The Blue Blitz

Police Week 2014; Honoring Captain Keith Paul Chiasson

May 16, 2014

Captain Keith Paul Chiasson is my Brother, and I miss you Captain Keith Paul Chiasson Thibodaux Police Department, Louisiana End of Watch: Monday, March 10, 2008 Bio & Incident Details Age: 51 Tour: 31 years Cause: Gunfire Incident Date: 2/19/1980 Weapon: Handgun Captain Keith Chiasson succumbed  to gunshot wounds sustained in 1980. He was shot several times after  responding to a complaint at a local night club. He died as a result of the  wounds on March 10, 2008. Captain Chiasson had […]

Police Week 2014; Honoring Chaney Champagne

May 15, 2014

Detective Chaney Champagne was my Brother and I miss you. Detective Chaney Joseph Champagne Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Department,  Louisiana End of Watch: Thursday, July 31, 2003 Bio & Incident Details Age: 45 Tour: 22 years Badge # 732 Cause: Automobile accident Incident Date: 7/31/2003 Detective Chaney Champagne and  Sergeant Kurt Harrelson were killed when their patrol car collided with a truck  on State Highway 308. At approximately 1530 hours, Detective Champagne  and Sergeant Harrelson were responding to a call reporting an elderly woman had  […]

Police Week 2014; Honoring Martha Ann Woods-Shareef

May 14, 2014

 Sheriff’s Deputy Martha Ann Woods-Shareef was my Sister and I miss you. Deputy Sheriff Martha Ann Woods-Shareef Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Department,  Louisiana End of Watch: Wednesday, August 20, 2008 Bio & Incident Details Age: 53 Tour: 15 years Cause: Vehicular assault Incident Date: 8/20/2008 Weapon: Automobile Suspect: Apprehended Deputy Martha Woods-Shareef  succumbed to injuries sustained when she was run over by a vehicle while  investigating a burglary on Highway 20. She had responded to a local convenience  store at 2:30 am after an alarm […]

Police Week 2014; Honoring Kurt “Woody” Harrelson

May 13, 2014

Detective Sergeant “Woody” Harrelson was my Brother and I miss you.       Sergeant Kurt E. Harrelson Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Department,  Louisiana End of Watch: Thursday, July 31, 2003  Bio & Incident Details Age: 31 Tour: 10 years Cause: Automobile accident Incident Date: 7/31/2003 Sergeant Kurt Harrelson and  Detective Chaney Champagne were killed when their patrol car collided with a  truck on State Highway 308. At approximately 1530 hours, Sergeant  Harrelson and Detective Champagne were responding to a call reporting an elderly  woman had driven her car into a canal and the car […]

Police Week 2014; Honoring Octavio Rafael “Ox” Gonzalez

May 12, 2014

Captain Octavio Rafael  Gonzalez was my Brother and I miss you. Captain Octavio Rafael Gonzalez St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s  Office, Louisiana End of Watch: Friday, June 16, 2006 Bio & Incident Details Age: 40 Tour: 13 years Cause: Gunfire Incident Date: 6/16/2006 Weapon: Gun; Unknown type Suspect: Sentenced to life Captain Octavio Gonzalez was shot  and killed while participating in a manhunt for two suspects who had shot and  wounded another deputy minutes earlier. The wounded deputy and his  partner […]

Swat or Not | Got what it takes?

May 9, 2014

Nine ways to increase your chances of making SWAT by: Lt. Dan Marcou 1.) You Must Possesses Excellent Work Ethic Most SWAT teams are part-time jobs. This means their members maintain full-time positions elsewhere on their departments and join their SWAT team whenever it is called into action. When this is the case, it is imperative that members of the team be reliable, exemplary workers in both venues.A team member who is a supervisory problem in their daily assignment will reflect badly […]

Community Policing is Compassionate Policing

May 7, 2014

 

Thibodaux Fireman’s Fair | May 1 – 4, 2014

May 1, 2014

Firemen – Because cops need heroes too.

R.I.P. Captain Ronnie Dyson (Terrebonne Parish SO)

April 22, 2014

A wonderful family man, friend and public servant. http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/houmatoday/obituary.aspx?n=ronny-dyson&pid=170738502

The Christian Police Officer

March 7, 2014

By: Officer Johnathon Fontenot Thibodaux Police Department (LA)  I am a Christian, but I am also a Police Officer. The challenges of being a Christian or a Police Officer are in and of themselves diverse, but being both at the same time has proved to be more challenging than I could have ever imagined. My journey with God began in the summer of 2009. My life was completely transformed, and God gave me an intense desire to know more about him. So, […]

Quiet Your Mind

February 17, 2014

Can You Quiet Your Mind? From John Marx’s CopsAlive.com For law enforcement professionals the importance of being able to quiet your mind is critical as the thoughts, ideas, plans and excessive noise in our heads can become overwhelming. Even in their more mild expressions these thoughts can keep us from being focused, attentive, alert and might disturb our sleep. The profession of law enforcement can be quite toxic and contributes many direct threats to your mental and emotional well-being, not to mention […]

Silent Night

December 20, 2013

Always a great message shared

Becoming Your Own Gatekeeper: A Lesson from Mrs. Woodrow Wilson

November 30, 2013

Lead Thyself

November 26, 2013

Lead Thyself: Quick Tips for Those Managing Themselves There’s a common misconception regarding the title of “leader”: You don’t have to be a manager or a supervisor in order to lead.  If you’re providing direction or support to fellow colleagues, you’re a leader.  More importantly, being a leader starts with being able to manage yourself effectively. If you one day wish to move up the corporate ladder and lead others, you must start with yourself.  Even if you have no interest in entering […]

Dreaming in Blue

November 15, 2013

From one of my favorite police leaders on cultural change; Improving Police I hope you do not think that I am saying or suggesting that our nation’s police have not improved? They have! Looking back (and I make this point in my new book) there have been major points of improvement that have helped move police forward. First of all, there is the Wickersham Commission in the 1930s and President Johnson’s crime commission in the mid-1960s. Both commissions led to many of today’s […]

Well Anchored – By: Chaplain Ronnie Melancon

October 27, 2013

My Friend, Jules | DV Survivor and Champion

October 24, 2013

This moving account of pain, punishment, and perseverance inspires me! It will bless you too. Her story of victory is meant to be shared. Please, I ask you to bless others with her open optimism. I came to know Jules as someone I enjoy kidding with. Mostly about our law enforcement jobs, and US v. UK jabs. She shared her story, and I grew to know Jules as someone I deeply respect and admire. Jules recently joined the London’s Metropolitan Police, and trained to […]

Dealing with mean people

October 14, 2013

She nails it in her post. Check out her site.

Smiles Lead to Longer Life Span

September 30, 2013

Smiles Lead to Longer Life Span Posted on September 24, 2013 by mike As a kid, I attached valuable baseball cards to the spokes of my bike to make the sound of a motorcycle. Not everyone was destroying future investments. Researchers at Wayne State University examined photos of two hundred and fifty baseball players prior to 1950. They analyzed the smile or lack of smiles. Those that displayed no smile lived to 72.9 years old. Those with partial smiles lived to the […]

Be an Oak

September 15, 2013

It was around 1981-82 that I decided I would quit my job to pursue the full-time ministry of an Evangelist. I had been taught by my Pastor that you never make major changes without prayer and fasting. I had a wife and two children at this time (my youngest was not yet born), and this decision would seriously affect their lives. I had to know it was God directing me. I took a few days off of work, and went on a […]

The Required and the Desired

August 25, 2013

Those with children know that if you want them to do certain things, you will have to require it of them. I have five brothers, and grew up with one bathroom in the home. Our daily baths were done in resemblance to an assembly line – “ Next!” My Momma knew boys though. She would check behind our ears and under our neck to be sure we bathed. Cleanliness required bathing, and Momma knew you don’t get what you expect, you get […]

Rise of the Warrior Cop

July 25, 2013

  Is it time to reconsider the militarization of American policing? by: RADLEY BALKO Reposted from the WSJ (7-22-13) On Jan. 4 of last year, a local narcotics strike force conducted a raid on the Ogden, Utah, home of Matthew David Stewart at 8:40 p.m. The 12 officers were acting on a tip from Mr. Stewart’s former girlfriend, who said that he was growing marijuana in his basement. Mr. Stewart awoke, naked, to the sound of a battering ram taking down his door. […]

Local cops, kids bond over library storytime

July 23, 2013

Thibodaux kids have the right to remain entertained. The Thibodaux Police Department partnered with the Thibodaux Library to have officers read stories to kids at least twice a month. Detective Douglas Fontana, who read stories Monday evening, said the program started about three months ago as a way for officers to get more involved in the community. “It really gives us a chance to expand and do things we normally wouldn’t do,” he said. Fontana said his favorite stories are the ones […]

Social Media is The New Face of Disaster Response

July 19, 2013

July 18, 2013 By Eric Covino NOTE: Great post from my friend Lauri Stevens at ConnectedCops.net. Please check her out! Did you know that 76% of survivors of natural disasters use social media to let their friends know they’re safe? You can find more interesting facts about social media’s role in the wake of a natural disaster, including Sandy, in the following infographic developed by University of San Francisco’s Masters of Public Administration department. The infographic was most recently used in a congressional hearing […]

How Much Police Brutality Is Enough?

July 18, 2013

NOTE: This is an article from 2001, but I find it’s perspective of police force interesting. I want to share this alternative view by Daniel McCarthy. What do you think; how much police brutality is enough? “…I’m one of these guys who thinks cops can slap people around from time to time — if it’s called for and if they don’t get caught….” “The thin blue line needs to operate in a wide gray area when it comes to maintaining the social order….” The quotes are […]

PTSD Awareness Day 2013 | CopsAlive.com

June 27, 2013

NOTE: From our friends at CopsAlive.com Today is PTSD Awareness Day and its time for those of us in law enforcement to learn more about Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and take a stance on how we will preserve and maintain our mental health and resilience in the face of a very toxic career. Today’s the day and June is PTSD Awareness Month and we encourage you to learn more about Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) not only to help yourself but your peers and […]

Code 9 | Officer Needs Assistance

June 18, 2013

Code 9 | Officer Needs Assistance; these words strike at our deepest fear. There is nothing in this life that can prevent fellow officers from getting to an officer in need. All I am asking is that you watch this video. Yes, it’s that important. I watched this video sent to me by Deborah Ortiz and was moved with emotion as I listened to children speak the words that Police Officers never will. Please get involved; no more silent suffering. Deborah’s FB message: hello […]

I’m Shaping Up | Week 15

June 10, 2013

I’m Shaping Up; Week 15 This week I returned to the joy of being a multi-sport athlete. I went out for a 25 mile cycle through the sugarcane fields, and upon returning home I immediately changed into shorts and running shoes. Exiting the house while rehydrating, I immediately went to the shed and grabbed the lawnmower to cut the lawn before another evening thunder shower. Well, it wasn’t the traditional multi-sport event, but it was two activities that independently used to leave […]

Fixing Your Cruiser

June 9, 2013

There are four steps to learning. Step #1: Unconscious Incompetence – You don’t know that you don’t know Step #2: Conscious Incompetence – You know that you don’t know Step #3: Conscious Competence – You know that you know Step #4: Unconscious Competence – You know it so well you don’t have to consciously think on it   Good example is the teenager that first wants to drive a car. Step #1 big time! Give them a few years and they are […]

I’m Shaping Up | Week 14

June 3, 2013

I’m Shaping Up | Week 14 School’s Out For Summer!! While this means I still report for duty Monday morning, but does mean the kiddo is out for the next few months. How does this challenge the quest to become fit? Well, the hotter it becomes, the more kiddo seems to enjoy snacks inside while watching TV. Yes, I have been known to watch a few episodes of Barney while sharing snacks from his bowl. This week, and the wonderful Memorial Day weekend […]

A Response to Rt. Hon. Keith Vaz MP | Nathan Constable (UK)

May 30, 2013

NOTE: I follow the work of Nathan Constable, who regularly posts about the conditions of policing in the UK. This recent event involving the brutal murder of a British soldier on the streets of London, solicited an unusual response from a high-ranking official. You think the U.S. has issues?? Stay Strong UK Blue  Reposted from my Friend & Brother in Blue from the UK; Nathan Constable This morning, the Rt. Hon. Keith Vaz MP, Chair of the Home Affairs Select Committee has […]

The Christian Police Officer

May 23, 2013

The Christian Police Officer – By: Officer Johnathan Fontenot I am a Christian, but I am also a Police Officer. The challenges of being a Christian or a Police Officer are in and of themselves diverse, but being both at the same time has proved to be more challenging than I could have ever imagined. My journey with God began in the summer of 2009. My life was completely transformed, and God gave me an intense desire to know more about him. So, […]

National Police Week: What is a Police Officer?

May 13, 2013

In Honor of National Police Week, I will dedicate each day to a personal friend lost in the line of duty. Each loved their country, their community, their agency and mostly their families. Please join us in celebrating not how they died, but how they lived their heroic lives.

Can You See It? – By: Chaplain Ronnie Melancon

May 12, 2013

Happy Mother’s Day. I miss you mom

Diary of a Mad Dispatcher; Interview

April 23, 2013

I was fortunate to have interviewed Kristin Kitchen, aka “Diary of a Mad Dispatcher” for The Badge Guys in preparation for last week’s Telecommunications Appreciation Week. I’m honored to feature the entire interview here at the Bright Blue Line. I’d like to thank Kristin once again for leading the way for Emergency Dispatchers and for hosting a wildly popular Facebook site – Diary of a Mad Dispatcher. Original post Click Here This week at The Badge Guys, we focus on the “Role […]

Police Dispatchers: Unsung Heroes and Lifelines

April 13, 2013

Wrapping up our week of honoring Dispatchers is this piece posted by one of my favorite sites, Law Enforcement Today Dispatchers; we truly appreciate you. Dispatchers: Unsung Heroes and Lifelines by Niki Tallent March 14, 2013 According to the LA Police Protective League in discussing the shoot out with disgraced former Los Angeles police officer Christopher Dorner, “The chilling audiotape makes one thing clear: the civilian dispatcher did an outstanding job. She performed flawlessly during this critical tactical incident. Her calm and […]

I Quit

April 12, 2013

I Quit Johnny Paycheck popularized this song originally written by David Allen Coe in 1977, and despite having been his only #1 hit, we recall with clarity those famous words, “Take this job and shove it.” He sings about the dissatisfaction and hurt of a man who gave his life to his work without reciprocation of reward. Ok, I’m not quitting, but it gets your attention. It also gains the attention of supervisors, Chiefs and Mayors who ask, “Why?” Well, there are […]

Leadership: Trust Me

April 5, 2013

Thibodaux Police Chief: ‘Trust me’ Editor’s Note: This article is an archived media piece posted in January 2011 when Chief Silverii first took office.  Newly appointed Thibodaux Police Chief Scott Silverii speaks to the department as a group for the first By: Nate Monroe Published: Thursday, February 3, 2011 at 11:01 a.m. THIBODAUX — Thibodaux Police Chief Scott Silverii wanted to make sure his officers were ready to break with the past. In the opening portion of a speech addressed to most of the […]

10 Questions with Chief of Police Scott Silverii

April 2, 2013

10 Questions with Thibodaux Police Chief Scott Silverii Thibodaux Police Chief Scott Silverii shares ideas about the department after being appointed earlier this year. Originally Published: Friday, September 16, 2011. Since taking over the job in January, Thibodaux Police Chief Scott Silverii has changed the structure and ideology of the police department. He has also faced a number of challenges, most notably the brutal murder of 7-year-old Jori Lirette in August. Daily Comet Staff Writer Nate Monroe sat down and talked with Silverii […]

Honoring Police Radio Dispatchers Week; Thank You to Allie Hansell

March 23, 2013

By: Allie Hansell @Alliehans1 Well, this is my very first experience blogging, so please be patient with me 🙂 I was asked to write a little about my job and why I love it. I work as a Police 911 Call Taker and Dispatcher for a small suburb of Vancouver, British Columbia.  I started in this field about 3 years ago and it has been a pretty interesting experience. Volunteering Leads to Finding Her Passion My previous job was that of office […]

Honoring Police Radio Dispatchers; Thank You to Carlena A. Orosco

March 22, 2013

Motivation for Beginning Career At the ripe age of 21, I decided to seek employment with a law enforcement agency in Los Angeles as a police dispatcher, in hopes of gaining some invaluable experience that would help to shape my career as a Criminal Justice scholar. Little did I know, I was about to embark on a nine-year, life-changing experience, one that has forever altered my perspective on the role of dispatchers in the day-to-day operations of law enforcement. Upon being immersed […]

Honoring Police Radio Dispatchers; Thank You to Katie Marnoch

March 21, 2013

I’ve been a dispatcher with the Metropolitan Police Service in London for eight years, and I can honestly say that no two days have ever been the same. Making a Difference I love my job for a number of reasons: the people I work with, the opportunities it has given me and for knowing that every day I have made a difference to someone’s life. In the past 18 months, I have dealt with the London Riots, held the Olympic torch, worked […]

Honoring Police Radio Dispatchers Week – Thank You to Candace Gray

March 20, 2013

By: Candace Gray 911 Emergency Dispatcher When you tell someone you answer 911 for a living, their first question is usually something like “Oh my gosh, isn’t it stressful?” or “What’s the craziest call you have ever gotten?”. What they typically DON’T ask is “Why do you do it?”, so I’m definitely happy to answer this one! I have been doing this profession for the last 12 yrs, starting at the young age of 20yo. I work for a small department in […]

Honoring Police Radio Dispatchers Week – Thank You to Reycca Dotson-Middleton

March 19, 2013

By: Radio Communications Dispatcher – Reycca Dotson-Middleton Dickenson County, Virginia Coming up on my seventh year as a dispatcher for police, fire and rescue in our small county in Virginia, approximate population of sixteen thousand citizens, we are tiny compared to some. We have three town police agencies, three EMS agencies, four fire agencies as well as our county deputies we dispatch for. Some days I come in and/or leave feeling like there’s nothing I love about this job. I chock that […]

I’m Fat; Week 3

March 18, 2013

Continuing Health Partnership Last Monday was so exciting to announce the partnership with CopsAlive.com. It also meant the added pressure of extra accountability and less breaking my diet and exercise commitments. Unfortunately, peer pressure does not lock the freezer from late night ice cream binges. I did however, use the BMI link  (Ouch!!) and measure everything spreadsheet to set goals and monitor my intake and activities. John Marx has included more great information and we all encourage you to join us in […]

Rookie Cop; The Stand-Up Guy

March 15, 2013

Years ago while commanding a Uniform Patrol Division for a nationally accredited Sheriff’s Office, I worked closely with the Regional Police Training Academy Director. Having previously worked for me in a special services division, we became fast friends. The Question Following the graduation of each academy class, the rookies reported to the Patrol Section for assignment to an experienced Field Training Officer (FTO). The Director made it a point to ask if they still stood up. I’d laugh and say, “Yes.” This went on for just a few weeks, […]

Cops; Old Bulls & Young Bulls

March 14, 2013

January 22, 2013 in Featured, Leadership, Posts by Chief Scott Silverii, Ph.D. Who can forget Robert Duval’s advice to a young LAPD Officer played by Sean Penn in the 1988 movie “Colors?” While Duval’s character may have been referring to operational efficiency more than chronological age, the point is that better results are often associated with maturity. Oakland’s Chief of Police Howard Jordan recently announced increasing the Police Department’s minimum hiring age from 20.5 years to 25 years old. I hope this […]

I’m Fat – Week 2 & Joined by CopsAlive.com

March 11, 2013

Blessed by a New Partnership I posted this just 2 weeks ago for motivating myself to regain healthy habits, encourage others to join in by setting their own goals for holistic health, and creating a forum for sensible information and accountability. Last week, I spoke with John Marx at CopsAlive.com who offered to partner. They provide fantastic practical information ranging from health to spiritual survival. Our plan is to post every Monday. I will give you a brief update of my progress, […]

It’s Just Funny

March 8, 2013

My Bike Patrol Officers are watching Wal-Mart surveillance video for an arrest they made of a thief in progress. One Officer uses the “front brake” at dismount and, well, you see it. The laughter is what you get, the respect is what you earn. These guys have my total respect. I just had to share a lighter moment of Cop Culture.