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rectives that might be distributed at roll call.
“Remember, the Lodge doesn’t know about everything,” Fio-
retto emphasizes. “If you receive something in writing, an order that may potentially interfere with officers’ protective rights, contact your unit rep.”
With police accountability associations, aggressive public advocacy groups, attorneys, the media and even citizens keep- ing a close eye on them, Herbert advocates that officers act as though they are on camera with full audio with every step they take. Without the full backing of Department leaders, officers have to play by the rules to avoid putting themselves in harm’s way.
Nevertheless, the storm can strike at any time, so officers must maintain their shelter.
“They have to act as though as they are potential criminal defendants in every situation,” Herbert details. “Exercise every single right you are entitled per the contract. If you are in an incident, give a brief explanation of the incident and answer no further questions until you are afforded all administrative and criminal rights. Criminal rights trump administrative proceed- ings in every single situation.”
If you want to fire back, the attorney general and COPA have places on their websites to compliment officers. Offset the 2 percent who think cops are racist by getting family members and friends to reach out.
“Let them know you are supporting the police,” Fioretto in- spires. “Let them know these restrictions are actually hurting the community.”
With some support, the understanding of what is required to police in the current era and the perspective to not get discour- aged by the accountability organizations or the media, there’s hope that this storm will eventually pass. d
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