Our Director of Organization Walter Gould has been extremely busy meeting with and organizing new member departments across the State.  I am pleasantly surprised at the amount of bargaining units that have chosen this year to have the OPBA represent them and of those in the process of becoming OPBA members.  As Executive Director I can fully appreciate the efforts of our employees and the outstanding service that they provide.

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I am not one to blog on the internet.  However, I occasionally view opinions others have on various topics especially law enforcement. Case in point: recently, I viewed a dash cam video of a Hamilton Police Officer involved in a fatal shooting.  After watching intently several times I concluded in my mind that the officer was justified in the shooting.  Others, however, (non law enforcement) after viewing the video questioned that officer’s action.

The point is that every American citizen has the right to their own opinion and views on any matter.  You will never get people to agree 100% on any subject.  In the video which can be viewed on you tube; the officer approached the vehicle at night on a two lane road.  The officer and the driver of the car exchanged pleasantries.  The officer explained why the subject was stopped and inquired if the driver had been drinking.

A gun is seen coming out of the window and the officer yells “oh shit” and as he backed to retreat the subject fired the gun.  The officer, seen holding his ear, ran back toward his patrol car as the subject quickly drove away.  The officer fired his weapon at the vehicle and radioed that shots were fired.  The subject who had been mortally injured by the bullets crashed into a telephone pole.
In many of these instances when faced with lethal or non-lethal decision on the use of force a portion of the public will question the officer’s decision.  It alarms me as to the comments made by some bloggers who anonymously write that the officer should be fired or worse charged criminally on his or her decision in using the tools afforded them to do their job.
It alarms me more that these same people may be jurors in a civil or criminal proceeding where an officer has used his decision to use force.
Hesitation in the face of danger is not an option.  It is better to be judged by 12 than to be carried by six.  In this month of National Police Week let us never forget the sacrifices of our fallen brothers.

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The OPBA lost a friend recently when Martin “Marty” McKean passed away April 5, 2010.  Marty retired in 1985 after 34 years as a Cleveland Heights Police Officer.  He was a charter member of the Northern Ohio Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association (NOPBA) formed in 1973 and served 30 years as Executive Secretary until 2004.  Marty served on the executive board of the National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO) as Sergeant at Arms almost 30 years until 2003.  Our sympathy goes out to his wife Patricia and his children Cynthia Hardwick (husband Scott), Kimberley B. Merickel (husband Mark), Mark and Timothy Klamer and the late Sherry L. Wiegand.

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Cleveland Indians Family Day is scheduled for August 13th.  Members interested can order their two free upper box tickets and additional seats can be purchased at ½ price.  We are limited to 1000 tickets that will be distributed on a first come first serve basis.

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The OPBA Golf Outing will be held on July 21, 2010 at Mallard Creek.  The profits from the golf outing will be donated to the Police Benevolent Fund.  We are limited to 320 golfers and as usual we’ll fill up quickly so get your tee times early.  We would appreciate hole sponsors or prizes donated.

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We are selling raffle tickets for two (2) season tickets for the 2010 Cleveland Browns football season (8 regular season home games).  Seats are located on the 50 yard line in the upper deck.

Raffle tickets are $10.00 each and proceeds are for the Police Benevolent Fund.  Contact the office for more information.  Raffle will be held at the Golf Outing on July 21, 2010.  Winners need not be present.