The Dispatcher

“Behind the Badge”       Communications Professionals

By Joseph Pangaro

A few years ago a very popular TV game show burst onto the scene. As a part of the drama a contestant stuck on a particular answer could call a friend for help, this was referred to as “A life line”. What a great concept, a life line, someone to reach out to when you really need it. This would be excellent in real life wouldn’t it? There you are at your favorite restaurant, the bill comes and it’ $100 more than you have. The waiter stands there tapping his toe and smiling as you recount your money for the tenth time. Then it hits you, a life line! You dial a buddy and he runs in the front door with the cash, problem solved. There are a thousand other situations where a life line would be a welcome addition to our every day existence. Unfortunately there are very few real life lines out there. In law enforcement we are very lucky because we do have a real life line: The men and women of our communications division, our dispatchers. 

These public service employees are the unsung heroes of the public safety world. They are the connection between the residents of a community and the assistance units they need help from. If someone is breaking into your house and you dial 911 or your local police sttation, a dispatcher answers the call. They take the information from you, which is not always easy. Most times when people call for help they are in various states of distress. The dispatcher has to calm the person down enough to get the pertinent information such as where the incident is taking place and what is needed there. Once they get that info they have to decide on who to send. What officers are available, where are they in relation to the call, is there a specific expertise called for, all the while keeping the caller on the phone and reassuring them. This is not an easy job. I have watched the dispatchers perform their duties under some very trying situations. It is amazing to watch the more veteran communications people as they handle these calls with a calm that would surprise you. They seamlessly connect ambulance calls to fire companies to the county radio room and the same time keep track of the cops on the road and what they need.

There have been times when I have been out at a situation and before my backup has gotten on scene, and the only thing you have is the voice of that dispatcher on the radio to let you know you’re not alone. It can be very reassuring. Some of the people I have worked with over the years have a keen sense of timing and the ability to remember the habits and particulars of how individual officers do their work. They know the difference in the officers tone of voice means he is suspicious and wants more checks to be done on a suspect. Or the way she describes something she is seeing tells the dispatcher to send more help. All this is done without actually having to say those words. It is this kind of dedication to duty and ability that makes the dispatchers a real life line for cops and fire personnel.

Another interesting aspect of a career in dispatching is the way the public deals with them in non emergency situations. Public safety dispatch personnel are at times; counselors, coaches, interrogators, and the last hope for many people with no one else to call. The lonely despondent person that calls for help gets a dispatcher, the woman living with a domestic violence nightmare unsure how to proceed gets a dispatcher, the little child who finds daddy laying on the living room floor and won’t wake up gets a dispatcher. All of these callers go to dispatch first, before ever hearing from or seeing a cop. Properly trained and given the proper respect our dispatchers are a vital link in the public safety chain. We can never overlook their contributions. There are many a dispatchers out there that have saved many lives by talking someone through the steps of CPR, how to do the Heimlich Maneuver, or guiding someone to a hiding spot while awaiting the police.                                                                                                                                                       I know that I am grateful to my dispatch people for their care and concern for me, my officers and the residents of my community.  Next time you have the opportunity to call and speak to a dispatcher I hope you keep this in mind and thank them for their efforts. They are always at the end of the phone when you need them, 24 hours and day seven days a week.      

            

Let me know what you think.   Email me   jpangaro194@yahoo.com

Female Cops

“Behind the Badge”                             “Female Police Officers”

By Joseph Pangaro

The modern law enforcement agency has a variety of tools at their disposal to protect and serve our communities. The opportunities for everyone in our society to participate and add to that tool box have never been greater either, and their value has never been higher. The idea of a female police officer is not new, in the 1970’s it was more novel than it is today since women made up a very small number of the overall police officers nationwide at that time. Today, most agencies have women in uniform, not in the sheer numbers as that of their male counterparts but the number of women joining the ranks is growing every day. As a veteran officer myself I can tell you that the role of women in the world of law enforcement is one that has become essential to the overall delivery of police services.

I am not going to rehash the old arguments about “Can she do the job”. That is so outdated that it is not even worth the time to discuss. The women in law enforcement have proven their abilities over and over again, so the answer for all time should be; “Yes she can”, end of discussion. 

That being said, female police officers are often a source of interest to the general public. In many shore towns our departments have one, two, or may be three female cops. Over the years I have worked with female officers, detectives and investigators and found them to be tremendous assets to any type of investigation. They bring a different perspective in many instances and a different life view and experience. Some of the many questions that are sent to me by readers ask about these female officers and what they think of the career and how they see themselves. Based on those questions I interviewed several of the female officers I know from around the area to get their point of view.  I chose Police Officer Kathleen Delanoy in particular because of her heart felt answers and opinions. Officer Delanoy is a ten year veteran of a local Monmouth County Police Department. Here are excerpts of the interview.

Q: What is it like to be a female police officer?

A: Since the day I started I have gotten the usual questions, “What made you want to be a cop?” and “Aren’t you scared because you’re a girl”. First of all I grew up as a Tom-Boy and I still am. I was about 4 years old when my father’s friend, a local police officer, gave me and my brother a ride in a patrol car. Since then I was hooked. As for being scared, I am no more scared than my male colleagues. There have been times when I have felt overpowered in physical confrontations and wished I had a black belt in marshal arts, but I learned from the very beginning that physical strength should be a cop’s second skill in dealing with an unruly subject. The first ability should be to reason with them, even if they are in your face screaming obscenities at you.

Q: Do you find any advantages to being a female police officer?

A: There is a big advantage at times. When speaking with someone during any type of investigation, even if I arrive late, they tend to ignore the other officer and start telling me their story. Maybe they feel more comfortable speaking to a female because a woman’s presence is not always as intimidating as a man’s can be. There have been many times when I have had to search a female prisoner and they will tell me things they did not tell the male officers. Sometimes men will talk to me over a male officer and divulge information about an incident too.

Being a female officer can also be quite amusing at times too. I have stopped women who pretend to cry as I am walking up, thinking a male officer will fall for their sob story and let them go. When they realize I am a female their faces are priceless!

Q: How do you get along with your male counterparts on the job?

A: I am one of two female police officers who work with sixty men. In the beginning there was a male cop who refused to acknowledge my presence. I was overly nice to him and that didn’t work. After about 10 months on the job I stopped a car and found two stolen handguns in a hidden compartment. That same cop told me he was jealous because he had not gotten even one gun off the street. He said I proved that women could do the job. Since then I have been really lucky because the men I work with treat me like their sister.

Q: How do you think the public views you?

A: I have never had someone tell me that I shouldn’t be a police officer because I am female. I have heard on numerous occasions that people are impressed with the fact that I work with mostly all men and can handle the stress of the job. Sometimes I forget that I am different than male officers because we are a tight knit family. Then when I am approached by a mom with her kids she will say to little Johnny or Jane “Look women can be cops too”. I realize that I stand out as different as a male officer.  

Q: What do you feel is the best aspect of being a female police officer?

A: One of the best aspects is probably the hardest to describe and one that only another cop can understand. I have been extremely lucky to work with such a great group of men. The closeness we share is comparable to the bonds that families share. They do not make me feel different or uncomfortable when I am with them. They call me to go out as if I was one of the boys; they would jump in front of a bullet for me as I would for them. 

Another aspect of being a female police officer is clear when I walk in on a domestic and the female half is automatically drawn to me. It’s a reminder that the reason I took this job, like most cops, is to help others. When a woman tells me her side of the story, whether their boyfriend or husband has cheated on them or beat them up, they feel compelled to cry on my shoulder like I was one of their girlfriends. My goal is to leave their minds at ease and all their questions answered.

Q: What is the most difficult aspect of being a female cop?

A: There are some negative aspects to being a female officer, both on the job and off. Physical strength is one of them. Some situations require using force to neutralize a situation. Not having the physical strength of a male officer is very frustrating. That’s why working out is the key to officer safety for both men and women. Another tough area is dating. I have met men who aren’t cops and some of them feel intimidated because I carry a gun. I have dated men who don’t understand what a bad day really is. My bad day is having a child dying after doing CPR for an hour, their bad day might be a meeting that ran too long.

Another difficult aspect is that even though I am one of the guys, there are times when I don’t fit in. When I was new I was invited to a party and none of the wives and girlfriends would talk to me. The guys also acted different because they didn’t want their wives and girlfriends to think that they were as close to me as they were. As soon as they found out I was dating someone they accepted me.

Q: Do you think there is a difference in the way you are treated by the public compared to male officers?

A: Yes. The most annoying comment is when a man will say “Please arrest me officer” and put their hands behind their back.  I want to say “This is not a costume I am a professional”, instead I just smile and keep walking. Sometimes I hear comments about being too feminine to be a cop, little do they know I punch like a man!”

Q: What is your favorite part of police work?

A:  My favorite part is when I am approached by someone who remembers me from a call and tell me that I made a positive difference in their lives. I met a woman in a restaurant one day and she asked if I remembered her. I apologized because I didn’t, we see so many people in a day. She said I saved her life. I arrested her for possessing heroin and transported her to the county jail and treated her with respect. I asked her if she ever tried to quit using the drugs. She said using drugs was like breathing, but she quit soon after that and has been clean ever since. She said I made her feel like a human being and not just another drug addict. That was amazing.

Q: Would you recommend police work to other women?

A: I would definitely recommend a career in police work. I was never the type to sit behind a desk for 8 hours. The job is definitely not monotonous and is different every day. The bonds between officers are incredible and the feeling of saving a life, delivering a baby or simply making a positive impact on someone’s life is the best feeling in the world.

That short interview was just a glimpse into the world of our female police officers. I want to thank Officer Delanoy for her candid answers and personal points of view. I know the work she does and the difference she makes in the lives of the people in her community; they are lucky to have her on the job. She is truly a professional and takes the demands and responsibilities of the job to heart. Officer Delanoy is typical of the female police officers I have worked with over the course of my career. They have earned their place in the thin blue line by their actions and service to the community.  Each one is a great example of the type of dedication that a career in law enforcement demands.

Let me know what you think.         Jpangaro194@yahoo.com

Rogue Cop- LAPD

This is a very dangerous situation.  The rogue officer out in Los Angeles in on a hate fueled killing spree. So far they know of two definate murders and can most likley link a third. This is not good. Someone on that kind of a binge can strike at any moment. He left a manifesto that could help investigators find him by reading it and deciphereing what else he has a vendetta against.

This story will roll untill he is confronted and taken out or burns out and take his own life. Either way its got to be tense out in California.  I wish my brother and sister officers safety and luck to bring this guy in and stop the killing.

JP 
   

2013 A look Forward

“Behind the Badge”           A look forward -2013

By Joseph Pangaro

The year is new; once again many of us make resolutions and plans for this annual renewal. Whether it’s getting healthier, smarter, stronger, nicer, and more generous or the thousands of other things we can be “better” at, one thing remains the same- we want to change.

As with other best intentions they don’t always work out so well. We lose interest, get distracted, or lose faith in our goals. In this year 2013 we have many things to consider as a nation and as individual people. Having survived the End of the World this past December 21 and all the hype that went with it for the past three years, I am hopeful that we can begin to look into things a bit deeper, to spend more time trying to gain a true understanding of the things around us and the choices we will be called on to make.

It would seem that as we enter 2013 our nation is truly at a crossroads, some may even say we have gone beyond the crossroads point and have moved in a new direction totally. It would seem that many parts, traditions and norms of the United States, if not most of the “Old” America has been left behind, replaced with a new view of the world and our place in it.

Re-Defining ourselves seems to be taking place right before our eyes, without much actual discussion or debate. For many people this is a refreshing change, a chance to reinvent who we are, to set things right as they should have been. For others it is not quite so good. Changing the dynamics of how we live and function among the global community and within the borders of our own country is difficult at best.Regardless of where you come out on this process the reality is that it is happening and there is no stopping it.

This leads to the obvious question- are we headed in the right direction? Are we remaking America into a better place or are we destroying what was the best place on earth for the sake of change.  I have to ask an even deeper question, do we have any idea who we are at all? It would seem that we have lost our perspective.

When we view the founding fathers, not as noble and honorable men of vision who created a country where anyone, from any background could achieve anything they could imagine by working hard, sacrificing and dedicating themselves to their goals, to seeing them as a group of privileged, racists, whose sole aim was to take advantage to every opportunity, every person and everything of value for their own benefit; therefore rendering everything they did  and set in motion as illegitimate, we remove a cornerstone of who we are. This leads us to a path very different than what we have been following for the past 200 plus years. Which could be a good thing or a very bad thing.

A column of 800 words is not really the place for this discussion, but it is a place to ask the question- what do we want to be?

Looking back at the totality of our history it is easy to find and point out things we have done wrong, beliefs that we had to change, practices and prejudices that could not stand, but if all we do is look at our faults and sins without accepting  that we have made great changes and overcome the negative things, then we are doomed to see ourselves as no better than any other society.

Even making the statement that America is better than most other places is offensive to many people. That in and of itself speaks volumes as to why we are in such an era of upheaval.

To look at our founding we could, if we choose to, see a free people declaring that for the first time in human history, individual liberty trumps government. Or we could view that same founding; as many people do today, as the opening salvo of an oppressive nation lead by an oppressive few, bound to steal the worlds resources for their own enrichment.

Sadly these two options, these two ways of viewing our America, are as real and truthful as anything else.

Did we, at the cost of thousands of American lives, liberate Europe from the diabolical hands of NAZI Germany and a decent into an unparalleled hell, or did we simply take advantage of the moment to assert ourselves as a superpower in a better position to plunder the riches of the globe crushed beneath our military feet?

Does our Military itself serve the betterment of mankind by fighting against evil dictators, regimes, and despots, or does it simply do the bidding of the Rich and powerful who run the military complex, picking its involvements based on financial gain for its owners.

Do the rights we once proclaimed as coming from God, and treasured and vowed to protect to the death, now seem to be valid only if they are wielded against anyone we perceive to have more power or money than they need or deserve.

Have we taken the uniquely American opportunity to rise above our birth stations and become as rich and powerful as our abilities, gifts, and desires take us, or do we now see even the idea of rising and attaining as evil?

Do we now embrace the concept that equal outcome is more appropriate than equal opportunity? Do we cede our options to others to decide what is most fair and just for everyone, or do we maintain our own sense of fairness and justice?

These questions, and many others similarly themed are before us as we move into 2013 and the years to follow. What is our American Heritage? Has it all been a farce? Are we really an evil people deserving of a slide from prominence? Are our traditions and values worth maintaining or do we move away from what has been our American Legacy and towards a new America?

As I talk to people about these questions and the conversations run all over the possibilities, it becomes clear that we are changing as a nation. Depending on the age of the people I have spoken to, their opinions reflect either what they have lived or been taught as truth or as is the case for many people, what they have heard the truth is from the popular culture and media of the moment.

In the end we are faced with decisions that must be made either by proactive national consensus, lethargy and a slide into the answers, or as the result of imposition by whoever happens to be in charge at the moment.

I see America as I choose to live it, a place with a rich history and vibrant past. I am proud of our people for the things we have changed over the years. When we saw or realized something was not right, we changed to become a better America. It was not always easy and the work is certainly not complete, but we are the greatest country God has ever seen fit to live on this planet.

Our Military and their families have fought against tyranny all over the globe, with thousands of patriots paying the ultimate sacrifice on the altar of freedom and justice for people and places they had no previous relationship too other than justice itself.

America is a unique place- a land where the individual could become whoever he/ she wanted to be. A place where you could relate to your God as you saw fit. A place where you could reject the concept of a God and instead worship whatever you believed was truth and find peace in your choice. A place where my children and yours could decide for themselves and their generation what paths to take and how to make the world a better place. A place where the people, bound together by an understanding that human freedom is a gift to be cherished and defended at every turn, could achieve their dreams and lay a foundation for a better tomorrow.

I hope this is still the case for our country. For now it is still our choice. Our destiny is unwritten and will ultimately be decided by our own hands. We will forge a better America based on our traditions, our compassion, faith, and love of freedom or we will choose to let someone else, wiser than ourselves decide for us and live with the consequences.

2013 can be a bright spot for all of us. We can choose to see each other as fellow travelers on the path. We can learn to value each person for their deeds and not their designation by race, creed, religion, social status, or who they love. We can be better and still be America. That’s is my hope for the New Year.

I want to thank all of you who take the time to email or write to me. I appreciate all of your comments and critiques and I try to learn from each encounter. We are all truly blessed to be here as 2013 dawns. I wish all of you and your families a wonderful New Year filled with health and happiness and I pray we find the answers we seek and the justice we all deserve. 

Let me know what you think.                     Jpangaro194@yahoo.com

       

Innocence and Angels

“Behind the Badge”                   Innocence and Angels

By Joseph Pangaro

On Friday I was in the Police Academy teaching a group of 60 cops how to plan and active shooter drill when word came that a horrible tragedy had erupted in an elementary school in Connecticut. The initial report was that one person had been killed, which was bad enough. A short time later the devastating news came that over two dozen people had been killed and the heart breaking reality that 20 of the victims were little children, Gods most precious Angels.

The room was filled with veteran law enforcers from all over the state. When the details were announced it was greeted by pained silence. The wave of horror ran through the room and was visible on the faces of everyone there.

Like most people these cops were parents, myself included. My first thought was to go to my kids school, pick them up and hold them as tightly as I could, it was the sense of helplessness that was disorienting.

These incidents of school shootings have become a part of the life experience in our country. Since the Columbine High School Tragedy there have been over 40 cases of school shootings, this one in Connecticut is being tagged as the “Second” worst in history, the first being the Texas Tech massacre in 2007. As the specifics of the Connecticut murders came in the first thing that strikes you directly in your heart is the understanding that the victims were not simply young adult students, but little children, Kindergarten babies. That’s when the truth settles in your soul. This is the worst incident, atrocity, and horror we have had to experience. The fact that these kids are the most innocent among us is more than most people can fathom.

I have seen many terrible things in my career, as most police officers do. I have written extensively about the effect the repeated exposure to these types of horrendous crimes can have on our police personnel and the staggering statistic of police officer suicide paints that picture quite clearly.  I have tried to teach the new people coming on the job that to survive this wave of carnage they must put their jobs and lives into perspective. We cannot save the world. If our careers have any benefit to society it is that over the course of a life time we can help and save individual people. If we understand that we can defend ourselves from the pain we see as we go about our work. For me it has been successful. I hope it helps my brothers and sisters who strive to protect and serve our communities into the future.

The healing from this incident in Connecticut will take weeks for some, months and years for others and some will never recover. The parents, families, friends, teachers and residents of New Town will need our prayers. They will need the help of family and friends to embrace them in their sorrow and we will all need time to reflect on this loss.

A psychologist was on TV saying that he believes our entire nation will suffer some effects of PTSD, (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). I believe he is right. Having watched these types of painful scenes played out in the past tells me we will all be effected to one degree or another, we are after all only human.  Seeing people in pain causes reactions in us, seeing children victimized shakes us to our core.

In the coming weeks our kids, even the younger ones, will know at least some of the things that happened. They may have trouble sleeping, eating or functioning. Adults too will develop these problems as the enormity of the tragedy sinks in and the day after day coverage of the funerals becomes part of our daily news and conversations. Be aware of these possibilities, reach out to anyone who is having trouble and try to get help for them.

Surviving a terrible incident begins with understanding it, putting it in a box and taking control of it. These types of crimes, these senseless, random, horrors don’t offer much possibility for understanding or control.  A person capable of killing children so dispassionately might never be understood and so we will feel helpless. If you need help, talk to someone.

I will pray. I will pray for the families who lost their babies and I will pray for the officers that have to investigate that crime scene and stand as advocates for the fallen. Their lives will be changed forever by this crime and they will never be the same. I will do my duty and continue to prepare to be ready the next time evil shows its face, as will our police officers all across the country.

We will survive, in time we will heal. Today we can remember the innocents, pull our own children close, hug them tightly and appreciate the glorious gift that are those we love in hope that a loving God walks with his newest Angels and comforts us all.

Let me know what you think.     Email me at;    Jpangaro194@yahoo.com          

          

Surviving the Storm- Sandy

The last seven days have been one of the most difficult weeks many of us have ever faced; some have not survived. As the case with any major incident, once the skies clear a bit we must assess, heal and learn because there will be a next time. There always is.

Hurricane Sandy pounded the northeast and the New Jersey Shore area in particular. I saw heroism, fear, good neighbors, tragedy and hope in this mess.

Friends and co-workers lost their homes. People in our community died, children were lost, this is the painful truth and the legacy of this storm. There is another side as well. And it is in the midst of this swirling chaos that it revealed itself.

Neighbors welcoming neighbors and friends into their homes in the middle of the night. Police officers, fire fighters and other emergency workers moving with speed and dedication to save lives and property. Members of the community saying thank you, people showing restraint even when their nerves were worn thin. This is the hope that was revealed. We pulled together.

I was working the past six days. There were countless numbers of residents of my community that brought food, drink and thanks to my officers as they toiled around the clock protecting the community. We were all in the same position, trying to survive. Many of the officers had families at home alone during the storm and in the days afterward. They found it easier to leave them and do their duty because they had friends and family to count on and people who understood their struggles.

We have made it to Storm day plus 7. The true reality of the loss is really just beginning to become apparent. We must maintain the cohesiveness and good will we displayed during the initial crisis. Things will get better.

In the coming days we will bury our dead, clear the debris of our losses and begin again to live. There is little consolation to those who lost someone, so we, the survivors must pray for them and lend our hands to support them. It is only through this process that we can truly help each other rebuild. Then we must plan for the next event. It looms just down the road. We may not be able to see it clearly but its there. How we prepare and learn from this incident, the good and the bad, will help us tomorrow.

God bless us all and watch over us. 

 

Drug Court

“Drug Court”                                                             

by Joseph Pangaro

  

There was a time when going to court meant you might have to face the judge, the officer that wrote you a ticket or arrested you, or maybe the neighbor that signed a complaint against you for your barking dog.

If you were arrested for possession of a small amount of drugs you could expect a fine and an admonishment, the first time. Well, maybe the second and third time too. After that you would most certainly be sentenced to the county jail for a very uncomfortable period of time. Most of the repeat offenders were people who were hopelessly addicted to illegal drugs. Their lives, completely ruled by the relentless, never ending need for more and more of the illicit substance, spin out of control. These people are easy to ignore, easy to write off. We, the non addicted members of our world offer them some good, simple advice; “Stop taking drugs and get a job”. The reality of drug abuse is a little more complicated than that. As anyone who has real experience with drug addicts and drug addiction can tell you; the doctors who treat their afflictions, the friends who lock their doors so they don’t get robbed blind, the parents who cry themselves to sleep wondering if their child will make it home that night, and the police who have to deal with them at their worst. Drugs control and destroy many innocent lives. That’s the truth of it.

These drug addicts, the people we write off, are members of our community, they deserve our help. 

A few years back the courts realized that most drug offenders were not career criminals out to plunder our society for their own gain. They are, for the most part regular people who made some really bad decisions and got involved with things they never should have.  The answer to this problem, serving societies needs by adjudicating the drug offenders, and at the same time trying to help these people trapped by substance abuse, is the DRUG COURT.

This is a unique system that covers both of the bases. The drug abusers have to face the wrath of the court AND get help for themselves. The program is not automatic, but it is voluntary. People who enter into the system have to report to a Judge and probation officer on a regular basis. They also have to face their peers in the drug court system. It is set up like a 12 step program, only this one has teeth and large metal doors that slam shut on you if you don’t follow through. Participants meet to give the group updates on their progress of finding jobs, staying sober and remaking their broken lives. I was initially skeptical of this program. I believed it was another “Feel Good” get over program. We would all feel good, because we were “helping” and the abuser was “getting over” on the system by pretending to get better.

I sat in on a session of drug court recently, and I have to admit I see it differently now.  The judge, a veteran of the Criminal Justice System, was fair, concerned and tough as nails when he had to be. The participants took turns telling the judge, the panel and their peers, what had been going on in their lives. Some of the stories were very upbeat. Some were heart wrenching. Others were B.S. The judge, panel and peers clapped and encouraged the people who were obviously trying to reclaim their lives. As for the peers who were trying to get over….. they were held to account, then provided encouragement. After it was all said and done I was impressed with their efforts. I was moved by their struggles and I was renewed by the chance that it might work, at least for some of them.  Let me know what you think.