PAX Centurion - Fall 2016

www.bppa.org PAX CENTURION • Fall 2016 • Page 11 From Secretary on page 7 Heard on the Hill: Lawrence A. Calderone, BPPA Legislative Agent criminal caught in the act with no willingness to comply. They are two different concerns. Two different issues. I think there is value in discussing some the of de-escalation training program but not at the expense of basic safety. In summary, no one has the right to horse-trade, equate, compromise, or comment on our basic safety unless they want to enhance it. Not the City or the Department and certainly not the fifth estate of opinionated activists. Society as a whole should recognize if you do not give your officers the basic tools they need to help their survival then they have failed not only those police officers but themselves as a society. The question people should be asking themselves is “If those that have sworn to keep me safe are not safe then where am I?” Body cameraswon’t solve all problems… O n November 8 th , 2016, the nation will cast ballots for the next President of the United States. The expectation is turnout will be extremely high. As you and your families go to the polls this November, please remember your local elected officials who have supported first responders throughout the Commonwealth during the last legislative cycle. Acts of violence against police and other first responders have been increasing dramatically and we will need the support of our elected officials to help keep us safe as we protect others in the future. Although we have many friends on Beacon Hill and in Boston City Hall, I’d like to send a special thanks to Representative Harold Naughton Jr. for his public support of what could have been a tragic event at a Boston Police Officer’s home in early September. Representative Naughton is House Chairman of The Joint Committee of Public Safety and Homeland Security. On September 7, 2016, Representative Naughton released this statement from his office: Dear Friend, I would like to make you aware of a statement I submitted in support of our police officers in the Boston Police Patrolman’s Association regarding a recent event this past Sunday in Boston: “Our partnership with our police officers took another hit this past Sunday, when a molotov cocktail-like device was found on a Boston Police Officer’s front lawn. This is unacceptable, as our police officers should be able to feel safe in their own homes like everyone else. Police Officers throughout the Commonwealth have chosen to serve and protect us every day they put on the uniform. They chance making the ultimate sacrifice on a daily basis and we must respect this in order to move forward and have a positive relationship together. I am thankful that no one was injured and reminds everyone that violence is never the answer.”  Your friend, Harold P. Naughton, Jr. State Representative Representative Naughton, the Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association is very thankful for public support and values your friendship! We look forward to working with in the future, thank you! Continuing my congratulations, I’d also like to congratulate the Boston Police Officers honored at the State House on September 22, 2016, who were chosen to receive Trooper George L. Hanna Memorial Awards for Bravery. We’d like to give special thanks to Representative Harold P. Naughton, Jr. Each year officers throughout the Commonwealth are chosen by a committee to receive these prestigious awards for police work above and beyond the call of duty. Once again this year, I was honored to be part of the committee advocating on the behalf of my brothers and sisters of the Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association for their bravery. The following Boston Police Officers received the top three awards: Meritorious Recognition (Third Highest Award) Officer Kevin Plunkett & Officer James L. Walsh Medal of Valor (Second Highest Award) Officer James J. Conley & Officer Reivilo Degrave Officer Gregory R. Eunis & Officer Janet P. Lewis Officer Dennis M. Medina & Detective Todd M. Hartgrove Medal of Honor (Highest Award) Officer John T. Moynihan & Officer BrianW. Johnson Detective Brian L. Ball Congratulations to all of these officers for being part of the 33 rd Annual Trooper George L. Hanna Memorial Awards for Bravery Ceremony this year. Policing inAmerica is becoming more and dangerous for us. Halloween is on the way and copycats everywhere are dressing in costumes creating fear for the public, groups are continuing with anti-police marches and protests, and we are still here protecting, serving, and standing strong! Please continue to be vigilant every day. Thanksgiving and the Holiday Seasons will be here shortly, enjoy them and spend as much time with your families as possible. Stay Safe!