1. law, govt and politics
2. law enforcement
3. police

Sheriffs
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uncil of
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Vol. 4, Issue 3
Summer 2009
Snohomish County
Sheriff’s Office
see page 6-7
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ii Shield & Star Spring 2009
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Summer 2009
Features
10
WACOPS 2009 Scholarship Recipients
11
WACOPS Government Relations
12-14 WACOPS 2009 Legislative Review
15-16 LEOFF 2 Plan Retirement Board
On the Cover
2009 Legislative Session Summary
16
17
18
19
20
21
22-23
24
25-26
27
WACOPS Law Enforcement Officer
of the Year Award
IAWP 47th Annual Training Conference
Highlights of the
WACOPS Spring Membership Meeting
Snohomish County Sheriff's Office
Page 6-7
WACOPS Special Commendation Awards
Golfing With WACOPS
Law Enforcement Recovery Fellowship
Taxes, Insurance and Latin, Oh My!
And You Think You’re Having a Bad Day?
A Matter of Honor: The National Law
Enforcement Museum
What Are Policemen Made Of?
WACOPS 2009 Legislative Review
Page 12-14
Departments
2
President’s Message
3
From the Executive Director
5-9 From the Board
26
Calendar
28-29 News From Around the State
Highlights of the WACOPS Spring Membership Meeting
Page 18
WACOPS disclaimer
The Shield & Star Magazine is published by Washington Media Services, Inc., for the Washington Council of Police and Sheriffs, those involved in active
law enforcement, members of the legislature, leaders in the state and local government, advertisers, and citizens of the state of Washington. The publisher
assumes no responsibility for the correctness of the information supplied herein or for opinions expressed. Material subject to editing. No portion of this
issue may be reproduced without written permission of the publisher, Washington Media Services, Inc. and Washington Council of Police and Sheriffs.
Spring 2009 Shield & Star 1
President's Message
Washington
Council of
Police & Sheriffs
200 Union Ave. SE • Olympia, WA 98501-1393
800.887.2677 • 360.352.8224 •
f. 360.352.5709 •
Year to Date
Executive Board
President – Whatcom County
Mark Lann
Vice President – Gig Harbor
Mike Allen
Secretary/Treasurer – Fife
Dennis Diess
Position 1 – Bellevue
Steve Lynch
Position 2 – Snohomish County
Dave Hayes
Position 3 – Spokane Police
Craig Bulkley
Position 4 – Spokane County
Darell Stidham
Position 5 – Union Gap
Larry Worden
Position 6 – Tacoma Police
Pat Frantz
Position 7 – Pierce County, Prosecuting Attorneys
Mary Robnett
Position 8 – WACOPS Retired Organization
Ken Crowder
Email Addresses
President l Mark Lann
[email protected]
Executive Director l Jamie Daniels
[email protected]
Governmental Relations l Lee Reaves
[email protected]
Office Manager l Lynn Jacobs
[email protected]
Administrative Assistant l Abby Hansen
[email protected]
Publisher: Washington Media Services, Inc.
407 West Bay Dr NW • Olympia, WA 98502
360.754.4543 • Fax: 360.943.7086
Joyce Willms, President
Adriane Wolfe, Creative Director /Ad sales contact
Crissy McGee, Graphic Designer
Megan Panchot, Website Developer
www.wamedia.com
Managing Editor l Lynn Jacobs
Editor l Joyce Willms
Co-Editor l Adriane Wolfe
Advertising: Ad Sales
Adriane Wolfe • [email protected]
407 West Bay Dr NW • Olympia, WA 98502
360.754.4543 • Fax: 360.943.7086
2 Shield & Star Spring 2009
By Mark Lann, WACOPS President
T
he Spring 2009 Membership
Meeting just concluded. It
was another informative, productive, and successful time. Personally, I really enjoyed being in Spokane! It had been some time since the
WACOPS delegation had descended
on the “Lilac City” and our hosts from
the city and county made us all feel
very much at home. For those of you
who weren’t able to be at the meetings, I’ll give you a very brief summary of the “President’s Report.”
In February, most of my activities were focused on membership development and recruitment. Since
January, 2008, WACOPS has added
the departments of Bainbridge Island,
Bonney Lake, DuPont, Moses Lake,
Ruston, and Steilacoom to its membership roles. There are also over half
a dozen other agencies we are working
with, in the hopes they will join too.
Our work in this area is never over. I
want to give a special thanks to Brian Wurts, Dave Hayes, Craig Bulkley, and Larry Worden. They all have
worked extra hard in the area of membership development.
March was a month mixed with
meetings. I accompanied Jamie Daniels and Lee Reaves to a meeting
at WASPC to hear a presentation on
the National Law Enforcement Museum that is being built in Washington DC. Dave Hayes and I went
to the monthly meeting of the Everett Police Officer’s Association
and gave a “WACOPS Update.” I was
also part of a group that was fortunate
to have dinner with Governor Gregoire, at the mansion in Olympia.
In April, I appointed WACOPS
Vice President, Mike Allen, to be
the WACOPS representative to the
statewide Medal of Honor Committee. I also attended the WSLEM
Ball and Auction in Seattle and was
honored at the end of the night to be
one of those to come forward for the
ceremonial toast.
Part of May was spent working
with various law enforcement agencies regarding their local training issues. In those cases, I tried to provide
as much information and assistance,
as I could, to help them and their departments make the decisions that
would be best for the officers and the
communities they serve. Four months
in a nutshell.
I was humbled during the meeting
when a letter was read that had been
sent out previously to all the WACOPS
delegates. The gist of the letter was that
the author was very pleased with the
job I have done while president of this
organization. He made reference to the
fact I was essentially baptized by fire
and had to hit the ground running. He
summed up the letter by saying I had
proven myself under difficult circumstances and hoped I would continue on
as president.
continued on page 4
Executive Director
From the Executive Director
By Jamie Daniels, WACOPS Executive Director
E
ach year at this time, it is one
of my duties to review and report on the Strategic Plan that
was implemented by the WACOPS
Executive Board in 2005. This helps
ensure that WACOPS continues to
meet the needs of the membership
and that there is documentation of
progress and priorities are set for the
upcoming year.
The three priorities of the plan
are membership development, the
WACOPS mission and goal, and
board development.
Membership Development
The goal of retaining and increasing membership is especially important
in this challenging economy. Statewide representation gives us strength
in Olympia when all programs and
funding are in jeopardy. Financial stability allows us to increase benefits to
our membership when local employers
are cutting funding and services. To accomplish this goal we are working in
the following areas:
• Outreach to former member and
nonmember groups offering career
services and exploring organizations for associate membership.
• Improving communication with
written materials, an updated website, and regular correspondence.
• Increasing personal contact with
the membership by promoting attendance at meetings, being visible
in the community, and attending
and supporting law enforcement
events.
• StrengtheningPSEII,ourinsurance
company, by keeping rates competitive, providing accurate and comparative information, and exploring
an expansive range of services.
WACOPS
Mission and Agenda
WACOPS is dedicated to advancing legislation to strengthen LEOFF
benefits, supporting public safety, and
improving the quality of life for the officers and communities they serve. We
are the only statewide law enforcement
organization that participates in all aspects of the political process including
campaign, representation in Olympia,
member advocacy and education. Our
contributions, endorsements, and legislative agenda are set by the membership. In 2009 we achieved our priorities
and we are now setting our 2010 agen-
da. We will continue to implement our
year-round strategy of involvement
through the legislative interim.
Board Development
Your Executive Board sets the strategic direction for WACOPS. They
monitor operations, are responsible
for meeting the mission, and hold the
charter of public trust for the organization. The board has committed to
being transparent and has moved its
monthly meetings to a central location
for convenience and cost savings. Board
meetings are well attended, frank discussions are held, and the minutes of
all meetings are posted on the website.
The board has also increased member involvement by strengthening the
standing committees including those
of Audit, Membership, and Government Relations.
I sincerely appreciate all you do to
make WACOPS successful and look
forward to working with you to attain
our common goals.
Get involved,
support
WACOPS!
Spring 2009 Shield & Star 3
Year to Date
continued from page 2
At the end of this year, I will have filled out the remaining term that I inherited. I do feel that these last
two years will have ended with our organization stronger than before. Much has been accomplished. We are
more fiscally responsible, the staff, executive board,
PSEII, and our committees are at full strength and
working very hard. We continue to fine tune our policies to ensure our organizational model is more in line
with a professional business and we continue to move
forward with our mission to improve the condition of
our members and organization. However, there is still
much to do. My passion is for the welfare of police officers and sheriff’s deputies across the state. I do plan on
seeking my first full term that would start in January.
Thank you all for your support. Keep those emails
and phone calls coming.
Stay safe and see you in Ocean Shores!
We are encouraging
all of our membership
to contribute
newsworthy information
You are the voice of WACOPS and this is YOUR
newsletter! We appreciate your articles.
Ideas for submissions could be:
• Personal Stories and Experiences
• Community News
• Polices and Procedures
• Memoriam Announcements
*
Send information for the Shield & Star to
[email protected]. We look forward to you
contributing to YOUR Shield & Star newsletter.
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SERVE WITH PRIDE
4 Shield & Star Spring 2009
From the Board
Balance
By Captain Steve Lynch, Executive Board Position 1, Bellevue Police Department
O
ne of the keys to successful living is balance.
Some of you have already figured this out and
I tip my hat to you. I for one have been a complete failure in this area. If you do not have balance in
your life, then take notice, because time will pass you by
and you could end up like me. You should work hard, do
your best, and give 100% everyday you show up for work,
but you also need to give the same attention in the other
areas of your life. You owe it to your family, friends, and
especially yourself.
Not everyone’s priorities are the same. For me it has
always been God, family, and then my career, but God and
my family may beg to differ. During my 26-year career,
most of my time has been devoted to work, work, and
more work. I have even cancelled vacation time to arrest
a bad guy. Although this crook had committed multiple
felonies, it was just a property crime. No one would have
known or cared if I waited to arrest this guy when I got
back. Now you all know I am not the only one who does
this. All cops sacrifice for the good of the order and because they are dedicated, but do not let it consume you.
I am very proud of my two sons and I love them very
much. They are both in college now and attend universities on the east coast. Although I tried to make as many
track meets and concerts as I could, I did not see them as
much as I would have liked when they were growing up
and when I was home I was usually tired. Now they are
gone. I can’t get the time back, but I hope I can make up
for it sometime down the road. They say it’s never too late
– I hope they’re right.
Enough said, I think you all know where I am going
with this. This message is short, but important. Please take
the time to evaluate your current situation and remember
the commitments and obligations you have to the other
special people in your life who don’t wear a badge. You
owe it to them and more importantly, you owe it to yourself. None of us know how many days we have on this
earth, so take advantage of every day you have and make
the most of it like it was your last day. With that, I hope
all of you who read this article will spread the message and
enjoy many fulfilling and prosperous days ahead of you.
Be safe and thanks for listening.
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Spring 2009 Shield & Star 5
From the Board
Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office
By Sgt. Dave Hayes, Executive Board Position 2, Snohomish County Sheriff ’s Office
I
have the pleasure and honor of working for the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO). I was hired as
a Deputy Sheriff in the fall of 1998 after working for
four years as a police officer for the city of Marysville. I was
promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 2006 and currently
work in the Sheriff’s Security Unit responsible for the physical security of the county campus and courthouse as well
as the county-operated youth
court and detention center
and remote district courts.
The beauty of working for
an agency like Snohomish
County Sheriff’s Office is that
there is no lack in the variety
available in work assignments.
Since being hired here as a
deputy, I have worked in the
patrol division, Special Ops
– Collision Investigation and
Planning & Research as the
office Accreditation Manager.
About two years after being
promoted, I was re-assigned to the newly created Security
Unit, supervising six County Marshals at the courthouse.
Sheriff John Lovick and Under Sheriff Tom Davis run
the office that currently consists of over 700 staff. When
I was first hired by SCSO there were approximately 250
commissioned positions within the ranks. Over the past ten
years our ranks have swollen to approximately 320 commissioned and 95 support staff. We also added the ranks of
Snohomish County Corrections to the Sheriff’s Office staff
at the beginning of this year, bringing our total compliment
of personnel to over 700.
For those who may not know, Snohomish County is located in the northern Puget Sound region of the state. Our
county seat is located in the city of Everett, which is about a
30-minute drive north of Seattle. The total population of the
county is approximately 684,000 with about 320,000 living
6 Shield & Star Spring 2009
in the unincorporated areas. The Sheriff’s Office is responsible for patrol and law enforcement throughout the 2,098
square miles of the county.
The Sheriff’s Office is separated into four bureaus: Operations, Corrections, Technical Services and Support Services. As I stated above, one of the best things about working
for SCSO is that our deputies and sergeants enjoy the opportunity of a variety of assignments. Additionally, we benefit
from the variety of locations in
which we are assigned. As a
part of our Operations Bureau,
the patrol division is divided
into three precincts. The Sheriff’s South Precinct is located
in the city of Mill Creek. This
precinct consists of the land
from Edmonds to Snohomish
and Woodinville to Everett.
This is the most populous area
of the county and has the largest amount of calls for service
in the county. Deputies assigned to the South precinct remain busy answering calls for service that run the full gamut
of call types. The Sheriff’s East precinct is located within the
city of Sultan on SR-2. Deputies assigned to this precinct
work in a primarily rural setting along SR-2 from Snohomish all the way up SR-2 to the community of Baring. This
area of the county is less populated, of course, and deputies have more time for proactive patrol and enforcement.
The Sheriff’s North precinct is located in the city of Marysville. Deputies assigned here enjoy a variety of surroundings
ranging from the relatively urban areas around Marysville,
Arlington and Lake Stevens out to the rural areas around
Granite Falls, Darrington and Stanwood. The Snohomish
County Sheriff’s Office provides police services to four different incorporated cities, Stanwood, Darrington, Sultan
continued on page 7
From the Board
Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office
continued from page 6
and Index.
The Patrol Division also offers the Directed Patrol Unit, K-9 (tracking & narcotics) and School Resources Officers at five different high schools.
Outside the patrol division of the Sheriff’s Office
you will find a wide variety of investigative units and
specialty assignments. The Investigations Division
consists of the Major Crimes Unit (Robbery, Homicide and Domestic Violence), Property Crimes,
Special Investigations, Fraud & Financial Crimes,
Computer & Video Forensics, Sex Offenders Unit
and Civil Unit. Deputies assigned to these specialty units
must participate in a competitive testing process to gain assignment.
The Support Services Bureau includes the Special Operations Division consisting of a wide range of specialty assignments. The Traffic Division (Motors, Traffic Enforcement,
and Collision Investigation Units), Air Operations, Search
& Rescue, Mounted (Horse), Civil Disturbance, SWAT &
Crisis Negotiations as well as a Regional Bomb Unit, Dive
Rescue, Community Transit Units and Security Unit.
Last but not least of the bureaus where fully commissioned personnel may be assigned is the Administrative Services Bureau. This bureau has assignments in the Accreditation, Research & Development, Background Investigations,
Training and Quartermaster/Range.
The Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office has attracted lateral entry candidates from across the U.S. and it’s territories.
We have successfully hired deputy sheriffs from New York
City to Miami, San Diego to Seattle and everywhere in between. The Sheriff’s Office takes a great deal of pride in the
wide variety of assignments and favorable working conditions that we provide for our staff. This combined with the
relatively high quality of life that exists in the north Puget
Sound region offers a fantastic job opportunity for any law
enforcement officer seeking a great place to live, work and
enjoy life with your family.
Another positive to working as a deputy sheriff for the
Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office is the labor representation. Fully commissioned staff holding the rank of deputy
sheriff or sergeant are represented by the Snohomish County
Deputy Sheriff’s Association. The Snohomish County Sheriff’s Management Team represents lieutenants and captains.
Both unions offer labor agreement bargaining and discipline
representation second to none.
The SCDSA was first organized in 1983 and initially
consisted of all commissioned staff of the Sheriff’s Office.
In 2004 the lieutenants and captains separated to form the
management team. Both labor groups are proud members
of WACOPS.
I’m really, very proud of what the Snohomish County
Sheriff’s Office represents and the services that we provide
to our citizens and I know that the other deputies and staff
of the office take pride in what we do. We are continually
looking for good applicants and accept lateral applications
year-around on a continuous basis. We also offer three entry-level deputy tests per year including corrections deputy
tests. Since coming over from Marysville PD, I have never
looked back. This is a fantastic place to work and offers every type of assignments that one would look for in a law
enforcement agency.
Hopefully this has offered information about the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office that you didn’t already know.
If you are looking for a change in jobs or working environment please take a look at Snohomish County. If you want
more information, please feel free to give me a call. I will
point you in the right direction.
Take care and be safe!
Please clip out and mail to WACOPS address listed below
CONTACT INFORMATION
Name _________________________________________________
Address ______________________________________________
Email ___________________________ Phone ________________
I prefer to be contacted by
phone
email
direct mail
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Yes, I want to help make the WACOPS agenda successful. I will ...
Contact my legislators by email, phone, or letter
Meet with my Legislators in District or in Olympia
Send a letter to the editor or speak to other media outlets
Participate in charitable events in my district
Please mail to: WACOPS • 200 Union Ave. SE • Olympia, WA 98501-1393
Spring 2009 Shield & Star 7
From the Board
The Story Behind
Random Drug Testing Legislation
By Larry Worden, Executive Board Position 5, Union Gap
Y
akima always seems to be the
center of some problem! At first
it was drugs. Yakima was the
distribution hub for narcotics as far
east as Chicago. Then it was gangs.
Yakima has more gangs and gang
shootings than most major metropolitan cities. In the City of Yakima, you
don’t have to paint your house
or your fence...just wait overnight and...poof! It’s got a
fresh coat of spray paint
all over it! Not bad, if you don’t mind
the graffiti! The latest problem in Yakima is cops on drugs! Not that Yakima actually has a problem with cops
on drugs, but those in charge in Yakima aren’t letting that stop them from
saying it does.
The truth be told, there is not a
problem with police officers using
drugs in Yakima, or anywhere else in
Washington State. Sure, that’s a heck
of a blanket statement, but I’ve been
a cop for more years than I care to
count. During those years, I’ve met a
lot of cops, attended training with a
8 Shield & Star Spring 2009
lot of cops, and even met the families
of a lot of cops from all over the state.
Out of all of the cops I’ve ever met in
my entire career, I’ll bet that it’s less
than 1/10th of 1 percent of cops that
misuse drugs. In other words, less than
1 in 1,000 police officers misuse drugs.
To top it off, cops don’t want cops that
use drugs on the street. I don’t
want a cop on drugs as my
back-up! No way!
So what’s the
real issue here?
The real issue is a power
struggle between
Yakima’s management and the police officer’s labor
union. To go into
a detailed history of what led up to this
debacle would take more room than
they allow here, so I’ll just touch on
the highlights.
Problem #1
Yakima hires a police chief from
Texas, whose management style is inconsistent with Washington State’s labor laws.
Problem #2
A Yakima officer who is injured on
the job, ends up trying to self-medicate
the injury pain with prescription drugs
and gets hooked. When he is healed up
and released to return to work, he makes
the mistake of being honest and admitting he has a dependency problem. Yakima management fires him for it!
Problem #3
The union fights the action and the
chief is forced to rehire the officer.
Problem #4
Another officer that had been fired
earlier, attends a party where marijuana
is smoked. Since she is no longer a police officer, she remains at the party.
Shortly afterwards she is suddenly reinstated when the firing is overturned. Per
policy she is tested before returning to
duty and tests positive for marijuana.
She is fired.
Problem #5
The chief tries to push drug testing
on the officers without negotiating.
They tell the union that the PD lieutenants and captains are already doing random drug testing. The union discovers
that this is false.
Problem #6
The chief and Yakima management
refuse to negotiate with the officers on
random drug testing. They say the union
should just accept it because “it’s the
right thing to do.” The union finds out
that all other labor bargaining groups in
Yakima received a 5 percent pay increase
for accepting random drug testing.
continued on page 10
From the Board
WACOPS Delegates and Members:
You Are Appreciated!
By Ken Crowder, Executive Board Position 8, WACOPS Retired Organization
I
have been thinking about an article and what to write for
the next addition of the WACOPS magazine. I thought
about all the articles over the years and it suddenly occurred to me a topic no one has actually put in writing.
We hear all the time that when we see a member of the
military don’t forget to tell them “Thank You.” We also
hear the same for police and firefighters. We receive
adulation in the form of annual evaluations and awards for
outstanding performance above
and beyond the call of duty.
So for an article, I thought,
“Why not say thank you to all
the WACOPS Delegates and
members who make WACOPS
the premier organization in
the state?” From the executive
board, office staff, our lobbyist, and myself “Thank You.”
Without you this organization would not exist and there
would be no improvements to our pension system both
LEOFF I and LEOFF 2. Even though sometimes it doesn’t
show, I know each of us acknowledge the fact that you, the
members, are our bosses and it’s a privilege to have been
given your trust. We have had some rough times over the
years but together we always rebound. We have had organizations come and go but the core group has stayed in place
through thick and thin and continued to make improvements for all law enforcement regardless of whether or not
they are members of WACOPS. It’s very frustrating to hear
all the excuses for not being a member organization and
then I think about all the great ones we do have. Maybe one
day, the non-members will recognize the value of strength
in numbers and want to be part of improving their benefits.
They only need to look at their
employers’ philosophy of divide
and conquer to understand why
we must be united.
I have been involved with
WACOPS since 1984 and have
seen three executive directors,
numerous presidents and more
executive board members than
I care to think about come
and go. Each and every one of
them genuinely cared about
WACOPS but had differing
opinions on how to get from A
to Z. There has been both criticism and praise for the work
they did. In some instances we have dwelt on the negative
and not recognized the positive. What should be remembered is that each one made some contribution to make
WACOPS a better organization. To each of them we also
owe a debt of gratitude and a big “Thank You” for the time
and effort they put into this organization.
Be part of the Council of Police Political Support
(COPPS) action team.
Your participation makes the difference.
Sign up today to be part of the 2009 political process as we head into the
legislative session. For information or to get involved, call 800-887-2677.
Spring 2009 Shield & Star 9
2009 Scholarship Recipients
WACOPS 2009 Scholarship Recipients
By Jamie Daniels, Executive Director
T
he Washington Council of Police & Sheriffs is pleased
to announce the recipients of our 2009 College Scholarships. The purpose of the scholarship program is to
identify, assist, and enhance the potential of well-rounded
individuals in our communities. Applications were evaluated
on a number of factors including academic achievement, and
participation in extra-curricular and community activities.
Six nominees were chosen to receive a $1,000 scholarship
to the school of their choice:
Ashley Napoleon – Tacoma, WA
Moriah Shupp – Chehalis, WA
Moriah is a graduate of W.F. West High School. She
plans to attend Brigham Young University – Idaho. Moriah
is the daughter of a Chehalis Police Officer.
Chauncey Trask – Sammamish, WA
Chauncey is a graduate of Eastlake High School. She
plans to attend Central Washington University to study Musical Theater.
Reba West – Concrete, WA
Ashley is a graduate of Wilson High School. She plans to
attend Seattle Pacific University to study Dietetics.
Reba is a graduate of Concrete High School. She plans to
attend the University of Alaska-Anchorage to study English.
Kaylee Nauman – Stanwood WA
The Washington Council of Police and Sheriffs is a professional organization formed to strengthen the rights and
quality of life of those who have dedicated their careers to
protecting and serving our communities. We represent law
enforcement officer’s interests and priorities to the legislature,
the media, and the citizens we serve.
Kaylee is a graduate of Stanwood High School. She plans
to attend Western Washington University to study Elementary Education. Kaylee is the daughter of a Snohomish County Sheriff Deputy.
Jonathan Osman – Mount Vernon, WA
Jonathan is a graduate of Mount Vernon High School.
He plans to attend Washington State University to study
Aerospace Engineering. Jonathon is the son of an Everett Police Department Officer.
Congratulations!
Random Drug Testing Legislation
continued from page 8
Problem #7
The arbitrator rules that Yakima must negotiate random drug testing with the officers. The Chief goes to the
local media who do not understand the issues and why
the officers just don’t do random drug testing.
Problem # 8
The chief decides to do an “end run” on having to negotiate random drug testing and goes to the legislature.
He restarts the media frenzy, implying the officers must
10 Shield & Star Spring 2009
have something to hide if they don’t accept random drug
testing. Bills are drafted and introduced that would override collective bargaining by making random drug testing a law across the state.
Fortunately, WACOPS was there to educate key legislators and protect the police officers right to collective
bargaining and stop the assault on your right to negotiate your working conditions. This is why we must be vigilant in Olympia. This is why WACOPS exists!
WACOPS Government Relations
WACOPS Government Relations
Recruit, Retain, Retire
Campaigns
• OurPoliticalActionCommittee,theCouncilofPolice
Political Support, distributed $100,000 in campaign
funds in the 2008 elections.
• Over5,000yardsignsweredistributedstatewide.Candidates that won election with the WACOPS endorsements included 6 statewide officials, 24 Senators, and 80
House members.
• Members conducted interviews, attended fundraisers,
and worked in individual campaigns to assist candidates
that support your issues.
Representation
• WACOPS is represented in Olympia by Jamie Daniels
and Lee Reaves who combine their experience and bipartisan relationships to lobby on your behalf.
• Members of the Government Relations Committee including Craig Bulkley, Dave Hayes, Darell Stidham, and
Brian Wurts, volunteer their time and regularly provide
professional expertise and testimony on law enforcement
issues in Olympia.
Advocacy
• ParticipationbytheWACOPSmembershiphasbuiltus
a solid reputation with our elected officials.
• Ourlegislativereception,withtacticaldemonstrations,is
one of the most popular events in Olympia.
• Officers spend a “Day on the Hill” and participate in
In-District events to speak personally about professional
issues with their local legislators.
• Phone calls and emails from members around the state
help keep legislators informed on our issues during session.
Education
• Factual briefing papers, talking points, and weekly updates are issued by WACOPS to keep legislators and our
membership informed.
• WACOPS representatives meet regularly with other
LEOFF 2 stakeholders for informational and strategic
purposes. These sessions allow us to present a unified
voice in Olympia.
What They Say
“Public safety is paramount to our communities. I commend
the hard work of WACOPS and all law enforcement officers around the state for their commitment and dedication to
making Washingtonians safe.”
– Governor Chris Gregoire, May, 2009
islature, WACOPS is a helpful and trusted source of information that I rely upon. I feel our public servants are, thus,
very well represented.”
– WA State Senate Republican Leader
Mike Hewitt, May 2009
“There are few advocacy oriented groups that I appreciate
working with as much as I do the Washington Council of
Police & Sheriffs. On related policy matters, the guiding
expertise provided to legislators on behalf of the law enforcement community cannot be understated. Year, after
year, in matters of public and private policy before the leg-
“Before we pass new laws, we want to make sure they work
in the real world and when it comes to laws regarding
public safety, we rely on the experience and expertise of
WACOPS.”
– WA State House of Representatives Speaker
Frank Chopp , May 2009
Visit our website www.wacops.org
Spring 2009 Shield & Star 11
WACOPS Legislative Review
WACOPS 2009 Legislative Review
LEOFF Plan 2 Retirement
Pension Fund Stability
The 105-day session was concentrated on closing the
$9 billion budget shortfall. The poor economy forced
everyone to focus on priority needs and WACOPS’ number
one goal was to protect the
LEOFF Plan 2 retirement
fund. We were successful in
this effort and the contribution rates and actuarial assumptions for the pension
plan will remain at those
set by the LEOFF 2 Board.
Funding for LEOFF 2 was
under negotiation throughout the session and it is a
huge victory that this system was left intact. This will
continue to be a priority issue in 2010 when legislators
meet to enact the Supplemental Budget.
Why It Matters
The LEOFF Plan 2 fund must have adequate money
to pay the benefits to which you are currently entitled. If
the plan is underfunded now, it will take several years of increased contribution rates to pay back that money just to get
to the current level. This would delay any hope of enhancing
the system to make it adequate.
1. LEOFF Plan 2 is funded differently than the other state
pensions with a 50-30-20 percent formula. Because
of this, reductions have a disproportionate impact on
LEOFF 2. Since the state only pays 20 percent, they
can realize a small savings with rate cuts but cutting
the 80 percent paid by the employees and employers
multiplies the effect on the pension fund.
2. The LEOFF Plan 2 retirement system is the only state
pension system where contribution rates are set by an
independent board of trustees. Created through Initiative 790, the LEOFF Board has proven itself to be
fiscally responsible and all decisions of the board are
based on sound actuarial advice. We need to maintain
this governance.
12 Shield & Star Spring 2009
The Budget
In December, 2008, the Governor proposed a biennial
budget for July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2011 that included a number of changes to pension funding methods for the
LEOFF Plan 2 and other state retirement systems. Changes
proposed included altering
the actuary assumptions and
the minimum contribution
rate floor that were adopted by the LEOFF 2 Board.
The House and Senate then
released draft budgets that
made changes in pension
funding. The House budget
treated all pension systems
the same and included a reduction of the assumed rates
of general salary growth,
postponed the use of new
morality assumptions and
suspended the minimum
contribution rates. These changes would have caused a large
reduction of assets in the LEOFF Plan 2 fund. The Senate version of the budget did not affect the LEOFF Plan 2
retirement system. This is the version that was eventually
adopted into law.
Pension Legislation: SB 6161
Changed the methods and assumptions for the actuarial
funding and revised pension contribution rates for all the
state retirement systems, EXCEPT LEOFF Plan 2. In all
plans except LEOFF 2 this bill would lower contribution
rates in the 2009-2011 Biennium and increase member
contribution rates in future biennia beginning in the 20132015 Biennium.
Legislation SUPPORTED by WACOPS
Passed Into Law in 2009
Safe Call Now (SSB 5131): Requires the CJTC to offer
training to public safety personnel on personal crisis recognition and crisis intervention services. The CJTC must
list examples of public and private crisis referral agencies
continued on page 13
WACOPS Legislative Review
WACOPS 2009 Legislative Review
continued from page 12
available to law enforcement personnel and describe the
services which are available. All communications between
public safety employees and crisis referral services must be
confidential.
“I appreciate the support WACOPS has given the Safe Call
Now program. Their endorsement and assistance in Olympia has
been invaluable.”
– Sean Riley, Founder & President, May 2009
F&W Volunteer Chaplain (HB 1437): Authorizes a volunteer chaplain for the department of fish and wildlife.
LEOFF Military Service Credit (HB 1548): Relieves certain members of LEOFF 2 from paying the cost of restoring
service credit for periods of public employment interrupted
by military service. Bill provides refunds to those who already reinstated service credit for any period of war during
their career.
Prisoner Access to Public Records (SSB 5130): The court
may enjoin the examination of any nonexempt public record requested by a person serving a criminal sentence if the
court finds: the request was made to harass or intimidate the
agency or its employees; fulfilling the request would likely
threaten the security of correctional facilities; fulfilling the
request would likely threaten the safety or security of staff,
inmates, family members of staff, family members of other
inmates, or any other person; or fulfilling the request may
assist criminal activity.
Driver License Photo Access (ESB 5262): Authorizes the
Department of Licensing to make their negative picture files
available to law enforcement officers to assist in verifying the
identity of a person. The negative files were generally not
available to a law enforcement officer during a routine traffic
stop for a violation of a traffic code.
Assault on Law Enforcement Officer (SB 5413): Creates
a one year sentencing enhancement for a person convicted
of assaulting a law enforcement officer with what appears to
be a firearm.
Military Service Death Benefit (HB 1551): Provides that
the survivors of members that leave state service and die
while honorably serving in the National Guard or military
reserves during a period of war are entitled to the same survivor benefits as if the member died while in the line of duty
of their retirement-system covered employment.
Legislation OPPOSED by WACOPS
Did Not Pass in 2009
Domestic Partner Benefits (EHB 1616): Provides
registered state domestic partners the same pension benefits
available to spouses of members of the LEOFF Plan 2, including retirement and disability survivor benefits, military
service credit benefits, and withdrawal and annuity benefits
paid upon a member’s death.
Juvenile Interrogation (HB 1054): Requires law enforcement to make a reasonable attempt to notify a juvenile’s parent, guardian, or custodian when the juvenile is taken into
custody and where the juvenile is being held. We have committed to work on this issue with the sponsor over the interim. Died in House Human Services Committee.
LEOFF Disability Allowance (HB 1678): Permits members of the LEOFF Plan 2 who were disabled in the line
of duty before January 1, 2001 to convert their disability
allowance to include a federal income tax-exempt fixed 10
percent of final average salary benefit, plus an actuarially
reduced benefit for each year of service earned beyond five.
Limits the new benefit to the greater of 10 percent, or the
original disability allowance the member was receiving prior
to the conversion.
Knowingly Possess (HB 1695): Would have modified the
elements of the felony crime of possession of a controlled
substance by providing that a person must possess the substance knowingly and modified the elements of the misdemeanor crime of possessing 40 grams or less of marihuana by
providing that a person must possess the marihuana knowingly. Died in House Rules Committee.
F&W Service Credit Transfer (SHB 1953): Allows department of fish and wildlife enforcement officers to transfer service credit earned as enforcement officers in the PERS
plan 2 and 3 to the LEOFF Plan 2.
911 Immunity (HB 1796): Would exempt a person who
seeks medical assistance for a person suffering from a drugrelated overdose or a person who experiences a drug-related overdose and receives medical assistance in connection
therewith from certain prosecution under the Uniform Controlled Substances Act. Died in House Rules Committee.
continued on page 14
Spring 2009 Shield & Star 13
WACOPS Legislative Review
WACOPS 2009 Legislative Review
continued from page 13
Decriminalizing Marijuana (SB 5615): Reclassifying possession of forty grams or less of marijuana from a misdemeanor to a class 2 civil infraction. Died in Senate Rules
Committee.
Medical Marijuana (SB 5798): Health care professionals
including osteopathic physicians, physician assistants and
osteopathic physician assistants, naturopaths, and advanced
registered nurse practitioners could have provided the valid
documentation which authorizes the medical use of marijuana for qualified patients who may benefit from its use.
Died in Senate Rules Committee.
Mandatory Drug Testing (SB5740/HB1511): Requiring
drug testing of peace officers. Died in Committees without
hearings.
14 Shield & Star Spring 2009
“‘The opposition to it within Commerce and Labor ‘illustrates
the union pressures around here that some people feel,’ he [Rep.
Charles Ross] said. Yakima police Chief Sam Granato, who has
pushed for random drug testing since 2004, was more pointed,
saying the Washington Council of Police and Sheriff’s is applying
that pressure.”
– February 7, 2009, Yakima Herald-Republic
“Though the bill was essentially dead on arrival in the House,
it looked as though the drug-testing measure could emerge from
the Senate. Influential Sen. Adam Kline, D-Seattle, signed on
as a co-sponsor before changing his mind and opposing the bill.
‘Some individuals from an organization got a hold of Sen. Kline
and convinced him this was an issue that should be a negotiated
thing,’ [Senator Curtis] King said, referring to the Washington
Council of Police and Sheriffs.”
– February 26, 2009, Yakima Herald-Republic
LEOFF 2
LEOFF 2 Plan Retirement Board
2009 Legislative Session Summary
Submitted by Steve Nelson, LEOFF 2 Board Executive Director
Bills Passed
Actuarial Funding of Pension Systems (SB 6161)
This bill changed the methods and assumptions for the
actuarial funding and revised pension contribution rates for
all the state retirement systems, EXCEPT LEOFF Plan 2.
In all Plans except LEOFF 2 this bill would lower contribution rates in the 2009-2011 Biennium and increase member
contribution rates in future biennia beginning in the 20132015 Biennium.
Duty Disability Conversion (HB 1678 & SB 5542)
Members who retired as a result of duty related disabilities prior to the creation of duty disability retirements are
not receiving the favorable tax treatment on their benefits
to which they are entitled. This bill would reclassify eligible
Service and Disability retirements to Occupational Disability retirements for the purpose of allowing affected retirees to take advantage of favorable tax treatment on the first
10% of the member’s salary.
Domestic Partner Benefits/LEOFF Plan 2 (EHB 1616)
Domestic partners are not treated the same as spouses
for all pension benefits. There are six distinct areas in which
spouses and domestic partners are treated differently under
pension law including (1)Survivor Health Care, (2) Survivor
Retirements, (3) Purchase of Military Service, (4) Member
Contributions, (5) $150,000 Death Benefit, (6) Service and
Disability Retirements. This bill gives the domestic partners
of LEOFF Plan 2 members the same rights and options as
spouses for pension benefits.
Interruptive Military Service Credit (HB 1548)
Members whose public employment is interrupted
by military service are required to pay member contributions in order to purchase service credit. This bill, developed jointly with the Select Committee on Pension Policy
(SCPP), eliminates the member obligation to pay for interruptive military service credit if the member served during
a period of war. This bill also refunds the member contributions already paid by a member to purchase interruptive
military service credit.
Military Service Death Benefit (HB 1551)
Beneficiaries of members who die while serving on active
duty with the United States Military do not qualify for dutyrelated death benefits. This bill, developed jointly with the
Select Committee on Pension Policy (SCPP), eliminates the
actuarial reduction for the survivor of a member who left the
employ of a retirement system-covered employer to serve in
the National Guard or military reserves, and who die while
honorably serving in a defined period of war.
Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Officer (FWEO) Service
Credit Transfer (SHB 1953)
FWEO members were not allowed to transfer their
PERS Plan 2/3 service as Enforcement Officers to LEOFF
Plan 2. This bill, developed jointly with the Select Committee on Pension Policy (SCPP), provides Enforcement
Officers at the State Department of Fish & Wildlife the
opportunity to transfer past service as Enforcement Officers from PERS Plan 2/3 to LEOFF Plan 2. Transferring members will be required to pay the difference in
contributions that the member made to PERS 2/3 and
what the member would have contributed in LEOFF
2, plus interest, or the entire balance of the member’s
PERS 3 defined contribution account. Member, employer, and state contribution rates will increase to the
extent necessary to fund the difference in the value of
the service credit transferred between PERS and LEOFF
Plan 2, and the member contributions transferred into
LEOFF Plan 2.
Bills Not Passed
Catastrophic Disability Medical Insurance
(EHB 1679 - SB 5541)
Members who suffer catastrophic duty-related disabilities may not have access to health care insurance. This bill
would have extended the option to purchase health care
insurance from the State (PEBB) to members who are catastrophically disabled in the line of duty and their spouses
and dependent children.
continued on page 16
Spring 2009 Shield & Star 15
Officer of the Year Award
WACOPS Law Enforcement Officer
of the Year Award
T
he Washington Council of Police and Sheriffs is
pleased to announce the creation of the WACOPS
Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award. The purpose of this award is to provide recognition of clearly exceptional and outstanding performance of duties, which bring
honor and distinction to the officer, their department, and/
or their profession.
Your Name
Here
Nominations:
• Nomineesmusthaveexhibitedatleastoneofthefollowing characteristics above and beyond the normal scope of
the profession.
a.) Bravery
b.) Heroism
c.) Outstanding Service to the Community
• AnycurrentWACOPSmemberiseligiblefortheaward.
• Nominationsmustbesubmittedinwriting,addressedto
WACOPS’ President.
• ThedeadlinefornominationsisNovember30,forthat
year’s consideration. The achievement and/or act being
considered must have occurred in that same year.
• The WACOPS Executive Board will select the winner
from nominations
• Current WACOPS Executive Board members are not
eligible to receive the award.
Award Ceremony:
• TheWACOPSLawEnforcementOfficeroftheYearwill
be presented with a medallion and a framed certificate
detailing the achievements which led to the award.
• ThisawardwillbepresentedannuallyattheWACOPS
Winter Membership Meeting. The recipient’s lodging at the Winter Membership Meeting will be paid by
WACOPS.
• The winner’s Chief/Sheriff will be invited to participate in the presentation of the award and local media
will be notified.
• The award winner’s name will be entered into the
WACOPS’ records: a WACOPS Law Enforcement Officer of the Year plaque will be created to keep the historical record. The plaque will hang in the WACOPS’
offices.
LEOFF 2
continued from page 15
Survivor L&I Benefits/Remarriage Prohibition
(HB 1212)
Surviving spouses of LEOFF Plan 2 members who are
killed in the line of duty are entitled to receive a monthly
benefit of at least 60 percent of member’s wages. This
benefit is paid for the lifetime of the survivor, or until remarriage. This bill would have allowed surviving spouses
of the Law Enforcement Officers’ and Fire Fighters’ Retirement System and the Washington State Patrol Retirement System who are eligible for death benefits under the
Industrial Insurance Act to continue to receive the benefit
monthly for life regardless of whether they remarry.
16 Shield & Star Spring 2009
Adjustment for $150,000 Death Benefit
(HB 1547 - SB 5312)
The $150,000 lump-sum death benefit paid to survivors
of public employees who die in the line of duty is not adjusted for inflation and has not increased since it was created
in 1996. This bill, developed jointly with the Select Committee on Pension Policy (SCPP), would have increased the
amount of the death benefit to $175,000.
www.wacops.org
Spring 2009 Shield & Star 17
Meeting Highlights
Highlights of the WACOPS Spring Membership Meeting
Davenport Hotel, Spokane WA June 3-5, 2009
T
he meeting was opened with a welcome from Spokane Police Chief Anne Kirpatrick and Spokane
Sheriff Ozzie Knezevich. Spokane Police Chaplain
Ron Alter offered the opening prayer.
Executive Officers of the Board President Mark Lann and
Vice President Mike Allen reported on their activities since
the previous meeting. Secretary/Treasurer Dennis Diess reviewed
the
overall
WACOPS budget and
presented year-to-date
information to the membership.
Executive Director
Jamie Daniels and Government Relations consultant Lee Reaves reviewed legislation that
passed and failed in the
2009 legislative session
and presented the GR
Interim Plan. Government Relations Committee members Darell Stidham, Craig
Bulkley, and Dave Hayes also gave insight on the previous
session. Our biggest success this year was the adoption of
the state operating budget with the LEOFF Plan 2 retirement system fully funded and all actuarial recommendations made by the LEOFF Plan 2 Board included. Failure
to fully fund our pension would have been disastrous to future efforts to modify our benefit formula.
Steve Nelson, Executive Director of the LEOFF 2 Board,
spoke to the membership about the details of the LEOFF
legislation that was enacted this session and potential legislation for 2010. He answered numerous questions about
the history and future of the plan.
The WACOPS Special Commendation Awards were
presented to delegates Rochelle Brousseau, Rod Manchester,
Mike Pentony, and Brian Wurts for their dedication and
service to the organization.
The Executive Director presented the WACOPS Strategic Plan Update. This plan summarizes the goals for membership recruitment, the WACOPS mission, and board development.
Other highlights of the meeting included presentations
from Behind the Badge representatives Brian Johnston and
18 Shield & Star Spring 2009
Gayle Frink-Schulz and James Diacongiannis from the Spokane Fraternal Order of the Eagles. Ed Suddock, Seattle Insurance Inc., gave an overview and answered questions about
the various insurance plans offered through our subsidy
Public Safety Employees Insurance, Inc.
WACOPS Committee Chairmen reported on their various activities including Mary Robnett, Bylaws and Policy
Committee, with an explanation of the
changes in financial policies and Pat
Frantz, Scholarship Committee, with
an announcement of the six winners of
the WACOPS college scholarships.
Brian Wurts spoke to the group about
tactics for recruiting new WACOPS
members.
The training opportunity available
at the spring meeting was a six-hour
class on Criminal Interdiction that covered the basics of interdiction includ-
ing traffic stops, roadside techniques, officer safety, indicators of criminal activity, and search techniques.
Networking opportunities included a golf tournament
at Painted Hills, a barbeque with local area state legislators,
and a poker tournament. The raffle raised over $500 for the
Benevolent Fund that is used to assist guilds and families
in the tragic event of a fallen officer.
Full minutes of the membership meeting and the documents distributed will be available on www.wacops.org.
Special Commendation Awards
WACOPS Special Commendation Awards
Executive Board Member Steve Lynch, Mike Pentony
(Bellevue Police), President Mark Lann
Executive Board Member Mike Allen, Rochelle Brosseau (Puyallup Police), Pres. Mark Lann
Executive Board Member Ken Crowder, Rod Manchester (Clark Co), Pres. Mark Lann
Executive Board Members Mary Robnett and Dave Hayes,
Brian Wurts (Lakewood Police), Pres. Mark Lann
Staff Recognition
WACOPS with U.S. Dept. of Fish & Wildlife
WACOPS Lobbyist Lee Reaves, Clay Creek of Spokane
Airport Police and Executive Director Jamie Daniels
Spring 2009 Shield & Star 19
Golfing With WACOPS
Golfing With WACOPS
A
fter a long day of policies, budgets, announcements
and other regular meeting happenings, WACOPS
likes to break things up and have a little fun (hence
the office motto “Get the work done and have some fun”).
So, we spent the evening at the Painted Hills Golf Course,
which is a beautiful 9-hole course that is good for any
player.
In the past, we have gone bowling and played a little
putt-putt, so for the 2009 spring meeting we thought it
would be a good time to try our hands at golf. Some of
us had better luck than others, but we all had fun. Not
only did we get to show our great sportsmanship, or lack
thereof, but we also had a chance to get to know fellow
20 Shield & Star Spring 2009
WACOPS members. And what good is a game if there
aren’t awards given out after? The winners of the golf
tournament with low scores were Craig Bulkley, Darell
Stidham, Jason Southard, Steve Lynch, Les Coughran and
Abby Hansen (we were playing best ball, and these guys
could drive!). Our other award winners were Dennis Diess
for Best Dressed, Warren Larson for Best Driver Without
a Club, Jeff Herbig for Golf Head Going Farther than the
Ball, Justin Maschoff for Safari Ball, and Joe Uhrich for
Best Control of a Team.
Who knows what we will try next, but you can find
out in October during our next membership meeting in
Ocean Shores!
Spring 2009 Shield & Star 21
Insurance
Taxes, Insurance and Latin, Oh My!
By Ed Suddock, CPCU
T
he writer and reader have a
complex relationship. Each
party enters into the reading relationship with certain expectations, responsibilities and commitments that must be approached with
unconditional dependence. I remember, as if it were just yesterday, my
writing professor in college stating
“The author has a responsibility to
the reader to create intentionally hybrid, internally dialogic language that
fulfills a social purpose by reflecting
human relationships even when the
subject matter is impersonal and technical.”
Actually, this is a bunch of hogwash. I simply wanted to set the bar
high on boring, convoluted, meaningless words so an article on insurance
and taxes will seem downright sensible.
So, if you got through the first paragraph, the following won’t be too bad.
The question du jour is whether
long-term disability benefits are considered “taxable income”. We are in
contract negotiation season so it is important to raise awareness of the tax consequences of disability claim payments.
For those with attention issues,
here is the quick answer: If the premium is paid by the employer, the benefits paid by the insurance company
are considered taxable income. If the
premium is paid by the employee, the
benefits paid by the insurance company are not considered taxable income.
For review, the Long Term Disability benefit pays either 60 percent or
66 2/3 percent of a claimant’s salary,
depending on the coverage option chosen. The insurance company does not
want to pay 100 percent of a claimant’s
salary as this may create a disincentive
to go back to work. This reduction in
income between what the claimant was
earning and what the insurance company will pay can, by itself, create financial stress. But if the benefit paid is
considered taxable income, the reduction in income could be more of a material problem.
A simple example illustrates the issue. If a claimant is making $55,000
per year with the 66 2/3 percent disability coverage, the insurance company would pay a claim of $36,667
per year. If the claimant is married and
filing jointly, the tax on this income
would be $4,665. Thus, the net claim
payment would be $32,002, or 58 percent of the original $55,000 salary. A
claimant may be surprised that the net
claim proceeds are only 58 percent of
the annual salary when they were expecting 66 2/3 percent. A 60 percent
benefit limit creates an even wider gap
between the pre-disability income and
the net claim proceeds.
The income tax on long-term disability claim payments can be avoided. The determinant factor is whether
the premium for the insurance coverage is paid for with pre-tax (gross)
or post-tax money (net). The IRS answers this question by looking at who
pays the premium, the employer or
the employee. If the employer pays
the premium, the benefit is considered taxable income. If the employee
pays the premium, the benefit is not
included as taxable income. If the employer pays some of the premium and
the employee pays some of the premium, the amount of benefit income
received that is due to the employer’s
premium payments must be reported
as income.
This analysis can get complicated
if there is a payment mechanism that
obscures the direct route of the em-
continued on page 23
22 Shield & Star Spring 2009
Insurance
Taxes, Insurance and Latin, Oh My!
continued from page 22
ployee paying the premium with net
income. For example, some employers in fact pay the premium but they
pay the money with post-tax income
from the employee. Again, at root is
whether or not the employee paid tax
on the money that is used for the premium payment.
Please note that there are different groups involved that may come to
different opinions based on the same
facts. The insurance company may
conclude a benefit is not taxable, while
the IRS may have different ideas. If
you have any questions, it is a good
idea to have your individual circumstances reviewed by a professional tax
advisor or refer all tax questions to
someone more qualified on the subject
than I, which is just about anybody.
Now is a great time for my standard disclaimer. I am not an accountant, a tax attorney, or an IRS
agent, nor do I have any knowledge
of, or authority on, your individual or collective tax circumstances.
No reliance should be made on any
of the comments above, whatsoever. The above, which is solely my
personal opinion as a layman and not
as a professional, should be considered wholly incorrect, unreliable and
wrong.
If you are still with me, there is
an old Latin saying that best ends any
article on taxes and insurance. Some
of you will no doubt clearly recognize
it: “Tetigisti acu. Tintinnuntius meus
sonat!” The formal translation means:
“You have hit the nail on the head.
There goes my beeper!”, or for those
with an attention issue: “Here you go,
got to go!”
Benefits for WACOPS Members
nefits for WACOPS Members
Benefits for WACOPS Members
Managed
by PSEII
Managed
by PSEII
Insurance
Managed by PSEII Insurance Board Officers
Products Include:
John Sheeran
Insurance BoardPresident:
Officers
and Members:
ts Include:
and Members: Secretary/Treasurer: Joe Uhrich
• LongTermDisability&TermLifeplans
President:
mDisability&TermLifeplans
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• LifeAssistanceProgram Chuck Reisenauer
tanceProgram
Vice President:
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andAuto
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Secretary/Treasurer:
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• Will
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Members:
Preparation
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on
Seattle
Business Insurance LLC*
Brian
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Gary
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ErvenSuddock&Bong,L.L.C
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Board Officers and Members:
Vice President: Steven Shake
Members: Russ Dowdy
Randy Hedin-Baughn
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Ph: 206-285-9415
Fx: 206-285-9467
[email protected]
Spring 2009 Shield & Star 23
And You Think You’re Having a Bad Day?
By Ken Crowder, Executive Board Position 8, WACOPS Retired Organization
O
ne of our WACOPS retirees, John
Tomkins, was in his house when
a funnel cloud hit it. Does this
house have a basement?
Tomkins, recalling the horrifying incident, said, “I saw the funnel cloud destroying a house down the block as I stepped
out of the garage. I made it to an interior
hallway on my way to the main floor hall
bathroom, which had no windows, when
the house imploded. I’m guessing it all
took place in about 6-7 seconds. That is
the last I remember before waking up in the
debris.”
Call Adriane at
360-754-4543 to advertise
in the next issue!
24 Shield & Star Spring 2009
National Law Enforcement Museum
A Matter of Honor:
The National Law Enforcement Museum
By the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund
T
o anyone visiting the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C., the enormity of the sacrifice is clear. Engraved on the Memorial’s walls are the names of more than 18,200 law
enforcement officers who made the ultimate sacrifice working to preserve public safety.
Each of those heroes deserves to be honored and remembered. But unless you were a friend, colleague or loved
one, the inspiring stories behind these names are largely
unknown to the public at large. All of that will change,
however, in just a few years, when the first-ever National
commemorate law enforcement’s past and present through
five main galleries:
• Being an Officer will let visitors “walk in an officer’s
shoes,” with firearms and driver training simulators and
the Target Forensics Lab in which people can try their
hand at solving crimes.
• TheHistoryofLawEnforcementwilltelltheincredible
story of how law enforcement has met the changing needs
of American society over the years—and continues to do
so in the 21st century.
• InReeltoReal,visitorswilllearnhow
the media, television, film, and pop culture influence perceptions of law enforcement and how 911 operators respond to emergencies in the Motorola
Dial 911 Emergency Call Center.
• TheHallofRemembrancewillinspire
visitors with the stories of America’s fallen law enforcement heroes.
• TheDuPontChangingExhibitionsGallery will feature the many specialized areas of law enforcement and topical issues of the day.
Law Enforcement Museum opens its doors right across the
street from the Memorial.
The importance of building the National Law Enforcement Museum is unmistakable. While the Memorial permanently and silently tells an important story of service
and sacrifice, as one law enforcement leader has said, “The
Memorial focuses on the end of the story.… We need to
tell the rest of the story.”
Authorized by Congress in the year 2000, the National Law Enforcement Museum is scheduled to open in
2013. When it does, the 55,000-square-foot Museum will
be the largest and most comprehensive museum of its
kind in the world. This “glimpse behind the badge” will
As visitors tour the Museum, they will
come to learn and appreciate the story of
law enforcement… your story. The heroism behind the names on the Memorial…
the details of daily life on the beat… how
you investigate and solve crimes… the split-second life-ordeath decision you make. Every step of the way, visitors will
gain a deeper understanding of the enduing connection between law enforcement officers and the public you serve.
To properly tell the rich and fascinating story of law
enforcement in America, we need your help. That is why
the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund
launched A Matter of Honor: The Campaign for the National Law Enforcement Museum. This $80 million capital campaign is a historic philanthropic initiative. It will allow the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund
continued on page 26
Spring 2009 Shield & Star 25
National Law Enforcement Museum
A Matter of Honor
continued from page 25
to create a truly world-class museum that will appropriately honor the law enforcement profession and the hundreds
of thousands of men and women who have served and continue to serve today.
To date, Americans have generously donated more than
$38 million toward the Matter of Honor campaign. Individuals, corporations and, especially, law enforcement officers and associations have stepped to the plate to support
this one-of-a-kind endeavor. But while our progress to date
has been encouraging and deeply appreciated, there is still
a long way to go.
There are a number of ways in which individuals can
contribute: cash gifts or pledges, sustained giving, planned
giving, and workplace giving. Donors who give $1,000 or
more will have the opportunity to include their name on
the Thin Blue Line, which will run through the panels of
the glass bridge overlooking the Museum’s main concourse.
Donors of $10,000 will have the opportunity to name one
of 136 theater seats in the Museum Theater where an introductory film will be viewed by all visitors. Major Donors
who give $100,000 will receive special recognition in the
Museum and be invited to all VIP events leading up to and
including groundbreaking and opening day! In addition,
Museum staff is interested in any historical artifacts that individuals might want to donate to the Museum.
America’s law enforcement community continues to be
a major supporter of the Museum, with over three dozen
law enforcement organizations having donated $100,000 or
more. Law enforcement organizations interested in making
a donation should contact the NLEOMF Development Department, Law Enforcement Relations. The contact is John
Shanks, (202) 737-8529 or [email protected].
For more information about the National Law Enforcement Museum, including a virtual tour of the Museum, visit
us on the web at www.LawEnforcementMuseum.org. Or call
toll-free, 1-866-446-NLEM (446-6536).
Calendar
2009 World Police
& Fire Games
July 31-August 9, 2009 – Lower
Mainland and Sea to Sky regions of
British Columbia
WACOPS General
Membership Meeting
October 14-16, 2009 – Ocean Shores
Shiloh Inn
WACOPS Executive Board
Meeting
WACOPS Executive
Board Meeting
September 11, 2009 – SeaTac
WACOPS Executive
Board Meeting
October 13, 2009 – Ocean Shores,
in conjunction with general membership meeting
26 Shield & Star Spring 2009
November 6, 2009 – SeaTac
WACOPS General
Membership Meeting
January 13-15, 2010 – Olympia Red Lion
More information on our 2009 membership meetings will be
forwarded to the delegate of your organization and can be
found on our website www.wacops.org
What Are Policemen Made Of?
By Paul Harvey
D
on't credit me with the mongrel prose: it has many parents – at least 420,000 of
them: Policemen.
A policeman is a composite of
what all men are, mingling of a saint
and sinner, dust and deity.
Gulled statistics wave the fan over
the stinkers, underscore instances of
dishonesty and brutality because they
are "new." What they really mean is
that they are exceptional, unusual,
not commonplace.
Buried under the frost is the fact:
Less than one-half of one percent of
policemen misfit the uniform. That's
a better average than you'd find
among clergy!
What is a policeman made of?
He, of all men, is once the most
needed and the most unwanted. He's
a strangely nameless creature who
is "sir" to his face and "fuzz" to his
back
He must be such a diplomat that
he can settle differences between individuals so that each will think he
won.
But... If the policeman is neat,
he's conceited; if he's careless, he's a
bum. If he's pleasant, he's flirting; if
not, he's a grouch.
He must make an instant decision which would require months for
a lawyer to make.
But... If he hurries, he's careless;
if he's deliberate, he's lazy. He must
be first to an accident and infallible
with his diagnosis. He must be able
to start breathing, stop bleeding, tie
splints and, above all, be sure the victim goes home without a limp. Or
expect to be sued.
The police officer must know
every gun, draw on the run, and hit
where it doesn't hurt. He must be
able to whip two men twice his size
and half his age without damaging his
uniform and without being "brutal".
If you hit him, he's a coward. If he
hits you, he's a bully.
A policeman must know everything – and not tell. He must know
where all the sin is and not partake.
A policeman must, from a single
strand of hair, be able to describe the
crime, the weapon and the criminaland tell you where the criminal is
hiding.
But... If he catches the criminal,
he's lucky; if he doesn't, he's a dunce.
If he gets promoted, he has political
pull; if he doesn't, he's a dullard. The
policeman must chase a bum lead to a
dead-end, stake out ten nights to tag
one witness who saw it happen – but
refused to remember.
The policeman must be a minister, a social worker, a diplomat, a
tough guy and a gentleman.
And, of course, he'd have to be
genius... For he will have to feed a
family on a policeman's salary.
Compliments of COPatch
Not a Member of WACOPS? Interested?
Call Lynn Jacobs at the Council Office for more membership information
and services we provide or visit our web site: www.wacops.org
1.800.887.2677
Spring 2009 Shield & Star 27
News From Around the State
Inmate Duct Taped
By John Bulger
P
OCATELLO – The first hint that Nicklas Frasure’s
hearing was going to be unusual came at the outset
when the man attempted to fire his court-appointed
counsel. It eventually culminated with the man’s mouth
bound with duct tape in an attempt to quell his frequent
and irrational outbursts.
Frasure, 23, appeared before Sixth District Judge Peter
D. McDermott Monday morning for an evidentiary hearing on reports of a probation violation for a 2008 felony
theft conviction. Frasure’s counsel, Kent Reynolds, requested near the outset that his client undergo a competency exam, a point Frasure hotly contested.
“I’m totally fine,” Frasure
said. “I have a sense of humor.
I’m not bad looking. I can
walk on my hands.”
Frasure’s tangential and
odd comments persisted
throughout the hearing, with
his mood rapidly changing
from incredulity to outrage
to apparent mirth regarding
his court appearance. At one
point, Frasure referred to his
appearance as a form of “terrorism.”
“I’m not only innocent,
but a victim,” Frasure said. “I
need to be released.”
McDermott, whose general demeanor toward defendants is patient and gentle,
tried unsuccessfully on numerous occasions to quiet Frasure’s insistent non sequiturs until after the prosecutor and
his own attorney had concluded.
Frasure’s mother took the stand to describe her son’s
behavior, including escalating bouts of drinking and erratic behavior. The woman said Frasure had been much better after his release from State Hospital South in Blackfoot
in October but had quit taking his medications shortly
after his discharge.
“The last two months he started being really bizarre,”
the woman said.
The woman described how her son had calmly told her
that a voice had told him to “take a shotgun and blow your
head off.”
The presence of his mother on the stand increased Frasure’s outbursts, many of them referring to his needless
persecution and his religious faith. Frasure continued to
interrupt the proceedings, asking his mother to admit to
murder.
McDermott continued to warn Frasure to no avail
about his outbursts and told him he would have a chance
to address the court and pose
questions of witnesses. He finally threatened to duct tape
the man’s mouth if he did not
be quiet.
After several more lengthy
and jumbled outbursts and additional warnings about a gag
being employed, McDermott
finally indicated he’d had
enough, ordering the bailiffs
to duct tape the man’s mouth.
The proceedings halted for
several minutes while bailiffs
retrieved the tape, tore a piece
from the roll and applied it
over the man’s mouth.
Reynold’s renewed his request for a competency exam.
“He’s obviously not mentally competent,” Reynolds said.
McDermott told Reynolds he would continue to take
the request under advisement and continued the evidentiary hearing. Frasure continued to speak throughout the
hearing despite the gag, insistently asking his mother if she
were guilty of murder.
“I don’t know how to proceed when Mr. Frasure is totally psychotically disabled,” Reynolds said, causing McDermott to ask the woman if she felt her son was mentally
continued on page 29
28 Shield & Star Spring 2009
News From Around the State
Inmate Duct Taped
continued from page 28
ill and might harm her. The woman replied “yes” to
both questions.
Frasure’s probation officer, Julie Guiberson, took
the stand and opined that the man was a threat to both
himself and others, and particularly to his mother.
“He is probably the most mentally unstable person
I have ever supervised,” Guiberson said.
Guiberson noted that one of the probation provisions that Frasure was alleged to have violated was a
requirement to take all prescribed medications. She said
that Frasure had admitted to having stopped taking his
medications due to side effects.
At the close of the hearing, Frasure’s gag was removed and he again engaged in a rambling discourse.
WACOPS Shield & Star Ad Rates
McDermott thanked the man for his comments.
McDermott declined to make a determination regarding Frasure’s alleged probation violations, deciding
to commit the man to a secure Department of Correction facility in Boise for evaluation and treatment rather
than the non-secure facility in Blackfoot.
“I want to see you get better,” McDermott told Frasure.
“You want to arm wrestle?” was Frasure’s reply before being led from the courtroom by bailiffs.
Reprinted with permission from Idaho State Journal
April 21, 2009
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advertisement and any claims that may arise there from against the publisher.
When a contract is signed to run an ad for 1 year, you
are eligible to have an ad on the WACOPS web site. Price
for web site ad is $50.00 extra. Design costs are paid
by advertiser. Design and upload to web site billed at
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Design or modifications to ads are billable at $77 per
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For questions about production standards, please call
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ads subject to approval by WACOPS.
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