Gary Goes to the Citizens Police Academy – S.13

WHAT I AM ON ABOUT: The last session, and the Citizens Police Academy sessions in general, were both good, and not so good. A final sad note regarding Auxiliary Deputy Chief Sam Brown.

The final class of the Fall, 2006 Citizens Police Academy did not go gently into the good night. A session which should have been a simple stroll to our graduation, became a quite unwieldy evening.

There was a lot of material to cover in the session, which should have appropriately tied together loose ends. There was the class plaque to be discussed, recruitment, letting us know the speaker for the upcoming graduation, an address from the President of the Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association, and closing remarks by the Captain of the Police Academy. Covering these areas would have led to a leisurely session with everyone leaving a little early, on a good note before the graduation session. However, this was not be.

Peculiarly, the powers to be at the Police Academy threw into the mix a very engaging, but lengthy, piece on what the NYPD is doing proactively regarding terrorism. Consequently, the final session had no break, and it went to the final minutes-plus. Leaving insufficient time to cover the plaque, and lingering questions for the class coordinator.

That all said, the recruitment section itself, though very low-key, was quite effective in selling the virtues of the joining the NYPD. The recruitment officer discussed the generous benefits package offered by the Police Department, particularly to seasoned officers, and the many job opportunities available within the Police Department. The officer’s effectiveness was in large part the result of his enthusiasm, and his evident belief in what he was selling.

Also, the section regarding anti-terrorism was quite engaging. We learned about the Nexus Unit, the Critical Response Vehicle, and the muscle on display Hercules Unit. The instructor provided us with a more microcosmic approach to terrorism within the NYPD, than our previous terrorism session did. The concern of the instructor’s unit is not so much a global view of terrorism, as our previous instruction was about, but more about proactive strategic responses to terrorism. This would have tied in very nicely with the previous session on terrorism, but was a lengthy mismatch in a session which was about preparing for our graduation.

Overall, unlike some vocal classmates, I am not walking away from the Citizens Police Academy euphoric, or believing my expectations for the Citizens Police Academy had been exceeded. Instead, I am walking away with mixed feelings.

I am walking away from the Citizens Police Academy training feeling that quite possibly I have not seen the whole picture. That the gulf between the theoretical and the practical may be bigger than the training let on. Unfortunately, I am not alone in my feeling, given the unnecessary hostile final session questions from a couple of my classmates, directed to the evening’s counter-terrorism instructor.

On the other hand, I also am also walking away from the Citizens Police Academy training very glad, and thankful, that I had the opportunity to learn about why the police often do, what they do. I have already taken this back with me to my job at New York Center in dealing with complainants, who turn to mediation after turning to the police.

So, the experience was very much a mixed bag.

As a final note to my days at the Citizens Police Academy; I was saddened to hear Staten Island Auxiliary Deputy Chief Sam Brown passed away a week ago on Sunday. Deputy Chief Brown arranged, and participated in, many of the of my rides to the Police Academy. An army buddy, and friend, of Elvis Presley, Chief Brown was a rugged individual who served many years with the Army. He believed very strongly in the good work that the police of Staten Island do. “I actually originally thought he was police brass;” Councilman McMahon recently told the Advance. The police have lost an impassioned ally for the work they do on Staten Island, and he will be missed.

Gary Goes to the Citizens Police Academy - S.10

Session 10 was very valuable in a way I am no so sure the very affable Detective Quinones intended it be. A major point of the Citizens Police Academy, if not the major point, is for the community to have a better idea who those people are that make up the NYPD. Session 10 certainly gave us that.

Throughout session 10 Detective Quinones peppered his description of the terrorists as "knuckleheads" and "nuts."” Though he did have grudging respect for the terrorists, Detective Quinones was clearly more comfortable seeing the terrorists as "not like the rest of us."

We were told right up front that, "Anyone who tells you there are not terrorists here ready to strike, has just pocket your picked." We saw some to the multi-ethnic faces of the terrorist groups. Since terrorists are in every country, we saw only the most highly publicized faces. Though they were characterized as "nuts" we learned about the men, and a single woman, who had formed armies, raised money (in one case over a billion dollars), or had simply acted alone, in order to perform terrrorist acts. Terrorists were very clever in evading detection, but never for long. So, in the end they were not so clever. We learned the terrorists make "idiot" mistakes. We also learned that if you visit certain websites, and downloaded certain material (e.g., an Al-Qaida training manual) you can anticipate the full weight of the government coming down on you. We also learned if you, knowingly, or unknowingly, rent a room to a terrorist you could serve jail time. We learned how terrorist suspects are arrested,"“Never to be heard from again." We also learned that despite the national debate, the United States does not torture terrorists.

Detective Quinones is highly educated. He is on his way to a doctorate in religion, and he is a 20-plus year veteran of the police force. So I was more than a little surprised by his very black and white perspective regarding terrorists. I do not recall any of the other officers/instructors exhibiting what came off as a very strong "us" versus "them" mentality. I saw a lot of respect and concern for the public from most of the other officers/instructors. Still, I should have not been surprised by Detective Quinones's attitude.

Detective Quinones in his position with the Joint Terrorist Task Force views himself as being an integral part of the war effort. His job, in large part, is to help us forget the United States is at war. When you are at war, your job is to kill the enemy. Compassion and understanding are potentially lethal hinderances to that job. Also, in considering Detective Quinones's session I thought back to the 3rd session where Detective Fox, with the Child Abuse Unit, told us he copes with his job by moving on mentally, when he finishes each case. I thought how the "us" versus "“them"” mentality allows Detective Quinones to do his job, and since Detective Quinones has limited contact with the general public, his "us" versus "“them"” mentality is able to remain a very private face of the NYPD.

Unlike most police officers whose job is, according to our reading for session 3, to "make every effort to perform your duties professionally, thoroughly, and with compassion and respect for the citizens of this city;" Detective Quinones's job is to protect all of us from them (i.e., the terrorists). Those that have declared war on all of us. As a citizen I think it valuable to know there is this "us" versus "“them"” face to the Police Department, as we look at a police department which in large part shows "“respect for the citizens of this city."

NY Center's Blog SpotGary Goes to the Citizens Police Academy – S. 09

Who is watching the wild youth?

That seemed to be the theme for the a la carte evening which was session 9 of the Citizens Police Academy. In one evening we heard from a sergeant with the Anti-Gang Squad; a father whose teenage son was killed by a gang member; the Youth Services captain; and finally, a sergeant in School Safety. All were very much versed in the “what” of their expertise, but lacking in causality.

The evening began with a fascinating peek behind the veil of gang culture. We learned about gang initiation, we learned about the unique gang language, we learned about the gang “steps,” and we learned about the myriad of signals which gang members use to identify other gang members. All this in a little over a half-hour. When the instructing sergeant was asked what need the gangs filled for its members, we were told that gang members did not get enough hugs at home, and gangs were their family. Unfortunately, the sergeants explanation only covers why gang members would alienate themselves from their families, or their fragmented family. Her explanation failed to explain why gang members would choose to indulge in, what appears to be, self-destructive behavior. My guess is there exists a strong element of hopelessness in creating the gang counterculture.

Next we were treated to a heartfelt interlude by the father of a teenager recently killed by a gang member, ostensibly over an iPod. The father briefly spoke of what happened to his son. He blamed his son’s death on a gang member, and by inference, gangs. Since his son’s death, this gentleman has dedicated himself to creating safer neighborhoods by working against gangs. However, he seems to have done little, and given little thought to, addressing the reasons gangs exist in the first place.

The next speaker was from Youth Services, and spoke about the many opportunities made available to the youth in each community by the NYPD. I understand the Explorers, the Youth Police Academy, and the Police Athletic League all are great programs for the youth in the communities. Still, a little about the original thinking behind creating these groups would have given us a much fuller picture.

The last speaker, (more appropriately speakers, led by a sergeant), spoke about School Safety. The sergeant had the amazing ability to turn the mundane into the monumental. The relatively routine wanding of students for weapons, in this officer’s hands became an art form. Where the sergeant fell flat was in explaining the “why” of what he did. He told us under no circumstances, may a female student be wanded by a male officer, because of the possibility of false accusations. Then by way of example, he told us how a female officer was wrongfully accused of doing inappropriate wanding by a group of malicious girls. He used a similarly inappropriate example in explaining how everyone must be wanded, even teachers who would be given a free ride if they had walked through the teacher’s entrance. So, it is unclear why they were being wanded because they walked through one entrance, and not the other. Then there was the talking technique to discover weapons hidden in the mouth. The sergeant gave an example which showed this technique to be useless at detecting weapons in the mouth. So, in the end, it is unclear why the talking technique is used at all.

Despite issues with session 9, what we did learn made for an, in turns, fascinating, moving, informative, and entertaining evening. So, there was actually much to be gained from session 9.

Next week it is counter terrorism. I am looking forward to more than just, “if you see something, say something.” In any case, I shall certainly see something, and say something.

I am so very there!

Gary Goes to the Citizens Police Academy – S. 08

The New York Police Department is not 100% free of rotten cops, but it is very close. That is the message we received in session 8 of the Citizens Police Academy. One-third of 1%, is the number of crooked cops in the NYPD, according to Captain Servedio, of the NYPD Internal Affairs Bureau (IAB).

How does IAB keep that number so low? They do it through random tests and targeted tests. There are random and targeted hair sample tests for every police officer, including top brass. Hair sample tests are more expensive than the urine tests, but apparently, are more accurate. There are random and targeted integrity tests, where the bad apples are provided opportunities to exhibit their malfeasance. Also, IAB recruits are plucked from the police academy and given the job to be the eyes and ears of the IAB among the rank and file officers in each precinct. IAB also keeps those numbers low through an anonymous hot-line where each caller receives a unique number to preserve their anonymity. In addition, the NYPD makes IAB service a mandatory requirement among officers selected for limited tenure IAB service.

So, who are these IAB officers who are policing the police? They are 646 officers, and a few civilians, of high integrity personally selected by the top police brass. Their mission is to "ensure the highest standard of integrity" within the NYPD.

Given all the scandals within the NYPD, do I buy this integrity thing, and that the IAB is all it is touted to be? The answer is "yes." I believe it not only because the instructor, Captain Servido, was a credible advocate for the IAB, but also because of an incident I witnessed a couple of weeks ago at the 123 Precinct on Staten Island.

As part of Mediation Settlement Day in Staten Island, the New York Center had some coffee and pastries for the officers in the training room at each of Staten Island’s three precincts. I noticed several dollars by one of the gym bags in the training room at the 123 Precinct. Concerned about someone taking the money, I mentioned the money to one of the officers. I was told to just leave the money alone, which I found very odd at the time. In the context of the integrity tests of the IAB, the officer's reaction made a lot of sense.

It is very unfortunate that there needs to even be integrity tests, and an IAB. But what is the alternative for the good officers, and the community the police serve? I think there is little alternative from the police side, than an honest IAB, if the NYPD is to honestly serve the community with integrity. After all, we are talking about 50,000, or so, officers. It would be a true miracle if none of them were dishonest.

Next week the gangs will be all there.

So will I!

Gary Goes to the Citizens Police Academy – S.07

Session 7 of the Citizens Police Academy concerned the hot button issue of domestic violence. I came away from the session with the impression that domestic violence is a hereditary disease.
Sgt. Williams, the jovial, animated instructor, told us about his encounter with domestic violence as a rookie officer. This encounter concerned a 70 year old woman, and her husband of the same age. When Sgt. Williams and his partner initially responded to the residence he noticed that the woman had an enormous bump on her head. Her husband readily admitted causing the bump.
The home of a polite elderly couple with many years of marriage behind them, as well as numerous children and grandchildren, was not exactly the venue where Sgt. Williams had expected to encounter domestic violence. Still, there it was. The elderly abuser was quite polite, and forthcoming, so Sgt. Williams engaged him in a dialogue.
As a wet behind the ears rookie, and a newly married husband, Sgt. Williams was anxious to learn how the polite elderly patriarch could, at this late point in his life, find himself as a admitted domestic violence abuser. Sgt. Williams learned that on the eve of his wedding night, as his parting words, his father advised the young groom that the key to a happy marriage is by upholding the family tradition of domestic violence. This bit of fatherly wisdom, the elder patriarch admitted passing onto his sons. Even if fathers do not tell their sons, as with the elderly abuser, they show them. In this way the disease spreads.
Each day the police get 600 calls regarding domestic partnership incidents. A large number of these incidents become violent. So, what are the police doing about domestic violence? We learned, they are doing the best they can.
No law in the NYS Penal Code specifically targets domestic violence. The best the police can do is to take orders of protection seriously, (a violator is subject to immediate arrest), and to create a unit which follows up on domestic violence reports, (which they have). However, with just 300 domestic dispute officers citywide to cover a 600 call a day problem there will, of course, continue to be a problem. This disease is not helped by the fact that given the emotional nature of the issue, there is little space for the sort of discussions, and thought, which would work toward eradicating the disease.
New week we are onto counter terrorism. A hot button issue in its own way.
I am sooo already there!

Gary Goes to the Citizens Police Academy – S.06

The overt intent of the Citizens Police Academy if for us, the community of NYC, to have a better idea of why the police do what they do, when they do it. In session 6 the very engaging Lieutenant Donnelly indeed, did give us the why, what, and when of police work.
At the conclusion of the session on the touchy subject (pun intended) of stop, question, and frisk, as people were beginning to shuffle out, Lieutenant Donnelly made a comment that in the clatter I am sure many people did not catch. By way of closure for the session Lieutenant Donnelly announced to the exiting throng, “I hope you are proud of us.”
In the context of Lieutenant Donnelly’s approach to the session his closing comment very much made sense. Several times during the session Lieutenant Donnelly talked about the criticism, “Is that what they teach you at the academy?” A criticism which reflects right back to Lieutenant Donnelly, and he was anxious to dispel. Also, in a moment of stark contrast to his usual levity Lieutenant Donnelly held up a Daily News about an officer being killed, weighted against a Daily News headline protesting some police misstep. Lieutenant Donnelly bridged the two headlines by not so subtly musing about why there was no protest over police officer’s deaths.
Am I proud of the NYPD? I would have to say “no.” I am glad that most of the officers I have met through training chose to be police officers. I am particularly impressed by those in leadership positions I have come in contact with. I have respect for the work the police do, and how, in most instances, they do their work well. Proud is somewhat narcissistic. Since I am not part of the NYPD, and no matter how well they do their job, I can never be part of the NYPD, I can never be proud of them. Pride also implies a warmth which is very difficult to have toward a group in the land of the free, who represent the limits to being free. Lieutenant Donnelly’s comment about being proud of the NYPD, sounded very close to a request to be liked. It seems the closest the police could come to being liked is to be understood and respected. Both these qualities are coming from me in doses with each new session.
I am looking forward to the next eye opening, and thought provoking class. Next week we will engage in domestic violence role plays.
Did I mention that I am already there?

Gary Goes to the Citizens Police Academy – S.05

What makes a police officer a professional? What better way to show us what a true professional is then to show us by example what a professional is not?
This fifth session of the Citizens Police Academy dealt with emotional disturbed people. After an almost hour-long introduction to emotionally disturbed people we went into a role play with an emotionally disturbed person, using four hearty, (or foolish depending on your perspective), classmates of mine as police officers.
In the role play two fellow classmates, as officers, were summoned to a studio apartment. They were clearly had been handed the ball, but were uncertain which way to run with it. Hence, they readily called for backups, which were two more classmates. One of the back-ups attempted to step into the power vacuum. Unfortunately, by doing so she clearly rankled one of her fellow officers (i.e., classmates). Had the instructor not intervened, it might have become a royal rumble with the emotionally disturbed person and his sister arguing, and the four officers arguing among themselves.
So, what makes a police officer a professional?
I think it is not only the ability to work as part of a team, but also to know what your job is, and how to do that job. Though I would like to think my people skills in the role play would have been better than my classmates, I think I would have been just as lost as my classmates were about the job to do, and the resources to do the job. A professional would have not been lost and performed their job seamlessly, to the untrained eye.
If the goal of the Citizens Police Academy is for citizens to have clearer understanding of the police department, this last session was definitely one giant step toward that light.
Next week, Lieutenant Donnelly, Mr. Self-Proclaimed NYC King of Kicking Doors Down.
You guessed it; I am already there!

Gary Goes to the Citizens Police Academy - S.04

Who would have thunk it? Who would have thunk learning about the law would be so much fun. And I pulled into the session feeling half past dead. Through a combination of humor, visuals, audience participation, and surprises, Lieutenant Donnelly showed he could hold our attention for nearly three hours.

Lieutenant Donnelly used the first hour and a half of the training to review the rules, or more appropriately, the first ten amendments to the rules. He covered the Bill of Rights in detail with helpful hints thrown into the cocktail for remembering each amendment (e.g., five fingers over the mouth, six letters in lawyer). Beyond entertaining us, Lieutenant Donnelly genuinely wanted us to learn.

The second half of the session was about the exceptions. We learned from this self proclaimed NYC King of Kicking Doors Down about the Gumbyese nature of warrants as provided in the 4th Amendment. We learned that the 4th amendment is poked and pulled by "plain view," "wherever it can fit," "inferred by appearance," and the Carroll Doctrine exceptions.

Hollywoodland is not the real world when it comes to the Miranda right, and many other issues. Little surprise there. Still demythicizing is very empowering, as is learning generally. When learning brings with it the thrill of an amusement ride, all the better. Lieutenant Donnelly will be back in 2 weeks. I am already there!

Gary goes to the Citizens Police Academy

Our own Gary Carsel has decided to go the Citizens Police Academy as part of our effort to work with the Police here in Staten Island. Over the coming weeks, Gary will chronicle his journey.

I had visions of mediating disputes from under overturned stones, and was inspired by a story about a Maryland mediation center’s involvement with their local police department. With this in mind, I started the New York City Citizens Police Academy, as the sole representative from Staten Island.

The Academy is an abridged, but not sanitized, rookie eye view of being a police officer. We learn about the laws, we learn about the successes and failures of the Department, we learn the administrative nuts and bolts of the Department, we get arms training, terrorist training, we do a ride along. You think of an exciting/interesting aspect of police work and we will be doing it in this 14 week program.

I am loving it! I am being exposed to another culture I know nothing about. I am being led by officers who are honest, smart, enthusiastic, and witty. They are people it is a pleasure to spend hours with.

Our first session a week ago Wednesday was an overview of the aspects of Police work we would receive instruction on. Each of the instructors gave a short lively presentation about the area they would be instructing us in. The Chief of the Police Academy gave welcoming remarks.

The second session, last Tuesday evening, we learned all about the hierarchy within the Police Department, the Police Department blemishes, and the ways the Police Department serves their communities.

Next week will be People in Crisis.

I am already there!

Gary