Author: Editor

John Marx was a Police Officer for twenty-three years and served as a Hostage Negotiator for nineteen of those years. He worked as a patrol officer, media liaison officer, crime prevention officer and burglary detective. Also during his career he served as administrator of his city's Community Oriented Governance initiative through the police department's Community Policing project. Today John combines his skills to consult with businesses about improving both their security and their customer service programs. John retired from law enforcement in 2002. When one of his friends, also a former police officer, committed suicide at age 38, John was devastated and began researching the problems that stress creates for police officers. He decided he needed to do something to help change those problems and he wanted to give something back to the profession that gave him so much. He started a project that has evolved into CopsAlive.com. Put simply, the mission of CopsAlive is to save the lives of those who save lives! CopsAlive.com gathers information, strategies and tools to help law enforcement professionals plan for happy, healthy and successful careers, relationships and lives.
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1st Responder Treatment

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Our law enforcement profession is very slow to embrace the need for early intervention and support of those who need help before they turn to self-medication with alcohol and prescription medications. There is a new treatment program available that is geared specifically for Police, Fire and EMS first responders and it’s called 1st Responder Treatment.

I had a chance to interview Mark Lamplugh the Founder and Program Coordinator of 1st Responder Treatment a partner with Transformations Treatment Center in Delray Beach Florida.

Mark founded 1st Responder Treatment to help first responders get drug and alcohol treatment nationwide. First Responders have special needs when it comes to treatment. Mark was a fire captain who struggled with addiction himself, so he understands the needs that must be met.

The mission of 1st Responder Treatment is to assist every first responder to get the help they need for their addiction issues while also protecting their privacy.

Contact 1st Responder Treatment at:
1-855-350-2405
http://www.1strespondertreatment.com/

In our interview we discussed the challenges in getting police officers or any first responders to ask for help when they have a problem with alcohol, drugs or stress.

Our discussion was directed at two audiences. One audience includes the first responders that have an alcohol or drug problem and the other audience was the peer, friend or family member of the police officer or other first responder that knows someone who needs help.

In our interview… Continue reading

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CopsAlive.com Fitness Monday

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trail-bikingsmEDITORS NOTE: This is fitness week three as CopsAlive.com follows Police Chief Scott Silverii, Ph.D. on his quest to lose weight and get into better shape. We are also keeping track of Warden Rae Timme with the Colorado Department of Corrections, a member of the CNN Fit Nation Team, as she prepares for the Nautica Malibu Triathlon on September 8. We all know that fitness is critical in law enforcement, but we don’t always do what we know is right. Over the next couple of months you can follow Scott, a Police Chief, and Rae a Department of Corrections Warden, as they open up their lives to you. We invite you to also participate in any way that you choose to improve, your fitness and, your ability to survive a career in law enforcement. We also encourage you to support Scott and Rae with your comments, emails, Tweets and Facebook entries.

Last Monday I announced my partnership with CopsAlive.com. It also meant the added pressure of extra accountability and less breaking my diet and exercise commitments. Unfortunately, pressure does not lock the freezer from late night ice cream binges.

I did however, use the BMI link 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 setting goals for regaining a physical, emotional and spiritual level of health.

Here’s to holding each other accountable… Continue reading

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Petition to Support Officers in Newtown and Connecticut Suffering from PTSD

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EDITORS NOTE:
I just received an email form Sgt. Sofia Gulino from Norwalk PD, Connecticut asking for our support with a petition to expand workers compensation coverage in Connecticut for workers diagnosed with PTSD. This is your opportunity to help your brother and sister officers in Newtown, all of Connecticut and perhaps set a precedent for making changes in the way we support officers with PTSD around the United States.

Since 12/14/12 Sgt. Gulino has been co-piloting a fund raiser for the Newtown CT police officers that responded to the Sandy Hook Massacre. Some of these Officers have been unable to return to work as a result of PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder). Others show up, but leave when overwhelmed. On the table now is Senate Bill 823 to change the way we support people with PTSD.

If Senate Bill 823 passes, workers compensation coverage would be expanded to cover all individuals diagnosed with PTSD as a result of witnessing the death or maiming of another human being, such as the Officers in Newtown. I believe EVERY officer should sign this bill, as well as their family and friends.

She and I are humbly requesting that you sign or share a petition to support this bill. The town of Newtown is NOT backing the bill or their own officers. We need to be our brothers keepers. Most Officers have no idea that this bill is even on the table. They deserve… Continue reading

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A New Credo for Law Enforcement

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New Police Credo

I think its time we created a new credo for law enforcement. My suggestion based upon my strong beliefs about officer safety and wellness is: “Work H.A.R.D.; Live H.A.R.D.; Die H.A.R.D.”.

According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary a Credo is defined as” an idea or set of beliefs that guides the actions of a person or group”

So what do I mean by:
Work H.A.R.D.
Live H.A.R.D.
Die H.A.R.D.

I think the key to a good motto or credo is the deeper meaning that we take out of it that gives us guidance when we need it. In this case I have defined the acronym of H.A.R.D. as:
H = Healthy
A = Altruistic
R = Resilient
D= Dedicated

I believe that a truly skilled and proficient law enforcement professional should… Continue reading

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Spiritual Survival For Law Enforcement Course at Natick PD

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spiritualsurvivalbookcoverChaplain Cary Friedman will be presenting his excellent program on SPIRITUAL SURVIVAL FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT at the Natick Police Department outside of Boston Massachusetts on Monday February 18, 2013.

CLICK HERE to download a flyer.

If you have not read his book “Spiritual Survival For Law Enforcement” I highly recommend it and it is available in both print and electronic versions from the publishers website CLICK HERE to learn more.

The cost of the program is $99 and you can learn… Continue reading

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How is Your Body Mass Index or BMI?

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Law enforcement officers need to monitor and maintain their bodies just as they would care for any other piece of tactical equipment like their vehicle or weapon.

Tracking your body mass index is one part of that process.  BMI is a measure of body fat based on height and weight that applies to adult men and women.

You can CLICK HERE to use a quick BMI calculator from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services website.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services lists the categories for BMI as:

Underweight = <18.5
Normal weight = 18.5–24.9
Overweight = 25–29.9
Obesity = BMI of 30 or greater

Use their quick online calculator to find out where you are by CLICKING HERE to see what your BMI is.

If you work in law enforcement you should know, and monitor your body mass index.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control “Body Mass Index (BMI) is a number… Continue reading

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Transcendental Meditation Helps Cop With PTSD

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PTSD, coupled with our fear and ignorance about it, is becoming one of the most pressing issues in law enforcement. We promise to “take care of our own” and we need to start doing it. Don’t be afraid, and don’t be ignorant about PTSD. Educate yourself about this problem so that we will truly never leave anyone behind!

Our thanks go out again to Deborah Louise Ortiz and her husband Michael for what they are doing to help cops. You might remember CopsAlive.com wrote about them in January as they began fundraising to produce the film “Code 9 Officer Needs Assistance”. They are continuing to work on their film and these two videos are their testimonials on Transcendental Meditation (TM) and about how it has helped them both as Michael manages his Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

There are two versions of this excellent… Continue reading

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Buy a Song and Support the NLEOMF

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Musician and songwriter Mully has created a song to honor law enforcement officers and if you buy the mp3 download all proceeds from the sale of “hero” will be donated to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund.

Mully has said that “hero is a tribute to police officers everywhere with a positive and uplifting message. too often the fine men and women who wear a badge to work are taken for granted. this is my way of saying “thank you” for your courage, dedication and… Continue reading

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Matt’s Last Call

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I recently had a chance to interview Julie Zielinski about her new book entitled: “Matt’s Last Call: Surviving Our Protectors”. Julie wrote the book after her son, a sheriff’s deputy in Washington state, took his own life. As Julie reflects on the death of her firstborn son, she informs parents and children of the dangers of suicide, the difficulty of coping, the pain of everyday life, and lastly the days that happiness returns, even if just a little bit.

Matt Zielinski was an athlete, a U.S. Marine Corp. Sergeant, and ultimately fulfilled his dream of becoming a law enforcement officer. Matt worked for the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office in Wenatchee, Washington. He loved his work and was due to be appointed to the SWAT Team because… Continue reading