President's Message
by Sgt. Rick Igou, Independence Police Department

I am excited that OPOA has increased the training opportunities that we offer. Our new coordinator, Al Hall, has been doing a great job. Take a look at the Training Page in this newsletter as well as on our website for more details. We plan to offer a training class somewhere in the state each month on a variety of different topics.

While you're looking at our upcoming training, check out our next conference. It is scheduled for September 7 through 9, 2005. We have invited back Lt. Col. Dave Grossman (The Bulletproof Mind) and added Mike Janin (Use of Force Update), Rod Englert (Unresolved Investigations), and George Thompson (Verbal Judo) for a Fantastic 4 of training.

I asked our editor to feature a couple articles on fairly unrecognized topics. The first is on Forensic Nursing, which will be broken down and the first part of the article is in this issue. Be sure to look for future issues for more information on the same topic. The second area is something I recently became aware of. It is a paper written by Samantha Hatfield, a graduate student at OSU. She researched (interviewed several Oregon Police Officers) and wrote a paper seeking to describe the anthropological environment of law enforcement. To view our working environment through the eyes of an anthropologist is worth a few minutes. This is not something I had ever thought about and found very interesting. Here are 3 different insights from her paper;

"Police officers are a common sight often taken for granted by community members until the need arises for assistance from these men and women. I found that while officers were very open and willing to talk with me, there was a high degree of urgency to complete tasks, and during every interview conducted, there was at least one interruption.

"Literal and figurative survival depends on being able to get along with colleagues, and each officer reiterated that trusting another is imminent, and as "Tom" stated "you don't have to wonder when the time comes". [They'll be there for you.]

"Development of a specialized manner of humor, nonverbal cues, and support networks assist these professionals in ways that any other cultural system could not."

For the entire text visit the Current Issues page. The paper is several pages long, but worth the read.

I look forward to seeing you all at the training conference in Canyonville!

Forensic Nursing: A Law Enforcement Guide

Part 1 in a series by Jennifer Schindell

What is a Forensic Nurse?

Forensic nursing is a specialty that has been recognized by the American Nurse's Association since 1995, and has been in existence for decades. Forensic nursing exists where forensic science, the criminal justice system, and medicine (nursing) intersect. A forensic nurse can be a vital resource in any situation where human injury, death, or dysfunction has occurred. Forensic nurses practice in a number of areas, but are best known for their contributions to death investigation, clinical (“living”) forensic medicine, and sexual assault examination.

Why are nurses suited for this role?

All registered nurses possess at least a basic knowledge of human anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, psychology, sociology, growth & development, pathophysiology, current diagnostic/treatment procedures, and the grief process. Familiarity with these subjects can be crucial during the investigation of illness/injury, death, or sexual assault.

What does it take to become a Forensic Nurse?

As in any nursing specialty, forensic nurses may present with a variety of qualifications. They may earn a forensic nursing certificate, a Master's degree, PhD, certification through the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators, Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner certification, or any other combination of experience and classroom education. Whether obtained through on-the-job training, internships, or in a structured classroom setting, it is imperative that a forensic nurse receive training on the topics of evidence collection, legal implications, crime scene investigation, forensic science and forensic pathology. It is crucial that forensic nurses have substantial experience practicing in clinical settings; as this is where they will develop skills that are invaluable in a forensic setting.

Summary

Nurses possess knowledge of normal and abnormal human conditions and routinely practice in medicolegal situations. It is reasonable to utilize competent, well-trained nurses to assist the forensic scientists and members of the criminal justice system. The potential value of forensic nurses to the law enforcement community is limited only by the imagination.

Next in this series:  The Forensic Nurse Death Investigator

 Jennifer Schindell is a forensic nurse living in Albany, OR. She received her RN BSN from UAA (Alaska) and Medcenter One College of Nursing (North Dakota). Jennifer has earned an adult Critical Care Nursing Certification (CCRN), is a Registered Medicolegal Death Investigator with the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (D-ABMDI), and has earned a Forensic Nursing Certificate. Her primary areas of interest are biomechanics related to traumatic injury and child/infant death prevention. She can be reached at: schindell1@comcast.net

PUBLIC SERVICE AWARD

Officer Mike Irvine

Officer Jim Derrickson

Hillsboro Police Department

On 12/01/03 at 7:41 P.M., Officer Irvine assisted Officer Derrickson on a welfare check at a Hillsboro residence.  Both officers noticed there was very little furniture and limited food in the residence.  Upon speaking with the two children, officers learned the father worked seven days a week to pay the rent, utilities and buy a minimum amount of food.  The officers also learned that the children had very little clothing and they were sleeping on the floor.

Upon leaving the call the officers discussed the situation and shared a strong desire to assist this family.  When they returned to their department they approached their swing shift team and the night shift team, persuading others to donate money and surplus furniture or clothing that could be given to the family.

Swing shift and night shift pooled their resources and were able to make an extraordinary donation in a team effort.  Donations included two queen size beds, one full size bed, a large dresser, coffee table and end tables.  Officers were able to raise $560.00 for the family, which purchased a Fred Meyers Gift Card.

A few days before Christmas the family was presented with the gift at the Hillsboro Police Department.  The entire team helped with the loading and unloading of the items.  The 16 year old boy (who was born on Christmas) told the officers this was the best Christmas or Birthday present he had ever received.  The boy also shared with the officers that he had heard many bad stories about police, but he now has great trust and respect for the Hillsboro Officers.

Their act of caring was far beyond their professionalism and dedication to their work. Their kindness will long be remembered.

At the 2004 Oregon Peace Officers Award Ceremony Officers Mike Irvine and Jim Derrickson received the Public Service Award.

PUBLIC SERVICE AWARD

Westside Crime Prevention Coalition

True community policing is listening to the needs and concerns of your community and actively working to address those needs through teamwork.  In Washington County they have a team that works collectively to do just that: the Westside Crime Prevention Coalition Team of crime prevention specialists from Washington County Sheriff's Office, Hillsboro, Beaverton, Tigard and the Forest Grove Police Departments.

Throughout Washington County, there had been a significant need for more education geared towards their rental property and property managers.  The Westside Crime Prevention Coalition was formed and developed monthly landlord forums to address a variety of issues specifically related to landlord/tenant issues.  These issues ranged from landlord/tenant laws, methamphetamine labs, gang information, and how to maintain an enhanced safety property.  Each month, this group has addressed new issues, which have been expressed as areas of concern by rental property owners and managers.

The team has also brought educational opportunities to the hotel and motel industry by providing preventative training on reducing the element of crime transpiring in the hotel and motel industry.  The training was conducted with English and Spanish speaking personnel in the industry, which provided hospitality staff with the suggested steps to take if they noticed criminal activity.  The hospitality industry in Washington County valued this training developed for their specific needs in the efforts to reduce crime at their businesses.

Addressing the needs of any community can be difficult and often times costly to any law enforcement budget.  The Westside Crime Prevention Coalition has recognized that and has combined their resources to bring greater educational opportunities too not only each specific community but to all communities throughout Washington County.

At the 2004 Oregon Peace Officers Award Ceremony Westside Crime Prevention Coalition received the Public Service Award.

Deborah  Dawn “Debi” Klecker

1953-2005

OPOA member and law enforcement training professional Deborah  Dawn “Debi” Klecker was killed in a roadside bomb attack in Iraq on June 27th, 2005. Klecker, 51, was serving in the Baghdad area as an international police liaison officer for DynCorp. International. She was traveling in a three-vehicle convoy when an improvised explosive device detonated. She died in a combat support hospital from injuries received from the blast. Klecker was the first female from Oregon to be killed in the Iraq war.

Silverton Police Chief Rick Lewis, currently serving in Iraq was quoted in the Appeal Tribune, “For several years, I chaired the Oregon Board on Public Safety Standards and Training and had the pleasure of working with Debi Klecker ... during our terms on the Board,”

“I also served with her on the Memorial Fund Board which oversees payments to law enforcement officers' families when an officer dies or is permanently and totally disabled in the line of duty.  Debi was a firm believer in law enforcement training and professionalism and she was a valuable contributor to both of those boards.”

“She's been somebody a lot of people have looked up to and respected for many years,” said Salem Police Lt. Dave Okada, who also worked with Klecker when she worked as a Marion County Sheriff's Deputy.

“You will hear it over and over what a spectacular woman she was,” Salem Police Sgt. Russ Morris said. When Morris was contacted by a background investigator for DynCorp, he was asked if Klecker would be a good representative of the United States. His answer: “You look up honesty, dignity and integrity in the dictionary, and her picture will be there.”

Morris was one of the last people Klecker spoke to. She called via satellite phone Sunday, the night before she was killed.

The Oregon Peace Officers Association, the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training, the Marion County Sheriff's Office, the Salem Police Department and law enforcement associates and friends across the state will miss her and will remember her contributions to the law enforcement profession.

Debi Klecker was born Aug. 28, 1953, in Salem to Raymond and Patricia Klecker. Her stepmother was Mildred Klecker. She graduated from McNary High School and Chemeketa Community College.

Debi worked as a Marion County Sheriff's Deputy for 19 years. She moved to Bend in 1997, where she owned and operated an equine sewing business. In March 2005 she took the job in Iraq and served for only four months.

Survivors include her parents; a brother, Greg of Bend; and two sisters, Chris of Lincoln City and Caren of Gig Harbor, Wash. She was preceded in death by her mother and four grandparents.

Oregon State Memorial Service:

On May 12, 2005 the memorial held at the Oregon Police Academy in Monmouth was a humbling reminder of those who made the ultimate sacrifice for the safety of others. The Oregon Peace Officer’s Association proudly sponsored the memorial wreath that was placed at the base of the memorial to honor fallen officers. OPOA has been an instrumental part of the wreath laying for many years and this year’s service was attended by several OPOA members including president Rick Igou and Secretary Larry Stephens.

The Memorial Ride:

On May 14, 2005, the Blue Knights chapter in Oregon sponsored a Law Enforcement Memorial Ride to pay tribute to those who have paid the ultimate price. It was a huge success with more than 292 participants riding! More than a dozen motorcycle owners’ groups from Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Nevada joined the ride. The profit in the vicinity of $4,000 was donated to the Make A Wish Foundation.

Officers' Memorial:

The Skyline Memorial Gardens’ May event in memory of fallen Law Enforcement and Military personnel went extremely well according to event coordinator Dave Alford. Part of the event was a salute to the Japanese American (Nisei) Veterans. You might have seen it on the news.

Highlights included the Oregon Military Museum display, a Blackhawk fly-over, a twenty-one artillery cannon salute, and a silent moment when one bugler played taps and a second bugler played the “echo” off of a distant hillside. More than 200 participants shared a meal after the event.

Guests included the Japanese Consul-General. Mr. Jim Willis, Director of the Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs and past OPOA Officer and Board Member, was a featured speaker. Next year they intend to feature “Native American Veterans” and “Women in the Military”.

Lebanon PD Raises Funds for Special Olympics:

President Rick Igou reports that Lebanon PD has arranged to use the Red Lobster restaurant as a fund raiser for Oregon Special Olympics. This is the 10th year for this fund raiser. On one Friday evening they raised $1,480.00 to help this worthy cause. It will be donated in the name of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for the Special Olympics.