PAX Centurion - May / June 2013

Page 30 • PAX CENTURION • May/June 2013 617-989-BPPA (2772) By P.O. Jay Moccia The Emperor has no clothes! (or an after-action) report T hey say a conservative is a liberal who got mugged. Well onApril 15, 2013 about 2:50pm, we all got mugged. Two Islamic Terrorists detonated bombs at the Boston Marathon Finish Line. In the chaos that ensued, I had my “Michelle Obama” moment. NEVER in my many years as a cop had I EVER been so proud to be a Patrolman in the Boston Police Department. The only day that was almost equal was the day my late father pinned on my badge some 27 years ago. Without a thought for their own safety, the Officers (most fromArea D-others as well) converged on the area of the blasts. In a matter of minutes, the crowd was dispersed, the injured were treated, and the scene was secured. Anyone who was not killed outright by the bombs survived. WE did this with only the minimal supervision. I spoke to a Lt., who stated he was with a few Officers when the bombs went off. He blinked and was instantly alone-he didn’t have to utter one word or order-the squad was already running down the street, leaving him to catch up (which he did). For the next several hours it was hectic to say the least, but the “boots on the ground” from Captain Ivens down performed above and beyond what most of us had been trained for. My admiration for my brother and sister Officers leaves me awed when I think of it. The word “Hero” doesn’t even come close. The much maligned, radio call answering, Patrol Officers, and their Supervisors shined brighter than any of the golden nameplate crowd. The folks at the top, who treat us like children must have been shocked that the lowly Patrolman (the rank not the gender) managed to put on his big boy pants and perform to a standard they could only imagine.This may sound harsh, but the truth is never inappropriate. I offer no apologies for what I have to say and will stand behind every word I print, and will debate it with anyone who wishes. Nothing personal, just business. We know what has to be done.You chose administration over enforcement long ago. Gather your assets, and resources, then wait until someone who is actually on the scene starts asking for them. I pictured the Command Post like the old movies-a large table with little figures being moved by sticks into position, all black and white andWWIIish. Oh and we don’t like to be called “assets” we are people. People who saw things that unless you’re in the military you’re not supposed to see. People who need food, water and rest, especially after most of us had been on our feet for way past your 16 hour rule. Just because there is food at the ICP, doesn’t mean your troops are being fed. Just because the ICP has a chair doesn’t mean your troops are rested. And a bathroom?At one point I felt like Cool Hand Luke-“got to shake the bush boss!” Once the dust settled, the troops need to be your top priority. The days of crossing fingers and hoping are OVER. It should not take death or serious injury to change how we do business. Officers need relief, and although we understand duty, we are also human, and can only go so far. Need another reason?What if some cop had a “303” after being on post for (in some cases) 30 hours? Or got in a car accident on the way home? Dumb luck it didn’t happen, or God smiling on us for a job well done – our God, not the perverted version the Tsarnaevs pray to. Want some suggestions? I’ve got plenty, some of my own and some from other Officers I’ve spoken to. Long guns and or shotguns. We need to up the ante. At the Academy we were always told wait until you (cops) have the edge. More firepower can give us that. If you don’t want to issue them, allow Officers to bring their own after completing a course at the range. Most of us own guns and know how to use them. Most of us felt very exposed and “naked” inWatertown, despite the SWAT presence. Tactical vest carriers. The shirt ones are nice for patrol, but in a situation like this or an active shooter, a vest that says “POLICE” front and back may keep Officers safer and avoid potential blue on blue especially in low/no light situations. Speaking of low/no light, laser/light combos are available for our sidearms, can they be looked at for Patrol? The SWAT jockeys are good, but they can’t be everywhere as we plainly saw inWatertown. Ballistic helmets and/or shields. Easily deployable, not much training needed and can provide cover/protection for field officers. Can be stored in a vehicle trunk. INFORMATION! If you don’t have it OK, but if you do, please feel free to share it with the rest of us. MIT is only a bridge away from Boston jurisdiction. Our Officers were put at risk because we didn’t “need to know”. We aren’t stupid, and there are some things that we do need to know. Channel 7 shouldn’t know before us! There should be no secrets among Law Enforcement in situations like this. The knowledge of one should truly be the knowledge of all! If the other agencies don’t want to play nice, they can take their ball and go home. The Boston Police Patrolman is not their cannon fodder. We are trustworthy and intelligent. Officers on fixed posts need relief. And don’t blame this on their supervisors. Assign a logistics chief, whose ONLY duty is to look after the troops. Designate relief squads, and hire or purchase a canteen. It was nice that NYPD came up to help, and it was nice the cops on the outer perimeter got fed, BUT what of the cops in the hot zone?All the stores and restaurants were closed, and it shouldn’t fall on their supervisors to hold a collection and order food for their squads. This wasn’t a detail or a parade where you could slip away …the “boots on the ground” from Captain Ivens down performed above and beyond what most of us had been trained for. My admiration for my brother and sister Officers leaves me awed when I think of it. The word “Hero” doesn’t even come close. The much maligned, radio call answering, Patrol Officers, and their Supervisors shined brighter than any of the golden nameplate crowd. The folks at the top, who treat us like children must have been shocked that the lowly Patrolman (the rank not the gender) managed to put on his big boy pants and perform to a standard they could only imagine. See Emperor on page 31