Defining Police Harassment

Defining Police Harassment....in actuality, not in un-reality !


Recently, the Chula Vista Police Department ran an e-mail forum (a
question and answer exchange) with the topic being, "Community
Policing."

One of the civilian email participants posed the following question, "I
would like to know how it is possible for police officers to continually
harass people and get away with it?"

From the "other side" (the law enforcement side) Sgt. Bennett, obviously
a cop with a sense of humor replied:

"First of all, let me tell you this...it's not easy. In Chula Vista, we
average one cop for every 600 people. Only about 60% of those cops are
on general duty (or what you might refer to as "patrol") where we do
most of our harassing.

The rest are in non-harassing departments that do not allow them contact
with the day to day innocents. And at any given moment, only one-fifth
of the 60% patrollers are on duty and available for harassing people
while the rest are off duty. So roughly, one cop is responsible for
harassing about 5,000 residents.

When you toss in the commercial business, and tourist locations that
attract people from other areas, sometimes you have a situation where a
single cop is responsible for harassing 10,000 or more people a day.

Now, your average ten-hour shift runs 36,000 seconds long. This gives a
cop one second to harass a person, and then only three-fourths of a
second to eat a donut AND then find a new person to harass. This is not
an easy task. To be honest, most cops are not up to this challenge day
in and day out. It is just too tiring. What we do is utilize some tools
to help us narrow down those people which we can realistically harass.

The tools available to us are as follows:

PHONE: People will call us up and point out things that cause us to
focus on a person for special harassment. "My neighbor is beating his
wife" is a code phrase used often. This means we'll come out and give
somebody some special harassment.

Another popular one is, "There's a guy breaking into a house." The
harassment team is then put into action.

CARS: We have special cops assigned to harass people who drive. They
like to harass the drivers of fast cars, cars with no insurance or no
driver's licenses and the like. It's lots of fun when you pick them out
of traffic for nothing more obvious than running a red light. Sometimes
you get to really heap the harassment on when you find they have drugs
in the car, they are drunk, or have an outstanding warrant on file.

RUNNERS: Some people take off running just at the sight of a
police officer. Nothing is quite as satisfying as running after them
like a beagle on the scent of a bunny. When you catch them you can
harass them for hours.

STATUTES: When we don't have PHONES or CARS and have nothing better to
do, there are actually books that give us ideas for reasons to harass
folks. They are called "Statutes"; Criminal Codes, Motor Vehicle Codes,
etc... They all spell out all sorts of things for which you can really
mess with people.

After you read the statute, you can just drive around for awhile until
you find someone violating one of these listed offenses and harass them.
Just last week I saw a guy trying to steal a car. Well, there's this
book we have that says that's not allowed. That meant I got permission
to harass this guy. It is a really cool system that we have set up, and
it works pretty well.

We seem to have a never-ending supply of folks to harass. And we get
away with it. Why? Because for the good citizens who pay the tab, we try
to keep the streets safe for them, and they pay us to "harass" some
people.

Next time you are in my town, give me the old "single finger wave."
That's another one of those codes. It means, "You can't harass me."

It's one of our favorites.

Thousands Honor Slain Washington Officers

http://www.officer.com/online/article.jsp?siteSection=2&id=49678

Changes In Grooming

In keeping with recent policy changes, grooming standards will next be loosened up on hair styles. Sgt. Tingey has been testing a new look during the past few months which it seems is being received favorably by Troopers, Supervisors and the Administration. Sgt. Tingey states that if you use the right hair conditioner and that also if you use the right setting on the blow dryer, anyone can achieve this same trendy look!

CAT Convincer- Lakemountain High School

01 December 2009-- I assisted Cameron Roden with the CAT Convincer at Lakemountain High School--- Cameron's adopted high school. We ran the machine during the lunchtime break.

My Favorite Pistol

Back in the 1990s, the UHP transitioned over to the Beretta Cougar .40 caliber. This weapon was easy to shoot and it fit my hands perfectly. After a number of years, the department went over to the Glock 22 (.40 cal.). I can shoot the Glock well, but the I have never become comfortable with the way it fits my hands.

What Is A Veteran? (From www.kodj.com)

Some veterans bear visible signs of their service: a missing limb, a jagged scar, a certain look in the eye.
Others may carry the evidence inside them: a pin holding a bone together, a piece of shrapnel in the leg - or perhaps another sort of inner steel: the soul's ally forged in the refinery of adversity.
Except in parades, however, the men and women who have kept America safe wear no badge or emblem. You can't tell a vet just by looking.

He is the cop on the beat who spent six months in Saudi Arabia sweating two gallons a day making sure the armored personnel carriers didn't run out of fuel.
He is the barroom loudmouth, dumber than five wooden planks, whose overgrown frat-boy behavior is outweighed a hundred times in the cosmic scales by four hours of exquisite bravery near the 38th parallel.
She - or he - is the nurse who fought against futility and went to sleep sobbing every night for two solid years in Da Nang.
He is the POW who went away one person and came back another - or didn't come back AT ALL.
He is the Quantico drill instructor who has never seen combat - but has saved countless lives by turning slouchy, no-account rednecks and gang members into Marines, and teaching them to watch each other's backs.
He is the parade - riding Legionnaire who pins on his ribbons and medals with a prosthetic hand.
He is the career quartermaster who watches the ribbons and medals pass him by.
He is the three anonymous heroes in The Tomb Of The Unknowns, whose presence at the Arlington National Cemetery must forever preserve the memory of all the anonymous heroes whose valor dies
unrecognized with them on the battlefield or in the ocean's sunless deep.
He is the old guy bagging groceries at the supermarket - palsied now and aggravatingly slow - who helped liberate a Nazi death camp and who wishes all day long that his wife were still alive to hold him when the nightmares come.
He is an ordinary and yet an extraordinary human being - a person who offered some of his life's most vital years in the service of his country, and who sacrificed his ambitions so others would not have to sacrifice theirs.
He is a soldier and a savior and a sword against the darkness, and he is nothing more than the finest, greatest testimony on behalf of the finest, greatest nation ever known.
So remember, each time you see someone who has served our country, just lean over and say Thank You.
That's all most people need, and in most cases it will mean more than any medals they could have been awarded or were awarded.
Two little words that mean a lot, "THANK YOU".
"It is the soldier, not the reporter, Who has given us freedom of the press. It is the soldier, not the poet, Who has given us freedom of speech. It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, Who has given us the
freedom to demonstrate. It is the soldier, Who salutes the flag, Who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protestor to burn the flag."

Teens Learn Safety Driving Old Police Cruisers

Sgt. Holley put together a program called the "Teen Driver Challenge" which allows teen drivers to come into the DPS EVO track and spend a Saturday learning and polishing up on driving techniques. High schools involved in the High School Adoption program are invited to come out and participate.

http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=8595591

Precious Cargo

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death and injury for American children, ranking ahead of all other types of unintentional injuries, and claiming more lives than any childhood disease.

If left unrestrained, infants and children are thrown around the vehicle like flying missiles. In a 30-mph crash, children may be thrown forward with a force equal to 30 times their own weight, (i.e., 10 lb. infant x 30 mph = 300 lbs of force.) That's like falling from a three-story building!

Inflatable Seat Belts

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MN5htEaRk4A

Double Dipping- Daily Herald Article

http://www.heraldextra.com/news/opinion/mailbag/article_dadc3499-ca2f-5eb5-bb99-b9944bfa37d4.html
Like the article mentions, anyone would be foolish to not take advantage of this policy-- if they were in a position to do so.

06 Nov. 2009- Shooting With The Sgt.

Sgt. Dockstader and I went and shot several hundred rounds on the West side of Utah Lake. We spent some time working on accuracy and speed.

04 Nov. 2009- Fall Section Meeting

I attended Section 4's (Salt Lake Co.) Fall Section Meeting today.

Col. Fuhr gave a presentation on the UHP's goals and strategic plan. During the Q&A portion, considerable time was spent talking about the promotional process. I mentioned that passing the PT (Physical Test) should be the gateway into the promotional process. Col. Fuhr agreed and said that it couldn't be implimented this year, but hoped that will be a requirement next year.

UHP Citizens Police Academy- Fall 2009

Session #14 of the UHP Citizens Police Academy

This was a good sized group of participants-- compared to what we usually have in each session. There was total of 33 people that registered. This session included three members of the Utah State House of Representatives.

The Dunking Tank Misery- August 2008

A few days prior to this event, I had injured the plantar fasciitis in my right foot while participating in the promotional PT. The pain was excruciating to say the least! The doctor put me in a boot-cast and told me to go on light-duty for 6-8 weeks. My Sergeant and Lieutenant did the paperwork and I was officially placed on light-duty within a couple of days.

So, during that first week of being on light-duty, my Sergeant told me that there was detail at an elderly care facility where we had been requested to participate in the dunking tank. He said that we both needed to be there. I was under the impression that he would be the one participating and getting dunked. Before leaving home, I thought that I would take an old UHP shirt, shorts and towel---- just in-case!

When I arrived at the detail, the first thing that I noticed was that my Sergeant had arrived in full uniform and had no intention of doing the dunking tank. Needless to say, I was the one that ended up sitting on the dunking tank that evening. If you look closely at the picture, you'll notice that my left foot is supporting my right foot, so as to try and alleviate some of the pain. Each time that I was dropped into the water, I had to try and land on the bottom of the tank with my left foot and then afterwards try and climb back up to the bench and then repeat the process over and over!

Highway Safety- Then and Now

Experts At Texting Put To The Test In Driving Simulator

http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=8203826&autostart=y

CAT Convincer- Mt. Loafer Elementary

02 October 2009-- Some 475 students were able to take a ride on the CAT Seat Belt Convincer at Mt. Loafer Elementary in Salem, Utah.

UHP PT- Sept. 09, 2009

I took part in the mandetory participation PT today. At this point, it is a "Participation" test with no Pass or Fail. I figure that too many Troopers/Supervisors would not be able to pass the test-- if it were required! I like Colonel Fuhr's vision of getting his people into shape.

It turns out that the 1.5 mile course that we were suppose to run was actually a 2 mile course. Everyone was dismayed at their times, until someone recognized the problem. The Lt. figured out each runner's pace and adjusted it for the correct distance.

Today's test was for the UHP Headquarters personnel.

I passed all categories (Vertical Jump, Sit-ups, Push-ups and 1.5 Mile Run) and averaged 71%. You need to get at least 50% in each category just to pass at the minimum level. Later this month, I am going to try and achieve 85% in all categories to get the maximum amount of points for the Sergeants promotional.

We Need To Adjust Our Target Audience

Apparently, we need to start targeting kids at an earlier age when it comes to driver education. After seeing this, I think we may need to take our Driver Education program into the grade schools-----

http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=148&sid=7341904

South Summit HS Peer Leaders

I took the CAT Convincer out to Kamas, Utah for the South Summit High School Peer Leaders meeting. Seatbelt use in these rural areas is incredibly low and I'll jump at any chance to educate teens in these areas!

Utah In The Minority

With three more states joining the ranks of those with Primary Seatbelt Enforcement Laws, Utah still remains among the dwindling number (twenty) of states without such a law.

IT'S TIME FOR UTAH TO CHANGE!

http://www.iihs.org/laws/SafetyBeltUse.aspx

Fat or Fit?

I have dropped out of the "Obesity" range and have moved down into the "Overweight" range. With another 10 lbs. of weight loss, I'll make it into the "Normal" range. I just need to keep up the running and doing better with what I am consuming throughout each day. The first 30 lbs. came off at a steady rate, but now I am having to work harder and harder for each pound that I lose. It's has been worth it!

1992 Ford Taurus

09 July 1990

Today marks the 19th year of when I hired on with the UHP. I have loved every year!

Overweight Cops May Lose Jobs

http://www.dietsinreview.com/diet_column/06/overweight-cops-may-lose-jobs/

Old Section 6 Movie

Sergeant Doyle Thorne

Trooper Charles "Chuck" Warren

Trooper Randy Ingram

Interacting With The External Customer

Be honest--- how many of you Law Enforcement Officers have ever felt like saying something like this? But you didn't, because YOU value the External Customer relationship!

1968- Little Trooper Johnson

My Dad started with the UHP back in 1968 and worked in the Echo Port of Entry. Our family lived in Henifer for a very short time and then moved down to Coalville. We made it back to Provo in the late summer of 1969.

2008 Ford F-250

1995 Chevy Caprice

The best patrol that was ever issued to me. Roomy and Fast!

Viewmont HS- Top Seat Belt Percentage 2008-09

Viewmont High School students competed against thirteen other Utah high schools, in the UHP High School Adoption, for the best overall seat belt usage during the school-year. They ended the year at 91.4%. Here, we are presenting the student body officers with the award.

Commissioner Duncan Confirmation

Scott Duncan was confirmed by the state senate, as DPS Commissioner, in the fall of 2006.

Left to Right: Todd Johnson, Rep. Bud Bowman, Scott Duncan, Mike Holt.

The years that Scott served as Colonel and Commissioner were quite memorable! I most appreciated the way that he treated his subordinates--- as friends!

Ford Mustang

My first UHP car. I cannot remember the year of the Mustang, but I'm thinking that it was an '88 or '89? I'll have to dig out some old vehilce reports to find out.

Presidential Inauguration- 2009

Freezing our tails off for this picture. The Secret Service allowed us to come in near the South fence for the group photo. The White House was still the "Bush White House" at this time.

Section 6, Crew B Sept. 2007

This was Crew B, as it stood, just as I transfered out to the PI&E Program in the fall of 2007.
Front Row: Emery Calkins, Brian DeWitt, Robert Gray
Back Row: Brad Zeeman, Rich Fordham, Shawn Thomas, Todd Johnson

Academy Graduation- UHP

UHP Troopers and Protective Services Officers on Academy Graduation Day. Sgt. LeCours was in charge of our group while we were in the academy. From Left to Right: Kelly Wuthrich, Ted "The Stallion" Tingey, Wayne Gifford, Shane Nordfelt, Robin Wilkins, Todd Johnson, Sgt. LeCours, Kevin Bradshaw, Eric McPherson, Ryan Bauer, Ross LaRue, Dave Swenson, Scott Baker.

High School Adoption

Legislative Effort- 1995-96

Headstart School Bus Rollover

I was Southbound on I-15, just going under the 1200 South overpass in Orem, when I saw a large plume of dirt that had just been kicked up by an obvious vehicle rolling through the median about a half a mile South of my location. I notified dispatch and then hustled down to the crash scene. As I approached, I saw the Headstart school bus that had just rolled over. I was sick at the thought of children being inside the bus. Luckily, there were no children on board at the time-- just two adult women on their way to Provo to pick up some kids. Both women were ejected and suffered injuries.

The Trooper standing on the bus was quite skilled at being "Zero" assistance on incidents like this one.

Sherwood Brewer

Sherwood Brewer was the friend of Thayes Ludlow (one of our lady Troopers) and her husband, Sterling. He played second base in the Negro Leagues. Sherwood helped Jackie Robinson with his transition into Major League baseball. Our crew got to know Sherwood at one of our Crew parties.

Trooper Dee Lund- 1993

Trooper Joey Brumett- 1992

PI&E Training Meeting- April 2008

The PI&E Training Meeting that was held in April 2008.

Family- 2005

These are a couple of photos that Debbie used for a PowerPoint presentation that she made up for the legislature. The message had to do with our family trying to survive on a Trooper's salary.

Killer Bees

This picture was put together for Sgt. Dave Decker's retirement. Dave was my supervisor from July 1992 to October 2004.

POST Graduating Class- Session #169

Session #169 was a fun two and a half months of police academy! After the first few days, the real personalities starts showing-- some uptight, some quiet and the rest having a sense of humor. There never seemed to be a dull moment.