The Utah Peace Officer Association

The Utah Peace Officer Issue 82/2

A PROFESSIONAL A professional is defined as, possessing great skill or experience in a field or activity or one with assured competence in a field. Are we as law enforcement officers true professionals? I believe that I am. Are you based on the above definition? I have strived my whole career to be more than just a cop. I have done this by belonging to groups, organizations and associations related to my chosen profession. I have tried to attend as much training as possible, even at my own expense. Isn’t our profession and lives important enough for us to spend our own time and money on? I believe it is, which is one of the reasons that I got involved in UPOA over fifteen years ago. It started out as just being a member, attending training and supporting those that were in a position to make a difference through the channels that UPOA uses to fight for law enforcement rights and interests. It wasn’t long before I was asked to be a part of the board that made the decisions, did the fighting and stood up to make a difference for law enforcement. The first few years I sat back and learned from those that went before me. It wasn’t long after that, that I realized that the real difference would be in getting even more involved and becoming part of the executive board by running for vice-president and moving up through the ranks to president. The first time I ran I got beat by a heck of guy, Ken Wallentine. The great part of that was that he encouraged me to run again next year, which was all I needed to give it a shot one more time. The following year I ran again and now look at me, just finishing my term as president. What a ride it has been. I am both happy and sad to be coming to the end of my four years on the executive board. We have made some great accomplishments. I have seen the legislative battles fought and won on the hill, a change in our magazine, summer and winter conventions come and go, successfully so, challenge coins designed for our organization, annual fallen officer memorials, numerous POST Council meetings representing the officers and UPOA, presenting awards to those that should be recognized for their commitment or acts of sacrifice and bravery, a great start on the COLA issues for our retirement and many charitable acts by our members and board to assist other officers in their time of need. I could go on and on about what UPOA does and what it means to me and what it should mean to the law enforcement community in Utah. But if you are reading this, I am probably preaching to the choir. What I need is for the choir to start singing to the congregation. We must continue to increase our numbers and become even stronger and better represented than we are now. UPOA represents everyone, the line officer, the administrator, the narcotics officer, the K-9 officer, the mid-level supervisor, everyone. There are many good organizations out there representing particular areas of law enforcement, such as, the FOP but their agenda is a little different than ours; this is neither good nor bad, just different. We fight for everyone, whether a member or not and regardless of your position, your job function, your title, your rank, and your interests. We fight for the law enforcement community in our state. While our numbers have not fallen and we stand at approximately two-thousand members, are percentages are not remaining the same as the number of law enforcement officers in the state grows. Young officers do not know what we stand for, what we do and why they should be members. It is our job to educate them and encourage them to get involved. If we do not take the time to do this where will we be in the future. There is strength in number. Benjamin Franklin stated, “we must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately.” Get involved, get the word out, bring a new member in and make a difference. Not just for yourself, although that is a dang good reason, but for the good of all law enforcement in the state. Give me a call and I will get you involved and started on your way to becoming a board member and someone who will make a difference. Bring your ideas and thoughts, we are wide open. Request training in your area, we will bring it to you. UPOA is here for you and we want you to get involved. If you are going for a drive, do you want to drive or be driven. I believe that most cops what to be the drivers. Get on board, take the wheel and take UPOA for a spin. That’s enough preaching for my last president’s letter. I just can’t say enough about how much we want all law enforcement in the state to be involved in their destiny. It’s been a good ride and I want to thank everyone that helped me in so many ways. I’ll be seeing you at the board meetings and convention. Dennis Bailey
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82/1

Change! No, not the kind that we all carry around in our pockets. I’m talking about the kind that we all carry around on our backs everyday. I have a wooden block next to my office chair that I see every time I get up that reads “If you don’t like something change it. If you can’t change it, change the way you think about it.” Change is going to happen to each of us on a daily basis. You can accept it and make the best of it or you can wallow in pity, feel bad for yourself and miss a golden opportunity to take on a new challenge or try something different or experience something new. If that doesn’t do it for you, you may finally just learn that you are not in complete control of your environment and what happens to you on a daily basis. Change is all attitude and perception. I read somewhere, that we all spend a lot more time thinking that someone is thinking about us than anyone really thinks of us. Pretty profound but very true. How and why we perceive change has happened is our reality, but our reality is just that, “ours”. The problem with our reality is that it is usually warped from all the weight of a lot of baggage from our past. With all that baggage on our backs we are thinking about the weight of the baggage, which distorts and blurs our vision instead of seeing the change as it really is, just change, nothing more, nothing less. I recently experienced a major change in my professional career. Of the last eighteen years I have spent fifteen in the Investigations Division as a Detective, Detective Sergeant and my last tour as a Lieutenant, Division Commander. It was a great ride that I thought would never end but all things end eventually. The Chief came to me and asked me to take on a new assignment, Administrative Services. He knew I would accept and while I was reluctant and wanted to resist the change I said “yes” and decided to make the best of the situation. I called my wife and told her and she invited me out to dinner that night to celebrate what everyone around me was calling a promotion without the pay. That was not the way that I looked at it at first, but after talking to a few friends, associates, my wife and taking another look at what I had been asked to give up and take on as a change in my assignment, I saw it differently than at first and “changed the way that I thought about it”. What a difference a change in my attitude (overnight) made in my perception and how I felt about the change. New challenges, opportunities, experiences and a chance to make some changes of my own in a new division and make a difference there. Not to mention the other positive aspects of career changes such as making new friends, not being called out in the middle of the night or during other important times, a great new office upstairs with a view to kill for and working with other people who bring a new perspective to life. I guess that what I am trying to say is that we all have to be adaptable. Isn’t that what we do everyday on the street. We adapt to the circumstances and environment of the call that we are dealing with. Being adaptable is a survival skill that many animals use as a survival technique and not surprisingly, so do we. When change happens, and it will, just like _ _ _ _ happens, we have to be adaptable. We can either try to change it or change the way we think about it. The bottom line is that it will happen and how we accept it and our attitude towards it reflects upon us and how others look at us. Just this week my wife changed her hair color and cut, the color and design of her fingernails and her toe nail color. Change, I don’t think so. That took hard core cold cash. I am sure that the next change will be a wardrobe. No dear, that outfit does not make you look fat. The bottom line is that we have to be open minded both personally and professionally. Whether we like it or not, change will happen, and we need to be ready for it. The same survival skills that we use on the street to survive encounters can be used in our personal and professional lives. Adaptation is the ultimate survival skill. Just ask the next dinosaur that you see. I guess what I am trying to say is that most of us still have a ways to go in our career, twenty-two down and eight to go. We need to not dwell on what we can not change and do the best with what we have to work with. Change is going to happen. Some major, some minor and some minuscule. How we handle those changes will effect us more than the changes themselves. I could go on and on about change, perception and attitude but either you get it or you don’t. I would like to leave you with four thoughts that I read recently in a book titled “The Four Agreements”, 1). Be Impeccable With Your Word, 2). Don’t Take Anything Personally, 3). Don’t Make Assumptions, 4). Always Do Your Best. You are in charge of your own happiness. Make a difference and do something. If you can’t change it, change the way you think about it. Be safe.
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81/4 It’s been a pretty good night and day. On my way to Salt Lake I got all the election results from my wife on the phone and many of those that I supported were elected, but some were not. I accomplished a lot of business, both UPOA and P.D. on the cell phone while traveling from St. George. Met with the people from Symbol Arts on new renewal gifts for UPOA members. Had a great steak and saw a corny but relaxing movie, Taxi, at the theatre. Returned to the motel and turned the T.V. finding the JAZZ beating up on the LAKERS and now back to business, authoring my President’s message for the Winter Magazine. What a way to spoil a great day. Can anyone say “PROCRASTINATION”!!! I worked as an election judge on November 2nd and what a long but rewarding day. It was so good to see so many people coming out to the polls in record numbers. It was equally as good to see so many young people coming out for the first time to cast their vote and have a voice about the future of our state and country. I really got a kick out of a group of young males who all rolled up to the voting station on their skateboards. I had a great conversation with them and I found that they were very well informed on the issues and candidates, more so than a lot of other people that I spoke to. Mom and dad always told me that I couldn’t complain about politics if I didn’t get involved and vote. I have voted in every election I can think of since joining the Army in 1976 and am sorry to say that I have complained plenty since then also. It’s funny though that the older I get the more I have learned to except things. I have a block of wood that my wife bought for me at a craft fair, that I graciously volunteered to attend with her, that has written on it “If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change the way you think about it”. I keep this block right above my desk at work and I have had to do plenty of changing in my life and will probably have to do plenty more before I am through. It is good and healthy that we don’t all agree on all the issues. A friend of mine, a man I respect for his principles, and a past president of UPOA, Rick Nielson, told me once during a good discussion on issues that we did not necessarily agree on that “while he may not agree with me, he would fight for my rights to express my opinion freely”. What a great country we live in to be able to express our opinions, speak freely and openly, and exercise the rights that we have. Whether a soldier, a law enforcement officer, or as in many cases both, you have taken a vow to defend the rights of others, whether you agree with them or not. We should never take this vow lightly and we should honor that oath that we swore to when we became officers. I could never express enough how much I love my country, the people in it and what our country means to me. When you get your renewal gift this year look at the back of it and ask yourself, what do the words Honor, Duty, Courage and Knowledge mean to me? From time to time we should reflect back on why we got into this line of work. Did we do it because we thought it would be fun and exciting or did we do it because we thought that we could help someone and make a difference in the community that we live in. I believe that the answer is probably “all of the above”. Let us not forget that this profession is our career, and if you are anything like me it has also become a big part of your life. This job is more than a pension at the end of twenty or thirty years. Whether your candidate won or not he or she did their part to help their community. They probably did it for the same reason as we do our job, “exciting, fun and wanted to help and make a difference”. Hopefully they kept to their principles and values and kept some of the same words in mind when they ran for office as we do when we serve, Honor, Duty, Courage, Knowledge, and maybe even some more that we all should also keep in mind like, loyalty, strength, selflessness, integrity, professionalism, and commitment. I am proud to be a law enforcement officer and I am proud to be an American. I count my blessings daily that I live in this great land of ours and pray for those that serve it in so many different ways. As bad as we may think that we have it from time to time and start feeling sorry for ourselves, when it comes to our personal feelings about something we don’t like or agree with, just turn on the T.V. and watch the news from around the world and ask yourself, “How bad do I/we really have it” and “Can I change what I don’t like or agree with and if not, should I change the way I think about it”. I hope you voted and made a difference of a different kind in your community. If not, don’t miss next time, it’s never too late to start. I actually had one person I know that is in their forties and had never voted until this election. He was quite pleased and I’ll bet he does not miss another election, whether his candidate won or not. Whether you are a Republican, Democrat or another party, we are all American. Lets move forward, start the healing, working together to make our communities and country even a better place to live. Make a difference and set the example for others. Thanks for making a difference every day. You count in more ways than you will probably ever know. My mom sent me an e-mail the other day reminding me of other great lessons that she had taught me over the years. They are still paying off today, mostly with my boss. My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE. “If you’re going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning.” My mother taught me RELIGION. “You better pray that will come out of the carpet.” My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL. “If you don’t straighten up, I’m going to knock you into the middle of next week!” My mother taught me LOGIC. “Because I said so, that’s why.” My mother taught me FORESIGHT. “Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you’re in an accident.” I still practice this today. My mother taught me IRONY. “Keep crying, and I’ll give you something to cry about.” My mother taught me about the science of OSMOSIS. “Shut your mouth and eat your spinach.” My mother taught me about STAMINA. “You’ll sit there until all that spinach is gone.” My mother taught me about WEATHER. “This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it.” My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY. “If I told you once, I’ve told you a million times. Don’t exaggerate!” My mother taught me about the CIRCLE OF LIFE. “I brought you into this world and I can take you out.” My mother taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION. “Stop acting like your father!” I still do, sorry mom. My mother taught me about ENVY. “There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don’t have wonderful parents like you do.” My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION. “Just wait until your father gets home.” My mother taught me about RECEIVING. “You are going to get it when you get home.” My mother taught me HUMOR. “When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don’t come running to me.” My mother taught me GENETICS. “You’re just like your father.” My two favorite: My mother taught me WISDOM. “When you get to be my age, you’ll understand.” I have kids of my own now and have reached that age of understanding. My mother taught me about JUSTICE. “One day you’ll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you.” They did Be Safe Everyone Dennis Bailey ---------------------------

81/3
Well, this is the first of four articles that I will write or reap the wrath of our editor Brigitte. It is nice to know however that she is so tenacious that no president of the organization has missed an article for as long as I can remember. This is also the start of a new chapter in my life as president of the Utah Peace Officer’s Association. The last chapters that were written for UPOA, in action and words by the last president Ken Wallentine and many other past presidents such as Mike Fenton, Kelly Larson, Cody Cullimore, Tim Trujillo, Art Haney, Larry Wehrli, Eric Nielson, Karl Hirst, and others before them were so well done that I am truly excited about what is to come and how much help I will get from them and the current board of directors. Your UPOA board is so committed to the success of the organization that despite occasional personality conflicts and differences in opinion the board is always able to come to a mutual agreement on all issues that are addressed, for the betterment of the law enforcement community in Utah. One thing I know for sure, there is no problem or issue too big for this organization to take on and overcome. As your new president I would like to focus on training, working with other law enforcement organizations in the state, recognizing officers for their actions and fund raising to finance our efforts to improve both our personal and professional lives as law enforcement officers. Since September 11, 2001 we have all seen budget cuts. These cuts have effected P.O.S.T. and the training that they are able to provide as well as the agencies that we work for. I hope and intend to push UPOA to fill the gaps and provide a helping role in this area. I encourage you to please call me or send me an e-mail if you have an idea or request for training. My office phone number is 435—634-5931 and my e-mail address is dbailey@sgpdm.state.ut.us. The next thing I would like to address is the UPOA magazine. Our magazine is intended to be used to address training information and issues, positive and informative articles and items of interest to law enforcement. Every once in a while we receive an article that is negative in nature or that is venting some sort of frustration or attacking an agency, organization or other person. This is not what we are about. We are about learning lessons and sharing information but this must be done in a positive manner. The problem with allowing people to use the magazine as a forum to vent or belittle others is that generally there can not be a rebuttal because of legal or ethical issues. We want to promote a positive, working together image in our law enforcement community and should do so even when we have differences. Our magazine by policy will not print articles that are negative in nature or present personal attacks upon individuals or governmental organizations. Articles and artwork that have questionable material or meaning will not be printed either. We welcome and encourage articles that are interesting and informative. Our goal is to provide a publication that will be worth reading and that will keep law enforcement officers in Utah up to date on a variety of subjects. Our magazine is one of the best magazines published by not just a law enforcement organization but by any organization. It is very professional and is an example to all of what a magazine should be. We are truly blessed to have such a publication delivered to us each quarter to keep us informed and up to date. Please submit your articles, information, or suggestions and recommendations to the UPOA either by calling us at the office or by e-mail. I would like to take one last parting shot at the board and recognize them for all that they do. Harold McCown- Treasurer, Clark Christensen – Chaplain, Julie Stringer – Sergeant-at-Arms, Dean Waters – Secretary/Auditor, Eric Nielson – Nominating Chairman and Magazine chairman, Dave Holm – Assistant magazine chairman, Award Chairman, B.L. Smith – Training, a special thanks to Veronica Trujillo the Administrative Assistant who keeps the day to day operations of the organization going strong and again Brigitte for all her time, trouble and efforts in handling the web-site and magazine . If I forgot someone who should have been mentioned, sorry, I am just trying to remember from the top of my head, which based on my hairline is challenged. Until next time. Train hard and be safe. Call me