Editor's Note: Many of the technologies reviewed in these articles are cross-over technologies from the military to law enforcement, or law enforcement to the military.
NLECTC Law Enforcement & Corrections Technology News Summary
Thursday, August 16, 2007
"Iris Scan Boosts Jail Security"
Fort Collins Coloradoan (08/10/07) P. 3A; Reed, Sara
The Larimer County, Colo., Detection Center is now utilizing iris scanning to increase prison security and improve efficiency. Employing a handheld scanner, deputies at the facility scan the irises of everybody who is booked into the prison on top of fingerprint and photographing them. "One of the strong reasons we bought into the system is that someone might pose as someone else at release," explained Lt. Pat McCosh. He recalled how a prisoner was set for release but a different prisoner who had a similar name was set free instead. The scanner captures a black-and-white photo of the individual's eye, digitizes it, and stores it for later comparison. Irises do not change over time, are as individual as fingerprints, and the scan is not impacted by glasses or contacts. Money paid by people booked into the prison financed the $88,000 system, McCosh stressed. He added that the scans are not connected to any personal data besides a name and a file number. http://www.coloradoan.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070810/NEWS01/708100342/1002
"Crime-Tipping Technology Updated"
Contra Costa Times (CA) (08/08/07); Gokhman, Roman
When a passer-by saw a man attempting to kidnap his girlfriend, he used his cell phone to videotape the crime in action and shot an image of the vehicle's license plate number. Law enforcement have noticed the accessibility of the public to assist police with such witness-supplied evidence, so some agencies have created ways for the public to submit and post footage on the Web to assist with arresting criminals. Yet some say the initiative is a matter of credibility, as in the case of individuals holding grudges and falsifying information. The Pismo Beach Police Department has launched the "E-Tip" program, where the public can email video footage to an address monitored by emergency dispatchers. Police Chief Joe Cortex says the department wanted "to get more timely crime-tip info" so the initiative was instated. He added that at first there was apprehension about receiving prank tips, but he noted such instances have not been an issue. Knox County sheriff's communications specialist Drew Reeves says the program has been successful at his department, and although the evidence does not supplant the work of officers, it is an effective tool for assisting with crime solving. http://www.contracostatimes.com/alamedacounty/ci_6571801
"Jones Studies Cameras in Use at Virginia Beach"
Charleston Daily Mail (WV) (08/09/07) P. 4C; Pettit, Zack
Charleston, W.Va. Mayor Danny Jones and other city leaders recently traveled to Virginia Beach to see how that city has benefited from the use of surveillance cameras. According to Charlie Meyer, the chief operating officer for Virginia Beach, there is not as much hard facts and figures as there is anecdotal evidence that surveillance cameras deter crime. He that he could not say that any one factor affected crime rates in Virginia Beach. Nonetheless, Meyer said he is a big supporter of using surveillance cameras because they can monitor more effectively than an officer on patrol and because they can gather evidence. Virginia Beach's emphasis on improving street lighting also seems to have helped deter crime and has prevented the cameras from being ineffective, Meyer said. Jones noted that Charleston needed to improve lighting as well. He added that Charleston's camera initiative would not likely get underway until next year, after officials obtain and learn to use the ca! meras and resolve public concerns about invasion of privacy. http://www.dailymail.com/story/News/2007080968/Mayor-and-police-chief-have-eye-opening-trip-to-check-out-surveillance-cameras/
"Grant Will Aid Care of Copters"
Sacramento Bee (CA) (08/09/07) P. G1; Sanchez, Edgar
The Department of Justice has granted $475,880 to the Sacramento City Council to improve the city's two police helicopters. Aire One and Aire Two will receive night-vision goggles, infrared cameras, and a thermal-imaging camera that will assist law enforcement in spotting individuals from the craft during the night. Sgt. Mike Hutchins says that the new model infrared camera will be especially beneficial because it has a low-light color capability that makes seeing suspects considerably easier at night. The camera will take high-definition photographs of an individual that exhibits the color of the clothing the suspect is wearing; pilots can then relay the information to officers on the ground. Additionally, the cameras' infrared features will thwart attempts from suspects to resort to hiding places such as the bushes or garbage cans, because the camera's technology will capture a glow around the suspect. Lt. Sylvia Moir said the cameras will also be able to assist in searching for missing persons, while the technology can be used by weather specialists in the winter to detect trouble spots in the case of flooding. The federal funding will also pay for replacement main rotor blades for Air One and a reconstructed engine for Air Two. http://www.sacbee.com/city/story/312943.html
"Courthouse Security Upgrades Near Completion"
Kokomo Tribune (IN) (08/08/07); de la Bastide, Ken
Howard County, Ind., authorities have scheduled a tentative date of Aug. 20 to install increased security measures at the courthouse. County authorities had earlier hoped the improved security initiatives would be enacted by April 20, 2007. The county got $30,000 from the state Department of Homeland Security to buy equipment and has spent another $110,000 for additional security improvements and a pair of security officers. Although courthouse staff will have access to the facility's west door, other county workers and public members will be mandated to come in through the east door. Extra cameras costing $44,000 were ordered for the building after a recent failed break-in. Any individual breaching Howard County's security regulations, which include a weapons ban, could be fined as much as $2,500. Law enforcement officers who are off-duty will be mandated to keep their weapons in the security office. A frequent-visitor pass will be given to attorneys and other individuals who have regular courthouse business. http://www.kokomotribune.com/local/local_story_220220537.html
"Houston OKs High-Tech Tracking of Probationers"
Macon Telegraph (GA) (08/08/07); Crenshaw, Wayne
On Aug. 7, the Houston County Board of Commissioners voted to use new technology to monitor people on court probation. The board voted to alter the agreement with Sentinel, its probation firm, to permit for tracking of certain probationers utilizing GPS technology and alcohol-tracking bracelets. Sentinel had formerly been contracted to follow as many as 50 probationers with electronic ankle brackets and phone checks. Every day, data from the bracelets is downloaded over the phone, and it would inform probation officers whether an individual had violated probation. County administrator Steve Engle explained that the advantage of using GPS technology is that it would permit officers to monitor the location of a probationer at any time. He added that the sheriff's department asked for the new service mostly to monitor child molesters. The alcohol-tracking gadgets would be employed for DUI violators and other people mandated by the court to not drink alcohol. The devices, attached to the wrist, detect alcohol consumption through sweat, and would instantly inform the individual's probation officer if alcohol is discovered. http://www.macon.com/197/v-print/story/107254.html
"Homeland Security Tests Strobe-like 'Puke-Ray' to Safely Subdue Suspects"
USA Today (08/08/07) P. 1A; Hall, Mimi; Moreno, Eric
The Department of Homeland Security has invested $1 million for testing of the LED (light-emitting diode) Incapacitator that would blind any individual staring into the beam of light. The tool could be used to abet authorities in their capture of a criminal or to handle belligerent airline passengers. The light will be tested at Pennsylvania State University's Institute of Non-Lethal Defense Technologies this fall, and if the technology receives the green light, the incapacitator could be in the hands of law enforcement by 2010. Program manager Gerald Kirwin says the device would also be used by air marshals, border patrol agents, and other Transportation Security Administration officials. Intelligent Optical, the company that is developing the beam, says the effect of the LED induces "a real disorientation [ranging] from vertigo to nausea" or as the online publication The Registrar deems it, the "puke-ray." Although Intelligent Optical President Bob Lieberman says the device is undergoing medically supervised tests, human rights groups say they are concerned the LED would be used on illegal immigrants. Other issues include the potential for the lights being sold on the black market if they get into the hand of criminals, or whether law enforcement would have to wear protective gear to prevent the devices from being used against them. http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/news/20070808/1a_bottomstrip08.art.htm
"Police Arrest Intruders Near Fallen Bridge, Boost Security"
CNN.com (08/09/07)
The Minnesota Department of Transportation is taking over the responsibility of providing security at the site of the collapsed Interstate 35W bridge in Minneapolis, which authorities consider a death-scene investigation site. Security is being increased after Minneapolis police announced that they arrested 16 people for trespassing at the site and interfering with the investigation. Stressing the need to "maintain the honor and the dignity" of the site where five people died and eight people are still missing, Minneapolis police announced that they are deploying security technology at the site, including surveillance cameras and motion detectors. The technology will notify police if intruders are detected. http://edition.cnn.com/2007/US/08/08/bridge.collapse/index.html
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"City Council Proposes Split of 911 Center"
Dallas Morning News (08/09/07); Eiserer, Tanya
The Dallas City Council last week received a proposal from City Manager Mary Suhm that aims to overhaul the city's troubled call center. The call center has been beset with a number of problems recently, including incomplete and sometimes incorrect information being passed from call-takers to police and understaffed overworked operators struggling to keep up with the large volume of calls. Police have also been dispatched to nonpolice matters, such as a fallen tree in a roadway. Under Suhm's plan, the emergency 911 operation and the nonemergency operations--such as 311 service calls--will be split into two next fiscal year. Suhm's plan also provides money for four new supervisors for 311 and six new 911 operators. But according to Dallas Police Chief David Kunkle, the problems at the call center cannot be corrected until 911 operations are moved from the Fire Department's control to the Police Department's control--something Suhm's plan does not call for. However, Suhm said the city is probably going to move 911 operations back to the police department after the center has been split between 911 and 311, and after a new dispatch system gets off the ground this month. http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews
/stories/080907dnmet911.36262a3.html
"New Crime Lab Planned for Triad"
High Point Enterprise (08/11/07); Kimbrough, Pat
Earlier in August, North Carolina legislators sanctioned money to help form the Piedmont Triad Regional Crime Laboratory. The $567,911 will be employed to lease space and hire new employees for a State Bureau of Investigation lab that will facilitate forensic crime-scene evidence study for law enforcement groups in the area. The new lab would mean investigators would not have to depend as much on state labs in Raleigh and Western North Carolina, where it can take weeks or months to analyze evidence. Triad sheriffs have tentatively consented to offer federal forfeiture money from their various agencies to the lab to assist with start-up and operating expenses. Though a location has not been selected, Guilford County Sheriff B.J. Barnes reported that Greensboro is a likely setting and that the tentative scheduled opening date is April 2008. The new lab will offer drug chemistry and toxicology study, latent evidence analysis, and computer forensics, although it will not provide DNA study. Barnes noted that although local police agencies were contacted about the new facility, it will mostly be a function of area sheriff's offices. http://www.hpe.com/
"Dispatchers Face Challenges in Tracking Emergency Calls"
Houston Chronicle (08/09/07) P. 9; Stauffer, Kimberly
Emergency dispatch workers in Montgomery County, Texas, are working to alter the way they accept and deal with emergency calls. Nearly 60 percent of 911 calls are made from cell phones, which means they are often dropped or contain static, and if callers cannot provide dispatchers with an address and other data, finding them can be difficult. A deal between cell-phone companies and the FCC mandates wireless carriers to provide location data and technology. Montgomery County Sheriff's Department executive director Bob Gunter notes that with the carriers' aid, emergency dispatchers can find a person around 80 percent of the time. He notes, however, that a large part of the technology's bill is footed by law enforcement. Within the next few years, the sheriff's department will start installing new technology permitting the public to call emergency services from any location. Gunter states that the National Emergency Number Association is working will all cell-phone providers in the creation of next-generation technology--namely, IP-based Internet-style technology. For example, he says, if somebody sees a shooting and employs a cell phone or camera to take a picture of the event, he or she can upload and send it to dispatch and call 911. http://www.chron.com/
"Officials Laud Unmanned Weapons, See Challenges"
ABC News (08/07/07); Shalal-Esa, Andrea
Speaking during AUVSI's Unmanned Systems North America 2007 conference in Washington, D.C., Lt. Gen. Donald Hoffman said the U.S. military sees increasing value in the use of unmanned planes, boats, and ground vehicles. "I see this as an explosive arena," Hoffman said, noting that unmanned, high-altitude surveillance planes like the Global Hawk have a number of advantages over their human-operated counterparts. Not only can unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) stay in the air for up to 24 hours, they also have potential applications in the area of "near space," which is unreachable by manned planes. Other UAVs include the Reaper, a faster, deadlier version of the Predator that is capable of flying twice as high. UAVs are not without their drawbacks; however, plans are already in the works to overcome concerns about their fueling and the bandwidth needed to operate the UAVs. The Navy plans to further develop its use of unmanned aircraft with a $2 billion contract this fall for maritime surveillance. In addition, the Navy has outfitted the Littoral Combat Ship with the equipment necessary to control unmanned boats. http://www.abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=3456951
"Taser Gets Personal"
East Valley Tribune (AZ) (08/07/07); Hogan, Shanna
The latest Taser model is more stylish and less expensive than prior models. The Taser C2 Personal Protector is lightweight and comes in an array of new colors and sizes, including metallic pink, titanium silver, electric blue and black pearl. Like older models, the C2 delivers 50,000 volts of electricity, leaving an attacker incapacitated for up to 30 seconds. But Taser representatives hope the new colors and compact size of the C2 will attract a wider range of consumers, including women. "For the last seven years, we've been making law enforcement our No. 1 priority," says Taser International Chairman Tom Smith. "Everything we did looked like a firearm, felt like a firearm, it was very aggressive. People didn't want that 'Dirty Harry' look." Still, Smith adds that "some law enforcement officials" have misgivings about increasing the accessibility of Tasers to civilians. http://www.eastvalleytribun! e.com/
"Teens Help Clovis Police Get a New Set of Robot Eyes"
Fresno Bee (CA) (08/07/07) P. B1; Benjamin, Marc
The Clovis Police Department recruited a couple of high school students to build a remote-controlled surveillance device. The device features a camera to allow SWAT to see inside their target with a closed-circuit camera. "It can be the eyes in there first and then the commanders and chiefs can make a tactical decision without risking a body," explains officer Dave Grotto, who recruited his 18-year-old nephew and his friend to build the remote-controlled device. The robot the teens built runs on tank treads and is outfitted with a camera on a scissor lift that can turn 360 degrees. Scenes captured by the camera are relayed to a five-inch television monitor affixed to the remote control. The camera can operate for two hours before needing to be recharged. http://www.fresnobee.com/263/story/105826.html
"Digital Age Gives Police an Edge in Identifying Victims"
Beaumont Enterprise (08/06/07); Myers, Ryan
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children's Child Victim Identification Program, which was begun five years ago, employs facial recognition to compare digital pictures in what could be the biggest collection of child pornography in the world. Local, state, and law enforcement groups, as well as law enforcement agencies from other countries, have donated images to the program. Since 2002, 8.6 million image files have been downloaded, helping locate 1,100 child victims. The program's most important function is locating children whose images are given for the first time. If a child has not been witnessed previously in the program, he or she could be a present abuse visit. Law enforcement is devising new ways to investigate individuals found with child pornography. The most significant change in recent years has been cooperation between various law enforcement organizations via the Child Victim Identification Program, claims program manager Jennifer Lee. http://www.southeasttexaslive.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18667104&BRD=2287&PAG=461&dept_id=512588&rfi=6
"Upkeep of Security Devices a Burden"
Washington Post (08/13/07) P. A1; Sheridan, Mary Beth
Emergency preparedness officials across the country say they are facing mounting costs related to the upkeep and maintenance of security equipment they purchased via homeland security grants since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Local officials believe they will be forced to spend a significant percentage of any future homeland grants on maintaining the equipment they have now, instead of purchasing new equipment. In many cash-strapped jurisdictions, expensive equipment is gathering dust because the equipment costs too much to maintain. For example, the FBI used a $25 million grant in 2003 to equip about 400 state and local bomb squads with a $12,000 high-tech bomb kit. The wireless laptop-based bomb kits allow U.S. bomb squads to communicate and share data about weapons of mass destruction and other explosives, and the kits even come with digital cameras that allow bomb squad members to take photos of suspicious devices, send the photos to the FBI, and get immediate advice. The initial $25 million grant included a prepaid wireless card and three-year service agreement, but once the prepaid subscriptions ran out, the local squads were forced to foot the bill. As a result, many bomb squads across the country have stopped using the devices. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/12/AR2007081201244.html?hpid=topnews
"Robotic Insect Takes Off for the First Time"
Technology Review (07/19/07); Ross, Rachel
Harvard University researchers have created a life-size robotic fly that could one day be used as spies or to detect harmful chemicals. The robotic fly weighs only 60 grams, has a wingspan of three centimeters, and has its movements modeled after those of a real fly. The U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is funding the research on the robotic fly, which still has a significant amount of work left to be done, in the hope that it will lead to stealth surveillance robots. Recreating a fly's efficient movements in a robot about the same size was difficult because existing manufacturing processes do not make the sturdy, lightweight parts necessary. The research team developed its own fabrication process, using laser micro-machining to cut thin sheet of carbon fiber and polymers into two-dimensional patters. After more than seven years of working and improving parts, the robotic fly finally flew this spring. The robot still needs significant work, as it is currently held on a tether that keeps it moving in a straight, upward direction. The researchers are working on a flight controller so the robot can fly as instructed. The fly is also currently connected to a external power source, so an onboard power source needs to be developed. Leader of the robotic fly project Robert Wood said a scaled-down lithium-polymer batter would provide less than five minutes of flight time. Tiny sensors and software routines need to be developed and integrated as well so the fly can detect dangerous conditions and be able to avoid flying into obstacles. http://www.technologyreview.com/Infotech/19068/
"Ground Vehicles a Larger Presence at Unmanned Vehicle Exhibition"
Defense News (08/06/07); Osborn, Kris
There were more unmanned ground systems at this year's Unmanned Systems North America exhibition show--which was held by the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International at Patuxent River Naval Air Station in Maryland--than in years past, according to exhibitors and military officials. "In previous years, there were few unmanned ground vehicles at this show," said iRobot co-founder Helen Greiner. "This year, about one-third are ground." One of those robots was the 9-foot, 3,500-pound Mobile Detection Assessment Response System (MDARS), a security-guard robot from General Dynamics Robotics Systems (GDRS) that is capable of walking a beat without human control, avoiding both fixed and moving obstacles and detecting intruders up to 300 meters away. According to a Defense Department official with the Physical Security Action Group, MDARS would be the Army's first land-based semi-autonomous robot. GDRS is currently negotiating a $70 million deal t! o provide the Army with 24 to 30 robots, said Brian Frederick, manger of the MDARS program at GDRS. http://defensenews.com/story.php?F=2951265&C=america
Showing posts with label police department. Show all posts
Showing posts with label police department. Show all posts
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Friday, February 16, 2007
Angels, Blue Warriors and the Media
Editors Note: Two of the writers are former military.
Police-Writers.com, a website dedicated to listing state and local police officers who have authored books, added three state and local police officers as well as one federal law enforcement official to the growing list.
Paul Stuligross has been in law enforcement for over 19 years. Currently, a police officer with the Novi Police Department in Michigan, his book, Birth of an Angel (published under the pen name Paul Stuart), “chronicles the life of a cop who has lost his faith and to whom God has decided to assign an angel. The story is told from two perspectives: the perspective of the cop and his friends, and the perspective of the angel. Thus, many of the horrific things the officer sees and cannot understand are at seen differently when the angel experiences the same things.”
O.J. Moravek joined the Newark Police Department 1970 after emerging from the Vietnam era military with an honorable discharge at the rank of corporal. As of 1995, he worked at the Newark Police Department Headquarters reviewing and assigning the detective work and assisting victims of crime. About his book, The Blue Warrior, he stated, "I have been fortunate in having a cat's nine lives. Still, in facing down those situations, I now feel I have something to offer in the way of real life experience to my fellow officers, and the public in general." He donated a portion of the royalties from his book to the Newark Police Department for the continued development of better protective clothing and material for police officers.
Gary Nitchman, MPA, retired as a sergeant from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department where he served as a Public Information Officer. Upon his retirement, he entered the field of law enforcement education and served as an Associate Professor with Rio Hondo College in Whittier, California for ten years and as chairperson of the Administration of Justice Department at the University of Hawaii, Honolulu Community College for six years. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Service Management from the University of Redlands and a Master of Pubic Administration degree from the University of Southern California.
His book, Media Survival Guide, helps the reader explore, “from press releases to live on-scene interviews.” Additionally, his book assists police officers in “confidently and successfully handle encounters with the media and understand the importance of fostering a cooperative rather than adversarial relationship. In an era where a high profile case can put any agency under the media's spotlight, this book is a "must read" for all law enforcement officers.
Paul E. Doyle served as a Special Agent in the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Doyle was a member of the US Army 10th Special Forces Airborne detachment and 2nd Infantry division. A former NEAAU Diamond Belt Heavyweight boxing champion, Doyle has boxed both nationally and abroad. Doyle is a Certified Critical Incident and Crisis Intervention Peer Counselor and a member of a Critical Incident Response Team. Doyle is Chairman of the New England Chapter of the Association of Former Federal Narcotics Agents. He lives in the Boston area with his wife and family.
In Doyle’s Book, Hot Shots and Heavy Hits: Tales of an Undercover Drug Agent, he “bluntly chronicles the riveting, true stories from his years on the inside. Known on the street by his alias, "Paulie Sullivan", he recalls his rookie days, trying to infiltrate the criminal drug world under the tutelage of his veteran partner, through his coming of age as an experienced narc, sharing his keen observations on ruined lives, personal peril, and government red tape along the way.”
Police-Writers.com now hosts 317 police officers (representing 136 police departments) and their 738 books in six categories, there are also listings of United States federal law enforcement employees turned authors, international police officers who have written books and civilian police personnel who have written books.
Police-Writers.com, a website dedicated to listing state and local police officers who have authored books, added three state and local police officers as well as one federal law enforcement official to the growing list.
Paul Stuligross has been in law enforcement for over 19 years. Currently, a police officer with the Novi Police Department in Michigan, his book, Birth of an Angel (published under the pen name Paul Stuart), “chronicles the life of a cop who has lost his faith and to whom God has decided to assign an angel. The story is told from two perspectives: the perspective of the cop and his friends, and the perspective of the angel. Thus, many of the horrific things the officer sees and cannot understand are at seen differently when the angel experiences the same things.”
O.J. Moravek joined the Newark Police Department 1970 after emerging from the Vietnam era military with an honorable discharge at the rank of corporal. As of 1995, he worked at the Newark Police Department Headquarters reviewing and assigning the detective work and assisting victims of crime. About his book, The Blue Warrior, he stated, "I have been fortunate in having a cat's nine lives. Still, in facing down those situations, I now feel I have something to offer in the way of real life experience to my fellow officers, and the public in general." He donated a portion of the royalties from his book to the Newark Police Department for the continued development of better protective clothing and material for police officers.
Gary Nitchman, MPA, retired as a sergeant from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department where he served as a Public Information Officer. Upon his retirement, he entered the field of law enforcement education and served as an Associate Professor with Rio Hondo College in Whittier, California for ten years and as chairperson of the Administration of Justice Department at the University of Hawaii, Honolulu Community College for six years. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Service Management from the University of Redlands and a Master of Pubic Administration degree from the University of Southern California.
His book, Media Survival Guide, helps the reader explore, “from press releases to live on-scene interviews.” Additionally, his book assists police officers in “confidently and successfully handle encounters with the media and understand the importance of fostering a cooperative rather than adversarial relationship. In an era where a high profile case can put any agency under the media's spotlight, this book is a "must read" for all law enforcement officers.
Paul E. Doyle served as a Special Agent in the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Doyle was a member of the US Army 10th Special Forces Airborne detachment and 2nd Infantry division. A former NEAAU Diamond Belt Heavyweight boxing champion, Doyle has boxed both nationally and abroad. Doyle is a Certified Critical Incident and Crisis Intervention Peer Counselor and a member of a Critical Incident Response Team. Doyle is Chairman of the New England Chapter of the Association of Former Federal Narcotics Agents. He lives in the Boston area with his wife and family.
In Doyle’s Book, Hot Shots and Heavy Hits: Tales of an Undercover Drug Agent, he “bluntly chronicles the riveting, true stories from his years on the inside. Known on the street by his alias, "Paulie Sullivan", he recalls his rookie days, trying to infiltrate the criminal drug world under the tutelage of his veteran partner, through his coming of age as an experienced narc, sharing his keen observations on ruined lives, personal peril, and government red tape along the way.”
Police-Writers.com now hosts 317 police officers (representing 136 police departments) and their 738 books in six categories, there are also listings of United States federal law enforcement employees turned authors, international police officers who have written books and civilian police personnel who have written books.
Friday, February 02, 2007
Florida Guard Team to Support Super Bowl Security
By Fred W. Baker III
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 1, 2007 – Tens of thousands of football fans will flock to Florida this weekend, passionate about their pigskin picks, but a handful of Florida Guardsmen are hoping that the game is anything but exciting for them. The 44th Civil Support Team, based at the Camp Blanding Joint Training Center near Starke, Fla., has been tapped to be at the game working with the Miami-Dade Police Department bomb squad, the FBI and other local, state and federal agencies.
The joint 22-person team has the equipment and expertise to identify chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive agents or substances, and they are trained to help incident commanders on site figure out what to do in the event of such an attack or disaster.
But fans shouldn't expect to see soldiers and airmen walking around the venues in chemical suits collecting samples, said Air Force Lt. Col. Ron Tittle, Florida National Guard public affairs officer.
"For the most part, fans won't even know they are there. But they will be there ready to respond in direct support of our emergency responders," he said.
The team is equipped with state-of-the-art substance identification and detection equipment, a mobile laboratory system, and a secure digital satellite communications system designed to connect with any agency around the world. The team and its equipment are completely self-contained and can be airlifted to disaster areas if needed.
This isn't the team's first trip to a Super Bowl, Tittle said. It provided support during Super Bowl XXXIX at Jacksonville, Fla., on Feb. 6, 2005. The team also has supported international conferences and other events within Florida, Tittle said.
The team regularly trains with other agencies throughout the state, and cooperative exercises hone the team members' highly specialized skills. This also helps establish working relationships with the agencies and personnel they would support in the event of an emergency.
"That's one thing that our team has been working to do, ... to reach out and work with those other agencies so you already have a good sense of teamwork established," Tittle said. "They continue to have exercises ... to maintain those ongoing relationships. Our team is constantly attending functions in ongoing support roles throughout the state. Our team has worked with pretty much every county in Florida."
The team has responded to two real-life situations: an Anthrax scare in Boca Raton in 2001 and a joint investigation with the Coast Guard responding to suspicious cargo on a ship.
To prepare for the Super Bowl, the team has been plugged into the planning process for the past eight months and is now fully integrated into the multi-agency response plans, said Army Lt. Col. Russ Spengler, the team's commander.
He said his team welcomes the opportunity to work on an event of this scale.
"This is a great opportunity for our soldiers and airmen to work with other talented experts from various agencies. The level of cooperation is outstanding. It really makes you proud to see the efforts of so many to protect this event," Spengler said.
The 44th Civil Support Team was fielded in August 2000. The National Guard's civil support team program has 55 teams located in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam. Florida and California are the only two states with two civil support teams.
Team members acquire as much as 800 hours of initial training above their military occupational skill qualification or professional military education requirements.
Super Bowl XLI on Feb. 4 promises to bring in thousands of fans. Grammy award winner Billy Joel will sing the national anthem, and Prince will perform at halftime. Dolphin Stadium in Miami Gardens will seat 70,000 for the game, and thousands more are expected for the pre-game activities.
The Continental U.S. North American Aerospace Defense Command Region is stepping up its air patrols in the Miami-Dade area to increase security during Super Bowl XLI activities, officials said. NORAD has provided air defense support for every Super Bowl since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Spectators will see Air Force fighter jets flying over Dolphin Stadium during pre-game events and in the local area during the game.
The Super Bowl is annually the nation's highest-rated TV program. More than 141 million viewers watched the 2006 game in the United States. Super Bowl XLI will be broadcast to a potential worldwide audience of 1 billion in more than 230 countries and territories, according to the official Super Bowl Web site.
The Chicago Bears are back in the Super Bowl for first time since winning Super Bowl XX in January 1986. The Indianapolis Colts will make a Super Bowl appearance for the first time for the franchise since the Baltimore Colts won Super Bowl V in January 1971.
Article sponsored by criminal justice online leadership; and, police and military personnel who have authored books.
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 1, 2007 – Tens of thousands of football fans will flock to Florida this weekend, passionate about their pigskin picks, but a handful of Florida Guardsmen are hoping that the game is anything but exciting for them. The 44th Civil Support Team, based at the Camp Blanding Joint Training Center near Starke, Fla., has been tapped to be at the game working with the Miami-Dade Police Department bomb squad, the FBI and other local, state and federal agencies.
The joint 22-person team has the equipment and expertise to identify chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive agents or substances, and they are trained to help incident commanders on site figure out what to do in the event of such an attack or disaster.
But fans shouldn't expect to see soldiers and airmen walking around the venues in chemical suits collecting samples, said Air Force Lt. Col. Ron Tittle, Florida National Guard public affairs officer.
"For the most part, fans won't even know they are there. But they will be there ready to respond in direct support of our emergency responders," he said.
The team is equipped with state-of-the-art substance identification and detection equipment, a mobile laboratory system, and a secure digital satellite communications system designed to connect with any agency around the world. The team and its equipment are completely self-contained and can be airlifted to disaster areas if needed.
This isn't the team's first trip to a Super Bowl, Tittle said. It provided support during Super Bowl XXXIX at Jacksonville, Fla., on Feb. 6, 2005. The team also has supported international conferences and other events within Florida, Tittle said.
The team regularly trains with other agencies throughout the state, and cooperative exercises hone the team members' highly specialized skills. This also helps establish working relationships with the agencies and personnel they would support in the event of an emergency.
"That's one thing that our team has been working to do, ... to reach out and work with those other agencies so you already have a good sense of teamwork established," Tittle said. "They continue to have exercises ... to maintain those ongoing relationships. Our team is constantly attending functions in ongoing support roles throughout the state. Our team has worked with pretty much every county in Florida."
The team has responded to two real-life situations: an Anthrax scare in Boca Raton in 2001 and a joint investigation with the Coast Guard responding to suspicious cargo on a ship.
To prepare for the Super Bowl, the team has been plugged into the planning process for the past eight months and is now fully integrated into the multi-agency response plans, said Army Lt. Col. Russ Spengler, the team's commander.
He said his team welcomes the opportunity to work on an event of this scale.
"This is a great opportunity for our soldiers and airmen to work with other talented experts from various agencies. The level of cooperation is outstanding. It really makes you proud to see the efforts of so many to protect this event," Spengler said.
The 44th Civil Support Team was fielded in August 2000. The National Guard's civil support team program has 55 teams located in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam. Florida and California are the only two states with two civil support teams.
Team members acquire as much as 800 hours of initial training above their military occupational skill qualification or professional military education requirements.
Super Bowl XLI on Feb. 4 promises to bring in thousands of fans. Grammy award winner Billy Joel will sing the national anthem, and Prince will perform at halftime. Dolphin Stadium in Miami Gardens will seat 70,000 for the game, and thousands more are expected for the pre-game activities.
The Continental U.S. North American Aerospace Defense Command Region is stepping up its air patrols in the Miami-Dade area to increase security during Super Bowl XLI activities, officials said. NORAD has provided air defense support for every Super Bowl since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Spectators will see Air Force fighter jets flying over Dolphin Stadium during pre-game events and in the local area during the game.
The Super Bowl is annually the nation's highest-rated TV program. More than 141 million viewers watched the 2006 game in the United States. Super Bowl XLI will be broadcast to a potential worldwide audience of 1 billion in more than 230 countries and territories, according to the official Super Bowl Web site.
The Chicago Bears are back in the Super Bowl for first time since winning Super Bowl XX in January 1986. The Indianapolis Colts will make a Super Bowl appearance for the first time for the franchise since the Baltimore Colts won Super Bowl V in January 1971.
Article sponsored by criminal justice online leadership; and, police and military personnel who have authored books.
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Pace Extols Virtues of 'Jointness' to Colombian Officers
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 20, 2007 – Marine Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, recounted yesterday to Colombian military officers his initial doubts about the U.S. military going "joint," but he said he was firm in his conviction two decades later that the armed forces are better off when fighting together as a team. Pace told students at Colombia's War College that he was a lieutenant colonel when Congress passed the Goldwater-Nichols Act in 1986 mandating joint military operations and he had many questions and concerns at that time.
"I remember thinking, 'I don't know what 'joint' is, but I need some," Pace said, drawing laughter from his audience.
During his initial joint command assignment, in Korea, Pace said he got his first real sense of the high caliber and capabilities of the Army, Navy and Air Force, as well as his own Marine Corps.
But the U.S. military's move toward jointness didn't happen overnight, he told the group. It took letting go of a service-centric mentality to embrace other services' strengths and capabilities. It also required developing a sense of trust between the services.
"Once all of us learned to trust each other, then things started to happen really quickly," he said.
In fact, Pace said commanders started to realize that by looking across the broad spectrum of military capabilities, not just their own services', they could be more effective. "They were able to give much more support to those who needed it most," he said.
Applying that concept on the battlefield "took a lot of trust and a leap of faith," Pace acknowledged, "but once we tried it out, we really liked it."
Joint warfighting "makes for victory much sooner," Pace said.
He pointed to Operation Iraqi Freedom, and the speed in which the military was able to close in on Baghdad. "It took three weeks, which was incredibly fast, and could not have been done if we had not had a joint command that was allocating resources for everything--and the Marines on the right, the Army on the left, and all kinds of airplanes up above, all fighting together to get to Baghdad," he said.
"It took 20 years...to get to the point that we truly appreciate the strength of jointness," Pace said.
The chairman encouraged the Colombian officers to strive to develop trust in each other and each others' services so they, too, can benefit from the advantages of jointness.
"I encourage you to get trust right now in the schools, apply that trust on the battlefield and allow the senior people wearing the various color uniforms to allocate those resources where they are needed," he said.
Article sponsored by police department and U.S. military personnel who have become writers; leadership in criminal justice education.
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 20, 2007 – Marine Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, recounted yesterday to Colombian military officers his initial doubts about the U.S. military going "joint," but he said he was firm in his conviction two decades later that the armed forces are better off when fighting together as a team. Pace told students at Colombia's War College that he was a lieutenant colonel when Congress passed the Goldwater-Nichols Act in 1986 mandating joint military operations and he had many questions and concerns at that time.
"I remember thinking, 'I don't know what 'joint' is, but I need some," Pace said, drawing laughter from his audience.
During his initial joint command assignment, in Korea, Pace said he got his first real sense of the high caliber and capabilities of the Army, Navy and Air Force, as well as his own Marine Corps.
But the U.S. military's move toward jointness didn't happen overnight, he told the group. It took letting go of a service-centric mentality to embrace other services' strengths and capabilities. It also required developing a sense of trust between the services.
"Once all of us learned to trust each other, then things started to happen really quickly," he said.
In fact, Pace said commanders started to realize that by looking across the broad spectrum of military capabilities, not just their own services', they could be more effective. "They were able to give much more support to those who needed it most," he said.
Applying that concept on the battlefield "took a lot of trust and a leap of faith," Pace acknowledged, "but once we tried it out, we really liked it."
Joint warfighting "makes for victory much sooner," Pace said.
He pointed to Operation Iraqi Freedom, and the speed in which the military was able to close in on Baghdad. "It took three weeks, which was incredibly fast, and could not have been done if we had not had a joint command that was allocating resources for everything--and the Marines on the right, the Army on the left, and all kinds of airplanes up above, all fighting together to get to Baghdad," he said.
"It took 20 years...to get to the point that we truly appreciate the strength of jointness," Pace said.
The chairman encouraged the Colombian officers to strive to develop trust in each other and each others' services so they, too, can benefit from the advantages of jointness.
"I encourage you to get trust right now in the schools, apply that trust on the battlefield and allow the senior people wearing the various color uniforms to allocate those resources where they are needed," he said.
Article sponsored by police department and U.S. military personnel who have become writers; leadership in criminal justice education.
Pace Points to Colombia's Counter-drug Efforts as Possible Model for Afghanistan
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 20, 2007 – The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff thanked Colombia's leaders here yesterday for using their country's long experience in its counter-drug effort to help the Afghan government fight a similar battle. "I should thank President (Alvaro) Uribe and the entire government here in Colombia for the way that he and his leaders have reached out to (Afghan) President (Hamid) Karzai and his government to provide experience, to provide teams of experts, to go sit and talk with President Karzai and the folks he has working the counter-drug (issue)," Marine Corps Gen. Peter Pace said. "It's been a very helpful contribution by the Colombian government."
Colombian Defense Minister Juan Manual Santos, who joined Pace and Gen. Freddy Padilla, commander of the Colombian armed forces, at a joint news conference, pledged continued support for Afghanistan. The Colombians have sent National Police members to train Afghan army and police forces in both counter-drug and counter-insurgency operations.
Pace said Colombia has set a model for countering drug trafficking and narcoterrorism that could work for Afghanistan, too.
Under that model, Colombia's armed forces have cleared specific areas of terrorists, and the government has followed in those areas with projects that have brought electricity, water and jobs to the people, Pace said.
But another important part of the model is an amnesty program for members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, known as FARC, to leave terrorist activity behind, the general said. Under that program, FARC members can come forward, lay down their weapons and, with the help of a government-supported education process, become productive members of society.
"I think those kinds of outreach programs by the Colombian government are a good model for President Karzai to consider as he looks at how to reduce the amount of drug trafficking in his country and to provide stability and jobs for his citizens," Pace said.
The chairman expressed optimism that U.S. Ambassador to Colombia William Wood, who was nominated Dec. 18 to become the ambassador to Afghanistan, will lend his experience to helping further the two countries' cooperation. "I know you will bring the same strength and determination to that position that you have here in Colombia," he said in congratulating Wood.
Article sponsored by police department and U.S. military personnel who have become writers; leadership in criminal justice education.
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 20, 2007 – The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff thanked Colombia's leaders here yesterday for using their country's long experience in its counter-drug effort to help the Afghan government fight a similar battle. "I should thank President (Alvaro) Uribe and the entire government here in Colombia for the way that he and his leaders have reached out to (Afghan) President (Hamid) Karzai and his government to provide experience, to provide teams of experts, to go sit and talk with President Karzai and the folks he has working the counter-drug (issue)," Marine Corps Gen. Peter Pace said. "It's been a very helpful contribution by the Colombian government."
Colombian Defense Minister Juan Manual Santos, who joined Pace and Gen. Freddy Padilla, commander of the Colombian armed forces, at a joint news conference, pledged continued support for Afghanistan. The Colombians have sent National Police members to train Afghan army and police forces in both counter-drug and counter-insurgency operations.
Pace said Colombia has set a model for countering drug trafficking and narcoterrorism that could work for Afghanistan, too.
Under that model, Colombia's armed forces have cleared specific areas of terrorists, and the government has followed in those areas with projects that have brought electricity, water and jobs to the people, Pace said.
But another important part of the model is an amnesty program for members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, known as FARC, to leave terrorist activity behind, the general said. Under that program, FARC members can come forward, lay down their weapons and, with the help of a government-supported education process, become productive members of society.
"I think those kinds of outreach programs by the Colombian government are a good model for President Karzai to consider as he looks at how to reduce the amount of drug trafficking in his country and to provide stability and jobs for his citizens," Pace said.
The chairman expressed optimism that U.S. Ambassador to Colombia William Wood, who was nominated Dec. 18 to become the ambassador to Afghanistan, will lend his experience to helping further the two countries' cooperation. "I know you will bring the same strength and determination to that position that you have here in Colombia," he said in congratulating Wood.
Article sponsored by police department and U.S. military personnel who have become writers; leadership in criminal justice education.
Pace: U.S.-Colombian Relationship Helps Ensure Security for Both Nations
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 20, 2007 – The success of relationship between the United States and Colombia is having a direct positive impact on the security and stability of the entire region and hemisphere, Marine Corps Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said here yesterday. Pace spoke to reporters at an early-afternoon news conference yesterday, and then he addressed military officers at Colombia's War College during a subsequent session. In both events, Pace said that the close relationship benefits both countries.
"This is a two-way street," Pace said at a joint news conference with Colombian Defense Minister Juan Manual Santos and Gen. Freddy Padilla, commander of the Colombian armed forces.
"The fact that the United States is able to help Colombia inside Colombia is a good thing for Colombia, but it is also a good thing for my country. And the fact that your country is fighting against drugs-a great deal of which come to the streets of the United States-is your country helping out to help my country," Pace said. "So these are friends helping friends."
Pace, who wrapped up his two-day visit here last night, thanked his Colombian counterparts for their open discussions about how the two countries can better cooperate as they work toward mutual goals.
The discussions focused on ways to continue that partnership "to strengthen the democracy here in Colombia, which in turn strengthens democracy in the United States," he said.
The chairman praised progress the Colombians have made in improving their military and facing off against narco-terrorists and other threats.
"I can't tell you how incredibly proud I am to be just a very small part of the enormous success that is obvious here in Colombia," he said. "The work that has been done by your government to bring governance to all of Colombia, to bring criminals to justice and to provide a better way of life for all Colombians is truly remarkable."
Addressing Colombia's future military leaders at the War College, Pace said he's observed "a complete change in mental attitude and outlook" in Colombia from five or six years ago.
He congratulated the officers for what they have helped accomplish and continue to work toward. "What you have done to date has made an enormous difference in the vitality and future strength of your country," he said.
Colombia's strength and adherence to democracy is critical, particularly in the face of Venezuela and other regional countries exhibiting anti-democratic tendencies, he noted.
"So when you look ... at our partnership here in Colombia, it just strengthens my belief as a military man that what we are doing here in Colombia is the correct thing to provide peace and stability for Colombia--and in so doing, to provide examples for others in the hemisphere," he said.
"What everyone in the region needs to understand is that there are countries like Colombia that will fight for their freedom and that there are countries like the United States that will stand beside them," Pace said. "We all want for everyone in this hemisphere to live in peace and to respect their neighbors...and their neighbors' sovereignty."
United States and Colombia have a longstanding friendship that continues to mature, Pace told reporters at the news conference. "We've been good friends for literally hundreds of years," he said. "We will be good friends for the next several hundred years, and I am glad to be here to figure out how to do that in the most efficient and effective way."
Article sponsored by police department and U.S. military personnel who have become writers; leadership in criminal justice education.
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 20, 2007 – The success of relationship between the United States and Colombia is having a direct positive impact on the security and stability of the entire region and hemisphere, Marine Corps Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said here yesterday. Pace spoke to reporters at an early-afternoon news conference yesterday, and then he addressed military officers at Colombia's War College during a subsequent session. In both events, Pace said that the close relationship benefits both countries.
"This is a two-way street," Pace said at a joint news conference with Colombian Defense Minister Juan Manual Santos and Gen. Freddy Padilla, commander of the Colombian armed forces.
"The fact that the United States is able to help Colombia inside Colombia is a good thing for Colombia, but it is also a good thing for my country. And the fact that your country is fighting against drugs-a great deal of which come to the streets of the United States-is your country helping out to help my country," Pace said. "So these are friends helping friends."
Pace, who wrapped up his two-day visit here last night, thanked his Colombian counterparts for their open discussions about how the two countries can better cooperate as they work toward mutual goals.
The discussions focused on ways to continue that partnership "to strengthen the democracy here in Colombia, which in turn strengthens democracy in the United States," he said.
The chairman praised progress the Colombians have made in improving their military and facing off against narco-terrorists and other threats.
"I can't tell you how incredibly proud I am to be just a very small part of the enormous success that is obvious here in Colombia," he said. "The work that has been done by your government to bring governance to all of Colombia, to bring criminals to justice and to provide a better way of life for all Colombians is truly remarkable."
Addressing Colombia's future military leaders at the War College, Pace said he's observed "a complete change in mental attitude and outlook" in Colombia from five or six years ago.
He congratulated the officers for what they have helped accomplish and continue to work toward. "What you have done to date has made an enormous difference in the vitality and future strength of your country," he said.
Colombia's strength and adherence to democracy is critical, particularly in the face of Venezuela and other regional countries exhibiting anti-democratic tendencies, he noted.
"So when you look ... at our partnership here in Colombia, it just strengthens my belief as a military man that what we are doing here in Colombia is the correct thing to provide peace and stability for Colombia--and in so doing, to provide examples for others in the hemisphere," he said.
"What everyone in the region needs to understand is that there are countries like Colombia that will fight for their freedom and that there are countries like the United States that will stand beside them," Pace said. "We all want for everyone in this hemisphere to live in peace and to respect their neighbors...and their neighbors' sovereignty."
United States and Colombia have a longstanding friendship that continues to mature, Pace told reporters at the news conference. "We've been good friends for literally hundreds of years," he said. "We will be good friends for the next several hundred years, and I am glad to be here to figure out how to do that in the most efficient and effective way."
Article sponsored by police department and U.S. military personnel who have become writers; leadership in criminal justice education.
Gates Trip Aimed at Understanding Ground-truth
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 20, 2007 – Seeking ground-truth, Robert M. Gates made his second trip of his less than month-long tour as defense secretary to the U.S. Central Command area of operations. Gates met with soldiers and kings, sailors and emirs, airmen and sheikhs and Marines and presidents during the six-day visit to seven countries. He specifically sought out opportunities to speak with allies and coalition partners on the visit. He returned to Washington very early this morning.
The trip started Jan. 14 with a stop in London to meet with British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Defense Minister Des Browne. Officials traveling with Gates said the secretary wanted to personally get the feelings and thoughts of America's closest allies in the war on terror.
The next day, Gates traveled to NATO headquarters in Brussels for meetings with Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer and the Supreme Allied Commander U.S. Army Gen. Bantz Craddock. NATO commands the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan and has personnel helping train the Iraqi Army.
There are more than 30,000 soldiers from 37 NATO and partner countries serving in ISAF. Gates called the NATO mission in Afghanistan a model of the organization's potential in the new era. "Success in Afghanistan is our top priority," he said. "The alliance that never fired a shot in the Cold War is leading six missions on three continents and on the Mediterranean."
The secretary and his party moved from Brussels to Afghanistan aboard an Air Force C-17. Outfitted with a traveling office in a modified Airstream trailer called the "Silver Bullet," the secretary conducted business as if he were in his office in the Pentagon.
In Kabul, the secretary met up with Marine Gen. Peter Pace, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and embarked on a challenging set of meetings and visits. He met with ISAF commander British Army Gen. David Richards, Army Lt. Gen. Karl Eikenberry, the commander of Combined Forces Command Afghanistan and the U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan Ronald Neumann.
In the afternoon, Gates and Pace flew to Forward Operating Base Tillman on the border with Pakistan to meet with American and Afghan soldiers who are on the front line of the war on terror. Taliban extremists are infiltrating from Pakistan in an attempt to drive the government from power. Gates met with the soldiers of A Company 2nd Battation 87th Infantry, and received a briefing from the commander on the way Afghan and U.S. troops work together.
On his return to Kabul, Gates and Pace met with Afghan Defense Minister Abdul Rahim Wardek and then President Hamid Karzai. Gates said the progress in Afghanistan is impressive and he wants to build on those successes. Gates also was impressed with preparations to ensure that the expected Taliban spring offensive in Afghanistan is blunted. "I think it's very important that we not let the success here in Afghanistan slip away from us, and that we keep the initiative," Gates said. "There is no reason for us to sit back and let the Taliban regroup and threaten the progress that has been made here."
Gates also said commanders in Afghanistan have asked for more troops for the coming battle. "Clearly, if the people who are leading the struggle out here believe there is a need for some additional help to sustain the success we've had, I'm going to be very sympathetic to that kind of request," he said.
The next day the secretary and chairman traveled to Bagram Air Base, east of the capital where he met with U.S. officials at the base. The secretary was supposed to go to visit troops in Kandahar, but a sandstorm in the area closed the airport and he had to cancel that portion of the trip.
At Bagram, Pace left the party to travel to Colombia for meetings with leaders there.
The secretary flew to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia where he met with King Abdullah and Crown Prince Sultan. He briefed the men on conditions in Afghanistan and Iraq and spoke with them about the situation with Iran. The Saudis tend to see the situation in Iraq through the lens of the new challenges Iran poses to the region, officials traveling with the secretary said.
The secretary was a bit more plain-spoken on Jan. 18 when he told reporters traveling with him that the Iranians have overplayed their hand. "I told them that I felt the Iranians were being very aggressive," he said. "I believe (the Iranians) feel they have the United States at a disadvantage because of the situation in Iraq. To be precise, I told them both that I thought the Iranians were overplaying their hands. One of the consequences of that, is they have raised real concerns about their intentions in the region and beyond."
Following the meetings, Gates traveled to Bahrain. In Bahrain, he met with the king and defense minister and then with Navy Vice Adm. Patrick Walsh, the commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command. In the afternoon, he went to Qatar where he met with Emir and Defense Minister Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani.
The next day he flew to Basra, Iraq where he met with Army Gen. George Casey, the commander of Multinational Forces Iraq, and British Army Maj. Gen. Jonathan Shaw, the commander of Multinational Division Southeast. He moved on to Tallil Air Base northwest of Basra and met with coalition and Iraqi commanders.
He went from Tallil to Bahrain and back to Washington. It was a grueling trip for the new secretary. Together with his trip to Iraq last month it was an effort to gather the latest information from commanders at all levels and the feelings of allies. "To the extent that this is a fact-finding trip, I've found at least one fact: I'm too old to do seven countries in five-and-a-half days," Gates said in Tallil. But, he said later, he will continue to visit hot spots around the world to better understand the situation of the men and women serving in those areas.
Article sponsored by police department and U.S. military personnel who have become writers; leadership in criminal justice education.
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 20, 2007 – Seeking ground-truth, Robert M. Gates made his second trip of his less than month-long tour as defense secretary to the U.S. Central Command area of operations. Gates met with soldiers and kings, sailors and emirs, airmen and sheikhs and Marines and presidents during the six-day visit to seven countries. He specifically sought out opportunities to speak with allies and coalition partners on the visit. He returned to Washington very early this morning.
The trip started Jan. 14 with a stop in London to meet with British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Defense Minister Des Browne. Officials traveling with Gates said the secretary wanted to personally get the feelings and thoughts of America's closest allies in the war on terror.
The next day, Gates traveled to NATO headquarters in Brussels for meetings with Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer and the Supreme Allied Commander U.S. Army Gen. Bantz Craddock. NATO commands the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan and has personnel helping train the Iraqi Army.
There are more than 30,000 soldiers from 37 NATO and partner countries serving in ISAF. Gates called the NATO mission in Afghanistan a model of the organization's potential in the new era. "Success in Afghanistan is our top priority," he said. "The alliance that never fired a shot in the Cold War is leading six missions on three continents and on the Mediterranean."
The secretary and his party moved from Brussels to Afghanistan aboard an Air Force C-17. Outfitted with a traveling office in a modified Airstream trailer called the "Silver Bullet," the secretary conducted business as if he were in his office in the Pentagon.
In Kabul, the secretary met up with Marine Gen. Peter Pace, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and embarked on a challenging set of meetings and visits. He met with ISAF commander British Army Gen. David Richards, Army Lt. Gen. Karl Eikenberry, the commander of Combined Forces Command Afghanistan and the U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan Ronald Neumann.
In the afternoon, Gates and Pace flew to Forward Operating Base Tillman on the border with Pakistan to meet with American and Afghan soldiers who are on the front line of the war on terror. Taliban extremists are infiltrating from Pakistan in an attempt to drive the government from power. Gates met with the soldiers of A Company 2nd Battation 87th Infantry, and received a briefing from the commander on the way Afghan and U.S. troops work together.
On his return to Kabul, Gates and Pace met with Afghan Defense Minister Abdul Rahim Wardek and then President Hamid Karzai. Gates said the progress in Afghanistan is impressive and he wants to build on those successes. Gates also was impressed with preparations to ensure that the expected Taliban spring offensive in Afghanistan is blunted. "I think it's very important that we not let the success here in Afghanistan slip away from us, and that we keep the initiative," Gates said. "There is no reason for us to sit back and let the Taliban regroup and threaten the progress that has been made here."
Gates also said commanders in Afghanistan have asked for more troops for the coming battle. "Clearly, if the people who are leading the struggle out here believe there is a need for some additional help to sustain the success we've had, I'm going to be very sympathetic to that kind of request," he said.
The next day the secretary and chairman traveled to Bagram Air Base, east of the capital where he met with U.S. officials at the base. The secretary was supposed to go to visit troops in Kandahar, but a sandstorm in the area closed the airport and he had to cancel that portion of the trip.
At Bagram, Pace left the party to travel to Colombia for meetings with leaders there.
The secretary flew to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia where he met with King Abdullah and Crown Prince Sultan. He briefed the men on conditions in Afghanistan and Iraq and spoke with them about the situation with Iran. The Saudis tend to see the situation in Iraq through the lens of the new challenges Iran poses to the region, officials traveling with the secretary said.
The secretary was a bit more plain-spoken on Jan. 18 when he told reporters traveling with him that the Iranians have overplayed their hand. "I told them that I felt the Iranians were being very aggressive," he said. "I believe (the Iranians) feel they have the United States at a disadvantage because of the situation in Iraq. To be precise, I told them both that I thought the Iranians were overplaying their hands. One of the consequences of that, is they have raised real concerns about their intentions in the region and beyond."
Following the meetings, Gates traveled to Bahrain. In Bahrain, he met with the king and defense minister and then with Navy Vice Adm. Patrick Walsh, the commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command. In the afternoon, he went to Qatar where he met with Emir and Defense Minister Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani.
The next day he flew to Basra, Iraq where he met with Army Gen. George Casey, the commander of Multinational Forces Iraq, and British Army Maj. Gen. Jonathan Shaw, the commander of Multinational Division Southeast. He moved on to Tallil Air Base northwest of Basra and met with coalition and Iraqi commanders.
He went from Tallil to Bahrain and back to Washington. It was a grueling trip for the new secretary. Together with his trip to Iraq last month it was an effort to gather the latest information from commanders at all levels and the feelings of allies. "To the extent that this is a fact-finding trip, I've found at least one fact: I'm too old to do seven countries in five-and-a-half days," Gates said in Tallil. But, he said later, he will continue to visit hot spots around the world to better understand the situation of the men and women serving in those areas.
Article sponsored by police department and U.S. military personnel who have become writers; leadership in criminal justice education.
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Murder, sinners and souls
Editors Note: Two of the police officers have prior military service.
January 20, 2007 (San Dimas, CA) New Orleans increased their representation of police authors with the addition of four police officers who continued the New Orleans’ themes of murder, intrigue and thrills in the big easy. Added to the list are Wade Schindler, Sylvester Armand St. Cyr, Frederick Morton and Lawrence Green.
Dr. Wade Schindler began his law enforcement career in 1967 when he joined the New Orleans Police Department. In New Orleans he worked various assignments such as patrol and homicide. In 1974 he became the chief of police for the Oberlin Police Department. He has a Doctorate in Criminal Justice from Southwest University in Arizona and is the author of several novels including “Help! Murder! Police!” According to his website, “Help! Murder! Police!” Is a cop's cop novel. It zeroes in on the day-to-day mission of an average patrolman on the streets of one of America's most intriguing cities at a critical moment in the history of the American psyche.”
Dr. Wade Schindler “developed the idea of a guidebook for the foreign traveler to the United States-a guidebook that would go beyond the ordinary travel guide to give visitors to this country insight into ways of protecting themselves from the all too common criminal attacks in the United States. The book, “Freeze! A Guide to Safe Travel in the United States,” discusses every aspect of safety from living arrangements to travel by automobiles, planes and trains, as well as how to sightsee and shop safely.” He is also the director of the Orleans Regional Security Institute.
According to Ron Schott, of dropzone.com, Sylvester Armand St. Cyr was “A paratrooper in the US ARMY in the early 1950's, he was also a two-time boxing champion and coach of the championship team while on duty in Korea. Following his stint in the military he became an undercover narcotics officer for the New Orleans Police Department. As a New Orleans patrolman, he was the victim of kidnapping and attempted murder. He escaped by defying the perpetrator's orders to run a police road block with his cruiser and instead aimed it at a tree and jumped just prior to the vehicle's impact. His adventures in undercover work and the characters he met provided the background material for his book, The Saint and Sinners.”
Detective Frederick (Eric) C. Morton grew up in a middle class neighborhood in New Orleans with a good family background and virtues. His father raised him with a very stern hand, but taught him always to help others, never turn anyone away who needed the help, never let your guard down, and to always put your family above all. His mother raised him to be a caring person dedicated to family values and God. All during his childhood, he loved to watch and play police, but never thought he would ever develop into that line of work. After joining the military and a few years of college, he became bored with life until a chance encounter with two New Orleans Police Detectives. Infatuated with the idea, they talked him into joining the police department. He is married with three wonderful children, and since his inception in the police department, Eric has held many positions and has attempted to make an impact wherever he went.
Lawrence (Larry) E. Green was born in Natchez, Mississippi, and was raised as a child in New Orleans, Louisiana. He is married and is the father of two children. After graduating high school, he worked as a mechanic for ten years and decided to fulfill his life long dream of being a New Orleans Police Officer. Now he has over ten years of Law Enforcement experience, where the latter part he has held the position of a Homicide Investigator for the New Orleans Police Department.
Both the authors began working together when they headed up an international investigation involving the theft of cemetery artifacts. This investigation led them into a world of supernatural occurrences that changed their life forever. Although their novel, Lost Souls in the City of the Dead,” is completely fictional, it was inspired by this true to life investigation.
Police-Writers.com now hosts 267 police officers (representing 107 police departments) and their 671 books in six categories, there are also listings of United States federal law enforcement employees turned authors and international police officers who have written books.
January 20, 2007 (San Dimas, CA) New Orleans increased their representation of police authors with the addition of four police officers who continued the New Orleans’ themes of murder, intrigue and thrills in the big easy. Added to the list are Wade Schindler, Sylvester Armand St. Cyr, Frederick Morton and Lawrence Green.
Dr. Wade Schindler began his law enforcement career in 1967 when he joined the New Orleans Police Department. In New Orleans he worked various assignments such as patrol and homicide. In 1974 he became the chief of police for the Oberlin Police Department. He has a Doctorate in Criminal Justice from Southwest University in Arizona and is the author of several novels including “Help! Murder! Police!” According to his website, “Help! Murder! Police!” Is a cop's cop novel. It zeroes in on the day-to-day mission of an average patrolman on the streets of one of America's most intriguing cities at a critical moment in the history of the American psyche.”
Dr. Wade Schindler “developed the idea of a guidebook for the foreign traveler to the United States-a guidebook that would go beyond the ordinary travel guide to give visitors to this country insight into ways of protecting themselves from the all too common criminal attacks in the United States. The book, “Freeze! A Guide to Safe Travel in the United States,” discusses every aspect of safety from living arrangements to travel by automobiles, planes and trains, as well as how to sightsee and shop safely.” He is also the director of the Orleans Regional Security Institute.
According to Ron Schott, of dropzone.com, Sylvester Armand St. Cyr was “A paratrooper in the US ARMY in the early 1950's, he was also a two-time boxing champion and coach of the championship team while on duty in Korea. Following his stint in the military he became an undercover narcotics officer for the New Orleans Police Department. As a New Orleans patrolman, he was the victim of kidnapping and attempted murder. He escaped by defying the perpetrator's orders to run a police road block with his cruiser and instead aimed it at a tree and jumped just prior to the vehicle's impact. His adventures in undercover work and the characters he met provided the background material for his book, The Saint and Sinners.”
Detective Frederick (Eric) C. Morton grew up in a middle class neighborhood in New Orleans with a good family background and virtues. His father raised him with a very stern hand, but taught him always to help others, never turn anyone away who needed the help, never let your guard down, and to always put your family above all. His mother raised him to be a caring person dedicated to family values and God. All during his childhood, he loved to watch and play police, but never thought he would ever develop into that line of work. After joining the military and a few years of college, he became bored with life until a chance encounter with two New Orleans Police Detectives. Infatuated with the idea, they talked him into joining the police department. He is married with three wonderful children, and since his inception in the police department, Eric has held many positions and has attempted to make an impact wherever he went.
Lawrence (Larry) E. Green was born in Natchez, Mississippi, and was raised as a child in New Orleans, Louisiana. He is married and is the father of two children. After graduating high school, he worked as a mechanic for ten years and decided to fulfill his life long dream of being a New Orleans Police Officer. Now he has over ten years of Law Enforcement experience, where the latter part he has held the position of a Homicide Investigator for the New Orleans Police Department.
Both the authors began working together when they headed up an international investigation involving the theft of cemetery artifacts. This investigation led them into a world of supernatural occurrences that changed their life forever. Although their novel, Lost Souls in the City of the Dead,” is completely fictional, it was inspired by this true to life investigation.
Police-Writers.com now hosts 267 police officers (representing 107 police departments) and their 671 books in six categories, there are also listings of United States federal law enforcement employees turned authors and international police officers who have written books.
Friday, January 19, 2007
Murder in the big easy
Editors Note: Two of the writers are former military.
January 19, 2007 (San Dimas, CA) New Orleans swept onto the scene of Police-Writers.com with the addition of four new police officers. New Orleans area police officers added are John Dillmann, James Hurley, Brian Perry and James Colbert.
John Dillmann was a highly-decorated, veteran Homicide Detective for the New Orleans Police Department has written several true crime books. As an example, in “Deadly Weekend,” John tells the story of his investigation into the disappearance of Mark Sheppard, a 50-year-old M.D. from St. Petersburg, Florida. According to one reviewer, “With the discovery of the doctor's nude body, the case took a new and grisly turn which led down the treacherous streets of the Big Easy and into the darkest secrets of a respected physician described as 'a murder waiting to happen.”
Brian D. Perry Sr., was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana. He joined the New Orleans Police Department, obtained a Bachelor's Degree, and upon graduation with a Juris Doctor Degree, the Mayor of New Orleans selected him as the New Orleans Police Attorney. Activated during Desert Storm, he served as the Commandant of a large logistics command. Before redeploying back to the United States he was offered a position by a major oil company in Saudi Arabia to head their investigations unit. He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in the Army Reserve and was the Executive Officer for a Joint Command in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. The American Community elected him to the School Board. After seven years in the Middle East, he returned to New Orleans to practice law.
His first novel is “Algiers Point.” According to the book description, “Nick Charbonnet is an honest cop with a beautiful wife and a seductive partner. He struggles with law school and his adulterous feelings. Then his world is shattered by a single phone call. The meeting that follows is the beginning of his involvement in a world he knows nothing about. Nick must make choices. Life changing choices. Good and evil live side by side and nowhere is it more apparent than in the Big Easy.”
Born and raised in Connecticut, James Hurley is a graduate of Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana and a 10-year veteran narcotics agent of the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office. After moving to Florida, he worked in the financial industry for ten years as a stockbroker for 3 major wire houses. He currently lives in Cape Coral, Florida, where he spends most of his free time writing or on the golf course. In his 2004 book title “Gone,” “Former narcotics agent Sean Flynn must find Marcus Lowell, a professional money launderer and drug dealer under U.S. government protection. While making final preparations for one last drug deal, Lowell and his associates brutally murder a close friend of Flynn's on a remote Bahamian island and set into motion a number of events that will change Flynn's life forever. Flynn must return to the underworld of drug dealers and killers he left behind years ago. Its familiar territory, only this time the stakes are higher. His life is on the line-and he is no longer a cop.”
James Colbert served in the United States Marine Corps from 1970 to 1971. After his honorable discharge (E4), he would ultimately find his way to the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office where he would serve as a Deputy Sheriff from 1976 to 1978. He has a Masters of Fine Arts from the University of Arkansas, and a BA from Louisiana State University. He is the author of five books. In his novel Skinny Man, Skinny “Skinny is a New Orleans police detective who is on suspension after wrecking yet another police car. While working an interim job as security policeman for his apartment complex, he becomes involved in an arson plot involving his sexy neighbor, unscrupulous real estate developers, and an intriguing woman named Ruth. Skinny is a quirky guy with a sense of humor and a habit of referring to himself in the third person.” Colbert’s other books are “Profit and Sheen,” “No Special Hurry,” “All I Have is Blue” and “God Bless The Child.”
Both Colbert and Perry were also added to www.military-writers.com, a website that lists current, retired and former military personnel who have written books. Police-Writers.com now hosts 263 police officers (representing over 70 police departments) and their 667 books in six categories, there are also listings of United States federal law enforcement employees turned authors and international police officers who have written books.
January 19, 2007 (San Dimas, CA) New Orleans swept onto the scene of Police-Writers.com with the addition of four new police officers. New Orleans area police officers added are John Dillmann, James Hurley, Brian Perry and James Colbert.
John Dillmann was a highly-decorated, veteran Homicide Detective for the New Orleans Police Department has written several true crime books. As an example, in “Deadly Weekend,” John tells the story of his investigation into the disappearance of Mark Sheppard, a 50-year-old M.D. from St. Petersburg, Florida. According to one reviewer, “With the discovery of the doctor's nude body, the case took a new and grisly turn which led down the treacherous streets of the Big Easy and into the darkest secrets of a respected physician described as 'a murder waiting to happen.”
Brian D. Perry Sr., was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana. He joined the New Orleans Police Department, obtained a Bachelor's Degree, and upon graduation with a Juris Doctor Degree, the Mayor of New Orleans selected him as the New Orleans Police Attorney. Activated during Desert Storm, he served as the Commandant of a large logistics command. Before redeploying back to the United States he was offered a position by a major oil company in Saudi Arabia to head their investigations unit. He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in the Army Reserve and was the Executive Officer for a Joint Command in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. The American Community elected him to the School Board. After seven years in the Middle East, he returned to New Orleans to practice law.
His first novel is “Algiers Point.” According to the book description, “Nick Charbonnet is an honest cop with a beautiful wife and a seductive partner. He struggles with law school and his adulterous feelings. Then his world is shattered by a single phone call. The meeting that follows is the beginning of his involvement in a world he knows nothing about. Nick must make choices. Life changing choices. Good and evil live side by side and nowhere is it more apparent than in the Big Easy.”
Born and raised in Connecticut, James Hurley is a graduate of Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana and a 10-year veteran narcotics agent of the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office. After moving to Florida, he worked in the financial industry for ten years as a stockbroker for 3 major wire houses. He currently lives in Cape Coral, Florida, where he spends most of his free time writing or on the golf course. In his 2004 book title “Gone,” “Former narcotics agent Sean Flynn must find Marcus Lowell, a professional money launderer and drug dealer under U.S. government protection. While making final preparations for one last drug deal, Lowell and his associates brutally murder a close friend of Flynn's on a remote Bahamian island and set into motion a number of events that will change Flynn's life forever. Flynn must return to the underworld of drug dealers and killers he left behind years ago. Its familiar territory, only this time the stakes are higher. His life is on the line-and he is no longer a cop.”
James Colbert served in the United States Marine Corps from 1970 to 1971. After his honorable discharge (E4), he would ultimately find his way to the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office where he would serve as a Deputy Sheriff from 1976 to 1978. He has a Masters of Fine Arts from the University of Arkansas, and a BA from Louisiana State University. He is the author of five books. In his novel Skinny Man, Skinny “Skinny is a New Orleans police detective who is on suspension after wrecking yet another police car. While working an interim job as security policeman for his apartment complex, he becomes involved in an arson plot involving his sexy neighbor, unscrupulous real estate developers, and an intriguing woman named Ruth. Skinny is a quirky guy with a sense of humor and a habit of referring to himself in the third person.” Colbert’s other books are “Profit and Sheen,” “No Special Hurry,” “All I Have is Blue” and “God Bless The Child.”
Both Colbert and Perry were also added to www.military-writers.com, a website that lists current, retired and former military personnel who have written books. Police-Writers.com now hosts 263 police officers (representing over 70 police departments) and their 667 books in six categories, there are also listings of United States federal law enforcement employees turned authors and international police officers who have written books.
Monday, January 15, 2007
Humor, Vintage Aircraft and the Windy City
Editors Note: One of the authors, Lou Fulgaro, is a Korean War combat veteran.
January 15, 2007 (San Dimas, CA) Police-Writers.com added five new police officers to the growing list of state and local police officers who have authored books. Police-Writers.com now lists 258 police officers turned writers and their 658 books. Added during this round here Charles Shafer, Richard Solita, Lou Fugaro, Terry Roger and Joseph Kozenczak.
Charles Shafer retired from the Chicago Police Department after 28 years, of which 25 were spent as a detective. His short fiction and articles have appeared world wide, in such magazines as Crime Time, Crime Factory, Mystery Scene, and Murderous Intent. His first novel, “On Cabrini Green,” was published in 2000. His second novel, “Chicago Stretch,” was released in 2003.
According to Kerry J. Schooley, “On Cabrini Green is not just yuks. Shafer fashions a solid plot that depicts victims drawn to their fates through their own rapacious greed. Narration shifts points of view to keep the story moving briskly. Readers get a broad-shouldered tour that reveals even tourist-familiar sections of the Windy City from sharply different angles.”
After retiring from the Chicago Police Department, Richard Solita, wrote a humorous, insider’s tale of his journey from “rookie to veteran” in “Twenty Years of Vaudeville and a Pension: What Really Happens Behind the Badge Based on True Stories of Chicago's Finest.” Earl Zuelke, Commander Chicago Police Department, Marine Unit, said, “ Having over thirty-five years in law enforcement, I found this book to be quite amusing, as well as bringing back memories of many similar past experiences. I recommend this book to those who have lived the job and anyone that would like to get an insiders perspective on it.”
Lou Fugaro is a past member of the prestigious Chicago Crime Commission, pilot by passion, police officer and licensed private detective by vocation. Indeed, he dabbled in investigations to the age of seventy-one.
In the early months of the Korean War, he enlisted in the Air Force. Although he is a combat veteran, he describes his four medals insignificant. Upon return to the states he began a career in law enforcement. Most of his twenty-six years as a police officer were spent on the street as a Detective Sergeant. However, he retired as a Deputy Chief on the Downers Grove Police Department. Post policing career, he spent ten years as a private detective in four Midwest states and he dabbled in investigations for a second ten years in eight Southeast states.
An avid pilot, he has owned several aircraft from a 175 HP cabin Fairchild, (The R46 and Little Louie) up to a 3400 HP twin engine B-25, (Barbie III and Company). His latest book, “Giants Over Korea: A Sky Too Far” takes the reader to the early B-29 air war over North Korea with remarkable depth and frightening detail. His book on investigations takes the reader into the world of an authentic licensed private detective. Not only does he provide invaluable insights into being a private investigator, but he explores the world of a private investigator as a small business owner.
While Police-Writers.com hosts 258 police officers (representing over 70 police departments) and their 657 books in six categories, there are also listings of United States federal law enforcement employees turned authors and international police officers who have written books.
January 15, 2007 (San Dimas, CA) Police-Writers.com added five new police officers to the growing list of state and local police officers who have authored books. Police-Writers.com now lists 258 police officers turned writers and their 658 books. Added during this round here Charles Shafer, Richard Solita, Lou Fugaro, Terry Roger and Joseph Kozenczak.
Charles Shafer retired from the Chicago Police Department after 28 years, of which 25 were spent as a detective. His short fiction and articles have appeared world wide, in such magazines as Crime Time, Crime Factory, Mystery Scene, and Murderous Intent. His first novel, “On Cabrini Green,” was published in 2000. His second novel, “Chicago Stretch,” was released in 2003.
According to Kerry J. Schooley, “On Cabrini Green is not just yuks. Shafer fashions a solid plot that depicts victims drawn to their fates through their own rapacious greed. Narration shifts points of view to keep the story moving briskly. Readers get a broad-shouldered tour that reveals even tourist-familiar sections of the Windy City from sharply different angles.”
After retiring from the Chicago Police Department, Richard Solita, wrote a humorous, insider’s tale of his journey from “rookie to veteran” in “Twenty Years of Vaudeville and a Pension: What Really Happens Behind the Badge Based on True Stories of Chicago's Finest.” Earl Zuelke, Commander Chicago Police Department, Marine Unit, said, “ Having over thirty-five years in law enforcement, I found this book to be quite amusing, as well as bringing back memories of many similar past experiences. I recommend this book to those who have lived the job and anyone that would like to get an insiders perspective on it.”
Lou Fugaro is a past member of the prestigious Chicago Crime Commission, pilot by passion, police officer and licensed private detective by vocation. Indeed, he dabbled in investigations to the age of seventy-one.
In the early months of the Korean War, he enlisted in the Air Force. Although he is a combat veteran, he describes his four medals insignificant. Upon return to the states he began a career in law enforcement. Most of his twenty-six years as a police officer were spent on the street as a Detective Sergeant. However, he retired as a Deputy Chief on the Downers Grove Police Department. Post policing career, he spent ten years as a private detective in four Midwest states and he dabbled in investigations for a second ten years in eight Southeast states.
An avid pilot, he has owned several aircraft from a 175 HP cabin Fairchild, (The R46 and Little Louie) up to a 3400 HP twin engine B-25, (Barbie III and Company). His latest book, “Giants Over Korea: A Sky Too Far” takes the reader to the early B-29 air war over North Korea with remarkable depth and frightening detail. His book on investigations takes the reader into the world of an authentic licensed private detective. Not only does he provide invaluable insights into being a private investigator, but he explores the world of a private investigator as a small business owner.
While Police-Writers.com hosts 258 police officers (representing over 70 police departments) and their 657 books in six categories, there are also listings of United States federal law enforcement employees turned authors and international police officers who have written books.
Sunday, January 14, 2007
Chicago: the reality and the fiction
Editors Note: One of the author is Vietnam era prior military with service in the theatre, 1st Infantry Division.
January 14, 2007 (San Dimas, CA) Police-Writers.com added three Chicago police officers to the listing of state and local police officers who have authored books. Added were William O’Shea, C.M. Russell and Daniel Schrager.
William O’Shea began his public service career in 1968 when, as a Chicago Police Cadet, he was assigned to the infamous Democratic National Convention. In the ensuing decades as a Chicago Police Officer he had many adventures, some of which are chronicled in his first novel, “The Foot Post.”
In 1992, Bill moved to southern Illinois with his wife, Susan, and established a detective agency under his private investigator’s license. In recent years, he has been active as a Court Appointed Special Advocate, working with children who find themselves mired in the court system. His experiences as a CASA volunteer moved him to write “The Advocate” and create the advocacy project.
Bill is now a relentless advocate for the rights of abused and sexually exploited children and fears that it will be a life long endeavor.
C. M. Russell was born and raised in Chicago, IL. After graduating from the University of Illinois/Chicago Campus, he began his career with the Chicago Police Department. He has drawn upon numerous real-life experiences from this urban city to depict the situations officers face on a daily basis. This, his first book, takes the reader on a virtual ride-a-long with the officers. His account is action packed, suspenseful, and keeps the adrenaline pumping right to the very end.
According to his book, Thin Blue Line is about power and control in the city of Chicago. The drama asks, “who is really running the streets of Chicago? A high-ranking gang member’s trial is less than a week away. Determined not to go back to the penitentiary, he decides to “tie up some loose ends”. An officer, on patrol in the area, interrupts those plans and pays the ultimate price. Now, two veteran police officers lead the manhunt to bring this killer to justice. There’s only one problem; too much red tape! Ultimately, they must choose between what is legally right and morally right.”
Daniel Schrager was a member of the Chicago Police Department for twenty-eight years, retiring at the rank of Lieutenant in 1998. During his career, he worked as a patrol officer in the Cabrini-Green housing project; spent eight years as a vice officer in the Rush Street entertainment area; three years as a sergeant in a special unit created by then-mayor Jane Byrne to investigate misconduct in the Chicago Transit Authority; and, several years as a patrol sergeant. During his last five years on the Chicago Police Department, he was the Acting Watch Commander in the 24th Patrol District.
For eighteen months, in an unofficial capacity, he assisted as a bodyguard and driver for a mayoral candidate during a re-election bid.
Prior to joining the Chicago Police Department, he served fourteen months in Vietnam assigned to the U.S. Army First Infantry Division, including the period of the Tet offensive in 1968.
His book “The Code” is the story of a Chicago cop, Jake Harmon, who stumbles across an unidentified man carrying $250,000. While struggling to adhere to the "Cop Code of Behavior," he attempts to uncover the source of the money. Aided by his girlfriend and fellow officer, Aranda Gonzalez, he makes a shocking discovery that pushes him to the limits of the Code. His second book, “On The Edge” is the story of two Chicago cops, the investigative reporter they've teamed up with, and their investigation into the seamy world of drugs, politics and corruption.
While Police-Writers.com hosts 253 police officers (representing over 70 police departments) and their 647 books in six categories, there are also listings of United States federal law enforcement employees turned authors and international police officers who have written books.
January 14, 2007 (San Dimas, CA) Police-Writers.com added three Chicago police officers to the listing of state and local police officers who have authored books. Added were William O’Shea, C.M. Russell and Daniel Schrager.
William O’Shea began his public service career in 1968 when, as a Chicago Police Cadet, he was assigned to the infamous Democratic National Convention. In the ensuing decades as a Chicago Police Officer he had many adventures, some of which are chronicled in his first novel, “The Foot Post.”
In 1992, Bill moved to southern Illinois with his wife, Susan, and established a detective agency under his private investigator’s license. In recent years, he has been active as a Court Appointed Special Advocate, working with children who find themselves mired in the court system. His experiences as a CASA volunteer moved him to write “The Advocate” and create the advocacy project.
Bill is now a relentless advocate for the rights of abused and sexually exploited children and fears that it will be a life long endeavor.
C. M. Russell was born and raised in Chicago, IL. After graduating from the University of Illinois/Chicago Campus, he began his career with the Chicago Police Department. He has drawn upon numerous real-life experiences from this urban city to depict the situations officers face on a daily basis. This, his first book, takes the reader on a virtual ride-a-long with the officers. His account is action packed, suspenseful, and keeps the adrenaline pumping right to the very end.
According to his book, Thin Blue Line is about power and control in the city of Chicago. The drama asks, “who is really running the streets of Chicago? A high-ranking gang member’s trial is less than a week away. Determined not to go back to the penitentiary, he decides to “tie up some loose ends”. An officer, on patrol in the area, interrupts those plans and pays the ultimate price. Now, two veteran police officers lead the manhunt to bring this killer to justice. There’s only one problem; too much red tape! Ultimately, they must choose between what is legally right and morally right.”
Daniel Schrager was a member of the Chicago Police Department for twenty-eight years, retiring at the rank of Lieutenant in 1998. During his career, he worked as a patrol officer in the Cabrini-Green housing project; spent eight years as a vice officer in the Rush Street entertainment area; three years as a sergeant in a special unit created by then-mayor Jane Byrne to investigate misconduct in the Chicago Transit Authority; and, several years as a patrol sergeant. During his last five years on the Chicago Police Department, he was the Acting Watch Commander in the 24th Patrol District.
For eighteen months, in an unofficial capacity, he assisted as a bodyguard and driver for a mayoral candidate during a re-election bid.
Prior to joining the Chicago Police Department, he served fourteen months in Vietnam assigned to the U.S. Army First Infantry Division, including the period of the Tet offensive in 1968.
His book “The Code” is the story of a Chicago cop, Jake Harmon, who stumbles across an unidentified man carrying $250,000. While struggling to adhere to the "Cop Code of Behavior," he attempts to uncover the source of the money. Aided by his girlfriend and fellow officer, Aranda Gonzalez, he makes a shocking discovery that pushes him to the limits of the Code. His second book, “On The Edge” is the story of two Chicago cops, the investigative reporter they've teamed up with, and their investigation into the seamy world of drugs, politics and corruption.
While Police-Writers.com hosts 253 police officers (representing over 70 police departments) and their 647 books in six categories, there are also listings of United States federal law enforcement employees turned authors and international police officers who have written books.
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