Rick Nielson 
74th President 2002/2003
With Utah Highway Patrol
81st Convention held in Price, Utah, June 11 - 14, 2003
  • Department Patch
    • Married to Linda Nielson, UPOA Auxiliary President 1995 - 1996
     Fall 2002 Issue: I have given considerable thought to the content of this, my first President's message.  I'm no stranger to writing, but this time I find myself in the odd position of writing to fit the page, instead of just writing until the article is done.  There is so much to say, and not enough room to say everything.

     We have already started to catch up on a number of things that were put on the back burner last year, casualties of the Olympic pressures. Some of the vacated region representative positions were not filled, and we have already filled at least four of them. We have taken measures to increase the effectiveness of our position on the POST Council by increasing the term of our council representative from one, to at least three years. We are putting together new training programs which will address the new threats and challenge that we are faced with since September 11. 
     One of the most meaningful programs we have begun was done with the assistance of our newest Honorary Colonel, Dr. John Hanson. This is a dedicated relief fund which will assist the survivors of officers killed in the line of duty. It will not replace or supplement the long term assistance provided to a surviving family by departments or government, but rather provide immediate, basic assistance when it is most needed. This is a first for us, and frankly, will take some time to develop.  However, it is in process.
     These are only a few of the things we have done as your elected representatives. This is your organization, however, and we serve at your pleasure.  To serve you better, we need something from each of you. We need your interest and participation.
     During the process of contacting officers and departments to recruit new region representatives, I have had the opportunity to speak to a fairly diverse cross section of the law enforcement community. It was alarming to me to find that many officers, including members, really have no idea what this organization has done, and in fact still does. It is truly a 'What have you done for me lately' situation. This as alarming to me. Even more alarming is that many officers don't believe that we do anything at all for them. 
     To me this indicates a failure on our part to communicate effectively, a possible need to realign some of our priorities and programs, and apathy on the part of many officers, whether they are members or not. We are taking measures to remedy the first two items, which will hopefully alleviate the last.
     I have asked your region representatives to contact the agency heads, training officers, and as many individual officers in each region as possible, and explain what we do. I have also directed them to ask a number of simple questions. The answers you provide to the questions will help us serve you better.  These are the questions:

     What can the UPOA do for you that it currently does not?
      If you are dissatisfied with the UPOA, what can we do to correct it?
      What training would you like us to provide?

     I cannot promise that we will be able to satisfy every desire. I can promise that every comment and suggestion will be considered, and that we will do our best to provide everything we can. Remember, though, that we can't satisfy you without your input.  If you are not contacted by a representative, or you just want to comment, please feel free to contact me through the UPOA email address, or send a note to the office, and both will be forwarded directly to me. 
     Finally, if you are a member, get involved, and take an interest in your organization.  If you aren't a member, become one and make your voice heard in the law enforcement community. 

     Winter Issue 2002/2003: Winter is upon us.  Our thoughts turn to traffic jams, slippery roads, and inverted vehicles, and to the resultant bloodshed and mayhem.  We all do what we can to alleviate these problems.  This involves increased presence, strict law enforcement, and just plain caring.  We need to also remember that weíre not bulletproof.  We can, through no fault of our own, be subjected to the same mayhem and bloodshed.  Letís be careful out there.

     Winter also means something else.  It means that the legislature will be in session.  You need to know that your UPOA legislative representatives are geared up, and will be working hard to represent your views on the hill.  As always, though, we need your help.

     If you have an opinion on any legislative issue which you believe we should be involved in, let us know, and more importantly, let your elected representatives know. If, for instance, you believe that retired Public Safety officers should receive the same cost of living increases as other retired employees, you need to personally contact your representative and ask for his assistance and support.  If you can enlist other members of your family, and even friends, have them call as well. This is not only your right, but your responsibility as a citizen.

     I hope everyone will be as happy as I am to see our Mid-winter convention scheduled again.  As you all know, it was cancelled in 2002 because everyone was committed to the Olympic effort. It promises to be a great convention, with great training, and as always, a chance to renew old acquaintances and friendships.  A little time in the St. George February sun-shine doesnít hurt, either!  Iím looking forward to seeing the familiar faces, as well as a lot of new ones.

     Finally, winter means something else.  It means the holiday season, and I want to wish all of you and your families a bountiful Thanksgiving, a very Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year.  Remember the really important things, and celebrate them.


     Spring Issue 2003: One of our dedicated board representatives recently conducted a luncheon meeting with a group of academy students who were about to graduate that academy. The purpose of the meeting was to inform the attendees of the purpose and mission of the UPOA, our past accomplishments in the legislative arena, our comprehensive training programs, and to invite them to participate as members in the ongoing legislative efforts. She also stressed the fraternal aspects of our organization-the opportunities to meet and mingle with old friends on a regular basis and network with officers from other organizations and agencies. At the end of the presentation, it appears that most of the academy attendees asked ěIf youíre already doing those things, and will continue to do so whether weíre members or not, why should we spend our money to join?î She was so taken aback and amazed at this attitude  that she couldnít respond. I would like to do it for her.

     We WILL continue to do these things until the UPOA ceases to exist. That is a fact: it is our reason for being.  Those short-sighted new officers WILL continue to benefit from our efforts without contributing anything, at least in the legislative effort. This effort will continue until all current members are gone, at which point our legislative voice will be silenced to the point of a mere whisper which will not be heard by even the most sympathetic legislator. Our legislative strength is in our numbers. We are heard now because legislators know we represent over 2,000 members who are speaking with our collective voice, and that police officers are also likely voters.  Without the UPOA, our voice will be fragmented.. 
      We ARE NOT the only police organization in the state. The Sheriffs, Police Chiefs, Corrections, and Highway Patrol each have worthy organizations, and we encourage our members to participate in as many of them as possible. The Utah Public Employees Association also serves law enforcement. I would encourage all public employees to join them. 
      We ARE the only police organization which represents ALL police officers in Utah. We have board members who represent the interests of each of the aforementioned groups on our governing board, but in the end, we represent police officers, period. We do not represent rank, status, or special interest. We pick our legislative battles carefully. I have three criteria that I apply to any campaign. #1- Does the proposed legislation serve the best interests and welfare of the Law Enforcement community?  #2- Does it serve the same interests of the citizens of Utah? #3- Is it the right and honorable thing to do?
     We offer great training which in almost all cases is free to a member. If a member attends the training offered at our two conventions, they will be able to acquire about 40 hours of POST certified training for their thirty dollar annual membership. Each region representative is required to arrange and oversee at least two training sessions in their region each year. This is ëTraining on Demandí. You tell us what training you need, and weíll do it if it can be done. We realize that many smaller departments in these times have a limited training budget. Where else can you get more ëBangí for your training bucks? Again, I personally apply the same criteria to training as I do for legislation.
     We offer numerous opportunities to mingle with other police officers. I have formed unique and rewarding relationships over the years with many members of other departments through the UPOA. I would never have met them otherwise, and probably would never meet them again were it not for UPOA functions. As police officers, at least on the street level, we tend to become insular and only see the horizon on our own street. I look forward to the conventions, and the opportunity to broaden my horizon is one of the greatest attractions for me.
     So, here are some questions for those academy students. What if the members who pursued and passed some of the most important legislation in Utah Law Enforcement history had asked that ěWhy should I.......î question? What would your retirement program look like if we hadnít tirelessly pushed countless retirement legislation bills? Without us, would Utah have passed the first .08 BAC law in the nation? Would you be graduating from a POST Academy if UPOA had sat on our hands and not been instrumental in passing the legislation which established POST? How about seat belt and child restraint laws? How about the Significant Exposure legislation which was initially and single-handedly pursued by a Past President of UPOA? There are far too many examples to mention here, but the fact is that since 1922, law enforcement in Utah has benefitted immensely from the efforts of UPOA members, and because they expended the effort to become members in the first place. Would Utah Law enforcement be as professional as we are if UPOA members hadnít insisted on it?
     Let me share one final reason which perfectly illustrates why Iím a member.  Iíve just returned from the 2003 UPOA Midwinter Convention.  I could, and probably should write an entire article about all the good things I experienced there, but this one sticks in my mind.

     The attendance was down, primarily because of the economic times, and the fact that we were forced to cancel the 2002 convention due to Olympic pressures-itís always tough to restart once you stop.  At the brunch on Friday I asked the attending members to contribute to the family of recently slain Garfield Deputy Dave Jones.  Dave was not a member, but in about ten minutes there was over four hundred dollars in the hat I passed. The UPOA Auxiliary then contributed a hundred dollars, slightly more than the entire proceeds of their fund-raiser conducted the day before, making it a total of five hundred twenty two dollars contributed to the family of an officer who was not a member, and who most there didnít even know.

     Why would you not want to become a member of an organization like that?

     Given at Midwinter 2003 Convention: Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to the 2003 UPOA Midwinter convention. Welcome to the beautiful city of St George, and to an apparently beautiful day. I am aware that many departmental budgets are tight this year, and that many of you are here at your own expense. I thank you for your dedication to our organization. We hope that we have arranged to make your expense and effort worthwhile.
     You know, when I joined this organization, it was simply that I wanted to shoot, and membership was required to do that. During my shooting career, I was asked by Past President Rex Skinner to serve an unexpired region representative term, and it went from there. I expected that when I was through shooting, I would also be through with the organization. It hasnít worked that way. I found myself hooked by the greater purpose of the UPOA. I hope that you all appreciate our organization, because it is truly unique. Our presence here today is just one aspect of that.
     Once again we meet in the shadow of a tragic event-the shooting death of Garfield County Deputy Sheriff Dave Jones. Deputy Jones was not a member of our organization, but he was a part of the larger law enforcement community, and his death diminishes every citizen of this state, and certainly each of us. I had hoped that we could complete an entire year without such an occurrence, but that was not to be.  It appears that we will be adding three new names to the memorial wall in the Capital Rotunda in May. God forbid that this becomes an annual occurrence. This serves to remind us that even though we serve one of the noblest professions, it has also become one of the most dangerous. We are attacked and all too often killed by the very people we have sworn to serve.
     As I age in our chosen profession, I become jaded, cynical, and disillusioned all too often. I still stand in wonder, however, at the dedication of our Police Officers. I know a lot of officers, and  canít help but marvel at the hazards we willingly confront in the service of our fellow citizens, day after trying day. I want you to know that I consider it an honor to serve you, and I hope I do it well.
     During our days here, we will be passing the hat for the survivors of Deputy Jones, and I urge each of you to be generous. When the hat comes by, consider that but for the grace of God, it might have your name on it, and give accordingly.
     On a lighter note, Iím pleased to report that the Midwinter Golf tournament was held yesterday. I hope it went well.  Judging from the complaints of sore muscles Iíve heard so far, it must have been 18 holes of pure joy! I want to thank Ted McGregor for his masterful organizational skills as our golf chairman, and Honorary Colonel John Hanson for his support of our organization.
     Iíve taken too much of your time already. I just want to mention the training that BL has arranged for us, and in a moment, Iíll turn the podium over to him.  Make sure that you pick up your registration packet in the lobby. If you are a UPOA or Auxiliary board member, donít forget the business meeting/lunch at noon. I also want to mention another of the ever-popular beer can shoots which will be conducted by the ever-popular Russ Lee, with the proceeds going to the Auxiliary.
     At 6 PM we will meet for the memorial service conducted by Chaplain Frank Wall, and at 7 PM the banquet, conducted by President-Elect Ken Wallentine.
     God Bless the Peace Officers of this State, and God Bless America.
    Summer 2003: 
     As I write this, I have just returned from our Utah Peace Officers Association Memorial in the Capitol rotunda, and as you read this, I have probably left the presidency at the end of my term.

     First, the memorial. I had hoped that I would be able to complete my term without posting any new names on that wall. It was not to be. I had to read four names, and watch those names affixed to the memorial wall by family members. Watching this, I couldnít help but recall and paraphrase Secretary Stantonís comment upon the death of President Lincoln in 1865; ěNow, they belong to the ages.î They will be remembered, in some way, by anyone passing that wall, long after the rest of us have faded into the mists of time. As long as that wall stands, they will be forever young, heroic, and immortal. As I said there, I pray that God gives them, and their families, the peace they deserve.

     Last year, I spoke with one of our Honorary Colonels, John Hanson, at the Memorial.  As we spoke, he looked with wonder across the audience and asked (probably rhetorically), ěWhy do they do it? What compels all those young officers to take up this profession?î  I couldnít answer him then, and I canít answer him now. The citizens of this state should just thank God that they do, and I pray that none of their names are ever posted on the wall. 

     By the way, if you didnít attend this ceremony, shame on you!  We would like every officer in the state to become UPOA members, and we would like to see every member attend every function we offer. Member or not, however, you owe homage and reverence to that memorial if you are in law enforcement. One of those names, but for the grace of God and dumb luck, could have been or may yet be yours.

     Now, my Swan Song. I will be replaced by my able successor, Ken Wallentine, at the summer convention in Price. Shortly thereafter, I will retire from full-time police work. I intend to work part time, and stay active in the Association until you all get sick of me and run me off. Iím happy to report that Russ Lee was elected as the Vice President, and I have to stay around to watch him work.

     I really donít know how to say good-bye.  All I can do is thank all of you for giving me the opportunity to serve, and I hope some of the things we started work well.  When I took office, a good member told me that I was an honorable man. I told him that I considered Honor the ultimate attribute, and that I hoped someone would still be able to say that about me at the completion of my term. I hope you can.
     
     

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