Personal Testimonial 
To my fellow professionals at John E. Reid & Associates: After ten years of patrol work, I was tasked with the very serious business of investigating street gang and m/c club activity as a member of our Department's Gang Crime Suppression and Investigation Unit and DuPage County Sheriff's multi-jurisdictional A-TAC unit. This was just the kind of action one hopes to one day be a part of when you graduate from the police academy. However, you learn very quickly, that when these street-hardened, rough, and tough individuals are looking at some REAL time behind bars, that is when they stop talking. Oh, they may not say those words, but what they do say might better be print for the Sunday comic page of your local newspaper (Please excuse me if I have dated myself a bit writing about printed newspapers). Continuing, I have certainly had the benefit of having been assigned many good police training classes, seminars, and state certified endeavors. Probably, one of the best and certainly one of the most useful in my career, was the Reid Method of Interviewing. It improved my ability to keep an interview on focus. Whether it be the victim, an hysterical witness, or even a child, learning the Reid Method is to the criminal investigator, what the duty belt and uniform are to the officer on patrol. A means to a successful end, a conclusion, and a perpetrator that doesn't walk the street tomorrow to terrorize another defenseless citizen. Instead, they are on their way to "three squares" a day, a mattress and pillow to lay upon at night, and for that time an understanding that politics, personal agendas, community embarrassment, and intimidation won't keep every officer from doing his job. Besides, this kind of officer sleeps well at night knowing that the trust placed in him by the public has been served by an officer not overly concerned about politics, nor concern for any risk or possibility of being passed over for promotion, but having honor, a strong sense of dignity, and compassion for others, this officer has helped on this night to clear the way for law-abiding citizens to pass through their community more freely and safely. During my twenty-seven year career, I received a lot of commendations for efforts on everyday cases that resulted in the elevation of personal skills and abilities. The awkward thing is that although I and my fellow colleagues made many more prominent and important apprehensions, especially the first of it's kind in town, let's say prostitution, or how about possession of a controlled substance (like L.S.D.), or even having using the Reid Method to get some sex offender to admit to molesting a minor, there was hardly a word spoken about these cases. Certainly, there was no slap on the back from the Chief, no accolades from the local city government, but instead, there was always praise from peers, friends, family, neighbors, business leaders, etc. All of whom, were grateful for your service. And what did you do, well you praised your fellow workers that had a hand in it too, often going just too far by adding praise about how lucky you were to have a supporting cast of administrators leading this Department. You could do this honestly, because the majority were right there with you, but not the one, two, three, or four politicians or diplomats on the Department. Often they were too busy at a dinner or luncheon giving praise to some officer who wrote a lot of tickets (that supported the Chief's personal objectives). Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with gaining the compliance of the motoring public to obey traffic laws, but isn't it also equally as important to recognize officers who don't turn a blind eye to crime. Besides, what kind of man or woman would be intelligent enough to make Chief, and not recognize that it's in their best interest to recognize those officers that help make the community a little safer from those who seek to do serious harm to the peace and tranquility of our homes. These officers, both women and men, place their personal safety at risk to serve others. God bless them all for providing unequaled community service in many different capacities and vocations around the world. To end this on a positive note, please let me say again, "Thank you." Your investment of time and talents to help law enforcement officials all around the Chicago metropolitan community continue to assist in the creation of a very positive and productive group of professional crime-fighters. From the bottom of my heart, I extend my sincere gratitude to all of the fine individuals and your outstanding organization. You have all helped to develop and support an American cause: freedom and justice for all. My "blue hat of bravery" is off and I salute all of the outstanding professionals at John E. Reid & Associates for all your superb support and service to our local communities and Country. Sincerely, Tyson Johnson Retired Sergeant & Director of Community Affairs Villa Park Police Department |
