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NewJerseyFOP NEWSF R AT E R N A L O R D E R O F P O L I C EE-Board EventAttendance ReducedTravel ExpensesSlashedWINTER 2010Charitable GivingTemporarily ReducedBuilding FundOn HoldEconomic Trickle-DownMeets the State LodgeCDG out of BusinessBoard pushesself-sufficiencythrough cutbacks& higher duesCare packages for U.S. soldiersFOP wife finds new callingWelcome to three new lodges Florence Township Customs & Border Protection Camden County CorrectionsGet on board with NJMNJ’s best auto insurernow offers FOP discount
NewJerseyW I N T E RFOP NEWSThe New Jersey FOP News is publishedquarterly by New Jersey FOP Newspaper,Inc., a subsidiary of the State Lodge. It isan independent commercial publicationsanctioned by the NJ FOP and is mailedon a complimentary basis to all membersand advertisers. Reproduction of any partof The New Jersey FOP News for commercial purposes without permission isstrictly prohibited.CONTENTSF E A T U R E S8Civic Development Group out of businessState Lodge campaigns for self-sufficiency with cutbacks & higher dues12FOP wife helps create ‘Project Our Town’28Jersey City monument to rescuers, itself a doublevictim of crimePublisherNew Jersey FOP News, Inc.108 West State StreetTrenton, NJ 08608Phone: (609) 599-1222Fax: (609) 599-12212010Care packages for U.S. soldiers abroadAdvertising InquiriesCall State Lodge headquarters(609) 599-1222, x208or send e-mail to njfopnews@aol.comEditorial ProductionPatric Communications204 South Branch DriveWhitehouse Station, NJ 08889Phone: (908) 823-9001Fax: (908) 823-9002E-Mail: rpatric@comcast.netEditor: Robin PatricPrinterA.F.L. Web Printing2 Executive DriveVoorhees, NJ 08043Phone: (856) 566-1270Fax: (856) 566-0110NJ FOP State Lodge OfficersPresident Ed BranniganExecutive Vice President Bob FoxVice President Dominic RomeoCorresponding Secretary Wayne WinklerTreasurer George KlineRecording Secretary Steve DemofonteSergeant at Arms Ken HawkinsChaplain Andy CastellanosNational Trustee Ron BakleyPast Presidents11111115192022252629303031313334Director of Member Services35FOP State Legal CounselA.J. Fusco, Jr., P.A.NJ FOP NEWSN E W SNJM now offers auto insurancediscount to FOP2010 Mini Conference, Mar. 22-25Labor Council on steady pay-downtrackRate reduced for 2010 state conferenceWhat the FOP can expect from theChristie administrationWelcome to three new lodgesLet the spirit ring! State Lodge holidayreception photosMore police switching to FOPMiddlesex Prosecutor’s Office offerspolice suicide seminarLOCALRick Whelan, John Sisto, Jim Forcinito,Harold SheaSteve Szypulski2STATE LODGEH I G H L I G H T SRiver vessel christened in honor ofJersey City’s DiNardoFreak accident paralyzes L-179President LoweAtlantic Lodge wins schedulingarbitrationRich Sarlo now chief in CollingswoodFarewell to Erdman, Magee andAngulotNewark’s Gianella recovering fromtraumatic car accidentLaBruno named member of the yearin Mt. ArlingtonMatlock & Fox honored byMonmouth LodgeD E P A R T M E N T S346161824252632353637From the President’s DeskGrand Lodge UpdateLegally SpeakingState Lodge BriefsRichman ReportNJ FOP Membership BenefitsAwardsDear StephCop2CopQuickbitsLocal Lodge Officer ElectionsMembers on the MoveA D V E R T I S E R S57910131517182125272940Wells Fargo Home MortgageModern MortgageStark & StarkAllied Mortgage GroupThomas Edison State CollegeBagolie Friedman InjuryLawyersThe Cushane Law Firm, LLCDWC Enterprises, Inc.Loop RealtyEastern DentalAllied Home Mortgage CapitalCorp.Santamaria Eye CenterCove Haven EntertainmentResorts
FROM THE PRESIDENT’S DESKStay Alert, Stay Alive!NJ FOP PresidentEd BranniganI am frustratedby the abruptincrease inambush andrampage-styleassaults onpolice officers.The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund released its preliminary2009 fatality report in December. One inspiring aspect of the report was that line-ofduty deaths were down 5% in 2009 compared to 2008, the lowest in five decades.As encouraging as that drop may be, I am frustrated by the abrupt increase inambush and rampage-style assaults on police officers. Law enforcement officerfatalities as a result of gunfire rose 26% last year. We witnessed incredible assaultson police officers with multiple officers being shot. Mar. 21, Oakland, Calif. Four police officers were shot and killed by a paroleeduring a traffic stop. April 4, Pittsburgh, Pa. Two officers responding to a domestic disturbance wereambushed by a suspect who opened fired with an AK-47, killing both officers. Athird officer was shot and killed as he got out of his car. April 25, Okaloosa County, Fla. Two sheriff’s deputies attempting to arrest asuspect for domestic violence were gunned down. July 26, Seminole County, Okla. Two deputy sheriff’s officers and an officerfrom the Seminole Nation Lighthorse Police Department were attempting to serve anarrest warrant. When they approached the front door of the suspect’s home they werefired upon. Both deputies were fatality wounded. July 16, Jersey City, NJ. Five police officers were shot following an investigation of two suspects wanted for armed robbery and a shooting. Officers on stake-outattempted to stop the suspects and a fierce running gun battle ensued. Four JerseyCity officers and one Port Authority officer were shot. Det. Marc DiNardo of JerseyCity succumbed to his wounds. Nov. 29, Lakewood, Wash. Four police officers preparing for their shift weresitting in a coffee shop working on laptops. The coffee shop, owned by a retiredTacoma police officer, was considered a “safe” hangout for cops waiting to go onduty. A man on line reached the counter, drew a handgun and opened fired on theofficers. One officer was able to return fire and wounded the suspect as he fled. Allfour officers died at the scene. After a massive two-day manhunt, the suspect wasshot and killed by a Seattle police officer.We have to be ever-vigilant of our surroundings, never letting down our guard.Criminals and domestic terrorists look for opportunities to kill when we are mostvulnerable. Law enforcement officers today are confronted by daring and bizarrecriminals, yet our men and women display remarkable bravery.When I was a young police officer in Newark, we had a dispatcher who, whenbroadcasting on Newark Police radio station KRI 750, would always end by saying“Stay Alert, Stay Alive.”Fraternally,Ed Brannigan, PresidentNew Jersey Fraternal Order of PoliceWINTER 20103
GRAND LODGEU P D A T ENational FOPDirectoryHEADQUARTERS701 Marriott DriveNashville,TN 37214PatrickYoesNational Secretary(800) 451-2711FAX: (615) 399-0400NATIONAL FOPLEGISLATIVE OFFICES309 MassachusettsAvenue, N.E.Washington, D.C. 20002Jim PascoExecutive DirectorPhone: (202) 547-8189FAX: (202) 547-8190CURRENT OFFICERSPresident Chuck CanterburyVice President Dave HillerSecretary PatrickYoesTreasurerTom Penoza2nd Vice PresidentFrank GaleSgt-at-ArmsTim DownsPAST PRESIDENTSGill GallegosDewey StokesDick BoydLeo MarchettiJohn Dineen4NJ FOP NEWSDay on the Hill,Feb. 8-10FOP Day on The Hill2010 will be Monday toWednesday, Feb. 8 to 10. TheNational Legislative Officeand the National LegislativeCommittee will host a shortbriefing on the FOP legislative agenda at D.C. Lodge #1headquarters, located at 7114th Street, NW. The one-hourbriefing will take place Monday afternoon.On Tuesday and Wednesday, state delegations willproceed to pre-arrangedmeetings with lawmakersfrom their respective states.Participants should try tomeet with the representativeor senator in each office, inaddition to their staff.Contact National for hotelinformation. A block ofrooms is reserved for members.FOP neutral, for now,on big truck weightlimitsSix-axled vehicles weighing up to 97,000 poundswould be able to operate oninterstates within their respective state boundaries if the“Safe and Efficient Transportation Act” is passed. Current limits allow five-axledtrucks carrying up to 80,000pounds.For law enforcement,HR-1799 poses issues of officer and highway safety. Moreweight means more potentialhazards and faster road deterioration.Some local law enforcement factions support the billbecause current weightrestrictions force large trucksoff the interstates and ontolocal and state roads, puttingall the potential hazards intothe local arena.Five winter training opportunities1. Leadership Matters Seminar, Feb. 4-6,Nashville, Tenn. Local and state leaders learn how toconduct lodge business more efficiently.2. Annual Labor Forum, Feb. 24-25, Harrah’s LasVegas. Grievance processing, officer rights and recentdevelopments in labor issues.3. Legal Counselors Seminar, Feb. 26-27, Harrah’sLas Vegas. FOP attorneys learn about officer bills ofrights across the country; participate in roundtable discussions on public policy, critical incidents, legal bestpractices and more.4. Collective Bargaining I, Mar. 27-30, Harrah’sLas Vegas. Bargaining techniques, comparables, economics, the negotiation process. Involves role playingin mock contract talks. Also covers ratification and interest arbitration. For new and experienced bargainers.5. Collective Bargaining II, Mar. 31-April 2,Harrah’s Las Vegas. Covers health care and economicissues, interest arbitration, mock arbitration hearings,political action, FLSA and using the media.For information on Leadership Matters, contactJoyce Jackson at National FOP HQ, (800) 451-2711 orseminars@fop.net. For all other seminars, contactLabor Services Director Rick Weisman at (800) 4512711, (614) 224-1856, or labor@fop.net.In a press statement, theNational FOP Legislative Office wrote, “without greaterconsensus on this issue onthe part of these officers, theFOP will continue its monitoring and research, but willtake no position at this time.”Boyd honoredPast National PresidentDick Boyd was named inDecember as one of fouroriginal inductees into theOklahoma Law EnforcementHall of Fame.“This is a well-deservedhonor for a brother whom Ideeply respect,” said currentNational President ChuckCanterbury.The four inductees eachreceived the Bill TilghmanAward, named after a famouslawman from Chandler,Okla., where the Hall ofFame is located.Boyd, a 22-year veteranof the Oklahoma City PoliceDepartment, is a chartermember of Oklahoma CityLodge #123 and served as itsfirst secretary. He was president of his local and statelodges before serving asnational president from 1983to 1987.Cont’d on page 6
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LEGALLY SPEAKINGBy State LodgeAttorneyTony FuscoWatch out if you’re sending personalmessages on departmental devicesPolice mobile devices such as cellphones and two-way pagers havebecome common in the workplace,especially in “on call” departments.Internet and e-mail usage policies arelikewise common, but gray areas stillexist. You may wonder how new technology and office policies affect yourFourth Amendment rights and expectations of privacy, especially as apublic service employee.This issue was examined by the9th Circuit Court of Appeals in a casearising out of Ontario, Calif. In brief,the Ontario Police Department purchased two-way pagers for theirSWAT team members to communicatemore efficiently. All team members,prior to receiving the devices, signedmemos acknowledging their understanding of the department’s technology policy, which allowed for minimalpersonal usage and also warned ofpossible audits. But the city’s “Computer Usage, Internet and E-Mail Policy” did not expressly mention pagersand text messages. Instead, employeeswere advised informally on severaloccasions that messages transmittedvia pager were considered e-mail andthus covered under the city’s policy.For several months before theaudit, a few SWAT members continuously exceeded their monthly allowance. After eight months, thechief of police ordered an audit todetermine whether a higher-limitmessaging plan was necessary. Theaudit revealed that one employee hadsent and received explicit messageson the two-way pager. Once confronted, the officer and his wife initiated a lawsuit on grounds that theirFourth Amendment expectation ofprivacy was violated by the audit. Thesuit included the service provider forreleasing the records of messages tothe police department.The court held that the plaintiff’sFourth Amendment rights were violated because a less intrusive searchcould have reached the same conclusion — that the department wasexceeding its contract with the textmessage service provider. Further, thecity’s policy did not expressly mention the inclusion of pagers and textmessages. The court dismissed claimsagainst the service provider ongrounds that the contract was betweenthe police department and theprovider. Accordingly, the providerwas permitted to release the information to its client upon request.I advise you to review your department’s internet and technology policy.Also, be cautious of your messageusage on devices sponsored or ownedby the department. If your departmenthas yet to address these issues, youshould still be wary of using the devices for personal reasons. By doingso, you may avoid future headachesand embarrassment. With time, morespecific policies will be put in place toregulate personal usage of high-techdevices. Until then, contact your FOPrepresentatives if you have any concerns or questions regarding yourdepartment’s policies. Anthony J. Fusco, Jr., Esq. and his firm,Fusco & Macaluso, LLC in Passaic, are theadministrators of the New Jersey FOPLegal Defense Plan. They can be reachedat (973) 779-1163.GRAND LODGEU P D A T ECont’d from page 4Driver license guides stillavailableNeed help identifying fake IDs andpreventing underage access to alcoholand tobacco at retail locations? MillerCoors still has thousands of copies of the2009 Drivers License Guide, developedin partnership with the FOP.The guide displays color reproductions of drivers’ licenses and ID cardsfrom all 50 states and nine Canadian6NJ FOP NEWSprovinces. Samples fromAmerican Samoa, Guam,Northern Mariana Islands,Puerto Rico, U.S. VirginIslands, Northwest Territories, Nunavut Territory,and Yukon Territory arealso shown, as is the driver'slicense from the U.S. Department of State. Accompanyingtext describes the correspondingminors’ licenses and identification cards, and security featuresdisplayed on the front andreverse sides. Guidelines tohelp verify authenticityof legal IDs are printedon the back cover.The guide is free exceptfor shipping.
WINTER 20107
S TAT E L O D G E N E W SCivic Development Group goes out of businessBoard pushes for self-sufficiency through cutbacks & higher duesE-Board EventAttendance ReducedCCivic DevelopmentGroup, the nationwide publicsafety fundraising machine,closed shop in December.For 20 years, the companyraised millions for publicsafety organizations, including the New Jersey FOP andmany other state lodgesacross the country.Since 1994, the NewJersey FOP was receivingincome from CDG’s ongoingresidential solicitation, butthe economic downturntightened donor pockets andsqueezed the company out ofbusiness.At the Dec. 16 StateLodge meeting, President EdBrannigan announced, “Wedo not have a solicitor as ofthis moment. What we’vebeen telling you over andover again has come true:We can’t rely on the generalpublic to run our business.”8NJ FOP NEWSTravel ExpensesSlashedBuilding FundOn HoldCharitable GivingTemporarily ReducedState officers have contacted several fundraisingcompanies to maintain minimal income until the nextstate conference in August.At that time, they will askmembers to approve a significant per capita increase —from 12.50 to 52 a year.The change would make theState FOP entirely self-sufficient.If members say yes, “wewon’t have to rely onfundraising any more,” saidBrannigan. “We’re doingwhat we can to survive untilwe can get the increase.”Cost-saving measures include board members payingtheir own way to manyevents. For example, “I’mgoing to a four-day conference in Las Vegas and picking up three nights myself,”he said.In the current-year budget,State Lodge costs are calculated at 63 per member, according to Treasurer GeorgeKline. If per capita were 52,the State Lodge would needthe equivalent of 11 permember to cover remainingcosts. Kline said the difference is already met by StateLodge merchandise sales,primarily travel cards, FOPlicense plates, gold shields,holders and wallets.Right now, out of the 12.50 per capita, there aretwo automatic allotments: 2for the NJ FOP PoliticalAction Committee and 5 forthe building fund (to financeconstruction of larger headquarters in Florence). “Thatleaves 5.50 to run the business,” said Kline.Compared to other duespaying organizations, FOPper capita for state affiliationis remarkably low. PBAmembers pay 54 to theirstate organization, membersof the Professional Firefighters Association pay 120,and teachers pay 731 to theNational Education Association of NJ.“We’re not out to makemoney off the members butwe should be paying our ownway,” said Kline.The board has nowlaunched a campaign to sellthe idea of cutbacks and increased dues to local lodges.They are presenting the strategy to local members onelodge at a time. By deadline,they had visited 15 locallodges.“We seem to have theirsupport,” said Kline. “Wehaven’t had anybody saythey’re going to leave theFOP because of the increase.”Some members have
pressed the board on spending practices. “One big question is the four cars,” saidKline. “It’s actually cheaperto have a company-ownedcar over a period of manyyears than paying gas andmileage for a personal car.We always pay the cars offup front so there’s no interest, plus we double up in onecar when we go places. It’sdefinitely a big savings.”Brannigan said thebiggest cut in expenses wasAt 12.50 per memberper year, current State Lodgedues amount to 25 a week.So what’s the difference ifthe increase is approved?“We’re talking about adollar a week,” said Kline.Sean Grannan, presidentof Gloucester TownshipLodge #206, said his members reacted favorably to thepresentation at their recentlodge meeting. Thirty-fiveout of 110 members werepresent.Dollars & CentsCurrent State Lodge per capita: 12.50 (25 /week)Proposed new per capita: 52 ( 1/week)Comparative State Union DuesPBA - 54 PFA (firefighters) - 120NEA (teachers) - 731postponing construction ofthe new FOP headquartersbuilding in Florence Township. Another was cuttingout receptions at the Chiefsof Police Expo in AtlanticCity and at the national conference.Board members are attending fewer events, such asthe annual Special Olympicsbanquet and fewer locallodge affairs. “We’re sendingone or two people from theboard” to reduce the cost intickets and gas,” said Brannigan.Board members also aredoing more work from homeinstead of driving to the office.The ongoing residentialsolicitation conducted byCivic Development Groupallowed the FOP to be generous to charitable groups likeDeborah Hospital, SpecialOlympics and Easter Seals.But for daily business, “weneed to pay our own way,”said Kline.“If dues need to be rai
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