Page 39 - November2018

Veterans Day salute to Chicago Police Officers who served in the military
Double Duty
Chicago Police Officers have an eye for service – no matter the uniform
■ BY JOSHUA SIGMUND
When it comes to military service, few- er than half of one percent of Americans answer the call. Among national law en- forcement, that statistic unsurprisingly doubles to a full percent. But within the CPD, military participation increases significantly – by a factor of 10, in fact.
So why does there seem to be a perfect fit between those who serve in blue and those who served in camo? Four of those serving double duty vocalized their ex- periences and offer perspectives about how one inspires the other.
“It’s that familial legacy,” explains Ja- mal Williams, a CAPS officer in 001 and retired U.S. Marine. “Chicago neighbor- hoods are steeped in tradition. You have people whose fathers and grandfathers have served in both the CPD and the military, and I would want my kids to at least consider military service and polic- ing. This is what we do. It’s a high calling, and it’s meant for the best.”
At its most basic level, the Department offers practical and tangible benefits to servicemen and women that cannot be overstated. Military veterans receive their GI Bill benefits during their studies at the accredited CPD Academy, as well as during their probationary year.
“When I came in, it was seamless,” notes 25th District Officer Mike Miedona about his transition from being a techni- cal sergeant in the U.S. Air Force. “They help you with the paperwork and then you get another check. It’s a very good perk for someone who has served.”
For those who simultaneously split their service between law enforcement and the military, the back and forth can feel jarring. So the Department aims to make the transition noninvasive.
“Each time (I went on a deployment) I went on a leave of absence, turning in my ID, my star and my shield for a ci- vilian ID,” comments Field Training Of- ficer Frank Ponce, a U.S. Army Sergeant First Class who thrice has been deployed (Kuwait/Iraq in 2003, Iraq in 2008 and Afghanistan in 2012) while working in 008. “But the CPD is very cooperative with us retaining a military career. I have
friends in suburban police departments who are also in the Reserves, and I hear horror stories where they can’t take the day off or they just worked an overnight shift before a Reserves drill. I’m fortunate in Chicago; having that courtesy is a real benefit.”
And when it comes time to leave both worlds behind, Ponce spells out another incentive for wearing two uniforms:
“We double dip,” he confirms. “I’m not going to lie, it’s my second pension. So (dual service) is somewhat money moti- vated.”
But what money can’t buy are the skills and values developed through the expe- rience of wearing two uniforms.
Robert Garcia, who is in the Gang In- vestigative Division of the Bureau of Or- ganized Crime, demonstrated this during an Army deployment to Afghanistan in 2011. On the road to a school where sol- diers were going to deliver computers and books, Garcia’s caravan was hit with an IED, followed by RPGs and automat- ic fire. After a three-hour battle, Garcia’s troops began clearing the area.
“We see this guy who was firing the RPG,” Garcia, now a retired lieutenant colonel, recalls. “One of our mortars had hit the guy and the shrapnel put a big hole in his chest. This guy’s still mov- ing, and you as a leader have to decide
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Field Training Officer Frank Ponce 8th District
U.S. Army Sergeant 1st Class
Enlisted in the Army in May 1991 at 18 and spent four years on active duty before starting the academy in December 1995.
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