"Forever Vigilant - Forever Strong" Contents Special Interest Articles Fifty Shades 1 During a time of controversy regarding our Countries National Anthem; a time when even African American Officers themselves have questioned the integrity of some of the recent national police involved shootings of African Americans; inaccurate promotional exams; and the F.O.P themselves indorsing a Presidential candidate who does not reflect the needs of all its members, or the communities we serve some members of the Sentinel Police Association are left asking, Just how Blue are we? Acknowledgements 2 Taking Care of Our Own 3 ABM Column 4 Continued on page 2
Sometime its better to keep silent than to tell others what you feel, because it becomes hurtful when they can hear you, but cant understand you - author unknown Or is it.? In a recent news story covered by the Cincinnati Enquirer, President Eddie Hawkins voiced our organizations concerns about the recent presidential nomination of Donald Trump. During his interview, President Hawkins merely stated he didn t feel law enforcment should get involved in politics, although the Sentinels did not endorse any particular presidential canididate, but the back lash was horrendous. Some members of the FOP made statements such as it, Stirs up trouble, Maybe you should attend FOP meetings or maybe just maybe we should sit down, and shut up. Any one who knows why our organization was founded would understand we are not built to sit down and shut up, it just isnt in our makeup. As Eddie stated, We urge individuals to vote on the individual who looks to better our communities as a whole. As our mission statement states To ensure the delivery of quality police services to the citizens of Cincinnati, through respect, compassion, and understanding. So in saying this, how do we deal with diversity, and address the back lash. How do we let it be known that it isn t just about Black or Blue, It s about being human, and having empathy not only towards each other but towards the communities we are sworn to protect.
PUBLIC DENOUNCEMENT On 10/12 Members of our organization voted in favor of presenting a no confidence vote for the City of Cincinnati and the Civil Service Commission for unfair promotional practices. Police Association would like to recognize the accomplishments of Officer Donald Jordan. Officer Jordan is a Cincinnati native, who grew up in Avondale and attended Western Hills High School. Upon graduation Officer Jordan attended Ohio State University, Cincinnati State and is currently enrolled at Xavier University, majoring in Criminal Justice. Officer Jordan has been a member of the Cincinnati Police Department for 16 years; he coaches basketball and also mentors children. In his spare time Officer Jordan enjoys playing racquetball, preparing meals, and spending time with his beautiful wife Adriane and eight year old son Avery. Recently Officer Jordan was recognized as the City of Cincinnati s Employee of the Year by our city s major. Congratulations, MORE ACTIVE PARTICIPATION Members often ask what are the Sentinels doing about certain events-remember YOU are the Sentinels and YOU have a voice and the authority to take action. We will continue to support each other and our ideas for projects and programs. Please refer to our suggestion section of the sentinel website www.sentinelpolice.org for any comments or suggestions that you think will benefit the progression of our organization and its members. Remember during times of dissention we need to be steadfast, as an organization and not give into the temptation to quit when things get hard. PAYING OFF MORTGAGE Brothers and sisters, we have accomplished a great feat! On May, 16, 2016 we cut a check to 5/3 Bank in the amount of 14k, eliminating our mortgage. We will continue to make building improvements, next on the list is building a retaining wall and repaving the parking lot. So far we have replaced the ceiling tiles, conducted a deep cleaning, organized the kitchen, painted the walls and fixed the plumbing. In the future we plan to finish the basement. Special Thanks to our Business Manager, Ron Avant, for facilitating the organization of the building improvements. Officer Jordan
SCHOLARSHIP The 2016 scholarship packet is now available. High school seniors must write the history of the National Anthem, including a brief synopsis of the Anthem (including the third and fourth verses) and explain why they agree or disagree with Colin Kapernick kneeling during the singing of the Nation Anthem. All Sentinel members children, who are high school seniors, are entitled to the $500.00 scholarship (as long as they complete the packet by the due date, March 1, 2017). We will award one $500.00 scholarship to a Cincinnati Public School student. NO BANQUET There will be no 2017 MLK Banquet. We will resume banquet activities in the winter of 2018. We will be organizing a banquet committee and begin planning early 2017. Please reach out to Officer Robinson or Stevenson to express interest MASCERADE BALL- HEALTH UPDATE AND THANKS Alisha has completed her chemotherapy and radiation treatments for colorectal cancer. She would like to thank everyone for the continued prayers and support. She really appreciates the donations and participation in the events. Some of the donations have gone to co-pays, supplements, and non-traditional treatments. Alisha welcomes any questions regarding her journey as she wants everyone to be healthy and get checked. Remember All Butts Matter!
Greetings Family! It feels so good to be back with you again. I really appreciate the opportunity to once again indulge as your cranium stimulator. With a sound mind and a beating heart, let the infusing of your grey matter begin! In the years passed, we have seen the politically correctness take the forefront of our society. We were all aware of how hateful words could spark a protest or even a riot. Just lying beneath the surface of morality, was the racist, hate filled, conspiracy theorist, waiting to pounce! How dare you complain or express your damn conscious, educated rights, as an American citizen, feelings to us! Follow what we say and not what you see! Before I continue, I must protect those that may continue to read further. So, sit back and let the journey begin.. HISTORY 102: FRANCIS SCOTT KEY, Aug. 1, 1779 Jan. 11, 1843 A Lawyer, District Attorney, poet, slave owner, and author of the infamous, Star Spangled Banner, a poem written by Francis Scott Key on September 13, 1814, which was originally titled, The Defense of Fort McHenry and not an expression of the free-man s rights!! Key wrote the poem as a tribute to his witness of the bombing of Fort McHenry during the War of 1812. Key witnessed the lone flying American Flag, the morning after a night of bombardment of the Fort McHenry. The music pinned to the poem was originally the music of a popular English drinking song titled, To Anacreon in Heaven composed by John Stafford Smith. As people began to refer to this new song, as The Star-Spangled Banner, it became popular and in 1916 then President Woodrow Wilson announced that it should be played at all official events. On March 3, 1931 the poem was adopted as the national anthem of the United States of America. If you like to see the flag that Francis Scott Key laid witnessed to, you can find it at the Smithsonian Institution s Museum of America History in Washington, D.C. Ok, let me get you back on track. That s just enough of His-Story to plant an interior lining of your skull to protect your brain matter! There has been many showing a sign of protest of what the United States flag symbolize to them. Each one of us has had some experience of what freedom means. Although this is a country that prides itself on civil liberties and open expression of ones beliefs, it has been thrust into the light when one display his or her disbelieve of what the US flag symbolize to them. Lives have been threatened. Rights have been placed into question; for what, exercising the freedoms that the flag supposed to symbolize in the first place. Like a wild forest fire, the protest has engulfed not only sport stars, but mainstream Americans. Our children have taken noticed and have begun to show support, although they may not really understand the full scope of the matter at hand. HISTORY 103: THE PRIVELEGED CLASS COMING SOON Sincerely ABM
In loving memory of : Jana Cruise 1961-2016 Thaddeus Steele 1964-2016