Page 10 - FOP September 2016

Politics vs. Policing
Brothers and sisters, it has been a year now since our newsletter has taken on a new look: that of a glossy magazine. As the cover changes from month to month so has policing in Chicago and across the country. In the words of Milwau- kee County Sheriff David Clarke: “Law enforce- ment has become the victim of bad leadership.” At a time when we need the most support for the men and women in blue, it seems to be just the
the voice of reason. His leadership has measured up to the members’ expectations during these trying times, in the face of uncertainty on the front line or, in our case, on the thin blue line.
Staying on point
Staying on point with your training is key to survival on the streets, on a call and even months later when you may have to testify for your actions in court or, as we have seen
RAY CASIANO, JR
opposite. Many of our elected officials, and some of our police department’s leaders, are more interested in securing their next political spot or saving what’s left of their own skin on the backs of so many offi- cers and at the expense of our livelihood, as we saw
in August with officers quickly being stripped of their police powers without due process.
More than 18 months ago in New York, during the funeral services for Brothers Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu, (EOW Dec. 20, 2014), I witnessed officers from NYPD turning their backs on their mayor. Here in Chicago, it’s the mayor and many of the aldermen who have turned their backs on us. Their silence is an affirmation of the lack of support for law enforcement created by the anti-police rhetoric and false narratives. They would rather stay in the safe zone in fear of losing their political careers versus endorsing order and compliance with the law. The only voice we have comes from the Lodge, President Dean C. Angelo, Sr., who has been
lately, with the rehashing of closed IPRA cases. As a former firearms instructor for the Department and, more im- portantly, as your union representative, I have always preached the importance of protecting yourself and being safe. I cannot emphasize this enough as crim- inals have been empowered by the lack of support and respect for law enforcement. That is why I have included the “Special Report” on officer safety you see
on page 11.
Acknowledgment
I would like to thank all of our members who took the well-deserved time off during FOP Unity Days to spend it with their families. This has been a tough year for law en- forcement and, let’s be honest, we do not see it getting bet- ter anytime soon. And for those members who were unable to participate and take time off, maybe next time. We must stand in solidarity or we will fall as individuals. d
FOP is here to serve and protect you, so that you can bet- ter serve and protect the citizens of Chicago. God Bless.
First Vice President’s
REPORT
10 CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ SEPTEMBER 2016