, and identify emerging crime trends. Such insights enable law enforcement agencies to deploy resources more effectively, develop proactive crime prevention strategies and solve cases more efficiently.

Improved Predictive Policing

Predictive policing represents a significant leap forward in crime prevention. By analyzing historical crime data, AI systems can forecast where and when crimes are likely to occur. These predictions, based on sophisticated algorithms, consider various factors such as past crime patterns, socio-economic conditions and demographic data.

This predictive capability allows police departments to allocate their resources strategically, focusing on potential crime hotspots. For example, if AI predicts an increase in burglaries in a particular neighborhood, police can increase patrols in that area, potentially preventing crimes before they happen. This proactive approach not only enhances public safety but also optimizes the use of police resources.

Enhanced Image and Video Analysis

AI-powered image and video analysis tools are transforming how law enforcement handles visual evidence. These tools can quickly analyze footage from surveillance cameras, body-worn cameras and other video sources, identifying suspects, recognizing faces and detecting unusual behavior patterns.

Facial recognition technology, driven by AI, can match faces in video footage to criminal databases with remarkable accuracy. Similarly, AI can analyze video footage to identify suspicious activities, such as loitering in restricted areas or unusual movements that might indicate criminal intent. This rapid and precise analysis accelerates investigations and reduces the likelihood of human error in identifying suspects or interpreting evidence.

Streamlined Administrative Tasks

Administrative tasks consume a significant portion of an officer’s time, often diverting attention from critical investigative work. AI can automate many of these routine tasks, enhancing overall efficiency. For instance, AI-powered systems can handle report writing, data entry and information retrieval, allowing officers to focus on more pressing duties.

Moreover, AI-powered transcription services can convert audio recordings from interviews and interrogations into written text, saving time and reducing administrative burdens. These capabilities streamline workflows, improve productivity and ensure that officers spend more time in the field rather than behind desks.

Enhanced Forensic Analysis
In forensic science, AI has the potential to revolutionize the analysis of physical evidence. Traditional forensic methods, while effective, can be time-consuming and labor-intensive. AI algorithms, on the other hand, can analyze forensic evidence with unprecedented speed and accuracy.

For example, AI can assist in matching DNA profiles, analyzing fingerprints, and comparing ballistic evidence. These algorithms can process complex data sets quickly, providing investigators with reliable results in a fraction of the time required by traditional methods. This not only speeds up the investigative process but also enhances the reliability of forensic evidence presented in court.

Improved Resource Allocation
Effective resource allocation is crucial for any police department. AI's ability to analyze data and predict trends plays a vital role in optimizing resource deployment. By understanding where and when resources are needed most, police departments can ensure that officers are deployed in the most effective manner.

For instance, predictive policing models can help departments determine the optimal number of officers required for patrol in specific areas. Similarly, AI can assist in allocating resources for special operations, such as drug busts or counter-terrorism activities. This strategic allocation not only enhances public safety but also improves officer efficiency and job satisfaction.

Enhanced Situational Awareness
Situational awareness is critical for police officers, especially in high-stress environments. AI-powered systems can provide real-time information and analysis, enhancing an officer's ability to make informed decisions. For example, AI can analyze live surveillance footage, alerting officers to potential threats or suspicious activities.

Moreover, AI can integrate data from various sources, such as social media, public records and traffic cameras, providing a comprehensive overview of a situation. This real-time information can be crucial during emergencies, helping officers respond more effectively and safely.

Ethical Considerations and Challenges
While the benefits of AI in police investigations are numerous, it is essential to consider the ethical implications and challenges associated with its use. Privacy concerns are paramount, as AI systems often require access to large amounts of personal data. Ensuring that this data is collected and used responsibly is crucial to maintaining public trust.

Additionally, there is the risk of algorithmic bias. AI systems are only as good as the data they are trained on. If the training data contains biases, the AI system may produce biased outcomes, leading to unfair treatment of certain individuals or groups. Addressing these ethical concerns requires robust oversight, transparent policies and ongoing efforts to ensure fairness and accountability.

Conclusion
The value of using AI in police investigations cannot be overstated. From enhanced data analysis and predictive policing to streamlined administrative tasks and improved forensic analysis, AI is transforming the landscape of law enforcement. By embracing AI technologies, police departments can improve their efficiency, accuracy and overall effectiveness, ultimately leading to safer communities and more successful investigative outcomes.

As AI continues to evolve, its role in policing will undoubtedly become even more integral, heralding a new era of intelligent and proactive law enforcement. However, it is essential to address the ethical considerations and challenges associated with AI to ensure that its benefits are realized equitably and responsibly. By doing so, law enforcement agencies can harness the full potential of AI, paving the way for a safer and more just society.

Joseph Pangaro is a 27-year veteran of law enforcement. He retired in 2013 at the rank of Lieutenant and currently serves as the Director of School Safety and Security for a large school district in NJ. He is also the owner of Pangaro Training and Management, a company that provides training to the public and private sector on a host of topics. Email: JPangaro@Yahoo.com

Managing Editor’s Message

Welcome to another cutting-edge edition of BLUE Magazine.

This issue focuses on the impact Artificial Intelligence (AI) is having on law enforcement both currently and in our future. One certainty is that the all-important human factor can never be replaced by machines, pre-determined statistical input, or automation of any kind.

I tasked AI to generate an essay comparing human intelligence with its artificial counterpart. The results were quite amazing (page    ). Be sure to see our other articles of great importance and insight. Lt. Joseph Pangaro authored this month’s cover story The Value of AI in Police Investigations: A Deep Dive into Law Enforcement's Future. Lance LoRusso looks at AI as it impacts the practice of law from an attorney’s viewpoint.

Another timely topic, the threat to school safety, is covered comprehensively in this issue. Welcome to a new writer for us here at BLUE, Dr, John Giduck, who provided an exclusive interview with Lt. Curtis Cook who led the Virginia Tech SWAT operators into the room where the killer was found. VT remains the greatest mass shooting murder at a school in U.S. history. While Curtis has seldom spoken publicly of his experience. he agreed to sit down and answer questions on the lessons American police should have learned from these horrors and what they need to be prepared for in the future in 25 Years after Columbine - A SWAT Retrospective on School Incidents. Also please welcome Anthony Gangi to our BLUE team of writers who takes us Inside the Mind of a Young Shooter: Understanding the Triggers behind Violent Acts.

BLUE Magazine is always looking for new solutions to societal ills as it pertains to law enforcement operations, information on best practices, ideas to enhance first responder wellness, as well as your “war stories,” and inspirational thoughts and experiences. We would love to receive your written essays typically in the 800-word range for review and possible publication!

Be sure to reach out to us at BLUE Magazine and our sister organization Moment of Silence as we remain here in support of the best interests for all.

Joel E. Gordon, Managing Editor

Contacts with The Police Plummet: USDOJ Report Card On American Policing

Contacts with The Police Plummet: USDOJ Report Card On American Policing
By: Leonard Adam Sipes, Jr.

The overwhelming majority of Americans expressed satisfaction with their contacts with American law enforcement and most indicated a willingness to engage them again.

Contact with police during the past 12 months decreased by 21%. It continues to decrease throughout the three USDOJ reports.

Both the number and percentage of residents experiencing the threat of force “or” use of nonfatal force were lower in 2022 (748,800, 1.5%) than in 2020 (1,045,600, 1.9%).

The Bureau of Justice Statistics of the US Department of Justice through the National Crime Victimization Survey offers their third report on citizen contacts with law enforcement and citizen satisfaction with those encounters.

Readers are encouraged to read the full report, Contacts Between Police and the Public - 2022 released in October of 2024.

For those of us who read numerous articles about crime and policing daily, cops doing something stupid or illegal are common themes in media coverage and some make it their specialty.

A question from some non-police readers is, “Why do cops engage in massive disrespect or illegal use of force?” When questioned I send them the link to this report which has been replicated several times and essentially carries similar statistics. It disproves much of the narrative of critics.

While no one is trying to downplay egregious acts of violence on the part of law enforcement, the replicated data from the US Department of Justice doesn’t fit a stereotype of American policing while understanding that there are differences (and similarities) based on race or Hispanic origin.

The public should understand that out of 50-60 million yearly contacts between law enforcement and citizens, it’s almost impossible for all to be handled perfectly. As a former police officer who was dedicated to equal treatment under the law, I understood that those I interacted with could be abusive, violent, aggressive, and downright impossible to work with.

Many have mental health issues. Per the USDOJ, most are under the influence during arrests. Yet force “or” the threat of force is rare in American policing per the citizens asked.

The law enforcement profession has taken a beating  (yes, some of it was justified) yet other occupations seem immune. The data I read about the hundreds of thousands of medical mistakes makes me wary but I do not believe that nurses or doctors are somehow flawed. Medical errors are the third leading cause of death in the United States.

It’s the same for journalism, business, or any other occupation. There are approximately 19,000 police agencies and well over one million police employees according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics and the stereotyping of all police employees based on the actions of a few has the same philosophical underpinnings as racism or sexism.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics and endless media references, we are losing thousands of police officers and it’s reasonable to assume they are leaving (often at the insistence of their families) due to the negative stereotypes they face. This condition leaves more Americans unserved due to long wait times for officers to arrive. It also correlates with crime based on US Department of Justice literature reviews indicating that proactive policing is one of the most successful crime control modalities.

The data is abundantly clear, arrests and crimes solved are declining considerably.

There are, at times, differences (and similarities) as to race or Hispanic heritage and the percentage of populations involved per this report. While every police officer takes an oath pledging themselves to equal treatment under the law, and while I condemn any person in authority misusing their powers, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, there are differences in the percentage of populations engaged in criminal activity that provide context.

As to race or Hispanic origin, the charts offer times when Blacks are disproportionally represented as a percentage of the population studied. There are times when Whites are disproportionally represented (i.e., police street stops).

Critics of law enforcement consistently complain of over-policing. The overall percentages do not support their assertions. The overwhelming majority of those contacted, regardless of demographics, indicated satisfaction with their police interactions.

It should be noted via polls from a variety of sources, that the law enforcement profession is one of the highest-rated occupations in America, far exceeding most including Congress and journalism.

Contact with police during the past 12 months decreased by 21%. It continues to decline throughout the three reports. That’s a huge decrease. Why? One percent of citizens indicate police misconduct out of 50-60 million yearly contacts.

Approximately 86% reported that they were satisfied with the police response, with 92% saying they would be more or as likely to contact police again in the future. About 84% of residents reported that police responded promptly.

About 2% of persons experienced the threat of force “or” nonfatal use of force during any police contact in 2022. Both the number and percentage of residents experiencing the threat of force “or” use of nonfatal force was lower in 2022 (748,800, 1.5%) than in 2020 (1,045,600, 1.9%).

The majority of persons whose most recent police contact was a street stop experienced no enforcement action. In 2022, the majority (78%) of U.S. residents whose most recent police contact was a street stop (being stopped by police while in a public place or parked vehicle) experienced no resulting enforcement action. Twenty-two percent of residents experienced some form of enforcement action, most often a warning (14%).

An estimated 4% of residents engaged in at least one potentially negative action toward police in 2022. The most common action was complaining to police (4%), followed by verbal action (2%) and physical action (0.2%).

The bottom line is that the overwhelming majority of the public were satisfied with the police response and indicated that they were, in fact, willing to contact law enforcement in the future.

Leonard Adam Sipes, Jr.is a retired federal senior spokesperson. A former Adjunct Associate Professor of Criminology and Public Affairs - University of Maryland. Former advisor to the “McGruff-Take a Bite Out of Crime” national media campaign. Past police officer. Aspiring drummer. Operator of CrimeinAmerica.net. His book based on thirty-five years of criminal justice public relations,” Success with the Media: Everything You Need to Survive Reporters and Your Organization” is available at Amazon and additional booksellers. He can also be found @ leonardsipes.com

I should have been killed: But for the grace of God...

I should have been killed: But for the grace of God...
By: Joel E. Gordon

Five days after surviving an assassination attempt, President Donald Trump addressed the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In a speech lasting every bit of an hour and a half, he described feeling the assassin's bullet hitting his ear and being smothered by Secret Service agents. "I'm not supposed to be here," he told the crowd, adding: "I had God on my side."

I fully understand the personal discovery that our own mortality is real and fragile and death or serious harm could be realized at any time from my own firsthand experience. This assassination attempt was President Trump’s moment, and brought to the forefront the revelation that the hazards he faces are for real and that public events are not just promotional fun and games.

While I have experienced such events over the course of my law enforcement career, while disarming armed and hostile subjects, wrestling people to submission fueled with adrenaline or chemical alteration displaying unnatural strength while being handcuffed, a serious attempt to stab me with a knife, and other occurrences including a single bullet heard whizzing past my head, a near miss, which I often chalked up to being in the wrong place at the wrong time; there was one event that had the most significant impact on me. It was my event, experienced as a rookie officer, which made me realize the true hazards that I was facing from that point forward. I was truly my moment when reality struck me.

This event, my being the sixth patrol unit on the scene of the murder of fellow Baltimore city police officer Ron Tracey resulted in a newfound appreciation for due caution and likely kept me from serious physical harm or death for the years to follow.

Officer Ronald Tracey was shot and killed with his own weapon after being attacked at the intersection of Monroe Street and Baker Street. He was handling a traffic accident when an unrelated person came up behind him and attempted to disarm him. During the ensuing struggle, the suspect was successful in gaining control of his weapon and shot him twice. The suspect was convicted and sentenced to 45 years in prison. By the way, he was paroled in January 2014.

Ron Tracey was a kind field training officer who had been a person on my shift who reached out to me in support of my rookie need for expanded information. I felt an immediate kinship with him.

Here is my recollection of this event as excerpted, in part, from my memoir Still Seeking Justice: One Officer’s Story:

Ron Tracey
I graduated the police academy in April of 1981. On Monday July 20, 1981, barely 3 months out of the academy, Ron Tracey, one of the officers who reached out to me on my first day, was shot and killed toward the end of our shift while on duty. I was the sixth car on the scene. 

Officer Tracey had served with the agency for six years. He is survived by his wife and child.

It was the end of a busy 4pm x 12am shift; I was waiting to be called in for shift change about three blocks south of the Western District Police Station at 1034 North Mount Street. Officers were to stay on their post until called in, but it was commonplace to sneak in close to the station to expedite the end of the shift. Ron Tracey had a different approach this night and volunteered to handle a late minor accident so as to be able to get off on time.  A little before midnight, still waiting for the next shift to conclude their roll call and to be called in, a static crackling noise emanated from the radios speaker/microphone I was wearing. I don’t know why but I immediately placed my patrol car into drive, feeling that something was wrong; but where to go?  Almost immediately citizens began calling in “officer down” at Monroe at Baker Streets. I was immediately en route with only a few blocks to go.  As the sixth car on the scene, I saw a uniformed officer down in the road, lying in a half fetal position, in the gutter of Monroe Street. He had been shot once in the abdomen and once in his head. Other officers rushed him by patrol car to the hospital but to no avail. I took my lead from veteran Field Training Officer Dwight Thomas who was also on scene by then.

Numerous calls began to come in with what turned out to be accurate information as to the suspect’s direction of travel. Even information on the suspect’s identity and address of his mother’s house were accurate. When we were informed of the suspect’s mother’s address, several other officers and I turned up at the address but the suspect was not found.

Officer Dwight Thomas, another veteran guardian angel of mine, told me that I should “call my people” to let them know I was alright. I was still living at home with my parent’s then. I called (and woke them up) to let them know I was okay.

Two shifts of officers stayed on the street in our attempt to locate the perpetrator for several hours. It was as if the rest of the world was at a standstill.  The suspect was located on Tuesday about fourteen hours later in the Northeastern Police District and was taken into custody, alive and unharmed.

I learned, that night that this was for real. Life and death were hanging in the balance. When one works in an inner-city high-crime area you learn not to understand, but to accept that there is a criminal element that has no regard for human life, yours or their own. The loss of a fellow officer in this fashion is something that you carry with you forever.

While the wounds received are sometimes but not always life-changing; the situations themselves are. Yes we are supposed to be here. As I have often said, God isn't finished with us yet as it relates to our purpose here on earth. May God bless and continue to watch over President Trump and us all.

Joel E. Gordon, Managing Editor of BLUE Magazine, is a former Field Training Officer with the Baltimore City Police Department and is a past Chief of Police for the city of Kingwood, West Virginia. He has also served as vice-chair of a multi-jurisdictional regional narcotics task force. An award winning journalist, he is author of the book Still Seeking Justice: One Officer's Story and founded the Facebook group Police Authors Seeking Justice. Look him up at stillseekingjustice.com

Real Intelligence vs. Artificial Intelligence: The Ultimate Showdown

Real Intelligence vs. Artificial Intelligence: The Ultimate Showdown
By: An AI article generator

When you think about intelligence, what comes to mind? Is it the quick wit of a friend or the ability to solve complex math problems? In today’s world, we’re also talking about artificial intelligence (AI). But how does real intelligence stack up against AI? Let’s dive into this fascinating battle of smarts.

What is Real Intelligence?
Real intelligence is what we possess as humans. It’s not just about knowing facts; it’s about understanding, reasoning and adapting. Think of it as the ability to navigate life’s challenges with creativity and emotional awareness. When you’re in a tough spot and come up with a unique solution, that’s real intelligence at work. It’s personal, it’s emotional and it’s deeply tied to our experiences.

Key Traits of Human Intelligence

·         Emotional Understanding: We can feel and interpret emotions, which helps us connect with others.

·         Creative Problem-Solving: Humans often think outside the box, coming up with ideas no one else would consider.

·         Adaptability: Change is constant, and we can adapt our thinking and behaviors to fit new situations.

What is Artificial Intelligence?

Now let’s look at artificial intelligence. AI is designed to mimic human thinking, but it does so in a very different way. It processes large amounts of data and uses algorithms to make decisions. Imagine a super-fast calculator that can learn from the data it crunches. That’s AI in a nutshell.

Key Features of AI

·         Speed and Efficiency: AI can analyze data in seconds, something that would take humans hours or even days.

·         Data-Driven Decisions: It thrives on patterns and statistics, making it great for tasks like data analysis and predictions.

·         Consistency: Unlike humans, AI doesn’t have off-days. It consistently performs at peak capacity without emotional fluctuations.

Comparing Real Intelligence and Artificial Intelligence
Let’s break it down. Real intelligence feels like a cozy campfire, where warmth and light spread through creativity and connection. In contrast, AI is like a high-powered flashlight — bright and efficient but lacking the warmth of human interaction.

Strengths of Each

·         Real Intelligence: Our ability to empathize and think abstractly gives us a unique edge in complex social situations. We can navigate emotions and subtleties that AI struggles with.

·         Artificial Intelligence: AI’s ability to process vast amounts of information quickly makes it invaluable in fields like (law enforcement), medicine, finance and technology. It can identify trends that might take humans years to notice.

Weaknesses of Each

·         Real Intelligence: Emotions can cloud judgment. Sometimes, our feelings lead us to make poor decisions. Plus, we can only handle so much information at once.

·         Artificial Intelligence: Lacks a true understanding of context and emotion. It can make decisions based on data alone, which might not always align with human values or ethics.

The Future: Coexistence or Competition?
As AI continues to evolve, one question looms large: Will it replace human intelligence? While AI can outperform humans in specific tasks, it lacks the emotional depth and creativity we bring to the table. Think of it as a partnership rather than a competition.

Imagine a world where AI handles repetitive tasks, freeing us up to focus on innovative ideas, emotional connections and creative projects. Rather than seeing AI as a rival, we should view it as a tool. By combining the strengths of both real and artificial intelligence, we can achieve incredible things.

Conclusion: Embracing Both Worlds
In the end, real intelligence and artificial intelligence each have their unique strengths and weaknesses. Instead of pitting them against each other, let’s celebrate their differences. By understanding how they complement each other, we can harness their powers to tackle challenges more effectively. Remember, it’s about balance. Just like in a good story, both characters can play a vital role in the narrative of our future.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: 25 Years after Columbine - A SWAT Retrospective on School Incidents

25 Years after Columbine - A SWAT Retrospective on School Incidents
By: Dr. John Giduck

In the morning of Monday, April 16, 2007, 23-year-old Seung-Hoi Cho shot two students in a dormitory on the Virginia Tech (VT) campus. Several hours later he walked into Norris Hall, chained the three sets of doors shut, then proceeded to mow down students in classrooms on both sides of a second-floor hallway. In all, he killed 32 students and professors. Another 27 were wounded or injured.

When the call came out that there was an active shooter in the building, SWAT teams from Blacksburg and VT police departments went racing there. Arriving in only two minutes, they fought their way into the building, then raced up two sets of stairs at either end of the hallway forcing Cho to take his own life. Lt. Curtis Cook led the VT SWAT operators into Room 211 where the killer was found. It remains the greatest mass shooting murder at a school in U.S. history.

This year marked the 25th anniversary of the mass shooting at Columbine High School in Colorado. Since that seminal event, the nation has endured hundreds of other school shootings. Lessons that America believed police had learned at Columbine in how to respond to attacks in our schools have sometimes been ignored. It seemed an appropriate time to gather the thoughts and reflections of the man who led a rescue team into the worst one of all, as he looks back over a quarter century of mass killings in our schools.

Beyond providing a few briefings for other SWAT teams and having taught ALERRT classes at VTPD as a certified instructor, Curtis has seldom spoken publicly of his experience. This year, he agreed to sit down and answer questions on the lessons American police should have learned from these horrors and what they need to be prepared for in the future.

Prior to joining VTPD, Curtis was a Navy Surface Rescue swimmer, then a deputy sheriff with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office in Virginia, where he served as a patrol sergeant and SWAT team Entry Leader. He joined VTPD in 1997 and became the SWAT commander in 2007 as a lieutenant. The attack at the school happened shortly after that. Curtis retired from law enforcement in 2014 with 28 years’ service. When Columbine happened, Curtis was a patrol officer at VTPD and had just started instructing officer survival at the police academy.

BLUE (Dr. John Giduck): What were your thoughts on Columbine, how it was handled and what LE needed to learn?

CURTIS: I think most everyone in LE had the same thoughts after Columbine: The police did what they’d been trained to do, but there was also the realization that people are going to die if you wait on SWAT. It was apparent after Columbine that the traditional response wouldn't work in that type situation. New techniques and procedures had to be developed for active shooters.

BLUE: Do you believe that LE nationwide learned what it needed to from Columbine?

CURTIS: I think it got the attention of law enforcement, but I'm sure a lot of departments struggled with how to task patrol officers with a response that SWAT would normally handle. In addition to just the tactical side involving entry and movement, the new issues were how to deal with explosive devices and mass casualties. If they weren’t going to be able to wait on SWAT, patrol officers had to be trained to respond and eliminate the threat.

I attended several presentations on Columbine that taught me and a lot of officers important information. But there were other events outside of school shootings that everyone needed to learn from and incorporate. For that, I also attended debriefs on the North Hollywood shootout and even the Texas Tower shooting. Columbine footage was being shown as part of our Immediate Action Rapid Deployment (IARD) training, and the Hollywood shootout identified the need to have specialized training and place rifles in police vehicles to respond to heavily armed suspects. But in the end, you can give police all the training in the world, equip them with better body armor and weapons, but none of that will ever make a difference if they aren’t doing everything they can to get into a building and move as quickly as possible to eliminate the threat and save innocent lives.

BLUE: Is it your impression that LE nationwide did adopt the tactics it was obvious were necessary for responding to active shooters in schools?

CURTIS: Yes and No. I know that many departments were adopting the LAPD – IARD training and techniques post-Columbine, and many departments were using their SWAT teams to train patrol officers in building searching and room clearing. But even after VT, I was shocked to learn that some departments had still not conducted any formal active shooter training. I think it was clear, however, that you not wait on SWAT to arrive at a school shooting. ALERRT has since become the standard for LE active shooter training across the US, but I have no idea how many departments have received that training.

BLUE: What are your professional thoughts on the responses to school shootings like that at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas school in Parkland, FL in 2018, Uvalde, TX in 2022 and the Covenant School shooting in Nashville, TN in 2023?

CURTIS: In Florida, I understand that the school resource officer (SRO) thought the shots were outside because shots sometimes don't sound like shots. However, it’s at that time, just like VT, when you have to quickly identify where the shots are coming from and relay that information to all responding officers. Once he learned the shots were inside, he should have entered. I believe he failed to act and failed to protect. What seemed to make that worse were flaws in the school’s lockdown procedures, which caused a serious delay in the code-red activation.

I think the deputies that arrived and took cover behind their vehicles instead could have formed a contact team and entered the school. From what I understand, they had active shooter training and not immediately moving into the building was contrary to that training. So, at least the training was correct. But that’s been the problem at times. We all know what must be done in these situations, but it’s not always being done.

I believe departments should be putting their most highly trained officers in schools. I fear that many departments feel the uniform presence alone, or parking a police vehicle in front of a school, will deter a shooter. It may, but that SRO inside needs to be highly trained and equipped for active shooters.

As to Uvalde, I don't even know where to start. After Columbine and VT, it’s hard to understand how this could happen. It was without a doubt a total failure of LE until the Border Patrol guys went in. It’s another clear case of failure to act to save lives and protect, and poor or untrained supervision and management. If the officers had active shooter training, why didn't they utilize it? I hate to hear things like: “The officers got shot at, so they stopped and left the building.” Yes, you may get shot at, and you may get hit, but in that circumstance, in my opinion based on my training and experience, they needed to try to fight their way in to save those children.

In the Covenant School shooting, the officers did what they were supposed to: They made entry, moved rapidly to the shooter and eliminated the threat. Despite the tragic loss of life, it was a success for LE. But there are still lessons to come from it. If the school would have had trained, armed police or security, they may have stopped the shooter much earlier, just as happened in the Apalachee School shooting in Georgia in September of this year. Despite the outcome of the Parkland, FL shooting, there really is no substitute for having armed, trained police or even security inside a school.

BLUE: In looking at all this over the years, how do you see the events at VT in April 2007 and how you/VTPD and Blacksburg handled everything that occurred that day, including your response to the Norris Hall shooting? In hindsight, if the same attack happened today, would you do anything different?

CURTIS: I think Cho made a horrible error when he committed the first murders. Although it did create somewhat of a diversion, he didn't anticipate the activation and deployment of two SWAT teams. It was clear that command from both BPD and VTPD were actively assessing everything together and making critical decisions. Like Columbine, we encountered something different, a new tactic, something unique in the doors chained from the inside of a building with limited access points and small windows. Responding officers did what anyone would have: They tried to enter through the doors, then changed tactics and found a different way in.

As far as actions in Norris Hall, everyone on the teams did exactly what they were trained to do: go directly to the sounds of gunfire, gather intel while moving, and when no shots are being fired, slow down, communicate, search for the gunman, identify and eliminate the threat, then treat and evacuate the wounded.

Like so many other cowards, he chose not to engage our team and took the easy way out. I have to remind myself often that the actions of those teams did contain him and forced him to stop shooting. That saved lives.  Many more people were in the building and he had plenty of ammunition. We were fortunate in that we had command staff from both departments that worked well together, we had officers from other departments that trained and worked together. The teams had a mutual understanding of tactics and procedures for dealing with active shooters. As far as what I would do different, I've spent many sleepless nights since 2007 asking myself that same question. Basically, I would have used any means necessary to create an entry point, most likely utilizing a truck or vehicle to try and ram the doors. With the design of the doors and frames at Norris Hall it may not have worked, but looking back, it might have been another option.

BLUE: What should police officers nationwide learn from all of this? 

CURTIS: I think what should be learned from VA Tech is when responding to an active shooter, you have to expect the unexpected, and you have to anticipate that you may encounter something that you have never trained for in the past. Departments need to do regular joint training and “what if” the scenarios to death. It needs to be understood that these killers study each other; they study police tactics and responses, and try to find ways to defeat those tactics. Police should be doing the same thing with the attacks that have come, to include terror attacks like the Bataclan Theater shooting in Paris in 2013 or even the Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, Florida in 2016. The Pulse Nightclub shooting may not have been an actual terror attack, but those two events saw a similar tactic used that police weren’t ready for. But who on the LE – or even government – side is paying attention, studying these things and advancing our training ahead of the next attack? I can tell you, though, that there are a lot of bad guys out there doing that very thing.

While there are many things we should have learned from Columbine and the many school attacks that have happened since, the single overriding lesson is that police cannot delay a single second. Each second lost is a bullet that didn’t have to go into the head of a kid. Though it may be controversial still, that even includes a solo officer going in if backup is not arriving immediately. Under no circumstances can you wait minutes or an hour, as happened with Uvalde. You are a trained, armed adult and this is the calling you answered in life. You may get shot and you may die, but you can fight back. For children inside, they have nothing to fight back with and them dying is a 100% certainty.

In addition to his Navy and law enforcement service, during his police career Curtis served as an instructor, both in-house and at the police academy, in Firearms, Defensive Tactics, Active Shooter response, Chemical Weapons/OC Spray, SWAT, CQB, Advanced Patrol Tactics and Homeland Security. He has also taught Citizen Emergency Response Team courses and women’s self-defense. After retiring from law enforcement in 2014 with 28 years’ service, he worked another two years at the VA Tech Department of Emergency Management.

Dr. John Giduck has a law degree, a master’s degree in Russian Studies and a Ph.D. in Middle East Studies. His dissertation was on the evolution of jihadist terrorist mass-hostage siege tactics throughout the world. He has trained police departments and SWAT throughout the US. He is the author of Terror at Beslan: A Russian Tragedy with Lessons for America’s Schools; Shooter Down! The Dramatic, Untold Story of the Police Response to the Virginia Tech Massacre, along with co-author Police Commissioner Joseph M. Bail; and When Terror Returns: The History and Future of Terrorist Mass-Hostage Sieges. He can be contacted at john@circon.org.

SIRENS & SUMMATIONS: A Return to Being a First Responder

SIRENS & SUMMATIONS: A Return to Being a First Responder
By: Robert (Bob) Bianchi, Esq., NREMT

At 62 years old, I find myself back on the streets, but this time, not as a prosecutor in the courtroom but rather I am now proudly donning the uniform of a volunteer EMT at the South Orange Volunteer Rescue Squad, serving side-by-side with police officers, firefighters and first responders.

It’s an unusual journey, some might say, going from the structured world of law to the unpredictable, fast-paced life of emergency medical services (EMS). But for me, this shift has been nothing short of liberating and invigorating. It is also about getting back to things that mattered.  I was an EMT in high school through law school, including when I started as a young assistant prosecutor. As life would have it, I let my EMT certification expire.

At the time, my career as an assistant prosecutor was most relevant.  The experience, however, gave me a deep understanding of the challenges police officers face. I then worked closely with law enforcement for years, building cases, navigating legal battles, and ensuring justice was served. But as important as that role was, there was always a certain distance between me and the street; the real, raw side of emergency response. I watched the officers and first responders put themselves in danger day after day, serving the community with unmatched courage and selflessness.

I was then appointed the Morris County Prosecutor (2007-2013) and as the chief law enforcement officer it was a great honor to serve.

Little did I know, however, that decades later, I’d be walking in their shoes again, this time as an EMT. When I left the prosecutor role, it was time for me to “re-invent” myself!

A New Chapter, a Familiar Mission
When I decided to reclaim my role as an EMT after so many years, it wasn’t for accolades or recognition. I wasn’t chasing after titles or awards. It was about something deeper, a calling to serve in the most direct and hands-on way possible. The courtroom is a place where justice unfolds, but there’s a unique fulfillment that comes from helping people right where they are, in their most vulnerable moments.

I love the courtroom, but there you talk about things that happened, not as they unfolded.  You can do nothing to change the events, only opine about them.  On the street, it is vastly different!

The unpredictability of being on the street as an EMT is something I’ve come to love. You never know what the next call will bring; a motor vehicle accident, a heart attack or a domestic dispute. The stakes are high, and the response must be immediate. There’s no room for hesitation, and it’s here, in these moments of urgency, that the camaraderie between first responders truly shines. Working alongside the police again has been a deeply grounding experience. We share an unspoken bond, one forged through long nights, difficult calls, and the shared goal of saving lives.

Courage on the Front Lines
The courage of first responders — EMTs, police officers, firefighters — is something most people take for granted. These men and women face the unknown every day. They walk into situations that others would run away from, often without a second thought. And they do it not for praise or reward, but because it’s their duty. It’s what they’ve committed to, and it’s a calling they cannot ignore.

For me, stepping back into the role of an EMT at age 62 has been a humbling experience. I’m often the oldest person on the scene, but age hasn’t diminished my resolve. If anything, it has sharpened my focus. I’ve gained a unique perspective on life, one that only years of living and working through highs and lows can bring. I understand the importance of every call, every patient. There’s no time to take it lightly, and no room for anything but your best effort.

The most humbling part of this job is witnessing the bravery of others; the young officer who charges into a dangerous situation without flinching, the firefighter who rushes into a burning building, or the EMT who provides life-saving care under unimaginable pressure. These are the unsung heroes of our communities, and their courage inspires me every day.

Serving the Community Again
At its core, being a first responder is about one thing: service. Whether you’re a police officer, an EMT or a firefighter, your primary goal is to help others. That sense of duty transcends age, experience or background. It’s what brings us together and keeps us going, even when the job gets tough.

Returning to this world after years away has been a gift. It’s reminded me of the raw humanity of this work with the gratitude of a patient whose life you’ve saved, the relief on a family member’s face when help arrives, and the quiet satisfaction of knowing that you’ve made a difference. There’s nothing glamorous about the job, and that’s the beauty of it. It’s not about accolades or recognition. It’s about showing up, doing your part and leaving the community a little better than you found it.

Support Your First Responders!
Robert (Bob) Bianchi, Esq., NREMT

Partner, The Bianchi Law Group, LLC.
NJ Supreme Court Certified Criminal Trial Attorney
Anchor Law & Crime Trial Network
Morris County Prosecutor, frm
Hudson County Assistant Prosecutor, frm.
Nationally Registered Emergency Medical Technician
EMT- South Orange Volunteer Rescue Squad 
rbianchi@bianchilawgroup.com
www.bianchilawgroup.com

Staying Ahead of the Law: The Importance of Police Officers Keeping Up to Date with Legal Changes and Updates

Staying Ahead of the Law: The Importance of Police Officers Keeping Up to Date with Legal Changes and Updates
By: Joseph Bucco, Jr.

Police officers are essential figures in maintaining law and order, tasked with the responsibility of protecting the public and upholding justice. Their role, however, extends beyond enforcing the law; it requires a thorough understanding of the legal framework that governs society. Laws and regulations constantly evolve to reflect societal shifts, new court decisions, legislative changes and advancements in technology. As such, it is imperative for police officers to keep abreast of legal changes to perform their duties effectively and ethically. 

At the core of effective policing is the need for officers to enforce the law properly and legally. Staying updated on legal changes is fundamental to avoiding the enforcement of outdated laws or misapplication of legal standards. When officers are not aware of recent legal updates, there is a risk of conducting unlawful arrests, performing improper searches or infringing on citizens' rights. These mistakes can lead to legal challenges, dismissal of cases or even civil lawsuits against the department.

Changes in the law can come in various forms, including new legislation, amendments to existing laws or judicial rulings that establish new legal precedents. Officers need to be familiar with these changes to ensure that their actions comply with current legal standards. For instance, updates regarding search and seizure procedures, use-of-force guidelines or detainment protocols have a direct impact on daily policing practices. Being informed about these changes helps officers operate within the boundaries of the law, thus maintaining the integrity of the justice system.

A major component of the legal framework within which police officers operate is the protection of citizens' rights, such as the right to privacy, due process and freedom from unreasonable searches. By keeping up to date with legal changes, officers are better equipped to protect these rights. This knowledge can guide officers in making informed decisions during encounters with the public, thereby preventing potential rights violations.

For example, if a new ruling affects how evidence should be collected or modifies the requirements for reading Miranda rights to suspects, officers need to be aware of these updates. Failing to do so may lead to unconstitutional searches or improper advisement of rights, potentially resulting in key evidence being excluded from court proceedings or the wrongful conviction or release of suspects. Legal updates concerning minority rights, juvenile justice or mental health issues also provide officers with the necessary framework to handle sensitive situations with appropriate care and respect.

Staying informed about legal changes also has direct implications for police officer safety. Legal updates can affect procedures officers follow during arrests, encounters with suspects and emergency response situations. Understanding current legal standards on the use of force or de-escalation techniques can help officers respond safely while avoiding liability. 

For example, recent changes in the laws governing stop-and-frisk procedures or high-speed pursuits may alter how officers engage with suspects to ensure compliance with legal standards while protecting themselves from harm. Familiarity with these changes reduces the risk of a situation escalating into violence or an officer facing disciplinary action due to a legal infraction.

Public trust in law enforcement is essential for effective policing. When officers demonstrate that they are informed about and adhere to current legal standards, it fosters trust and strengthens the relationship between the police and the community. Conversely, if officers are found to be ignorant of recent legal updates or fail to follow new laws, it can erode public confidence and increase community tensions.

Showing a commitment to staying informed about legal changes reinforces the perception that no one is above the law, including law enforcement personnel. This transparency and accountability helps build public trust, making citizens more likely to cooperate with officers and support law enforcement efforts to maintain public safety.

Unawareness of legal updates can expose police officers and their departments to significant legal liability. Officers who do not follow current laws or judicial rulings can face civil rights lawsuits, misconduct allegations or even criminal charges. Such legal challenges damage the reputation of law enforcement agencies and lead to costly settlements and legal fees, placing a strain on public resources.

By staying current with legal changes, officers can avoid these risks and help minimize financial liabilities for their departments. Continuous training, legal bulletins and professional development programs are effective tools for keeping officers informed, reducing the likelihood of mistakes that could lead to costly legal repercussions.

The rapid advancement of technology and changing social attitudes necessitate frequent legal updates. Issues such as cybercrime, the use of body-worn cameras, drone surveillance and digital privacy present new challenges for law enforcement. Officers need to stay informed about the regulations and legal standards related to these developments to handle incidents appropriately and ensure that evidence gathered through technological means is admissible in court.

Additionally, changes in social attitudes toward issues like drug use, mental health and criminal justice reform often lead to legal shifts that impact police procedures. An example of this is the decriminalization of certain substances or implementing diversion programs for low-level offenders requires officers to adapt their approach to policing. Staying current with these changes enables law enforcement to apply laws that reflect contemporary societal values fostering fair and equitable policing practices. 

Police officers are frequently called upon to testify in court about their actions, the evidence collected, and the circumstances surrounding an arrest. To provide credible and effective testimony, it is crucial for officers to be familiar with the latest legal standards. When officers understand recent legal changes, they can better explain how their actions complied with the law, thereby supporting the prosecution’s case. 

Conversely, unfamiliarity with recent legal updates may weaken an officer's testimony, potentially leading to the dismissal of charges or the exclusion of key evidence. Keeping up to date with legal changes ensures that officers can navigate the legal process effectively and contribute to the administration of justice.

Legislative bodies frequently introduce new laws or amend existing statutes, significantly impacting law enforcement practices. These changes may relate to criminal statutes, traffic laws or procedural requirements, necessitating that officers adjust their methods accordingly.

For instance, if legislation modifies penalties for specific offenses or introduces new reporting requirements, officers need to integrate these updates into their everyday practices. Being aware of legislative changes allows officers to adapt to new policies and ensure compliance with the law, thereby promoting efficient and responsible policing.

The need for police officers to stay informed about legal changes and updates is fundamental to effective, fair and lawful policing. As the legal landscape evolves, so must the knowledge and practices of law enforcement personnel. Keeping up with legal changes ensures that officers enforce the law appropriately, protect citizens' rights, maintain public trust and avoid legal liabilities. Continuous legal education and training are not just beneficial but essential for sustaining the integrity and functionality of the justice system in a world where laws continually adapt to new challenges.

Joseph Bucco Jr. is a Municipal Police Lieutenant in New Jersey.  He is currently in his 21st year of service and is assigned to the Detective Division as the Division Commander. Some of his past assignments include the departments Patrol Division, Street Crimes Unit as well as an on-loan assignment with a Multi-Jurisdictional Fugitive Task Force. He received a B.A from Ramapo College of New Jersey and an M.A from Seton Hall University. In the fall of 2018, in addition to his police and consulting careers, Joe accepted a position as a Business Development Manager with a national communications and media company that is solely focused on serving our nation’s law enforcement officers.

Artificial intelligence and the Law: Don’t Hire Your Robot Lawyer yet

Artificial intelligence and the Law: Don’t Hire Your Robot Lawyer yet
By: Lance J. LoRusso, Esq.

Artificial intelligence
It is the buzz word du jour that equally excites and strikes fear in the hearts of the technology savvy and ignorant alike. Like every other profession, law enforcement and the law are dealing with advances in AI technology and the struggles inherent in any new advances that involve computers. However, I don’t believe Skynet will be becoming “self-aware” anytime soon, that autonomous law enforcement robocops will be patrolling Times Square on New Year’s Eve 2025, or that a robot will be delivering my argument to the Arkansas Court of Appeals or the Eleventh Circuit Federal Court of Appeals in December. If this disappoints you, sorry to bounce your reality check. If this excites you, and confirms your beliefs, put your feet up, grab your abacus and follow with me as I show you neither the fears nor the excitement add up.

Emerging technology is all around us. Well, while that is true in 2024, it was also true in 1974. Advances in automotive and other technology, as well as the first real integrations of computers into the workplace, were gaining momentum in the ‘70s. As always, and seemingly perhaps forever despite the outstanding efforts of dedicated individuals in both professions, law enforcement and the law seem to lag behind.

For law enforcement, perhaps the reluctance to embrace new technology stems from the sheer number of law enforcement officers and the fact that any advances in technology require a rebalancing of resources, policy adaptations and training for an already overburdened workforce that for the large part has no control of its workload. As to the law, the concept of stare decisis is at play. This is the principle that law should build on prior decisions to make our jurisprudence predictable and form a solid foundation. This often causes innovations to occur with glacial speed under the watchful, raised eye of judges and lawyers reluctant to abandon time-honored traditions that have allowed the public to live their lives without surprises at least as the law is concerned.

AI in the law enforcement world will ultimately turn out to be an incredible tool. Assistance writing police reports to ensure completeness, analyzing thousands of pages of documents in a fraud investigation, performing a square foot analysis on a house based on GPS coordinates and a drone scan of rooms to locate probable hiding spaces, and eliminating or locating thousands of suspects in dense crowds are all potential uses of AI. Each will save thousands of man hours each year and are all now within the capability of AI in the hands of law enforcement. However, the data, outputs, analysis and reports produced by AI will always require the intervention of a human being. The Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution does not allow a machine to swear out a search or arrest warrant, a machine cannot testify in a TPO hearing on behalf of the domestic violence victim, and we certainly do not want machines making use of force decisions. Even tasks as simple and routine as comforting a child or searching for a lost, disabled adult is better left to human LEOs who will hopefully use every available technology to maximize their success.

As to the law, just as Justice Sandra Day O’Connor expounded upon in her book, “The Majesty of the Law,” the art of the litigator and the judge and interpreting the law, making arguments, and committing to stare decisis are uniquely human talents. Novel legal arguments, challenges to established procedures that implicate constitutional rights, and the courage to stand in front of a jury and make an argument are all beyond the capability of machine learning.

As to claims that AI will lead to Armageddon, are they valid? Claims that AI can review body camera footage and determine which officers will, at some point, commit a policy violation raise my eyebrows and should raise yours, as well. In many ways, law enforcement officers are playing a role and they are also human. The statement made on social media when a fatigued, frustrated, or severely disappointed law enforcement officer reads a news story should no more determine the future of that officer than the random artifact errors found and acknowledged in AI should encourage abandonment of the entire technology. No one appears to be applying the same AI-driven “prospective analysis” to train engineers, airplane pilots or over-the-road truck drivers. Now, why is that…

If you say you’re never going to use AI, good luck. If you type on a mobile device, do any searches on the internet or even shop at the grocery store, AI is all around you. Like any new technology, it is best to learn about it, find out how you can benefit from it and determine what dangers are existent that may or may not resolve in the next short span of years.

Perhaps because I’ve been around a little while, I recall another advancement in law enforcement technology that raised eyebrows and had people clamoring on both sides of the issue. It was the transition from revolvers to semi-automatic handguns. The same can be said of the transition to patrol rifles. There were detractors, and still are, on both sides of these issues. But the changes are and were coming, and like most people who dig their heels and their heads in the sand, the refusal to embrace technology will relegate you to obsolescence.

In closing, I dictated this article using an AI-based program that I tasked with merely transcribing my words. No editorials, embellishments or additions necessary – just put my words onto paper. Very few sentences were dictated without requiring edits. For now, I believe we are all in no danger of being overrun by cyborgs or replaced by the mechanical redux of Officer Alex James Murphy. Stay safe.

Lance J. LoRusso is a former law enforcement officer and attorney practicing in Atlanta, Georgia. He represents law enforcement officers throughout the state in officer-involved shootings, discipline hearings, POST matters, FLSA claims and following traffic collisions. The profits from his books, When Cops Kill: the aftermath of a critical incident, Peacemaking, and Blue News support law enforcement charities. His books are available on www.lancelorussobooks and Amazon.

In 2022, 249 law enforcement officers died in the line of duty. 42 percent of those could have been preventable...

In 2022, 249 law enforcement officers died in the line of duty. 42 percent of those could have been preventable...
By: Monica Crawford

An excerpt from, "Thriving Inside the Thin Blue Line."

"In 2022, 249 officers died in the line of duty. The median age of the line of duty deaths (LODD) was 45, with the average duty tour of fifteen years. Of those 249 LODDs, thirteen died due to heart attack, two due to heat stroke, and seven “duty related” deaths. All of these twenty-two deaths occurred as a response to a call or during a training exercise. These incidents range from executing arrests, foot pursuits, directing traffic, firearms training, and basic physical training. In other words, these officers went to work expecting to carry out another “routine” day and died because of physical overexertion. Their bodies became too stressed out, and their heart rates were likely too high for their body to recover just one more time. Scary. In addition to those twenty-two deaths, an additional eighty-three officers died from complications of COVID-19 contracted while on duty. This adds up to 102 health-related LODDs in 2022, out of 249 total, equating to an alarming forty-two percent. 

As law enforcement officers, we all know the basic premise of staying healthy and in shape. We recognize the dangers of the job we took. We know we could go to work, get shot, get run over, get stabbed, and never return home. Yet in 2022, forty-two percent of us died because of poor health, likely a result of many years on the job that went unaddressed for too long. Instead, we forget about the things that kept us healthy before taking the job: our lifestyles, family, home life, and hobbies. We forget the version of ourselves we brought into this profession, bright-eyed, bushy-tailed, and ready to make a difference in the world. What happened to those men and women we once were when the badge got pinned on our chests? 

The main problem I see with first responders is that we, as a population, tend to lose ourselves within the career we serve. I think cops are the worst in that. Being a cop somehow becomes our identity on and off the clock. We start dawning the blue line flag on shirts and posting it on walls and photos around the house. We lean away from friends and family who just don’t quite get what we do or what we go through daily. Worst of all, many of us become slaves to the job. It comes to the point where we forget who we were before becoming a law enforcement officer. We drop everything else to work, sleep, and repeat. Our hobbies get thrown out the window, our family events and birthdays become forgotten and accepted as missed, and we lose our sense of self. 

Until one day, we wake up miserable. We get tired of running ragged, constantly stressed out, and sluggish. We get tired of noticing our clothes and uniform have gotten tighter, and suddenly, we’re twenty pounds (or more) overweight. We get tired of feeling like we’re breathing heavily on a simple task at work or getting outrun again by the latest shithead in our jurisdiction. We get tired of missing family events and important events of loved ones."

If you're at this point of being miserable, what do you do? Do you accept the job for what it is and choose to stay miserable where you are? Or do you make the decision to take back your control, rediscover why you chose this career field, and create the fulfillment you once believed you could have?

Coming in December, I will be launching my December Challenge. This will be a group challenge inside of our Skool group where you will learn step by step, how to lose your first 5 pounds (or more), gain strength with workouts that fit your schedule, and have the accountability to navigate the holidays while doing so. Imagine actually losing weight in December and being that much farther ahead towards your goals once January 1 hits!

For early access and inside updates, join at www.skool.com/five0fierceandfit/about

Stay safe out there,
Coach Monica

Monica Eaton Crawford is the owner/ CEO of Five-0 Fierce and Fit which creates online nutrition and fitness programs designed to help female first responders lose fat, gain strength and take back their confidence in 90 days because “your family depends on you to be fit for duty.” Using her six-year Oklahoma law enforcement experience along with her 15-year background in fitness and nutrition she helps female first responders reach their full potential in life and career. Look her up on Instagram @five0.fierce.and.fit

Removing The Scars of the Job

Removing The Scars of the Job
By Darci Werner

“I didn’t have a choice. It was either get help or put a bullet in my head.” Not the response I wanted to hear when I commended my husband for seeking help. The scenes and visions of a job that haunts him even after the duty belt and badge have been retired.

It didn’t come all at once. There were little signs of pulling away, being unsociable, wanting to sleep all day. Then the dreams escaped from somewhere in the deep recesses. Night after night making sounds, kicking legs and occasionally, punching the mattress. There were no recollections upon waking. Just the remains of a body that felt like it had not slept all night.

No one told us that the “Golden Years” of retirement would include recalls of tactical team entries, suicides and fatalities. This is not the best time of his life, nor mine, as I watch the man who was so respected as a first responder suffer from the aftermath now that it’s over. He is now a shell.

As the first responder wife who would stand at his side when issues occurred with the job or hold him as he shed tears for children who suffered from someone’s neglect, or an officer down,, there was nothing I could do to remove the demons from his mind or brighten the blank facial expression of depression. The more I tried, the more I slipped down into the same chasm.

One evening there was a discussion of discord and there was no reasoning with him. The stress element just kept spinning around in succession in his mind, never stopping for clarity or processing. The faster it spun the more irritated he became. I had lost my patience and retorted, “You knock this off or I’m taking you to the hospital.” The stress point was still spiraling but he looked away in silence, stewing with tightly pierced lips to keep from speaking.

He then decided to make a doctor’s appointment. From there, a whole new world of assistance has developed to process the painful memories that lurk as a retired officer. He has a way to go but has found tools that allow him to process and not shove the conflict deeper down in the abyss to bring it forward into the light and deal with it appropriately. The visions used to be several throughout the night. They are down to one or two, as well as the limb movements.

I realize that there will be some memories that will never leave and will go to the grave with him. At least now he knows how to keep the memory from dictating his retirement years. Why do I share this ugly part of our lives? For the same reason he tells other officers he knows who have also turned in their badge for the years of freedom and flexibility. That freedom will not come if they do not seek the help needed to remove the scars of the job.

I have always been proud of my husband, and this is no different. There have been other retired officers we chatted with who refuse to seek help. Yet mine valued our marriage and family to get what he needed so he could be the father and husband intended to be during these “Golden years.”

Don’t allow the job to take from you what you deserve in enjoying your later years. Seek help for you and those in your life who care about you. Thank you for serving and thank you for taking care of yourself.

Darci Werner is a retired police wife residing in Northeast, Iowa. She writes for Chicken Soup for the Soul, Lyrical Iowa, and Guidepost. She thanks Blue Magazine for providing alternative topics for all who support law enforcement and is honored to share police family life stories.

The True Culprit: How Structural Failures Fuel Crime and Social Discontent

The True Culprit: How Structural Failures Fuel Crime and Social Discontent
By: Peter Marina, Ph.D.

Anomie: lack of the usual social or ethical standards in an individual or group.

In a world where crime is blamed on individual failings, the real culprit is often obscured: a society rife with structural contradictions and inequality. Emile Durkheim’s concept of anomie indicts our modern social order. As we transitioned from premodern simplicity to industrial capitalism, we dismantled the mechanisms that once provided social cohesion and meaning. The result? A pervasive sense of normlessness and disconnection that fuels crime, not due to inherent tendencies, but due to systemic failure. Our approach to crime is flawed; it’s not the individual who is broken, but a society that has failed its members. Instead of perpetuating punitive measures that address only symptoms, we must confront and dismantle the structural contradictions at the heart of our social fabric.

This article explores the root causes of street and violent crime. For effective policing, it’s crucial to understand the true causes of crime, free from political bias or ideology, which I strive to achieve. Genuine insight comes from the rigorous critique of everything that exists.

Theoretical Underpinnings of Anomie
For Durkheim, anomie, rooted in social transformation, is a cause of social problems in modern life. Anomie emerged from the transition from premodern to modern society—a shift from mechanical solidarity to organic solidarity, altering what holds society together.

In premodern societies, mechanical solidarity prevailed. Homogeneity from a simple division of labor fostered shared values, beliefs, and cultural norms, producing strong social cohesion and a collective conscience. The rise of the modern nation-state and industrial capitalism disrupted this order, leading to a complex division of labor and a movement toward organic solidarity.

Modern societies find cohesion in differences, not similarities. The complex division of labor shapes varied thoughts, values, and beliefs, loosening the moorings that bind individuals to social institutions and communities.

This disruption results in anomie, a state of normlessness where individuals feel disconnected from the collective conscience. The loss of shared values and increased complexity can lead to meaninglessness, precariousness, and uncertainty. Durkheim warned that anomie could manifest in higher rates of suicide, depression, crime and other issues as individuals struggle to find place and purpose.

This understanding of Durkheim's notion of anomie provides a foundation for exploring its implications, such as Robert Merton's concept of the innovator and the Chicago School's ecological model of crime.

Theory of Anomie I
Robert Merton's theory explains how structural contradictions between individual means and cultural goals lead to crime. Merton’s concept of the "innovator" shows how individuals, excluded from achieving societal goals through legitimate means, turn to alternative, often illicit, methods.

In a society that glorifies the American Dream, hard work and education are expected to lead to success and wealth. However, when structural inequalities prevent individuals from accessing means to achieve these goals, a contradiction arises. This disparity creates feelings of acute relative deprivation, where individuals perceive themselves as unjustly deprived of the cultural goals of society.

Anomie, a state of normlessness and societal detachment, intensifies these feelings. As social norms become unclear and traditional values erode, individuals experience meaninglessness, precariousness, and uncertainty. This disconnection from societal institutions exacerbates the strain of social exclusion, leading to anomie.

Innovators are individuals who continue to embrace cultural goals but lack legitimate means to achieve them. Instead of conforming, they devise creative and often underground ways to fulfill their aspirations. This can manifest in activities such as developing illegal economies (e.g., drug trafficking or prostitution) or engaging in theft, fraud and other crimes. These actions are attempts to overcome barriers imposed by structural exclusion.

Crime is not merely a result of individual failings but a symptom of broader structural contradictions where societal institutions fail to provide access for all individuals to achieve manufactured cultural goals. The perception of relative deprivation and the resulting anomie drive individuals to seek alternative, often illicit, paths to success.

To reduce street crime, we must either change our cultural goals (American Dream) or ensure everyone has access to the means to achieve these goals (education, good jobs, health care). If we provide equal access to the means, crime rates would drop. Police and tough laws alone cannot solve the problem. Crime results from structural contradictions between cultural goals and access to means. Solving crime requires addressing these contradictions.

Theory of Anomie II
The Chicago School's ecological model explains crime in Chicago’s Zone II, the transition zone, through social disorganization and community instability. Early criminologists linked crime to physical and moral deficiencies, but Park and Burgess examined crime rates across Chicago’s five concentric zones to challenge these views:

·         Zone I: Central Business District (CBD)

·         Zone II: Transition Zone

·         Zone III: Working-Class Zone

·         Zone IV: Single-Family Residences and Elegant Apartments

·         Zone V: Suburbs and Satellite Cities

Zone II experienced constant demographic turnover due to industrial encroachment. This zone housed immigrants and lower-income residents, leading to high residential mobility. Despite changes, crime rates in Zone II remained high.

This revealed that crime wasn’t tied to ethnicity, race, or poverty but to social disorganization caused by neighborhood turnover. The constant movement hindered the formation of strong social ties, community organizations and collective efficacy—key elements in creating social solidarity and cohesion necessary to prevent crime. Lack of social cohesion and collective efficacy, fostered by institutions like schools, churches and community organizations, contributed to persistent crime.

The root cause of crime in Zone II was community instability, not the residents. Reducing crime requires addressing structural conditions, not punitive measures or racial profiling. Enhancing community engagement, supportive networks, and stable institutions mitigates crime. Tackling root causes like neighborhood instability is crucial. The Chicago School shows crime stems from social disorganization and instability, not inherent traits or poverty. Investing in stable communities and supportive networks reduces crime naturally.

Conclusion
My late friend Jock Young, who called me “delightfully insane,” pointed out that discontent arises from relative, not absolute, deprivation. Poverty alone doesn’t cause dissatisfaction; it can lead to resignation or fatalism. Discontent arises when people compare themselves to others and perceive unfairness or injustice. Exploitative cultures can endure for generations, but it’s the perception of relative deprivation and injustice that fuels discontent.

Anomie, stemming from feelings of relative deprivation due to social inequalities and structural exclusion, underscores that treating crime as an individual problem misses its true nature. Ignoring the structural contradictions behind crime means neglecting broader issues causing suffering. It’s not that individuals are inherently sick, but their sickness reflects a society plagued with structural contradictions.

Instead of blaming individuals, we must address these structural issues. Police, informed by this understanding, can play a crucial role in a reformed justice system that acknowledges the root causes of crime and strives to ensure all individuals enjoy their fundamental human rights. We need radical social transformation into a new historical epoch centered on human rights. Nothing else will suffice. And police can serve as community leaders who protect such human rights. Everyone needs a seat at the table.

Dr. Peter Marina is a sociologist and criminologist at the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse. Along with his father, (retired) Lieutenant Pedro Marina, he teaches human rights policing to law enforcement professionals throughout the United States. He is author of the Human Rights Policing: Reimagining Law Enforcement in the 21st Century with Routledge Press (2022).

Three ways a new line supervisor can gain and secure a LEO's loyalty

Three ways a new line supervisor can gain and secure a LEO's loyalty
By: Marty Katz

Everyone in law enforcement loves driving in a super-clean vehicle, so I set up a program where the Deputy of the Month winners get their assigned take-home squad detailed.

I always promised myself that when I became a supervisor, I would strive to be the kind of boss who I, as a deputy, would enjoy working for. During my time as a supervisor, I did a few things that I think got me there.

If you're a new line-level supervisor, consider stealing these ideas as a means of ensuring your bond with your troops is strong. If you're a seasoned supervisor, add your thoughts on this topic in the comments area below.

1. Citations and Slices
I was a new sergeant now responsible for a large shift of deputies. I was also in a new patrol district, working with many deputies I had never served with, and I wanted to connect with the shift.

One midnight shift, several deputies were being assigned to traffic enforcement. I drove to the location to pick a spot for our radar operation to set up and formulate a plan for the detail. The deputies writing the citations would ride two to a vehicle. The radar operator would observe the speeding vehicle and inform a deputy team of the speed, direction, and vehicle information.

The first deputy team in the line would do the traffic stop, and the next team would prepare to take the next call over the radio from the radar operator.

The other deputies would be lined up to move forward to the next position to stop the next speeder. Once this started, I left briefly and brought back pizzas. The deputy team returning from writing a citation would cycle to the last position in line; they would grab a slice of pizza and a drink there. The rotation continued for about two hours.

The assignment was a success; the deputies had dinner on me, and the gesture spread like wildfire. I immediately established camaraderie with the shift.

2. A Detailed Ride
Nothing shows more support for the troops than actual support. I remember when I received Deputy of the Month, Unit of the Year, and other such acknowledgments, the joy and satisfaction I felt was immeasurable. I wanted to work harder, and I did. When I received Deputy of the Month, it was a certificate or letter presented during roll call, and then it was right back to work.

Once I was comfortable with being a sergeant, I decided to do something a bit different. When I nominated one of the deputies on my shift for Deputy of the Month, they received the honor that deputy had their take-home vehicle professionally cleaned and detailed in addition to the written certificate and ceremony. Everyone in law enforcement loves driving in a super-clean vehicle. This was my way of thanking the deputy for an outstanding job. At first, I covered the cost until the concept caught on, and it became part of the award process. This was another way to develop loyalty between the supervisor and the troops.

3. The UOF Chair
From 2002 to 2007, I was assigned to the busiest district in our department — a department of more than 6,000. I served as a detective, crime suppression team leader, and patrol sergeant during that time. This was an extremely active inner-city district, and every night was full of arrests, chases and all the problems associated with such activity.

We filled out a significant number of use-of-force reports. Anytime a deputy uses pepper spray, TASER, baton (collapsible or regular size, PR-24, nunchaku) or certain defensive tactics techniques, a two-sided Use of Force Report must be completed before the shift ends. The front side was fill-in-the-blanks and boxes, and the other side was for a deputy narrative and supervisor review with their own narrative.

Some nights, many such reports needed to be completed. This documentation went up the chain of command to the district chief, a copy to IA, and a copy to Training. Luckily, there were enough sergeants on shift to handle the large number of calls for service and the piles of paperwork needed to document everything.

The concept I developed — the Use of Force Chair — arose from a need to keep on top of the daily stack of reports that needed a supervisor's signature before the end of the shift. Because I was responsible for documenting if the force was within policy, I would call the deputy in after their reports were complete. The deputy would sit in a chair next to my desk, and we would review and discuss the report.

To my advantage, I was the chief defensive tactics instructor for the department and an instructor at the police academy for decades, so I knew our policy thoroughly. If the action taken by the deputy was within policy, I noted that, completed my narrative, and forwarded a copy up the chain. If the deputy's action were commendable, I would also complete a Letter of Commendation and forward that up the chain of command.

If the action was out of policy, the deputy knew that they should prepare for further investigation into the incident. I knew when to back off and protect the deputy's rights. This was a clear example of a supervisor taking the time to ensure the troops had the opportunity to interact individually. When I had to use force, I completed the same form and then met with the command staff. At that level, there was no use of force chair for me, but for the deputies, it was just another way of being there for them. Letting them know we had their back.

Conclusion
These and other concepts worked in bringing the shift closer. The streets are a dangerous place, the courtroom is an adversarial place; even the chief's office can be a scary place. The shift supervisor's office should be a safe place, a haven where mistakes are corrected, praise given, and one can remove one's ballistic vest.

Marty Katz is a retired sergeant with the Broward Sheriff’s Office in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. During his 34-year career, his assignments included field training officer, SWAT team member, undercover narcotics detective, academy instructor, street crime suppression unit, and supervisor of Recruitment, Criminal investigations, and Patrol. Marty is a Florida Department of Law Enforcement certified instructor (Firearms, Defensive Tactics, Driving, First Responder, Ethics, and Human Diversity), Expert Witness for Use of Force issues, a member of ILEETA, and past Florida Chapter Director for the International Association of Ethics Trainers In addition, Marty has trained in Japan with the Tokyo Metropolitan Riot Police and is a martial arts instructor. Marty is the owner and chief instructor of Crimewave Solutions, a training company for officer survival and common sense self-defense. Past the Uniform, Hot Potato, and From Another Dimension are three books authored by Marty and available on Amazon.

The Journey from Badge to Beyond

The Journey from Badge to Beyond
By: Kimberly Stratman

It’s been four-and-a-half years since I retired from the Dallas Police Department, and the time has flown by. Reflecting on these past few years, I often compare them to my first four-and-a-half years on the force. Both chapters are marked by growth, challenges and unforgettable moments, but each journey has been uniquely transformative.

The First Four and One Half Years
When I began my career, the Academy was my initiation into a new world — one that was both exhilarating and intimidating. Then came field training, where I learned on the streets, confronting the real-world complexities of police work. My first assignments in patrol divisions were a mix of experiences; being drafted to a ritzy, upper-class area I didn’t enjoy, followed by the dream assignment of Oak Cliff. Oak Cliff was fast-paced, demanding, and always in need of service, and it felt like a place where I could make a real difference. Like most rookies, I couldn’t wait to get to work! I did not even want my days off.

Life was a whirlwind. I married a fellow officer, built our first home and faced one of the most harrowing experiences of my career; being involved in an officer-involved shooting alongside my partner. Fortunately, we were both physically unhurt. 13 months after, I had my first baby — a bright spot but one that definitely added to the stress of shift work.  I got promoted, dove deeply into Problem-Oriented Policing and found immense satisfaction in tackling the root causes of crime.

Yet, along with these professional highs came painful losses. The deaths of several co-workers were a stark reminder of the dangers we faced every day. The never-ending violence witnessed on the streets raised many emotions and frustrations. The excitement and danger came with high costs. But these years also shaped me in ways I never expected, molding a resilience that would carry me forward.

The Transition to Retirement
Stepping away from the department, I thought I was prepared. I had well-thought-out plans and was able to accomplish each goal. But retirement brought its own set of challenges, including the lockdown that came shortly after I left the force. Watching the riots unfold as a spouse rather than a lieutenant responsible for troops was surreal and unsettling. Without the responsibilities that once defined my days, I had to redefine what purpose and fulfillment looked like.

I threw myself into new activities—joining Camp Gladiator, spending a couple of hours a week at a fabulous gardening shop, and joining a daytime Bible study. My essential oil business partnership, which I had hoped would flourish, faced unexpected struggles, forcing me to pivot. That pivot led to earning Life Coaching and Retirement Coaching Certifications, creating two businesses specifically aimed at serving first responders, and stepping into the world of public speaking. A different kind of stress and excitement.

Creating a New Path
The first four-and-a-half years of my career were marked by establishing myself in a high-pressure field, but these early years of retirement have been about carving out new identities and passions. I created two YouTube channels, built two Instagram pages and learned how to make videos — skills I never thought I’d master. I began public speaking, sharing my experiences and knowledge at conferences and events, all while continuing to lead Debt Free classes for various departments. In addition, I am on staff at a resiliency company and partnered with Financial Wealth Builder. All of my professional actions serve first responders.

I found my niche in serving female first responders, using my personal experiences to connect with others navigating similar paths. Along the way, I learned to write blogs, authored a chapter in a #1 bestseller and had several articles published. Not everything was smooth; I had another run-in with cancer and was diagnosed with a rare form of diabetes. But these challenges only deepened my resolve.

Embracing New Connections and Opportunities
Retirement opened doors I hadn’t even realized were there. I joined numerous networking groups and experienced the growth of friendships with civilian women — relationships that have become invaluable. I discovered a deep passion for horses and spend hours every week caring for the most handsome horse ever! However, life also came with its share of heartache, including the loss of three family members.

With our future needs in mind, my still-working SWAT officer husband and I took on a massive cabin renovation project in Colorado and completed several home improvement projects in our Texas home. I earned my Yoga Instructor Certification, began my Ayurveda journey, and planned yoga-related trips to Hawaii and Costa Rica.

Lessons Learned Along the Way
Identity beyond the badge: My identity had always been tied to my role as an officer. Retirement forced me to explore who I was beyond that role, and this discovery process, though challenging, has been incredibly fulfilling. The adrenal rushes and the important moments of stillness are available. Some lessons learned:

·         Adaptability and Resilience: From pivoting my business to dealing with health issues, retirement has been a lesson in resilience. Adapting to change, whether expected or not, has been essential in navigating this chapter.

·         The Power of Community: Maintaining connections with fellow officers was vital, but I also found unexpected joy in new communities—gardening, yoga, Bible study and networking groups. Each of these has helped me build a fulfilling post-retirement life.

·         Continuing to Serve: Retirement didn’t mean the end of my service; it just shifted. Whether it’s through coaching, speaking or volunteering, I’ve found new ways to give back and stay connected to the first responder community.

·         Recognizing the shift: Despite all these accomplishments, there are still days when I feel lazy and unaccomplished, questioning if I’m truly making the most of this new chapter. I continue to explore these thoughts and ideas.

Moving Forward
As I reflect on these two distinct but equally transformative periods of my life, I feel immense gratitude. I pull out my phone and look at all the amazing aspects of the last four-and-a-half years. I wish I had pictures of the first four-and-a-half years of my career.

If you’re approaching retirement or are already in it, remember that just like your early years on the force, these first years of retirement are about growth, adjustment and rediscovery.

You’ve dedicated your life to serving others — now it’s time to serve yourself. Embrace new passions, cherish old and new friendships, and lean into this new chapter with the same courage that guided you in your career. The badge may be behind you, but your journey is far from over.

Kimberly Stratman retired as a lieutenant from the Dallas Police Department after an exciting and fulfilling 30-year career. She and her law enforcement husband have two grown sons and two dogs that get lots of attention. Kimberly is the owner of To the Point Coach, a Certified Retirement Life Coach and Certified Life Coach service that focuses on first responders. Her goal is to ensure our law enforcement community thrives. She can be reached @ tothepointcoach.org

Inside the Mind of a Young Shooter: Understanding the Triggers behind Violent Acts

Inside the Mind of a Young Shooter: Understanding the Triggers behind Violent Acts
By: Anthony Gangi

The Colt Gray case has sent shockwaves across the country. Colt Gray, a 14-year-old boy, was arraigned on four counts of felony murder after a tragic shooting at Apalachee High School in Georgia. Four people, including two students and two teachers, lost their lives during this senseless act of violence. As this case unfolds, many are asking the question: What causes a young person to carry out such an act of horror? Understanding the mind of a young active shooter is a crucial step in preventing future tragedies.

In this article, we explore the social, psychological, and environmental factors that contribute to the development of a young shooter. Through the lens of the Colt Gray case, we will delve into the complex interplay of social dynamics, mental health, and fascination with violence. While no one factor can fully explain such horrific actions, the patterns that emerge offer critical insights into the minds of young individuals who turn to violence.

The Social Dynamics behind Violence
At the heart of many youth shootings is the influence of social dynamics. Social rejection, bullying, and peer pressure play significant roles in shaping a young individual’s sense of self. For many young shooters, their violent actions are a form of retaliation against perceived wrongs or injustices inflicted by their peers, teachers, or society at large.

In the case of Colt Gray, reports suggest that he had recently transferred to a new school, where he may have experienced isolation and bullying. The transition to a new environment is challenging for any teenager, but when combined with social rejection, it can create a toxic mix of anger and hopelessness. Young shooters often perceive their world as hostile, and rather than dealing with isolated incidents of bullying, they begin to generalize their negative experiences. This leads to a worldview where everyone becomes a threat, creating an “us versus them” mentality that can fuel violent tendencies.

When social rejection is coupled with a lack of positive experiences or relationships, the individual begins to see violence as the only way to regain control over their life. Revenge becomes the driving force. Youth shooters often cite a desire to retaliate against bullies or authority figures who they feel failed to protect them. Even teachers or authority figures who had no direct involvement in the bullying may be seen as complicit in the shooter’s eyes, as they could have done more to prevent the mistreatment.

This intense social alienation is a critical early warning sign. As young individuals feel more isolated, they may begin to fantasize about violent retaliation as a way to regain power and control over their lives.

The Role of Empathy and Lack Thereof
One of the key factors that set youth shooters apart from their peers is their lack of empathy. Empathy is a fundamental human trait that allows us to understand and share the feelings of others. It is developed in childhood through social interactions, family connections and positive relationships. However, when a young person is socially isolated, bullied or neglected, they may fail to develop this critical emotional skill.

In Colt Gray’s case, the violent act he committed suggests a deep disconnection from the humanity of his victims. When empathy is absent, a person may begin to see others not as individuals with thoughts and feelings, but as objects or obstacles. This dehumanization makes it easier for a shooter to justify violence. In their minds, they are not harming real people, but rather eliminating symbols of their own pain and suffering.

Empathy can also be stunted by prolonged exposure to violence, whether through personal experience, media consumption, or online communities. In these environments, violence becomes normalized, and the consequences of hurting others become less significant. This moral disengagement can lead to horrific acts of violence, as the shooter no longer feels guilt or remorse for their actions.

Mental Health and Isolation
Mental health struggles are another major factor in many cases of youth violence. Depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions can exacerbate feelings of isolation and hopelessness. For young people who are already struggling to fit in, mental health issues can make it even more difficult to form meaningful connections with others.

In the case of school shooters, untreated mental illness often manifests as anger, resentment, or a desire to lash out. Many shooters exhibit signs of severe depression, which can drive them toward violent fantasies as a way to regain control over their lives. The act of violence itself may be seen as a final attempt to assert power in a world where they feel powerless.

For some shooters, violence is also tied to suicidal ideation. These individuals may plan to end their own lives during or after the attack, either by their own hands or through confrontation with law enforcement. This phenomenon, known as “suicide by cop,” is a tragic example of how deep feelings of hopelessness and despair can push someone to commit unthinkable acts. In their minds, the violent act is a way to take control of their fate, ending their suffering on their own terms rather than allowing others to control their destiny.

The Influence of Violent Media
The role of violent media, including video games, movies, and online content, has been a topic of much debate when it comes to youth violence. While many young people consume violent media without ever acting out, for some individuals this content can serve as a dangerous escape. Rather than using violent games or movies as a form of entertainment, some youth shooters use them as a way to live out their violent fantasies in a virtual world.

For individuals like Colt Gray, who may have been isolated, bullied or neglected, violent media can become a way to channel their anger and frustration. Games like Grand Theft Auto or Call of Duty, which involve violent scenarios and encourage aggressive behavior, may provide a temporary sense of power and control. For some, the line between fantasy and reality becomes blurred, and they begin to see violence as a viable solution to their real-world problems.

However, it’s important to note that violent media alone is rarely the sole cause of violent behavior. The question isn’t necessarily why someone plays violent games, but why they are drawn to those games in the first place? For youth shooters, fascination with violence is often a symptom of deeper issues, such as social alienation, mental health struggles or a lack of empathy.

Grievance-Driven Ideology
Another factor that can contribute to youth violence is the adoption of extremist ideologies. In some cases, young shooters may turn to political, religious or racial ideologies as a way to justify their actions. These ideologies often offer a sense of belonging and purpose to individuals who feel disconnected from society.

For youth shooters, the desire to belong to a group or cause can become overwhelming. In their minds, committing an act of violence in the name of an ideology may be seen as a way to gain acceptance and recognition. Whether it’s a white supremacist group, a religious extremist movement or a political cause, the shooter’s actions are often driven by a desire to prove their loyalty and earn a place within the group.

In some cases, youth shooters may not even fully understand the ideologies they are aligning themselves with. They are simply looking for a sense of belonging and power, and extremist groups offer a way to achieve that. The violence they commit is a means to an end – a way to gain the approval and acceptance they crave.

The Importance of Parental and Peer Involvement
One of the most important factors in preventing youth violence is early intervention from parents and peers. Young people who feel supported and valued by their families and social circles are less likely to turn to violence as a way to cope with their problems. For parents, it’s essential to maintain open lines of communication with their children, especially during challenging times like transitioning to a new school or dealing with bullying.

In Colt Gray’s case, there are still many unanswered questions about his home life and his relationship with his parents. However, one thing is clear: When young people feel isolated and unsupported, they are more likely to lash out in violent ways. Parents play a critical role in recognizing early warning signs and offering the support and guidance their children need to navigate difficult situations.

It’s also important for peers and educators to be vigilant in identifying students who may be at risk of social isolation or bullying. Often, all it takes is one friend or mentor to make a difference in a young person’s life. By reaching out and offering support, peers can help prevent feelings of alienation and hopelessness from spiraling into violence.

Conclusion: Prevention and Understanding
The Colt Gray case is a tragic reminder of the devastating consequences of youth violence. While no single factor can explain why a young person would commit such an act, understanding the complex interplay of social dynamics, mental health, and fascination with violence is crucial in preventing future tragedies.

By addressing issues of social isolation, bullying and mental health early on, we can create environments where young people feel supported and understood, and where they don’t see violence as their only option. Parents, educators and peers all play a vital role in recognizing the warning signs and offering the empathy and support that can change the course of a young person’s life. Ultimately, preventing youth violence requires a comprehensive effort to foster healthy, empathetic and emotionally resilient young people.

Anthony Gangi is a 20-year veteran in corrections with a BA in psychology. He currently works as an Associate Administrator for State Corrections and serves on the executive board of the New Jersey Chapter of the American Correctional Association. He is the host of the YouTube channel Tier Talk, where he shares insights on corrections and law enforcement. Anthony is also a published author, a frequent guest on national news outlets, and speaks on a variety of corrections-related topics.

Remembrance: Police Officer Victoria Louise Bailey

Police Officer Victoria Louise Bailey
Article & Artwork by Jonny Castro

On October 17th, Rowlett (Texas) Police Officer Victoria Louise Bailey tragically took her own life. Officer Bailey devoted over 15 years of service to both her country and her community. Victoria proudly served in the United States Air Force from 2008 to 2011, followed by a nine-year tenure with the Denison (TX) Police Department. She joined Rowlett PD in March of 2022, and quickly became a cherished and respected member of their agency.

As a Field Training Officer (FTO) for six years, she was celebrated for her dedication to mentorship, her ability to cultivate strong team dynamics, and her unwavering sense of duty. There was a remembrance on social media from a citizen who detailed how when Officer Bailey worked for Denison PD, she paid for a motel room out of her own pocket so a battered woman could get away from her abusive boyfriend.

The Rowlett Police Officers Association posted “We never know the demons someone is fighting… please PLEASE reach out if they start to take over. We love you and will forever miss you V.  Rest easy, we take the watch from here. Officer Victoria Bailey #1248… gone too soon.”

YESTERDAY, TODAY & TOMORROW: The New Jersey State Police

YESTERDAY, TODAY & TOMORROW: The New Jersey State Police
By: Joel E. Gordon

"The New Jersey State Police is committed to protect, preserve, and safeguard the constitutional and civil rights of all citizens through impartial and courteous law enforcement with integrity and professionalism. We shall ensure public safety and provide quality service in partnership with our communities.” – New Jersey State Police Mission Statement

Looking back to its roots, the New Jersey State Police (NJSP) was born in 1921, a response to growing crime rates and the need for organized law enforcement. It’s like planting a seed in a garden; over time, with care and dedication, it grew into a robust force. Originally, the NJSP had just a handful of officers tasked with patrolling highways and enforcing laws. Picture a time when officers rode horseback or drove early model cars—far from today’s advanced technology!

Back in the day, NJSP's primary duties were simple: Keep the peace, uphold the law and assist local authorities. Officers were known as "troopers," and their job involved a lot of community interaction. Fast forward to today, and the role of the NJSP has expanded dramatically. They now tackle a wide range of issues, from traffic enforcement to cybercrime. It’s like a Swiss Army knife, with each function designed to meet the needs of a changing society.

H. Norman Schwarzkopf, was the first superintendent of the New Jersey State Police. He established the foundation upon which the NJSP stands by issuing General Order #1. Another point of interest, all badge numbers are issued sequentially and are retired never again to be issued, beginning with Superintendent Schwarzkopf's badge #1. Today, the NJSP are on the verge of issuing the first five digit badge #10,000 in the very near future..

What has evolved into New Jersey's largest law enforcement agency has been led since October 31, 2017 by a true man of God. Colonel Patrick J. Callahan is a public servant who keeps New Jersey in a well-rounded and best-prepared state of readiness for all possible events which could be perpetrated by those working against the peace and dignity of the state.

One of the many special units of the NJSP is the Meadowlands Troop B, who are stationed at the Meadowlands Sports and Entertainment complex in East Rutherford, New Jersey, and are tasked with security and oversight of all special and sporting events at this facility. Looking ahead, preparations are underway to host the 2026 World Cup Soccer tournament, where Troop B will be working with local, federal and international partners to ensure safety and security.

Another Crown Jewel: The T.E.A.M.S. Unit
Another specialized unit is the T.E.A.M.S. Unit (Technical Emergency and Mission Specialists) which was established in 1978 as a full-time emergency response unit prepared to handle extraordinary police emergencies. During the early years of the Unit’s existence, members were chosen from the Division’s Underwater Recovery Unit’s personnel, as they had distinguished themselves as highly disciplined, self motivated troopers. Today, the selection process is the most demanding among any in the Division. Members are selected based on written resume, physical agility test, background investigation, oral interview and the successful completion of the physically and mentally demanding underwater recovery course. The TEAMS Unit is comprised of three 10-member squads, regionally located in the north, central and south.

The TEAMS Unit is a multi-faceted entity which has met the challenges of emergency preparedness in a post-9/11 era. TEAMS maintains an “all threats”-“all-hazards”- “all crimes,” methodology toward prevention, protection, response and recovery. The Unit is adaptive, and is utilized by federal, state and local agencies for an array of missions. The Unit is fully operational, and can respond to any incident due to its full-time, 24-hour call-out status. TEAMS maintains an extreme training regimen which is focused on the many disciplines it possesses.

The NJSP further maintains many other specifically tasked Sections, Bureaus and Units:

• Office of Professional Standards

• Office of Executive Protection

• Office of Quality Assurance

• Identification & Information Technology Section

• Employee Relations & Community Outreach Section

• Intelligence & Criminal Enterprise Section

• New Jersey Regional Operations & Intelligence Center

• Office of Forensic Sciences

• Special Investigations Section

• Office of Program Support

• Special Operations Section

• Emergency Management Section

• Four Field Operations Section Troops

• Traffic & Public Safety Office

• Communications Units

• Radio/Electronics Maintenance Unit

• Marine Services Bureau

• Transportation Safety Bureau

• Commercial Carrier Safety Inspection Unit

• Construction Unit

• Hazardous Material Transportation Enforcement Unit

• Motor Coach Compliance/Safety Audit Review Unit

• Mobile Safe Freight Training Unit

• Incident Management Unit

• Bomb Unit

• Canine Unit

• Special Weapons & Tactics Unit

• Rescue Operations Unit

• Underwater Search & Recovery Unit

• Counter Terrorism Operations

• Aviation Bureau

• Office of Target Hardening

• Internet Crime Against Children Unit

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Additionally, Colonel Callahan brought back the NJSP motorcycles in 2018. As can be observed, there is no shortage of professional positions and opportunity within the New Jersey State Police agency!

Technology: A Game-Changer for Policing
Imagine trying to solve a mystery without a magnifying glass or a flashlight. That’s what early troopers faced. Today, technology is like a superhero sidekick. The NJSP uses advanced tools like drones, body cameras and cutting-edge forensic techniques. These innovations not only help in crime-solving but also build trust with the community. When people see officers equipped with modern tech, it enhances their sense of safety and transparency.

Community is All-Important
In its early years, the NJSP wasn't very diverse. Today, you’ll find officers from various backgrounds, bringing different perspectives and experiences to the force. This shift is crucial; it’s like adding different colors to a painting—it makes the picture richer and more relatable to the community they serve.

The NJSP has come a long way in how they interact with the public. In the past, their presence could feel intimidating. Today, they focus on community engagement, participating in events and programs that foster trust. Think of it as a dance; both partners need to move together in harmony. When the community and police understand each other, it creates a safer environment for everyone.

The Lindburgh Investigation
One particularly famous NJSP-involved case of historical significance involved the Charles Lindbergh family.

Charles Lindbergh was an American aviator who became famous for his solo nonstop flight from New York to Paris. With a strong interest in aviation from a young age, Lindbergh's dreams took shape when he became a pilot. In the 1920s, hotel owner Raymond Orteig was offering a prize of $25,000 to the first pilot to make the journey from New York to Paris without any stops. Lindbergh wanted to win this challenge and enlisted the support of some St. Louis businessmen. Several others had tried and failed, but this didn’t deter the 25-year-old.

Lindbergh took off from Roosevelt Field in Long Island, New York, on May 20, 1927. Flying a custom-built monoplane named the Spirit of St. Louis, he crossed the Atlantic Ocean. Lindbergh landed the next day at Le Bourguet Field near Paris after 33.5 hours in the air. During his historic trip, he had traveled more than 3,600 miles. Upon his arrival, more than 100,000 people who came to see groundbreaking history in the making welcomed the pioneering aviator. This achievement didn’t just make him famous; it transformed aviation. People couldn't believe that a single man could navigate such a vast expanse of ocean alone. It sounds like a scene from a movie, but it was real and was as riveting as it gets!

After his historic flight, Lindbergh didn't just sit back and enjoy his fame. He undertook various missions, including promoting aviation safety. But his life wasn’t always smooth sailing. On March 1, 1932, his 20-month-old baby son was kidnapped from the Lindberghs’ Hopewell, New Jersey, home and held for ransom, capturing the nation’s attention. The aftermath of the kidnapping not only led to the tragic death of the child but also changed Lindbergh's life forever. This sad chapter made headlines around the world, forcing him into the public eye in ways he never anticipated.

The Lindberghs eventually paid the $50,000 ransom, but their son’s dead body was sadly found in the nearby woods weeks later. The New Jersey State Police, using old-fashioned investigative prowess and know-how, traced the ransom money to Bruno Hauptmann, a carpenter with a criminal record, and arrested him for the crime. To compound Lindbergh’s grief, the ensuing trial—referred to as the “Trial of the Century”—of his son’s accused killer became a media obsession. Hauptmann was successfully convicted and later executed in 1936.

Unfinished Business
In New Jersey, Joanne Chesimard is notorious for her role in the cold-blooded execution-style killing of New Jersey State Trooper Werner Foerster, Badge #2608, and seriously wounding New Jersey State Trooper James Harper, Badge #2108.

May 2, 1973, Chesimard, Clark Squire and Zayd Shakur were pulled over on the New Jersey Turnpike by Troopers Foerster and Harper for a motor vehicle violation. Chesimard and both men in the car were armed with semi-automatic handguns, and possessed fictitious identification. During the motor vehicle stop, Chesimard initiated a gun battle, wounding Trooper Harper. In the shootout that followed, Chesimard’s weapon was used to shoot Trooper Foerster in the abdomen and then, as he lay incapacitated on the ground, Trooper Foerster’s own weapon was used against him and he was brutally executed.

Chesimard at the time was a member of the revolutionary group, the Black Panther Party. She later aligned herself with another violent group called the Black Liberation Party.

Chesimard was convicted in 1977 of first-degree murder and a number of other charges stemming from this horrific incident and sentenced to life in prison. Chesimard, aided and abetted by several other armed Black Liberation Army members was able to escape a NJ prison in 1979 and has been a fugitive from justice ever since. It is believed that she moved to Cuba in 1984 and has, since that time, lived freely there, attending government functions and being provided with housing, food, transportation and security by the Cuban government. She was granted asylum by Cuban President Fidel Castro where she remains today.

A long history of bipartisan support exists for the need to bring this convicted murderer back to the United States so she can be made to serve the prison time she was sentenced to more than thirty-seven years ago. As a side note, New Jersey abolished the death penalty on December 17, 2007, replacing it with life in prison without parole. 

A few important points to consider:

·         In 1998, the US. House of Representatives passed Concurrent Resolution 254 by a vote of 371-0 requesting that the Cuban government return Chesimard to the United States;

·         In 1998, the US. Senate passed Concurrent Resolution 254 by unanimous consent requesting that the Cuban government return Chesimard to the United States;

·         In 2005, the Department of Justice approved an increase in the reward for Chesimard’s capture to $1 million; and

·         In 2013, the Federal Bureau of Investigation placed Chesimard on its Most Wanted Terrorist List, designated her as a ” domestic terrorist” and increased the reward for her capture to $2 million.

In a letter to the Attorney General of the United States, Christopher J. Burgos, President of the
New Jersey State Troopers Fraternal Association, wrote “Cuba’s provision of safe harbor to Chesimard by providing political asylum to a convicted cop killer, and her ability to elude justice, is an affront to every resident of our state, our country, and in particular, the men and women of the New Jersey State Police, who have tirelessly tried to bring this killer back to justice.” 

Challenges Ahead: What Lies in the Future?
Despite continued progress, other challenges remain. Issues like drug addiction, human trafficking, and social unrest test the resolve of the NJSP. But with every challenge comes an opportunity for growth. The NJSP is continually adapting, learning new strategies to tackle these problems head-on. It’s like navigating a river; sometimes, the current is strong, but with the right skills, the NJSP can steer through the rapids.

A legacy of service continues as the New Jersey State Police has transformed from its humble beginnings to a force equipped to handle modern-day challenges living up to its motto of Honor, Duty, Fidelity. The journey shows us that while the past shapes the present, it’s the commitment to service, community, and adaptation that will define the future. In a world that’s constantly changing with new and often unanticipated challenges, the NJSP stands ready, proving that they’re not just a badge and a car—they’re a vital part of New Jersey’s community fabric.

Joel E. Gordon, Managing Editor of BLUE Magazine, is a former Field Training Officer with the Baltimore City Police Department and is a past Chief of Police for the city of Kingwood, West Virginia. He has also served as vice-chair of a multi-jurisdictional regional narcotics task force. An award winning journalist, he is author of the book Still Seeking Justice: One Officer's Story and founded the Facebook group Police Authors Seeking Justice. Look him up at stillseekingjustice.com

Managing Editor’s Message

Managing Editor’s Message
By Joel E. Gordon, Managing Editor

When you think of New Jersey, what comes to mind? Maybe it’s the bustling boardwalks, the vibrant cities, or the lush pine forests. But lurking behind the scenes is a dedicated group— the New Jersey State Police (NJSP). They’re the unsung heroes keeping streets safe and communities secure.

This special issue of BLUE Magazine is dedicated to the vital role of the NJSP in quality of life for all of New Jersey and beyond.

Founded in 1921, the New Jersey State Police was created to address the need for law enforcement on the state's highways. Picture this: the roaring 20s, when automobiles became more popular, and with them, an increase in crime. The state recognized the need for a specialized force to tackle these challenges. Fast forward to today, and the NJSP has evolved into a modern, highly trained police organization serving diverse needs across New Jersey.

The impact of the New Jersey State Police is immense. They don’t just enforce laws; they shape communities. By tackling issues like drug abuse, domestic violence, and human trafficking, they’re fighting for the welfare of every citizen in New Jersey. Think of them as both protectors and advocates, working tirelessly to ensure a safer tomorrow.

As always, BLUE Magazine and Moment of Silence are here for you. Reach out to us…

Joel E. Gordon, Managing Editor

Guest Editor's Message

Guest Editor's Message
By Rick Vanderclock, Guest Editor

In this special edition of Blue Magazine, we are honored to spotlight the New Jersey State Police, an institution renowned for its unwavering dedication to public safety and its rich history of service. The NJSP has evolved over the years, adapting to the changing needs of society while maintaining its core values of honor, duty, and fidelity. 

We were fortunate to have exceptional access to the New Jersey State Police, thanks to Colonel Patrick Callahan. We were treated with open arms and met so many dedicated troopers. We had the honor of visiting several of the NJSP's specialized units and locations, each playing a crucial role in maintaining public safety.

This opportunity was especially meaningful to me, as my late father, retired trooper DSFC. Richard Vanderclock was the driving force behind my commitment to this work. As we reflect on the history and achievements of the New Jersey State Police, we are reminded of the profound legacy built by its troopers. Their sacrifices and dedication continue to inspire future generations, ensuring that the NJSP remains a pillar of strength and integrity.

We at the Blue Magazine want to wish continued success and safety to all the Troopers and the New Jersey State Police.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: NJ STATE POLICE SUPERINTENDENT PATRICK J. CALLAHAN

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: NJ STATE POLICE SUPERINTENDENT PATRICK J. CALLAHAN
By Daniel Del Valle and Rick Vanderclock

In April 1995, Colonel Callahan enlisted in the State Police as a member of the 115th Class.  He served as Recovery Bureau Chief in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy and worked with state and federal partners to develop and implement long-term recovery effort strategies.  Colonel Callahan also served as the Commanding Officer of the Emergency Management Section and Assistant State Director of the Office of Emergency Management.  He was the chairman of the Command and Control Subcommittee of the Emergency Management Section when New Jersey hosted Super Bowl XLVIII, working to develop and implement all operations undertaken by the Public Safety Compound.

Colonel Callahan then served as the Deputy Superintendent of Operations, supervising and directing the operational activities of the 1,800 enlisted members assigned to Field Operations as well as the operational duties and responsibilities of the Traffic and Public Safety Office, Victims Services Unit, Fatal Accident Investigation Unit, Highway Traffic Safety Unit, and the Criminal Investigations Offices within Field Operations.

On October 31, 2017, Colonel Patrick J. Callahan was sworn in by Gov. Chris Christie as the 14th Colonel of the New Jersey State Police.

Colonel Callahan earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Villanova University and a Master of Administrative Science from Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Colonel Callahan is the son of retired State Police Major Mick Callahan, who served as Division Staff Section Commanding Officer under Colonel Clinton Pagano, the 9th Superintendent of the State Police. 

Colonel Callahan resides in Warren County with his wife Linda, two sons and two daughters.

Rick Vanderclock of the Blue Magazine was honored to have the opportunity for an exclusive interview with the colonel.

THE BLUE MAGAZINE: Colonel, could you tell us about what led you to become a state trooper? I know your father was a trooper. Can you tell me a little bit about that?

Patrick J. Callahan: I had never wanted to do anything else since I could talk and walk. I think that's because I was around my father, I was around troopers my whole life. He was a trooper for 29 years and retired as a major. Going to graduations and events and troop B picnics, helping him shine his leather for inspections or, sadly, sometimes before trooper funerals. That smell of Kiwi and Brass always takes me back to the kitchen table.  I have a great one I gave him for Christmas one year was a picture of him in uniform and me in uniform and the simple phrase underneath that said, my father didn't tell me how to live, He lived and let me watch him do it. And that's the truth to this day, that he took so much pride in this organization, wanting to be part of something bigger and better than himself. That was just contagious. My grandfather was a Linden police officer for 32 years, so I saw that in him, as a young boy, too. And I saw this incredible desire to simply give and to put others before yourself, which is really what this, this profession is about. My dad’s role was that was an easy one for me. To be blessed enough to come through that gate at Seagirt and have my father hand me my badge, you know, almost 30 years ago, and then to be in this spot is just a surreal and humbling experience to be the 14th colonel of the state police.

THE BLUE MAGAZINE: Is the agency exactly where you would have liked it to be when you took charge seven years ago? I know you've implemented mental health. You have a mental health unit, what do you call it exactly?

photo credit: njsp

Patrick J. Callahan: Peer advocacy, peer advocate.

THE BLUE MAGAZINE: I know that you were instrumental in starting that. Can you tell me about that?

Patrick J. Callahan: I think the division as a whole is in a good place again. We need law enforcement as a whole to continue to evolve as technology and artificial intelligence evolve. We started with horses and Harley-Davidsons 103 years ago although technology helps us, it's still the women and men of the agency that are our greatest asset from a mental health perspective.

THE BLUE MAGAZINE: I want to talk to you about the migrant crisis at the border wall. These migrants are being shipped across the entire country and New Jersey is no different. How do the state police prepare potentially for a terror attack, maybe pre 9-11? The news is saying that right now is a heightened threat level and things are not looking good. My question is, are the state police prepared for any type of terrorist attack?

Patrick J. Callahan: That knocking on wood. And I'll separate the migrant crisis from a terrorist attack. I went down to Arizona in November to meet with the sheriff of Cochise County and their efforts to try and protect the border from a human trafficking standpoint, as well as from the influx of fentanyl from the Mexican cartel. It is a huge undertaking that they've taken on down there. We went down there to kind of create that link and that bond, knowing that things that happen on the border of California, Texas, and Arizona do impact us here. I know that the mayor of New York City at the end of December put in his executive order to kind of limit and try and control when buses arrived. That would have an impact here in New Jersey. And it has had a minimal one. What we're doing to circumvent that, what has happened is those migrants have been bused to train stations in New Jersey and then get on trains to New York City. Our primary function right now is to let New York City know that they're becoming more common. We haven't had really a lot in the last few months, a total of 78 buses have arrived at New Jersey transit train centers.

Over 90% of them have boarded trains. The other ones have been picked up by family or friends, whether they have stayed in New Jersey or not. We don't know. We are seeing a little bit of an impact on food pantries and churches, enrollment in schools, but not really. It's been a very minimal impact as far as the influx. But from a planning standpoint, we do have to be prepared. We have to be prepared. If five of those buses decide we're not going to New York City, we're going to drop them. You pick a place on a rest area on the turnpike, and for over the past 18 months, we've had a migrant arrival working group planning to identify reception centers. How do we process these migrants? What are their immediate needs? What are the wraparound services, and how do we look and plan in order to get them situated? Not really an impact in New Jersey so far, but we're planning for that. And from a terrorist standpoint our troopers are embedded in the Joint Terrorism Task Force with the FBI. We have troopers in New York City, in the Lower Manhattan Security Initiative. We have troopers embedded in Philadelphia's Joint Terrorism Task Force, because here we are stuck between two major cities.

COL. CALLAHAN WITH HIS FATHER RET. MAJOR F.M "MICK" CALLAHAN 
PHOTO CREDIT: COL. CALLAHAN

The most densely populated state in the nation is New Jersey. So that is a daily seven-day-a-week effort to make sure that we are not only communicating but what measures are we taking? I think our homegrown violent extremists are probably our greatest concern, those lone wolves that people will call them because they're not in a network. Sometimes networks are easy to identify. This is a disgruntled person may be inspired online for whatever purpose. That's the deal with the Internet now you don't have to go out to a meeting. That meeting comes right to you and like-minded, hateful people connect. That's why we have to be very mindful of what's happening on social media, and what's happening online. The last thing I want to see happen is a tragedy occur, and then somebody goes, oh, we saw that coming because he posted this last month, or he was known for this, or he was identified a few years ago. And I think that's where we need to make sure that we're on top of our game to make sure that we keep everybody safe.

THE BLUE MAGAZINE: It must have been extremely challenging for you to be the colonel during COVID-19. I don't know what that must have been every single day. You used to have meetings with the governor.  You guys gave a TV interview daily briefing every day. Did you find that extremely hard, or was it? How did you get through those days?

Patrick J. Callahan: I was set up here because I couldn't go home as I was trying to protect my family. Of course, I didn't go home that much anyway, but it was a block that was never in the state police academy. There was no playbook. The last Spanish flu was in 1918. The state police was started in 1921. What I've said since and then reflecting upon it, was that it was exhausting and energizing at the same time because I watched, beyond the state police. I mean, we were, an emergency management embedded here. It was phenomenal to watch when the challenge came up, what we did, and that was hospital bed capacity expansion to work with the Army Corps of Engineers and to go out and identify mothballed hospitals and say, we need to turn this into a hospital and to watch that in short order. 2000 hospital beds were created almost overnight, field medical stations popping up to care for people and mortuary affairs. We had decedents and corpses. We didn’t know what to do with the hospitals and funeral homes. They couldn’t handle it. Ordering body bags, ordering refrigerated trailers to hold. Each one of them held 82 corpses.

To watch? Yeah. Renting a warehouse in central Jersey at 10,000 square feet. Refrigerated warehouse. Nobody wanted decedents who had had COVID right around food and what was kept refrigerated. But we found a nursery that facilitated winter from bulbs from Holland. So, these bulbs, you know, tulips and daffodils, we said, rather than, you know, keep bulbs in there. Can we keep corpses in there? And we partnered with this nursery that was a bizarre thing to go see. Working with the National Guard and troopers, building shelves, and having people because we wanted to and needed to care for them because they had passed away and we needed to treat them with respect, uh, our missing persons, if we didn't know the identification of that person, our missing persons would fingerprint them and try to assist us. Some nuances testing vaccine sites. Some things just kept coming and coming. During that time, we also had 17,000 Afghanistan refugees come during a pandemic. That same week they came, we got hit with Ida, a tornado in the south, flooding that killed 30 people in the north.

THE BLUE MAGAZINE: That's not easy to manage all that at once.

Patrick J. Callahan: Because we had troopers that were again, not leading it, but helping coordinate the planning, the logistics, the operations, understand that our decisions were life-saving decisions and that we were trying to literally build that airplane in flight while it was on fire.

THE BLUE MAGAZINE: Crazy, history is going to look back and say, you did a great job, Colonel, because that was a very trying time for this whole country.

Patrick J. Callahan: I was proud of them. I was proud of all of us across all the departments. The Commissioner of Health, Judy Persichilli, even now is one of my closest colleagues. My first call to her was when we had a pastor coming into Newark airport that we think had this thing called COVID. I called her, and I think we both hung up. She hung up thinking, what the hell does Pat know about public health? And I hung up, going, what does she know about emergency management? Then we soon came to know a lot about both.

THE BLUE MAGAZINE: Would you give me an example on how you rely on faith on a daily basis? Could you explain some of that?

Patrick J. Callahan: Good question. I'll start with how it's evolved over time. My faith, especially in the workplace. I think back to during COVID. March 13th, 2020, I was asked by a reverend to come on a prayer call. That call goes every single day of the week, seven days a week, at 8:00 in the morning, Christmas, Father's Day, Wednesday and August. I have been on that call every single day since March 13th of 2020. I am the only law enforcement officer on the call. I am the only Caucasian on the call. It has opened lines of communication. We call it the Interfaith Action movement; I consider those people my brothers and sisters. Um, but it has guided me in my faith through some pretty hard times through family struggles, through health issues. Uh, I think of George Floyd. I had been on that call for three months when he was murdered. And I think, what if I had tried to get on the day after he was murdered and tried to explain law enforcement's perspective.

That's my faith, because I know sitting here today, that each spring that those trees out front are going to bud, that those clouds will part and the sun is there, and that daffodils will pop out of that ground and surround a wall of honor. That's what makes me put my feet on the floor and put one step in front of the other in what is the noblest profession on the face of the earth.