Hello Everyone,

This letter is to update everyone on my current situation and how I am doing. There have been a lot of people who have asked us what they can do to help us. There are a few things that you could do if you wanted to help. What we need help with is making meals, cleaning the house, taking care of the yards and helping keep an eye on the kids. I’d also like you to visit me and talk to me since I am losing the ability to speak. I am usually out of bed and in my wheelchair before 12pm. Anyone who wants to come visit, talk or help out could come at that time. Liz is my full-time caregiver and so she will be taking care of any of my needs. We would just like you to come visit and have a good time. My fellow officers could come visit me anytime on or off duty. Our address is 5643 E. Glade Ave. in Mesa, AZ 85206. My cell phone is broken, so call Liz at 480-797-5213. If you are in the area and want to drop by for a random visit that would be fine as long as it is after 12pm.

CHANDLER MAYOR BOYD DUNN CLEARS UP BALLOT CONFUSION
“My name is on the ballot, but I am no longer running”

Romley Receives Endorsement of Senator John McCain and Mesa Mayor Scott Smith

Chandler Mayor Boyd Dunn today reminded his supporters that, although they will see his name on the ballot, he is no longer a candidate for Maricopa County Attorney.  “I got into this race to restore dignity and integrity – and to improve the morale of an Office that had lost its way,” said Mayor Dunn.  “Rick Romley, in just a few months, is already doing that.  So I am urging my friends and supporters to show their support for me by casting their vote for Rick Romley – as I already have.”

Dunn made his remarks at a Mesa press conference this morning, surrounded by fire fighters and members of the Fraternal Order of Police, as well as Mesa Mayor Scott Smith, who also offered his support to Romley.  “Rick is as tough, fair-minded and honorable as they come”, said Mayor Smith.  “It really is time to stop the infighting in county government and get back to the business of fighting crime.  Rick has earned my respect and trust a thousand times over and is exactly the right man to right a ship that has sailed so far off course.”

Romley announced that he has also received the endorsement of Senator John McCain (attached).  “To have the support of so many men and women who serve us so well is incredibly heartwarming.  I will work hard every day to do what is right,” Romley said.

Come join the D-backs as we celebrate Law Enforcement Day at Chase Field!

ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS vs SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS

SPECIAL TICKETS FOR ALL LAW ENFORCEMENT:
     - Lower Level Bleachers - Sections 139-144
     - Lower Level Baseline Box - Sections 130-132
A portion of each ticket sold goes to the Mesa Police Honor Guard Unit.

Click here to see the flyer...

Enjoy a day out with Mesa PD Family Wellness Office & the Mesa FD at Chase Field on Sunday, April 25th to see your D-backs take on the Philadelphia Phillies at 1:10 pm. See the flyer...

Seats are located in the Diamond Level, All-You-Can-Eat section. Included with your ticket is all the hot dogs, chips, popcorn, peanuts, soda, and water that you want through the 7th inning. Tickets are $30. Family & friends are welcome to join in the fun.

Dueling police endorsements for Sen. John McCain and former Congressman J.D. Hayworth, who is challenging McCain in the Republican primary.

The Phoenix Law Enforcement Association, threw its support Monday to Hayworth.

The Arizona Fraternal Order of Police threw its support behind McCain.

Meanwhile, two past presidents and six past board members of PLEA endorsed McCain. PLEA past presidents Jake Jacobsen and Terry Sills said in a joint statement, "Senator McCain helped lead the fight to secure the critically important radio band frequencies for law enforcement when others were lobbying to sell them to for-profit companies. It was Senator McCain who helped secure legislation to prevent Internet access to personal information of those in public safety. Many police officers are veterans and Senator McCain has worked diligently to improve benefits and services for those who not only served our country in the military but now protect their fellow citizens in law enforcement."

It's Your Future...Vote "Mesa F.O.P."

Gain a united voice in labor matters by asking other officers to vote for the Mesa F.O.P.

The Mesa F.O.P. insisted on a secret ballot—vote your conscience.  Keep in mind, there are only eight days to vote between February 8 and February 23

FOP President Leads Effort to Include Our Bill on End of Year Agenda
Chuck Canterbury, National President of the Fraternal Order of Police, spent all of last week in Washington, D.C. working in tandem with the staff in the National Legislative Office in an effort to get the language of S. 1611, “Public Employee-Employer Cooperation Act,” incorporated into several likely pieces of legislation that Congress will be considering before ending the session.

“We’re cautiously optimistic,” Canterbury said.  “Congress has several bills that it must complete before concluding its business for the year.  The fact is, we have a lot of bipartisan support for the bill and we’ve approached it in a very honest and open way.  We do have a chance of getting this done.”

By John Goodie, Commentary EV Tribune Nov 3, 2009
 
Mark Kelly:
I've been writing columns since 1999 and have written on a wide variety of issues, controversies and noteworthy stories. This is one of two that I've struggled with; the other one was when I lost my hero, my mother, in 2002.

Part of this is addressed to four little boys: Bryce, 8; Hyrum, 6; Harley, 4; and Bryan, 1; and the other part is to their dad.

By GILLIAN FLACCUS Associated Press Writer

Massachusetts police officers James Crowley, right, and Arnie Larson in Long Beach...AP Photo/Nick Ut. LONG BEACH, Calif.—The police sergeant who sparked a national debate on race relations when he arrested a Harvard University professor in his home received a standing ovation Monday from thousands of police officers at a Fraternal Order of Police convention. More than 3,000 officers cheered Cambridge, Mass., police Sgt. James Crowley when he briefly spoke to kick off the five-day meeting. Dozens left their seats to take snapshots of him on the podium at the Long Beach Convention Center. "The past month has been very difficult for my family, my friends and my colleagues back in Cambridge, and it's no exaggeration to say that it wouldn't be as easy for me to handle this without the support from the Fraternal Order of Police ... and the support that the men and women who do this job have given me," Crowley said. "Thank you very much."

Mark Higbee and Todd Pascarella welcome the FOP's newest member in Long Beach.

Sgt. James Crowley, the Massachusetts officer who arrested Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates spoke at the National Fraternal Order of Police convention in Long Beach where he was greeted with applause.

"My sole purpose for coming here is to reach out and sincerely thank you," said Crowley.

"The past month has been very difficult for my family, my friends and my colleagues back in Cambridge, and it’s no exaggeration to say that it wouldn’t be as easy for me to handle this without the support from the Fraternal Order of Police ... and the support that the men and women who do this job have given me," Crowley said. "Thank you very much."

"Public safety employees--police officers and firefighters--are virtually the only class of workers left in the nation today who are denied the fundamental right to bargain collectively with their employers over wages, hours, and working conditions. We're going to change that soon," Canterbury said. "Together with our partners at the International Association of Fire Fighters, we will get this bill passed and signed into law before the end of this Congress."

One More Failed Budget Proposal... it keeps getting worse for law enforcement.

Last week, the Legislature made another attempt at resolving the budget impasse.  This time, they took a swing at removing 5% of State positions.  Basically, if this new proposal passes, each general fund agency must eliminate 5% of their positions and are not allowed to use a furlough mechanism to achieve the reduction.  Current vacant positions may be counted toward the 5% total.  It is unknown how many layoffs would be necessary, however more than 1,700 positions would be eliminated if the proposal is approved.