“Seeing is not always believing.” I learned that lesson the hard way at the end of my mission. For two years in the mission field in Britain I was deprived of tuna salad, tuna sandwiches, and tuna melts. Tuna was banned because of mercury content and/or to protect dolphins. On my way home, my companion … Continue reading I Was Attacked by Tuna Salad
My father was a truly great man. He was loyal to the Lord, his wife, his family, his church, and his country. He was consistently kind and considerate throughout this long life. Obedience, respect, and reverence were very important to him. It is said: Crying children in church are like good intentions, they should both … Continue reading Reverence Was a Matter of Life and Death for Us Kids –Literally
I have presided over countless tragic drug cases. This is one of the saddest. The woman next door decided to visit the defendant. As the neighbor approached the front door she glanced inside the living room window. She saw a horrifying sight. The defendant was holding her three-year old son by the back of his hair with … Continue reading “He Needs Air!” Case of the Drug Crazed Mom Stabbing Her Toddler
I have a wonderful older sister. She is one of the kindest, compassionate, and selfless people I know. She has been a great example to me and others. I could not have asked for a better older sibling. Of course, sibling rivalry and the family "pecking order" are both natural and universal in childhood. I … Continue reading I Survived Three Murder Attempts – In Childhood
The U.S. Police Warrior/Military Mindset The police warrior-military mindset started as a narrow concept during deadly confrontations. However, it has expanded to become the prevailing culture. Supporters of the warrior-military mindset believe it is critical to officer and public safety. However, many police professionals and criminologists believe that the warrior-military mindset actually makes officers … Continue reading Police Reform (9/10): Rethink the Warrior-Military Mindset
Introduction When I started in the criminal justice system, the police had only two options to subdue suspects: batons and guns. Of the millions of face-to-face contacts people have with the police every year, about 1.4% involve the use or force or threats of force by the police. (1 out of 100). About 25% (0.56%) … Continue reading Police Reform (8/10): “More Less-lethal Force”
German Lutheran Pastor Martin Niemoller WWII Post War Poetic Confessional "I didn't speak up" They came first for the Socialists, and I didn't speak up – because I wasn't a Socialist.Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn't speak up – because I wasn't a trade unionist.Then they came for the Jews, and … Continue reading WWII German Pastor Niemoller: Speak Up for the Rights of Others
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Crisis Intervention Advocates of defunding the police point out that one fourth of fatal encounters with the police, and one half of police shootings, involve individuals with “disruptive behavior” due to mental illness and/or substance abuse. My Personal Experience I have handled several cases where a person calls 9-1-1 to … Continue reading Police Reform (7/10): Mental Health Crisis Intervention
In the 1950's and 1960's, my mom handled the family budget. My dad was an elementary school teacher, and we were a single income family of five. So, my mom was necessarily frugal. Cheap powdered milk with lumps She saved money by giving us powdered milk. This wasn’t name-brand powder, like Carnation. This was cheap … Continue reading My Childhood “Frugal” Family Dinners
"Support Your Local Sheriff" - The Movie “Support Your Local Sheriff” was an entertaining 1969 Western parody. In the movie, James Garner played a gambler who was persuaded to take the job of sheriff in a crime-ridden mining town. Garner didn’t believe in violence, so he simply outwitted the dumb criminals. For example, there weren’t … Continue reading Police Reform (10/10): Supporting Law Enforcement vs. the “War on Cops”
The London Edition 