Greetings! I hope that everyone is having a wonderful holiday season! If you had to work on Christmas or Hanukkah, thanks for keeping our streets safe for the rest of us.
I'd like to welcome two new members to the Region:
Chief Gregory Harman from the Kensingon Police Department, California
Detective Rachel Rohkohl from the Phoenix Police Department, Arizona
It's good to have you as new members! I encourage you, as well as everyone in the Region, to pass onto me any news that might be happening in your agencies or local areas, including training opportunities, officer safety info, promotions, retirements, etc. so that I can pass the info onto everyone in the Region. Send the info to me at RLM2214A@aol.com, and I'll make sure it's passed on. Thanks!
Speaking of retirements, I'd like to congratulate Region 10 member, Sergeant Gabriel "Gabe" Gallaread from the San Francisco Police Department on his retirement on November 25th! He came into the Department on 1/7/80, and was promoted to Sergeant on 7/16/05. Enjoy, Gabe; you'll love it!!
Congratulations also goes out to San Luis Obispo (California) Chief Deb Linden on her retirement after a 27 year career in law enforcement. Deb left an 18 year career with the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department as the highest ranking woman there, to lead the San Luis Obispo Police Department in 2003. Thanks for your service and leadership, Deb, and good luck in your retirement.
I'd also like to congratulate Region 10 member, Darcy Olmos, on her upcoming wedding! All the best to the two of you, Darcy, and many years of happiness!
For those of you considering attending the annual training conference in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador in September, online registrations and payment options are now online. Payment methods accepted are Master Card, VISA, and bank transfers. The U.S./Canadian exchange rate is automatically calculated by the credit card companies and banks, so paying in that manner will be easier than paying by check. To go directly to their online registation, go to http:www.iawp2012.org/registration/index.html. The Conference Committee has extended their early bird registration rates until the end of January, so register soon to take advantage of that option. For more information on the conference, please go to the IAWP website at www.iawp.org, and click under the 2012 conference. This will be the organization's 50th annual training conference, and I know it will be a good one. I encourage you to try and come if you can. And, of course, it's a tax write-off, to boot!
Region 10 member, Ally Jacobs, advised me that a New Jersey officer is selling memorial pins for those who may be interested. Go to www.rak-wear.com to see the pins and to get details on purchasing them. The pins have an angel presenting a golden flag, and have a black bar on the top and bottom of the pin, and a blue bar in the middle.
Finally, for anyone who is retired and is having any difficulties transitioning from their lives in law enforcement to that of a civilian, or if you know of someone who is, there's a great article on the badge of life website to check out. Go to www.badgeoflife.com/, click on Home, click on Resources, then, click on "Retirement, the Last Police Trauma." Some of us have no trouble whatsoever embracing retirement; however, there are many that find the transition especially difficult. Reach out to those that might be struggling and remind them they are still, and always will be, part of the law enforcement family.
Take care, stay safe, and I hope everyone has a happy and healthy New Year.
