PAX Centurion - Spring 2019

Page 8 • PAX CENTURION • Spring 2019 617-989-BPPA (2772) Secretary’s Thoughts: James B. Moccia, BPPA Secretary Let’s showcase our great police work! We have many enemies, some overt and some covert, who want to promote a false narrative that every cop who puts on a badge, gun and vest is a racist, violent thug who wants to infringe on citizen’s rights, harm them, or take away their freedom. We ALL know there is nothing further from the truth. I have been your Secretary for just over one full year now, coincidentally about the last time we published an issue of the PAX. Our newsletter has been on hiatus while we resolved some technical, financial and editorial issues, as well as developing a bigger social media footprint. In addition to this limited print run, your Pax will also be available in an on-line format through the BPPAwebsite at: bppa.org Since we’ve ( Pax ) been gone, I have tried to remain true to the promises I made to you all when I campaigned for this position. (Again, let me say thanks for placing your trust in me, it’s been very humbling, and I will continue to support you from Freeport Street…) As mentioned earlier, your website has been upgraded; working in conjunction with your Reps – we have held bi-annual awards ceremonies, honoring the great work done by our members with plans to continue that this year. We are trying to change the direction of the Pax – along with the informative and sometimes humorous articles you all enjoy, we think we should focus more on making the Pax a reflection of our members. We want to recognize and showcase not only our good Police work, but also our commitment to the communities we live in. I know some cynical cops among you are saying, “why?” but believe me on this: we have many enemies, some overt and some covert, who want to promote a false narrative that every cop who puts on a badge, gun and vest is a racist, violent thug who wants to infringe on citizen’s rights, harm them, or take away their freedom. WeALL know there is nothing further from the truth. And that’s why we want/need your help. As corny as you may think this idea is, we are appealing to all coaches, mentors, volunteers, and activists among our ranks to step forward into the spotlight, to be our face. It’s asking a lot, and I know it! BUT, the potential reward outweighs the risks (maybe not the guard room jokes – but a thick skin is the first thing you develop on this job). For every cop the media shows in a bad light, we can show ten that are positive influences, for every politician that wants to make their bones at our expense, we can rally local communities to push back for their (cop/coach, etc.), and for every “community activist” that wants to throw a shot or try to embarrass our members with a Facebook live, snapchat or tweet, we can stand with our neighbors and make that nonsense unacceptable. The father of modern policing, Sir Robert Peel said; “ The police are the public and the public are the police.” It’s time to show our supporters AND our detractors that this is even truer today… D EAR MR. MAYOR, MR. KRAFT, MR. HENRY, and all others responsible for creating the endless litany of Red Sox/ Patriots, etc. “Victory Parades”: On behalf of Boston’s beleaguered Police Officers, PLEASE STOP! Oh, sure, you guys think it’s great to jump aboard the Duck Boats and canoodle through the streets of Boston for hours on end to the cheers of throngs of adoring fans. Confetti and streamers rain down upon you as you hold your trophies on high. At the end of the parade, you board buses for a safe and comfortable ride back to Fenway Park and then depart for home, or Florida or some ritzy overseas vacation spot. But did you ever give a moment’s thought to what the day means for Boston’s police? Not to sound like a jaded, cynical, curmudgeon veteran officer ( which I am ), but for Boston’s police officers’ (all of whom are ordered to work the day of the festivities), the day begins at about 6AM trying to locate a parking spot for our own cars and required Pleading for an end to “victory parades” On behalf of the patrol force, PLEASE STOP! By James W. Carnell, Pax Editor equipment before attending roll call. Long before we’ve arrived, the streets are already inhabited by persons of questionable intellect who have staked out their spots at the front-line of the metal barricades (a decision they will almost certainly regret in a few hours, as they become entrapped with no way in / no way out for bathroom requirements). We soon receive our assignments, and there are literally no “good” assignments during these parades – beginning, middle or end, crowd duty or traffic duty; we’re ALL screwed . Angry, frustrated motorists who simply want to get to work take out their wrath on… that’s right! – US – the police officers who must tell them they can’t go this way or that way today because of the Victory Parade. Every motorist wants to tell the officer their personal tale of woe, every motorist wants a personalized explanation of alternate directions to their destination ( which don’t exist in short-form and haven’t been given See End Victory Parades on page 14