Tuesday, October 28, 2003

"My grandfather once told me that there are two kinds of people: those who work and those who take the credit. He told me to try to be in the first group; there was less competition there." -Indira Gandhi


IN MEMORIAM: PTL. JEREMIAH BROSNAN & DET. GUIDO PESSAGNO

On September 11, 1928, Ptl. Jeremiah C. Brosnan shield 779, 24th Pct., (now 52nd Pct.) returned from his annual vacation, and on the next night September 13, 1928 at 12.01 a.m. he returned to duty to perform his usual tour at Fordham Hospital in the Bronx.

His post was the same one which he had manned for the past seven years, the prison ward in the basement of the hospital. That night there was only one patient in the prison ward a bedridden prisoner who had a broken leg and broken arm. At about 3.00 a.m., while Brosnan and a hospital orderly were seated in an anteroom by the prison and emergency rooms, three men entered the emergency room stating that one of them needed treatment. The hospital orderly told the men to sit down and he would get a doctor.

As soon as the orderly left the room, one of the men pulled out a sawed-off shotgun and fired one shot at Brosnan. He was killed instantly by the charge of buckshot, which hit him in the head ripping away his jaw. Hearing the shot the orderly ran back into the emergency room and saw the men running from the room through the ambulance entrance to the street. No attempt had been made to enter the prison ward.

The orderly ran outside, hailed a passing taxicab and gave chase to escaping murderers but they were able to escape in their car when the taxicab broke down. The first thought of the detectives working on the case was that this was a revenge killing. This was discarded when a close check-up of Brosnan disclosed that he had not made an arrest in 20 years and was noted for his kindliness and gentle ways. He was 53 years old, had been appointed to the NYPD in 1904, and lived with his wife and had seven grown children.

While no immediate arrest was made, investigation disclosed that the driver of the get-away car had been Enrico Battaglia, a known gangster with a long record. A wanted notice and Battaglia�s photo was distributed through out the police department.

On October 19, 1931, Ptl. John T. Broderick of the 20th Pct., who was noted for his memory of faces, spotted Battaglia walking on Columbus Avenue, and followed him to a rooming house at 154 West 78th Street. As soon as Battaglia entered the building Broderick went to a telephone and called the 20th Detective Squad.

Three detectives responded, Det. Edward Willi, Det. James DeFerraro and Det. Guido Passagno, who joined up with Ptl. Broderick on West 78th Street. Broderick stated that while he had not seen Battaglia in 5 years he was certain that the man who had entered No. 154 was the wanted man. The four officers went to the house and rang the doorbell, the landlady who came to the door and after a few words with the officers, raised her voice and said that �no police are coming in here to search my place.� The officers entered and searched the first floor, the detectives started up the stairs when the landlady asked Broderick, �Well, can�t you shut the door.� He stopped to close it while the detectives continued up the stairs to the second floor. After knocking on the door of a rear room and receiving no answer, Willi and Passagno, forced it open. As they entered the room they found three men inside the room who opened fire at then. Passagno was shot five times, Willi was shot in the neck and Deferrer was shot in the side. During the gun battle one of the officers shot and killed Battaglia. The other two jumped over the body of Det. Passagno and ran up the stairs to the third floor, Ptl. Broderick who was just coming up the stairs after closing the front door was only able to get out one shot but he believed that he hit one of the two men. The men continued to the roof and down to No. 140 and were able to escape.

Det. Pessagno was taken to Roosevelt Hospital where on Oct. 22, 1931; he died as a result of his wounds. Det. Pessagno had been appointed to the NYPD in 1926, he was 26 years of age and married. While Det. Pessagno had a very short career in the NYPD he had been very active. He entered the Detective Division after capturing five men who had killed a men in a cigar store hold-up. As a detective he captured the killer of Ptl. Dominick Cavaglia, killed in a 1930 hold-up in the San Juan area of Manhattan.


At the 1932 annual NYPD Medal Day ceremonies, Det. Pessagno was posthumously award the NYPD Medal of Honor. Mayor James Walker presented the medal to his widow Mrs. Teresa Pessagno.

On Apr. 5, 1932, in a General Order published that date, Dets. Edward Willi, James DeFarraro, and Ptl. John T. Broderick were each awarded Honorable Mention for their participation in the pursuit and killing of the murderer of Ptl. Brosnan.



SOME EARLY NOTABLE DATES IN LAW ENFORCEMENT

With the help of the National Law Enforcement Memorial Foundation, here are some notable dates in law enforcement.

April 1631: Boston establishes first system of law enforcement called the "night watch." Officers served part-time, without pay.

1712: First full-time, paid law enforcement officers hired by the City of Boston.
September 24, 1789: Congress creates the first Federal law enforcement officer, the United States Marshal.

May 17, 1792: The first officer in United States history, Deputy Sheriff Isaac Smith, of the New York City Sheriff's Office, is killed in the line of duty.



CRIMINAL JUSTICS PUBLICATIONS AVAILABLE

Through the National Institute of Justice, the following publications can be read on line, and hard-copy text can be ordered through NIJ, at the following web sites.

Cold Case Squads Turning Up The Heat.
"Cold Case Squads: Leaving No Stone Unturned" (8 pp.) (NCJ 199781) describes the workings of cold case squads used by police departments to investigate unsolved homicides in which the trail of evidence has grown cold. The squads review, revive, and continue the investigation of murder cases in which the lead detective initially assigned to the case has retired or been transferred.

Access full text at:
http://www.ncjrs.org/html/bja/coldcasesquads/199781.pdf or
http://www.ncjrs.org/html/bja/coldcasesquads/
Place orders at: http://puborder.ncjrs.org/


Successful Homicide Enforcement Strategies.
"Gang- and Drug-Related Homicide: Baltimore's Successful Enforcement Strategy" (NCJ 197592) (electronic only) examines inner-city gang characteristics and growth as well as traditional gang enforcement and new, effective gang enforcement by police. This bulletin reveals investigative approaches - controlled arrests, interviews of randomly
arrested gang members, and grand juries as investigative tools - to combat inner-city gangs.

Access full text at: http://www.ncjrs.org/html/bja/gang/


GREAT LINES FROM PRIVATE EYE FLICKS


"You know what happens to nosy guys, don't you? They get their noses cut off!"
-- Thug (Roman Polanski) to Jake Gittes (Jack Nicholson) in Chinatown.

"Forget it, Jake! It's Chinatown."
--from the Roman Polanski-directed film, Chinatown, when Jake Gittes' pal holds him back, trying to calm him down. Also a favorite line of former Squad Commander of the 77 Squad, Pete Tartaglia.



�LEST WE FORGET�� NYPD Memorial

�It is not how they died that makes them a hero, but how they lived their lives�.

October 28, 1888 Ptl James Brennan, 21 Pct, Assaulted during arrest
October 28, 1945 Ptl James Bussey, 18 Pct, Shot-investigation
October 29, 1962 Det John Tobin, BCI, LOD Heart attack
October 29, 1982 PO James Whittington, PBBN FIAU, Shot-off duty
November 1, 1923 Ptl Ace Swinder, 33 Pct, Motorcycle accident
November 1, 1931 Ptl Howard Peterson, 66 Pct, LOD Accident

Friday, October 24, 2003

"It is a capital mistake to theorise before one has data."
-The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, The Crooked Man


WHEN DETECTIVES WORE HALOS

Everyone knows that NYPD detectives are the greatest, that they are expected to walk on water, leap over tall buildings, but did you know that at one time NYPD detectives were ordered to wear HALOS?

On May 29, 1942, Police Commissioner Valentine issued an order that all 2,100 NYPD detectives were to equip themselves with Halos.

It was not that detectives were so holy that prompted the order, but rather as a means of identifying them in blackouts.

This was during the days of WWII, and during blackout practices it had been noted the only distinguishing mark of a detective was the gold shield pinned on their left lapel. The shield was almost invisible in a blackout. Some detectives tried wearing air raid
wardens arm bands, but this only caused more confusion as uniformed police officers, upon seeing the arm bands, began to order the detectives to carry out air raid wardens functions.

Following a conference with the Mayor's Office, the Police Commissioner ordered that each detective should equip themselves with a special overseas-type cap bearing a luminous band. The cap was made of blue cloth and were to be obtained from the equipment bureau at a cost of 55 cents, and they were to be carried at all times.


SOME GREAT LINES FROM PRIVATE EYE FLICKS

"I don't like your manner"
"Yeah, I get a lot of complaints about it."
-- Robert Mitchum as Philip Marlowe in Farewell, My Lovely.

"I don't mind if you don't like my manners. I don't like them myself. They're pretty bad. I grieve over them on long winter evenings."
-- Bogart as Philip Marlowe in The Big Sleep


THE DETECTIVE BUREAU EVOLVES: EARLY 1900�S

In 1907 the Detective Bureau underwent further changes.

That year, for some unknown reason, the Detective Bureau was removed from the control of the Chief Inspector and placed under a civilian Deputy Police Commissioner, who had no prior knowledge or experience of detective work.

From that time until 1920 the Detective Bureau remained under the control of a civilian Deputy Commissioner. Only three of them had any knowledge of detective work and only one, William J. Lahey, had any experience in detective work.

During this period in keeping with the policy of decentralization, which had been in the department prior to 1882, the Detective Bureau was placed under the dual control of two inspectors in addition to the Deputy Commissioner who was in command. At times the Police Commissioner himself, as well as his secretary, took part in the management of the Bureau, so at times the Detective Bureau had practically five major chiefs and any number of subordinate ones.

The next major change came about in 1911. The Detective Bureau was reorganized and placed on an administrative basis similar to that of the Uniform force. The detectives were placed under the command of an Inspector of Police, who was directly responsible to the Second Deputy Commissioner. Headquarters detectives were abolished and all detectives were assigned to various precincts under the charge of �Chief Precinct Detectives� who in turn were responsible to �Chief District Detectives�.

These Chief District Detectives commanded �Branch Districts� and were responsible for all criminal investigations in their respective districts and reported directly to the head of the Detective Bureau.

Although these districts or branches were formed along the lines of the Uniform Inspection Districts, they did not conform to the same geographical areas, and the problem of command and coordination became more complicated than ever before. The main advantage of this system was that detectives did not have to travel to and fromk headquarters during the day, nor did they have to wait around Headquarters for assignments.
The same year saw the creation of an undercover squad, the Bureau of Criminal Identification, and the creation of a training school for detectives.


INVESTIGATIVE TIP: DNA AND LATENT PRINTS

When wishing to examine a piece of evidence for both latent prints and DNA, keep this in mind.

Process the item for prints first.

Then process for DNA.

When you process for prints, let the examiner know that the item will be further processed for any DNA evidence. Processing for prints will not damage any DNA evidence, but processing for DNA may damage any latent prints.


IN MEMORIAM: CAPTAIN HENRY BUSCHMAN

On October 18, 1898, Captain Henry Buschman died of a duty related illness.

Captain Buschman died of Typhoid Fever he contracted while assigned to a Red Cross Typhoid Hospital in Long Island City.

After assisting Typhoid patients for several days in the hospital, Captain Buschman became ill himself. He died 28 days after reporting he was ill.



SO YOU SAY YOU�RE A DOCTOR?

How can you verify someone�s credentials when they claim they are a Ph.D.?

One way of doing this is to make a personal visit to the University library of the school that granted the degree.

Another way, which is much easier to try, is to attempt to verify the existence of the individuals doctoral dissertation on-line.

The web site, Dissertation Abstracts, is a free and easy to use service.

www.UMI.com

When you open to their home page, look at the right hand side and choose �Dissertation Express�.

Then select �Individual Searcher�.

Scroll through, read the agreement pages and follow the instructions. You will only need to pay a $30 fee if you wish to actually purchase a copy of the dissertation. You select the category to �Pay By Credit Card�; DON�T WORRY � you won�t actually have to pay anything to conduct the search, only if you eventually want to purchase the actual paper.

By typing in the subjects last name and first initial you will be able to scroll through the choices. You will be given the persons full name, school for which it was written, and the year it was published. The database dates back to the 1860�s, so it should be there. However, like anything else on-line, it is not a fail safe method; not being listed does not necessarily mean that person is not a Ph.D. Listing is not mandatory. The only true fail safe method is to actually visit the school library to hand search their records.

I tried this myself, looking up some Ph.D�s that I know were granted to family members. Two of the three I searched were not listed, but one of them was.



WHY WE NEED TO BE THANKFUL FOR ALL THE LAWYERS OUT THERE

Two cases which our U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear arguments on might just as well be lumped under the �You Can�t Make This Stuff Up� heading.

Every once in a while don�t you find yourself reading a news item, shaking your head, and wondering if everyone else has just lost their mind, or if it�s just you?

The first case deals with federal agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) taking apart vehicles they suspect may be smuggling drugs, weapons or people. A federal appeals court found the practice an unconstitutional invasion of privacy.

Arguments are expected to be heard by the justices sometime in 2004, with a ruling expected by June.

The case involves a station wagon owned by Manuel Flores-Montano, which police stopped at the Mexican border with California in 2002. A search found 37 kilograms of marijuana hidden in the vehicle's gas tank, after the car had been dismantled by border agents.

Flores-Montano was arrested and charged with drug smuggling, but an appeals court said the seized marijuana could not be used as evidence against him. Apparently the court believes that people entering the country � not yet here, still on the other side, and for our protection being searched � still have a right to expect authorities will not look TOO far into what they are carrying. This is supposed to come under as an unusual search and seizure practice? No wonder why we continue to let terrorists into the country unchecked! Never mind the drugs, and potential weapons of destruction that may be smuggled.

Remember those hand-carried anti-airplane missiles that are missing? Worried that someone might try to smuggle them into the states and use it against an airplane being flown by a family member? Well, don�t expect us to be able to search too thoroughly at the border, we might be infringing on the terrorists right to an expectation of privacy!

While this story just noted is potentially threatening to our very lives, the following story is just one of those other annoying legal battles that make one shake their head in wonderment.

The second case the Supreme Court will hear arguments on concerns the reciting of our Pledge of Allegiance � voluntarily � in schools.
At issue is whether the Pledge of Allegiance should be banned from public schools for its use of the words "under God." Constitutional scholars have debated for years whether the pledge serves as both a patriotic oath and a form of public prayer.

One can obviously see the threat this poses on all of our freedoms, right? I mean, reciting the Pledge of Allegiance is an unconstitutional infringement?
It must be me. I better stop reading the news, it�s only getting me frustrated. Yet another reason CNN holds no interest to me; I can go elsewhere for frustration and aggravation!


HOW �BOUT THOSE RED SOX!

Has anyone gone up to get Jay Genna from the roof of the 77 Station House yet?


NYPD CHESS TEAM

The Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Community Affairs is coordinating the formation of a NYPD Chess Team which will compete in the Bankers Athletic League. The team will be open to all Department employees.

Uniformed and civilian members of the service interested in joining the NYPD Chess Team should contact PO Norman Coard, DCCA, 646-610-7877.


�LEST WE FORGET�� NYPD Memorial
�It is not how they died that makes them a hero, but how they lived their lives�.

October 22, 1907 Ptl Eugene Sheehan, 3 Pct, Shot by prisoner
October 22, 1931 Det Guido Pessagano, 20 Sqd, Shot-arrest
October 22, 1970 Ptl Gerald Murphy, 9 Pct, Shot-Arrest, off duty
October 22, 1972 Ptl Joseph Meaders, 63 Pct, Crushed by oil truck
October 24, 1935 Capt Richard McHale, 109 Pct, Shot by disgruntled MOS
October 24, 1939 Ptl Anthony Buckner, 32 Pct, Auto accident on patrol
October 26, 1897 Ptl Frederick Smith, 14 Pct, Shot-burglary in progress
October 26, 1910 Ptl James Mangen, 144 Pct, Head injury, rescue

Monday, October 20, 2003

NIBIN: BALLISTICS DATABASE

Comparing ballistic evidence in the past was a tedious and time consuming process. In addition, no means of comparison between different agencies existed unless specifically requested by an investigator.

In an effort to change this for the better, the ATF created its Integrated Ballistic Identification System � IBIS, and at the same time the FBI created DrugFire. Unfortunately, data could not be compared netween the two systems.

ATF and the FBI entered into an agreement in May 1997 that created the NIBIN Board. NIBIN stands for the National Integrated Ballistics Information Network. The IBIN Board comprises ATF, FBI, and state/local representatives. The board�s goal is to unify federal efforts to deploy ballistics technology, and to have one basic tool to accomplish this.

Every firearm has individual characteristics that are unique to it as fingerprints are to human beings. This information, which a ballistics examiner obtains from the projectile and spent shell casings, can be placed into a searchable database system.

As new images are entered, the system searches the existing database, and comparisons are made for possible matches. An examiner then calls up the saved images in the database for a microscopic comparison for final determination.


DETECTIVE RIVALRY AT AN EARLY AGE

For many years after the organization of detectives there existed a strong rivalry between precinct (Ward) detectives and Headquarters detectives.
In an attempt to end this rivalry, Captain Thomas Byrnes who in 1880 had been placed in command of Headquarters detectives, requested the State Legislature to create a Bureau of Detectives.

Acting at his request, the Legislature on May 17, 1882 authorized the Board of Police to establish a bureau, which was to be called the Central Office Bureau of Detectives, �not to exceed forty detectives, who were entitled to receive the same pay as Sergeants of Police�.

The following year on May 8, 1883, the board acted to centralize detectives by transferring all wardmen and detectives assigned to inspector�s offices to the Detective Bureau at Headquarters. Byrnes, as Chief of Detectives, was then placed in command of all detectives and assigned them to precincts, inspection districts, or squads as needed.

He was raised to the rank of Inspector and was directly responsible to the Chief of Police who was later designated Chief Inspector. Thus for the first time there existed a formal, independent, Detective Bureau that grew in stature and prestige over the years based on its fine work.


DD FORMS UPDATE

I�d like to thank John Reilly, once again, for providing the following updated info on the DD forms. In response to the last posting on this site, with a contribution from Al Meller, the following items are noted.

In the 1929 Manual of Procedure the form DD 10 is identified as the �Index of Complaints�. The DD 11 is the �Index of Watch Movement�. Not exactly sure what watch movement it refers to, but there it is. (Perhaps it means the 1 and a half hour time zone difference?)

In the 1965 Rules & Procedures, the DD 10 is listed as the Index of Complainants and the DD 11 as the Index of Watch Movement. These forms remained the same from the 1929 Manual.

Additional information notes that in the 1913 R&R the DD 10 is � still � the Index of Complaints and the DD 11 the Index of Watch Movement. There is also a mention of a DD 12 as the �Index of Watch Cases�. These forms remained the same in the 1929 M of P.

This continued through even to the 1965 Rules & Procedures for these forms as well.

Some other interesting Detective forms, as noted in the 1965 Rules & Procedures, are the following forms:

DD 52 Wanted Card
DD 52a Resident Known Criminal Card
DD 52b Parolee Card- State Board of Parole
DD 52c Parolee Card- Parole Commission, City of New York
DD 52d Released Prisoner Card- State Dept. of Correction
DD 52e Released Prisoner Card- City Dept. of Correction

Note that in the 1929 M of P, there was only a DD52- Wanted Card.

These Parolee Cards and Released Prisoner Cards are similar to what we get even today in the Precinct Squads. When a prisoner is released from Corrections (State) a photo is forwarded with his/her identifying information, for all who reside in your command.

A good source then, and still is today, especially when an unusual MO begins and you want to know �Who recently got out�? With the advent of computerized files, though, these Released Prisoner / Parolee cards are probably underutilized, but nevertheless remain a solid source of information and photos for your complainants/witnesses to view. (The force-field system may have his arrest photo from two years ago, but this provides a more recent photo of this person as he was discharged from prison.) Food for thought: What are you doing with these photos in your squad when they come in the mail?


AAPLE

"Dedicated to furthering the professionalism of law enforcement, and to achieving the highest levels of standards and ethical practice in the field."

The American Academy for Professional Law Enforcement (A.A.P.L.E.) was formed in 1974 by the merger of the Academy of Police Sciences, founded in New York in 1958 and the Law Enforcement Association on Professional Standards, Education and Ethical Practice, founded in St. Louis in 1970.

A.P.P.L.E is composed of over 700 members from City, State and Federal law enforcement agencies, private corporations, security firms, and numerous academic institutions of higher learning.

The organization continues its efforts in fostering professionalism, and provides a forum for discussing and publicizing law enforcement problems affecting society today. This is accomplished through monthly meetings, guest lectures, professional networking, professional opportunities and developing public support for improvements in the criminal justice professions.


For More Information Contact:
American Academy For Professional Law Enforcement
P.O. Box 917, Peck Slip Station New York New York 10272


INTERESTING WEB SITE

http://www.nypdangels.com/
Fidelis ad mortem...Faithful Unto Death

Between 1849 and 2003 there have been 694 members of the NYPD killed in the line of duty. This website is dedicated to them - the 571 Police Officers, 77 Detectives, 35 Sergeants, 8 Lieutenants, 2 Captains and 1 Inspector that gave their lives for us. They gave unselfishly and now walk through Heaven's streets where they continue to serve and protect us. May their memories live on forever.

This site is dedicated not only to our Angels but to all members of the New York City Police Department. The men and women that put their lives on the line every day. They truly are New York's Finest.



PADDY BOYLE�S RETIREMENT BASH

Tickets are going fast for the Retirement Celebration of Paddy Boyle, who, after forty years of dedicated service, is retiring!

A Retirement Party in his honor is planned for Thursday, November 6, 2003 from 6pm to 11pm at Villa Russo (101-12 Lefferts Blvd, Richmond Hill).

The $75. tickets can be purchased from one of the following. Please note that NO tickets will be available at the door. Tickets are going fast; reserve your place early.

Lt. Brian Fogarty, SATCOM Brooklyn North, 718-573-5034
Lt. Thomas Joyce, 79 Squad, 718-636-6614
Sgt. Christine Lampitelli, SATCOM Brooklyn North, 718-573-4315
Det. Paul Molloy, BNDO, 718-573-5054
Det. Lori Walsh, BN Narcotics, 718-922-8095
Lt. John Cornicello, BN Homicide, 718-963-5373


MORE WHAT CAN YOU SAY�

What can you say, when you read a DD5 and the Detective writes...

"I spoke to the 911 caller, Mr. Ani Ali, 718-555-1212, who states, "I heard shots..."



�LEST WE FORGET�� NYPD Memorial
�It is not how they died that makes them a hero, but how they lived their lives�.

October 17, 1989 PO Anthony Dwyer, MTS, Pushed from roof, burglary
October 18, 1938 Ptl Martin Hanke, 68 Pct, Shot-accidental
October 18, 1988 PO Christopher Hoban, MN Narco, Shot-warrant execution
October 18, 1988 PO Michael Buczek, 34 Pct, Shot-Investigation
October 18, 1996 Lt Federico Narvaez, 70 Pct, Shot-Investigation
October 19, 1929 Ptl Charles Saver, 76 Pct, Shot-robbery in progress
October 20, 1967 Ptl James Dandridge, 32 Pct, Shot:Accidental by MOS






Thursday, October 16, 2003

WHAT�S A DD10?

As noted previously on this site, some research was done to find the origin and use of some of the earlier �DD� forms.

The following contribution is from Ret. Det. AL MELLER, recently retired from the 75 Squad and a real-swell guy, on the DD10 and DD11 forms. Neither of these forms were found or published in my last posting on this topic, and you may find this interesting.

To the best of our research, a DD-10 & DD-11 referred to the Complainant Index and the Location of Occurrence Index. Which particular form number for each, though, is uncertain as yet. (Perhaps Ret Det1 John Reilly, Det Capt Frank Bolz, has some insight?)

It is believed that these forms were white and pink. They were attached to each 61 when it was sent up to the squad.

There was also a DD-52A. This referred to a �Resident Criminal File." This was used when an arrest was made. The perp's pedigree & photograph were affixed to the DD-52A, which was actually an index card. The card may have been buff colored and about the size of the old aided card. If your perp lived in another command a second copy was forwarded to his resident precinct as well.

These forms were apparently discontinued sometime back in the 1960's, and it's hard to find somebody who remembers exactly what's what. Maybe some of our former detective-readers from that time can add some insight as well?

Thanks, Al, for your help. And I�ll pass on your wishes that everyone should �Play nicely in the sandbox�.



CONEY ISLAND POLAR BEARS

Many of you will remember Louis Scarcella, a Retired Detective from Brooklyn North Homicide. You may recall that Louis left this job and has been working for the Special Commissioner of Education. Louis was Steve Chmil�s partner here at Homicide. One of Louis� passions was running the marathon; I can remember him training for the race, and he even ran a NY Marathon along with his daughter one year.

But I bet you didn�t know that Louis was also a Polar Bear!

Not only is he a member of the Coney Island Polar Bear Club � those people that go swimming in the ocean every January, and get their picture in the Daily News for doing so � but he�s also their President.

The Polar Bears have a Pre-Season Introductory Swim offer for the month of October, for all aspiring polar bears.

Each Sunday in October young Cubs are encouraged to join the group for a swim. They meet at 12:30 pm on the Boardwalk by the Aquarium, at 8th Street. They begin swimming at 1pm.

They will provide general information and recommended guidelines for cold water swims, and only ask that you bring a towel and warm, dry clothes to change into after your swim.

If you�d like more info you can contact Louis Scarcella at 718-356-7741, or can e-mail through their web site at www.winterbathers.com, or direct to LNS92@aol.com

�October is the perfect month to start cold weather swimming; it�s still warm and the water is crystal clear and clean�, according to Louis. (As far as I knew, crystal clear and Coney Island didn�t appear in the same sentence, but that�s only me!). Oh, yea, and don�t forget about the shrinkage.


PADDY BOYLE�S RETIREMENT BASH

Don�t Hesitate! The Tickets Are Going FAST!!

After forty years of dedicated service, Captain Patrick �Paddy� Boyle is retiring!

A Retirement Party in his honor is planned for Thursday, November 6, 2003 from 6pm to 11pm at Villa Russo (101-12 Lefferts Blvd, Richmond Hill).

The $75. tickets can be purchased from one of the following. Please note that NO tickets will be available at the door. Tickets are going fast; reserve your place early.

Lt. Brian Fogarty, SATCOM Brooklyn North, 718-573-5034
Lt. Thomas Joyce, 79 Squad, 718-636-6614
Sgt. Christine Lampitelli, SATCOM Brooklyn North, 718-573-4315
Det. Paul Molloy, BNDO, 718-573-5054
Det. Lori Walsh, BN Narcotics, 718-922-8095
Lt. John Cornicello, BN Homicide, 718-963-5373


INTERESTING WEB SITES

The Federal Information Center
http://fic.info.gov/


THAT�LL CERTAINLY TEACH THEM A LESSON!

Unless you�ve recently returned from a monastic retreat you no doubt have seen, heard, and analyzed the recent Yankees-Red Sox controversy. Martinez throwing at Garcia, then Clemens throwing a high pitch � over the plate � and an overreaction by Red Sox players, etc. You know what I�m talking about.

The highlight of this game had to be the Don Zimmer � Pedro Martinez scrap.

Major League Baseball, in an effort to thwart future incidents, found it appropriate to assess fines on certain players. Rightfully so, I�m sure you�ll agree. And in so doing that they assessed these fines at different levels, apparently in a way of assuming a larger degree of blame on certain individuals.

Without getting into these specific arguments, that no doubt are shaking the walls of the 77 Squad with an avid Red Sox fan � Jay Genna � surrounded by a roomful of Yankee fans, I just thought I�d pass on this simple fact.

As you know, Pedro Martinez was �socked� with the highest fine assessed by MLB for this incident, and was fined $50,000.

Before you feel too bad for Pedro, let�s take a look at what that really means.

Pedro Martinez earns $18 million a year pitching for the Red Sox.

Simple math will reveal that a $50,000 fine is .3% of his annual salary. Look at that real close, there�s a POINT in front of that number 3 � which makes it .0028 of his $18 million salary.

Let�s assume you, a hard working detective in this NYPD, had a good year last year � made a good number of arrests, worked in a busy squad and earned a fair amount of overtime. Let�s say you earned $90,000. last year. Given this same fine assessment as Pedro Martinez, you would be paying a fine of � hold your breath - $252. That�s two hundred and fifty two dollars in real-people terms. So Pedro Martinez� $50,000 fine is equivalent to you or I paying a fine of under $300.

That should teach him a lesson or two!



DET.�S DONEGAN & POTENZA: 71 SQUAD

It is noted that on October 15, 1964, two detectives from the 71 Squad were fatally wounded during an exchange of shots with a man they attempted to arrest.

The incident occurred at 1632 Hendrickson St., Brooklyn.

Det. James Donegan, Sh#1338 and his partner Det. Salvatore Potenza, Sh#1203 were both posthumously awarded the NYPD Medal of Honor. Mayor Robert Wagner presented the medal for Det. Donegan to his father, Mr. James F. Donegan and the medal for Det. Potenza to his widow, Mrs. Gloria Potenza.




WHAT CAN YOU POSSIBLY SAY?

What can you say, when one of your detectives travels to Texas to interview a possible perp, and asks you about the time difference, stating to you that the difference in Texas is �An hour and a half, right?�

(That must be when you travel through the Twilight Zone, the time zone changes in half hour increments!)

What can you say, when a detective brings back a Polaroid photo he took of a non-fatal shooting victim, in a hospital, who he says doesn�t know how he got shot � and you realize that you now that face. It�s the face that�s on the Wanted poster that everyone in the squad has been looking for the past month, wanted for a shooting � and the assigned detective for that case is the same one who just interviewed him in the hospital!?

What can you say, when you call the Chief of Detective�s Office and speak with a Detective thereat to give them an update on a case, letting them know that you now have a photo-ID on a suspect, and they ask you �What will you do next, get a search warrant�?

What can you say, when you�re signing a DD5 and the detective wrote that the complainant could not be interviewed because he was �incubated and in a seduced coma�?

What can you say, when another DD5 you�re signing indicates that the prisoner �Returned to New York after waving expedition�?

What can you say, when you�re told the complainant is in the hospital being treated for �smoke insulation�?

What can you say, when you tell someone that there is an allegation being made against them, and they say �then I demand to speak with the alligator�.

What can you say, when a mother tells you her son isn�t around, she sent him upstate. When you ask, do you know where upstate he went, and she says �Maine.�

What can you say, when a person tells you he�s going to sue everyone involved because �I never got my last rights before I was questioned�.



�LEST WE FORGET�� NYPD Memorial
�It is not how they died that makes them a hero, but how they lived their lives�.

October 13, 1968 Ptl David Turman, TPF, Shot-mistaken ID, off duty
October 13, 1970 Ptl Maurice Erben, Harbor, Boat accident
October 13, 1996 PO Brian Jones, PSA4, Shot-off duty dispute
October 15, 1932 Ptl John Fink, 71 Pct, Fire rescue
October 15, 1964 Det James Donegan, 71 Squad, Shot effecting arrest
October 15, 1964 Det Salvatore Potenza, 71 Sqd, Shot effecting arrest
October 15, 1994 PO William Kennedy, Info unavailable
October 17, 1989 PO Anthony Dwyer, MTS, Pushed from roof, burglary
October 18, 1938 Ptl Martin Hanke, 68 Pct, Shot-accidental
October 18, 1988 PO Christopher Hoban, MN Narco, Shot-warrant execution
October 18, 1988 PO Michael Buczek, 34 Pct, Shot-Investigation
October 18, 1996 Lt Federico Narvaez, 70 Pct, Shot-Investigation
October 19, 1929 Ptl Charles Saver, 76 Pct, Shot-robbery in progress
October 20, 1967 Ptl James Dandridge, 32 Pct, Shot:Accidental by MOS

Monday, October 13, 2003

HOMICIDE VS. MURDER

Homicide is the killing of one human being by another.

This term does NOT reflect the moral or legal implications of this act. Homicide is not necessarily a crime. For legal purposes, homicide falls into two breed of categories.

Justifiable Homicide results from some unavoidable circumstance without any will, intention, desire, or negligence on the part of the person who committed the act.

Felonious Homicide is the wrongful killing of another human being without justification in law.

These Felonious Homicides contain the categories of Murder and Manslaughter.

While often confused even by investigators, it is a pretty simple concept. Not all Homicides are Murders. There is Penal Law statute for �Homicide�, there are those for Murder, Manslaughter, etc.

I can recall many a conversation with Paddy Boyle on the subject as well.

Do not confuse the terms with what may � for lack of a better term � be considered the �COMPSTAT Definition�. For purposes of COMPSTAT reporting figures, homicides that are classified as Justifiable are not counted in the figures.

For real reporting purposes � as reported by the Department, and the Bureau�s Homicide Analysis Section, as well as the DA�s Offices � all homicides are counted as homicides. Those that are later ruled to Justifiable are subtracted for this number to determine the �Amenable� Homicide number.

Simple, isn�t it?


EARLY DETECTIVE ORGANIZATION

Prior to 1882 there was no formal detective bureau.

In 1857 the detectives were organized into a separate unit under the command of Captain George Walling. At the time, Captain Walling was the commanding officer of the City Hall Station, and he alternated between the station house, and the detective office, which was in the basement of the then Headquarters on Broome Street.

He remained in command from 1858 to 1860. Eighteen years later in 1875, a small number of detectives were assigned to either Headquarters for major crime investigations, or the Ward Detectives for routine duty in various precincts.

The detective force at Headquarters was divided into squads, each of which specialized in the investigation of certain classes of crime.
Here we see the first mention of specialization by detectives. Their instructions were to make themselves thoroughly conversant with the manner in which different types of crimes were committed, and the types of persons engaged in their commissions.


PADDY BOYLE�S RETIREMENT BASH

After forty years of dedicated service, Captain Patrick �Paddy� Boyle is retiring!

A Retirement Party in his honor is planned for Thursday, November 6, 2003 from 6pm to 11pm at Villa Russo (101-12 Lefferts Blvd, Richmond Hill).

The $75. tickets can be purchased from one of the following. Please note that NO tickets will be available at the door. Tickets are going fast; reserve your place early.

Lt. Brian Fogarty, SATCOM Brooklyn North, 718-573-5034
Lt. Thomas Joyce, 79 Squad, 718-636-6614
Sgt. Christine Lampitelli, SATCOM Brooklyn North, 718-573-4315
Det. Paul Molloy, BNDO, 718-573-5054
Det. Lori Walsh, BN Narcotics, 718-922-8095
Lt. John Cornicello, BN Homicide, 718-963-5373


WYATT EARP: AMERICAN LAWMAN

Wyatt Earp, who was born in 1848 and died in 1929, is perhaps the most famous lawman of them all.

He became a legend in his own time, serving as the law in such fabled Wild West Towns as Dodge City, Kansas, and Tombstone, Arizona-where in 1881 he and his brothers along with John Henry "Doc" Holliday, won the legendary gunfight at the O.K. Corral. He retired from 1882 after avenging the death of his brother, Morgan.


INTERESTING WEB SITE

Yet another web site for reverse phone lookups, address checks, etc.

http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Hills/3916/search/directories/reverse.html


AN EXPRESSION OF SYMPATHY�

Is extended to the family of Retired Lt-CDS Edward H. Dean Jr.

As noted in a recent Personnel Order, Edward Dean passed away August 29, 2003. It was noted that he was the former Squad Commander of the Brooklyn North Homicide Squad. He was appointed on June 1, 1946 and retired from this department on September 7, 1963.

Our condolences are extended to the family.



I BET THEY WEREN�T EXPECTING THAT!

On a Wednesday afternoon two roommates had a quiet discussion about who left the car door open. Nothing really too serious.

At about 9:30 that night, in an effort to rekindle the argument, the 44-year-old male bounced a glass beer mug off the skull of his 65-year-old male roommate.

Although it probably wasn�t part of the master plan, the roommate died, and now he�s facing murder charges.

Probably neither one of them was expecting that when they got out of bed that morning!



Tuesday, October 07, 2003

TRACE EVIDENCE

Trace evidence is evidence that may be present at a scene, but its minuteness necessitates special scrutiny.

The particular evidence may hold some specific significance in linking a victim, a suspect, a scene, and the activities of what has occurred. An investigator, evidence technician, and other support personnel determine the significance it may play in understanding what happened and who was responsible; a crime lab technician analyzes and interprets the evidence.

Trace evidence is based on the philosophy that there must be an exchange of items between individuals and an environment. This exchange � known as Locard�s Principle � includes trace materials that may only be discovered through a deliberate and thorough processing procedure.

The clothing of the suspect is a primary source of trace material. Three possibilities exist for developing trace evidence:
1. Trace materials from the victim may have collected on the suspect.
2. Trace material from the environment, linking the particular suspect to a particular location, may be present on the suspect.
3. Standards from the suspect must be collected and compared with items collected from the victim and the scene to link the individual to the area and the crime.

From the victim, you may find trace evidence collected that came from the suspect. Trace evidence from the scene may also be found, which comes important in cases where a body has been �dumped�.

Clothing is a primary accumulator of trace evidence, and care and caution must be taken in handling, collecting, and packaging these articles.

If a suspect is still wearing the clothing believed to have been worn at the time of the crime, you should first examine visually for any signs of evidence.

The suspect should stand on a clean piece of wrapping paper. As each item of clothing is removed, it should be wrapped separately. After the suspect has removed all his clothing, the wrapping paper should be collected, folded inward, and bagged separately.

Never shake or handle possible evidence any more than absolutely necessary.

Never place clothing items in a plastic or an air tight container. Moisture causes bacterial growth, which makes analysis unproductive.

Never turn the pockets inside-out. The pockets, cuffs, and pants pleats often are receptacles for trace evidence.

If trace evidence is removed from clothing prior to sending it off for trace analysis, note the precise location of where the item was recovered.



A DETECTIVES LIFE

As noted by Ret. Det.Captin Frank Bolz, back in 1955 when you got into the Bureau your first assignment was to the Youth Squad.

There was, even back then, an internal competition for manpower. After a stint in the Youth Squad (which consisted of anti-gang control in unmarked cars) you would finally get an assignment to a Precinct Squad.

The class in the Detective school in 1958 that Bolz was part of was the first time that the Bureau was getting a little more say in manpower, and the top half of that class went straight to squads, the second half used to fill the Youth Squad�s.

Bolz became a member of the 81 Squad from that class, noting that, like the other newly-assigned investigators he was a �white shield�.

He recalls reporting to the Chief of Detectives, Lefty Legget, when he was promoted to Detective, who told the new detectives "Hey kid, get a hat" as he handed them their Gold Shields. All Detectives wore a fedora then, and a trip to the Chief of Detectives Office without one was sure to be closely scrutinized and taken to be �out-of-uniform� by the Chief. You never went to the Chief-of-D�s office without your hat!

It seems that at that time in the late 50�s the expression �get a hat� also referred to a bookmakers wanting to give the cop on the local foot post $5.00 as a gratuity. A rookie cop, not knowing what that expression referred to, could easily have misunderstood the meaning.

As a young cop Bolz recalls being approached by the local numbers runner who said that Benny � the known bookmaker - wanted to give him a hat, he replied �thanks but I had just gotten one from my wife for Christmas�. He was never approached again after that!

Another regular part of the detective�s routine then was the daily �Line Up� at Police Headquarters.

The Line Up was conducted at 240 Center Street, each day, in the basement next to the Photo Unit.

The newly arrested felons would stand in the line up, not merely for victim identification, but to inform the Detectives from the various squads, who were required to attend on a rotation basis, who it was that was recently arrested and what their particular MO was.

The Lieutenant who acted as the "MC" of the line up was usually a silver tongued guy who used a lot of humor in announcing the arrestees.

This was before fax machines or electronic transmission of photos, and was a way for this arrest intelligence to be disseminated to the squads.

Most detectives hated the assignment because you had to travel to the city, getting there by 7:00 am, fighting the traffic, parking, etc. Most of those in the outer boroughs did so by subway.




I BET THEY WEREN�T EXPECTING THAT!

Two men, at least one of them armed, entered an East Harlem store at about three pm on a Sunday. After locking the owner in the bathroom, the men cleaned out the resgister, getting away with a cool - $80.

You have to wonder how big a haul they were expecting, on a Sunday, robbing a 99-cent store!



�LEST WE FORGET�� NYPD Memorial
�It is not how they died that makes them a hero, but how they lived their lives�.

October 7, 1968 Ptl John Varecha, 18 Pct, Shot-investigation
October 7, 1989 PO William Chisolm, 45 Pct, Shot-off duty incident
October 8, 1928 Ptl William Stoeffel, 4 Pct, auto accident on patrol
October 8, 1956 Det William Christmas, 92 Sqd, Shot-off duty incident
October 8, 1966 Ptl James Cosgrove, Mcy4(Hwy3), Auto accident on patrol
October 8, 1993 PO John Williamson, HA-PSA6, head injury-bucket from roof
October 9, 1928 Ptl Thomas Wallace, Mcy2, Motorcycle accident on patrol
October 9, 1965 Ptl Philip Shultz, HA-B/SI, Shot-off duty arrest
October 10, 1973 PO George Mead, 42 Pct, Shot-off duty robbery
October 10, 1975 PO Walter Tarpey, MSTF, Auto accident on patrol
October 12, 1946 Ptl George Hunter, 30 Pct, Shot-robbery

Thursday, October 02, 2003

NEW YORK ADOPTS THE DETECTIVE

Not unlike London�s Metropolitan Police of 1842, New York�s Detective Bureau had a modest beginning.

In 1836, a group of �roundsmen�, the equivalent of today�s Sergeants, called �shadows� appeared on the Police Department payroll, and in 1857 twenty policemen were detailed as detectives by the then Board of Police.

They were called �sleuths�, �plainclothes men�, �gumshoes� and �investigators�.

In 1882, with the approach of the �Gay Nineties�, the police force was spreading in all directions and the Detective Bureau was created. Since that time the Detective Bureau has grown into a highly specialized organization, selecting its members for their special skills and training them for long arduous hours in improving their talents and developing other deductive faculties.

Television producers have glamorized the detective symbol into a devil-may-care individual whose natty attire is embellished with raincoat and � sometimes � a fedora. He solves his cases in under an hour, undertaking all phases of the investigation independently.

The real-life counterpart of the modern-day Sherlock Holmes doesn�t quite fit this fascinating pattern. Today�s detective is a hard-working, conscientious team-man justifiably proud of the blue and gold shield he carries as a member of the Detective Bureau.


ODE TO AN OLD TIME COP: JAMES K. PRICE

James K. Price joined the NYPD in 1874, and as a young cop he was assigned to "The Hells Kitchen" Precinct on West 37th Street. This precinct was a very tough area for a cop. The area was home to some of the worst gangs in the city.

Before the station house was closed in 1921, it was claimed that more murderers had been housed in its cells than in any other precinct in the City.

One night while walking his beat, Price saw a known burglar coming out of a building with a bundle on his shoulder. When Price yelled at the man to stop, the burglar dropped his loot and stated running. Just as Price was catching up to him the fugitive ran around the corner of a saloon.

Price drew his revolver and fired one shot that went through both windows of the saloon at an angle and hit the burglar who dropped to the sidewalk.


The next day Ptl. Price was called to Headquarters and appeared before Commissioner Erhardt. "So you shot a man last night" asked the Commissioner. Commissioner Erhardt was known as a harsh disciplinarian, and Price was caught by surprise. �Yes Sir� was the reply. "Did you kill him"? "No, Sir" "Well if you only shot him and got him I�d have made you a Roundsman (Sergeant)." Price was flabbergasted, but quickly recovered and said, "If you'll make me a Sergeant (Lieutenant) I go back to the hospital and finish him."

Soon Price was appointed as one of the original detectives under Inspector Byrnes and was to later retire in 1902 as a Captain.


GUACAMOLE WITH A TWIST

It was recently reported by AP out of Chicago that four men have been arrested and charged with drug possession after police found what they estimated to be $39 million worth of high-grade cocaine hidden inside a shipment of Mexican avocado pulp.

"This came right through the border," according to Chicago Police Commander Wayne Wiberg, while standing in front of still-bundled 2-kilogram bricks of cocaine, each of which had been individually stuffed inside 180 buckets of frozen guacamole.

After a tip, police located 308 kilos of cocaine inside the buckets taken from a truck. Police found another 760 tubs of the green goop at a warehouse in Addison.

"Somebody said, `Let's get some chips,'" Wiberg said. "I said we'd be here for a year."



INTERESTING WEB SITE

Visit the Officer Down Memorial Page, a fitting tribute to those law enforcement officers who have given their lives in the line of duty.

http://www.odmp.org/



IN MEMORIAM: SGT. MATTHEW MCCORMICK

One of the names noted in a recent posting of the NYPD Memorial was that of Sergeant Mathew Mccormick, Shield# 999 of the 120 Pct, who was killed in the line of duty on September 19, 1943.

On that date Sergeant Mathew McCormick was struck and fatally injured by an automobile in Tompkinsville, Staten Island.

Sgt. McCormick was 58 years old and 48 hours before his death had just
Filed his retirement papers after 35 years in the department.


WELCOME BACK!

It was recently announced the DI Ken Lindahl, the CO of the 101 Precinct, will be assuming the duties as Commanding Officer of Brooklyn North Detective Operations effective Monday, October 6. Ken will be taking over the spot left vacant with the recent retirement of Insp Michael Gabriel.

Ken was the Major Crimes Captain in Brooklyn North Detectives prior to taking over the helm of the 106 Precinct and then the 101 Precinct, where he received his promotion to DI. He also served in Brooklyn North as the Investigative Captain for a time, and includes in his detective background working as a supervisor in the 34 Squad as well.

We all welcome your return and look forward to working with you again!


CONGRATULATIONS ARE IN ORDER

Congratulations to Det Reginald Hogans of the 94 Squad who will be promoted to Detective Second Grade. Good work, Reggie!

Some other Brooklyn North alumni being recognized with promotions include Bob Boyce, currently the CO of the 67 Precinct, promoted to Inspector. Bob spent time here in Brooklyn North Detectives in the 75 Squad as a Sergeant and in the 88 and 79 squads as Lieutenant. Larry Nikunen, currently the 90 Precinct CO is also being promoted to Inspector. Larry was the 75 RIP Sergeant, then as a Lieutenant served in the 84 Squad before promotion.

Best wishes to all the promotees!



YOU CAN�T MAKE THIS STUFF UP!

At about 1 a.m. on a Tuesday morning a 34-year-old East Village man woke his wife from a deep sleep. He then conked her on the head with a blunt metal object and tried to strangle her. She wrestled free and called 911.

Meanwhile, the man grabbed a knife and stepped out onto the fire escape of their 5th floor apartment. After stabbing himself in the chest and the wrists, he plunged to the pavement below.

He survived for a few days before succumbing to his injuries.

The mystery remains � why did he bother to wake her up first?



REMEMBER� TO CONTACT THE MINISTER OF INVESTIGATION:

Send an e-mail to: Ltjac77@yahoo.com