Frank Borelli
Editor-in-Chief
Officer.com
This past week one of the most televised news stories, most discussed news reports, and most blogged about “news” events, was the traffic stop of an NFL player for running a red light. Like everyone else who has commented, for good or bad, on the incident, I have my opinion too. Unlike some of those who have commented, I’ve actually spent a career in law enforcement. Unlike some others, I refuse to pass judgment based on edited video clips and reporter OPINION - because I wasn’t there; didn’t see, hear and experience everything that officer did; and I don’t have HIS life experiences to develop my decisions based on. Read the rest of this entry »
Frank Borelli
Editor-in-Chief
Officer.com
I wish I could find out who said:
It’s not how you die that counts; It’s how you lived.
This past week the police community has stood together in grief once again as a criminal takes the lives of three of our brothers in a single day. Some say justice prevailed because the criminal himself was justifiably shot and killed. I wouldn’t argue with that - but I would debate when the ultimate justice is served. Read the rest of this entry »
Frank Borelli
Editor-in-Chief
Officer.com
As is so common in my household, my youngest son saw something on television that inspired him to ask me a question that made me have to think. In this case the question was about how NOT to be prey - or how to escape the hunter. After further conversation and some philosophical thinking we came to the conclusion that the only way to cease being prey was to become a hunter; even if that means turning the tables on the hunter to make him the prey. In fact, that’s the ONLY way to stop being prey. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in
Karen Bune - Victimology on March 14th, 2009
Karen Bune
Special Topics Contributor
Officer.com
Chopper, Captain, Clancy, Mumbo, Agnes, Shorty, Dillie, Pellie, Camden, Brooklyn, Jacob, Jasper, Monty, and the nine officers and one sergeant who comprise the Boston Police Department’s Horse Mounted Unit (BPD HMU) may soon be singing the lyrics of Neil Sedaka’s song, “Breakin’ Up Is Hard To Do” if the dismal outlook for their unit does not change rapidly. Like many other major cities and localities throughout the country, Boston is also confronted with significant economic woes. Though the unit’s operating budget is received through the city, it is not a huge budget. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in
Karen Bune - Victimology on March 11th, 2009
Karen Bune
Victimology Contributor
Officer.com
Undoubtedly, present economic times are tough. Employees are being furloughed, people are losing their jobs, businesses are cutting back, and some are even closing their doors for good. Even those customers who frequented local coffee shops for the splurge of a daily latte are curtailing their spending, and some of the major coffee chains, including Starbucks, have decided to diminish the number of their store holdings in various parts of the country. It’s not good when even the coffee shops begin to suffer. Read the rest of this entry »
Frank Borelli
Editor-in-Chief
Officer.com
If you do is it good or bad?
In a previous blog titled “Letting Go” I discussed the situation wherein someone spends a significant amount of time and energy at a job trying to not only do their job but also affect positive change and how, when they leave that job, they have a hard time letting go. As I type this time I have to discuss a different situation: Caring too much about the job you are currently in. Read the rest of this entry »
Frank Borelli
Editor-in-Chief
Officer.com
There are those in the world who have accused me of not being a very “flexible thinker”. I’ve also been accused by being prejudice. I guess, from particular points of view, both are true statements. As a veteran cop I certainly take umbrage when someone tries to hurt law enforcement or takes action to reduce the effectiveness of law enforcement. That’s exactly what’s happening in Prince George’s County, Maryland as I type this. Read the rest of this entry »
Frank Borelli
Editor-in-Chief
Officer.com
In some of the recent articles on Officer.com there have been highlights about the connection between our economy and police work. Steve Ashley discussed how having a lack of funds is not an acceptable excuse for reducing training. Karen Bune has talked about the roles civilians can play in law enforcement and the attached potential savings. Art Femister - religiously, every month - talks about the volunteers who save our law enforcement agencies hundreds of thousands of dollars each year. Depending on which financial pundit you listen to on which television station, you may have heard that the economy isn’t going to recover until 2010… or 2011… or even later than that. Read the rest of this entry »