POLICE LINEUPS UNDER QUESTION AGAIN

In case you thought it was just in New York, it�s not.

The validity of police lineups continues to come under scrutiny, as the standard of eyewitness identification is questioned by many in the legal profession.

Backed up by psychological studies, it is more an more becoming the norm that an eyewitness identification is one of the LEAST reliable factors in identifying the guilty perpetrator.

This issue is now being addressed in Illinois, where three jurisdictions are testing the blind lineup and the sequential lineup procedure versus the traditional standing lineup.
Illinois is testing this identification method in an effort to determine whether it is helpful in avoiding the falsely imprisoning of people.

In a February 8, 2005 article in NEWSDAY, it was reported that a pilot study is under way since last fall, in which these different ways of conducting lineups, that some say could sharply reduce the number of false identifications, is being tested in Chicago, Evanston and Joliet.

There are numerous researchers who advocate another approach, the "sequential" lineup, where suspects are brought in one at a time so witnesses can examine each individually.

As was reported on this site almost three years ago, this procedure is already used in New Jersey and with half a dozen police departments across the country. Another alternative procedure, the �blind lineup�, is often written into court orders for lineups in New York City, at the request of the defense attorney. When so written in the court order, there is no choice on the part of law enforcement, and they have been conducted here.

"Psychologically, it's a very different experience," one of the defense attorney advocates has noted. "With the [traditional lineup] it's a relative judgment process that leads to the identification rather than what we're after, which is true recognition."

Mistaken identification--which was a factor in more than 75 percent of the 155 DNA exonerations across the country since 1989, according to the Innocence Project � is believed, can be cut in half or more with sequential lineups.

We are sure to see much discussion, and procedural questions, in this area.


DNA FROM FINGERPRINTS

The ability to extract DNA from a fingerprint has been under discussion, and this ability should prove very promising to investigators.

As the area of eyewitness identifications come under consistent questioning and scrutiny, it is the forensic evidence that the public � and the legal community � want to see more of. As an investigator, I�m sure we�d all like to see more forensic evidence � that lack of which is continually questioned, for sure.

While we continue to wait months for DNA test results, I found it quite interesting to learn of a new procedure being utilized in Canada that can prove to be extremely valuable and helpful.

In an article that originally was published in July of 2003, Canadian scientists have developed a technique to extract DNA from fingerprints in 15 minutes.
The team of scientists at the Ottawa University Heart Institute were capable of consistently extracting 10 nanograms of DNA from a single fingerprint. The new extraction technique is under patent and is considerably less expensive than previous time consuming techniques.

Further research is still needed to determine how well the process works in various environments involving humidity and temperature conditions as well as from various substrates.

The fact that this testing is underway provides some hope that we can see turnaround time on DNA testing here in NYC brought in line with required investigative expectations.

Perhaps some day the Medical Examiner�s DNA Lab will be completed and fully functional, staffed properly to provide the needed test results. We can only hope.

To see the full story on this DNA test of fingerprints, check out this site.

Full Story at Florida Division of IAI Website


THE POLICE CAMP

I�ve written previously about the Police Recreation Centre, better known by anyone that had the opportunity to visit, as the Police Camp.

A new web site has been found, by the current owner of that site, that provides some background and quite a number of historic photos.

A little history is note from the website. In 1921 the New York City Police Department built a resort hotel near Tannersville, New York. About 1 year later this hotel burned to the ground. This was not the end however.

In 1922, the hotel was rebuilt in a 3-story brick and stucco structure. For the next 60 years this resort was the establishment of countless happy memories of NYPD families and friends getting together for a week in the Catskill Mountains.

Many see this time as the happiest moments of their lives. It was a chance to be up in the mountains, away from the city with all the wonders of nature coupled with modern conveniences like a movie theater and casino. It provided a safe environment for the family � surrounded by all NYPD MOS, a sense of safety for your children was felt by many. Everyone looked after one another. It also provided a relatively modest cost for a policeman�s family to get away �to the mountains� for a week.

In 1983, after a failed attempt to revitalize the Police Recreation Center, it was closed, seemingly, for good. For eight years the Center remained unoccupied, and little by little began falling into disrepair.

A group called the Bruderhof bought the complex in 1990 and moved in. After much hard work the former Recreation Center began to take on its original captivating beauty. Today about 350 people, old and young, live and work together. They support themselves with a business making equipment for the handicapped as well as for daycare centers and schools.

You can check out the site at:

http://www.catskillbruderhof.com/prc/index.htm


TRUTH IS ONCE AGAIN STRANGER THAN FICTION

The following mind-boggling attempt at a crime spree in Washington appeared to be the robber's first (and last), due to his lack of a previous record of violence, and his terminally stupid choices:

1. His target was H&J Leather & Firearms, a gun shop specialising in handguns.
2. The shop was full of customers - firearms customers.
3. To enter the shop, the robber had to step around a marked police car parked at the front door.
4. A uniformed officer was standing at the counter, having coffee before work.

Upon seeing the officer, the would-be robber announced a hold-up, and fired a few wild shots from a .22 target pistol. The officer and a clerk promptly returned fire, the police officer with a 9mm Glock 17, the clerk with a .50 Desert Eagle, assisted by several customers who also drew their guns, several of whom also fired.

The robber was pronounced dead at the scene by Paramedics. Crime scene investigators located 47 expended cartridge cases in the shop. The subsequent autopsy revealed 23 gunshot wounds. Ballistics identified rounds from 7 different weapons.

No one else was hurt in the exchange of fire.


IMPROVED PRODUCTIVITY?

I found it interesting to note the following crime statistics.

In 1990, 2,245 were murdered; in 2004, there were 566 murders citywide.

In 1990, 147,123 cars were stolen; in 2004, auto thefts in the city totaled 21,848.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation now considers New York the country�s safest big city.

Some people might consider this to be a result of good policing. While many like to broadcast how safe the city has become, how tourism has benefited, and hotel occupancy continues to remain high, there are few who seem to give any credit to the men and women of the police department who have worked at this.


IN MEMORIAM: PO IRVING SMITH & PO SERAPHIN CALABRESE

It was been 25 Years since PO Irving Smith, and PO Seraphin "Sammy" Calabrese, of the Transit Police Department, were killed in the Line of Duty.

On February 28, 1980, P.O. Irving Smith was gunned down a day after attending the funeral of PO Sammy Calabrese.

Officer Smith, a divorced father of two, had been on the force for 12 years. He was killed only a day after the burial of Seraphin Calabrese, a 34 year-old transit policeman who was fatally shot with his own gun after he tried to arrest a man who had jumped a subway turnstile and disarmed him with a karate kick.

According to the police account, Officer Smith, wearing civilian clothes, was in Club477, a bar at 477 Rogers Avenue in the Crown Heights section, when the holdup occurred at 1:30 A.M. The bar is near his home at 162 Maple Street. A man who had been drinking quietly with a male companion at the bar suddenly drew a .38 caliber revolver and leaped onto a small stage used by performers at the club and announced a holdup. The man was later identified as Rudolph Brown, 26, of 346 Lincoln Road in the Prospect Park section.

His companion, brandishing a knife with a nine-inch blade, vaulted the bar and moved toward the cash register. His name was later given as Leslie Burgess, 28, of 358 Lincoln Road.

Mr. Brown reportedly told the 12 customers present to place their valuables on the bar and lie on the floor. Some witnesses said Officer Smith then drew his gun and identified himself as an officer. Almost instantly, there was an exchange of gunfire; Officer Smith was hit by two of the five shots fired at him.

Officer Smith fired six rounds from his off-duty gun, striking Mr. Brown in the head, neck and chest. Mr. Burgess, though hit in the chest, was able to flee. Officer Smith and Mr. Brown were later pronounced dead on arrival at Kings County Hospital.

Thirty minutes later, a man fitting the description of the second hold-up man arrived at St. Mary's Hospital for treatment and was quickly placed under arrest.

And this was only 2 days after PO Oscar Soto of District 32 was seriously wounded in Brooklyn. Welcome to the 1980's�. in the first 8 weeks of the new decade 10 police officers had been shot within the city, four of them were killed. An unbelievable statistic and if you were on the job at the time, it was certain to lead everyone with a shield into the mindset that they were being besieged and it was a war on the streets.

(Thank you, Sgt Mike Fanning, for providing info on this.)


HISTORICAL NOTE

The influenza was one of the two factors resulting in the wholesale decimation of the ranks of the NYPD in October of 1918.

At the time the department operated the ambulance service for NYC. One called the local precinct for a bus (ambulance).

The desk officer kept a log similar to the one kept for today's ROTOW program, only for doctors. A patrolman was dispatched with a horse drawn NYPD patrol wagon to pick up a local doctor and response to the residence of the aided. The unlucky patrolman would then have the responsibility of delivering the aided to the hospital (or morgue as appropriate) and return the doctor to his residence.

The second other major factor for the decimation of the ranks of NYC police officers in October of 1918 was the Meuse-Argonne offensive of World War I. Hundreds of NYPD patrolmen joined the 29th Infantry Division to fight in France under the buddy system, where members of a precinct could join together to fight together.

As a result of the Meuse-Argonne carnage, many brave NYC police officers made the ultimate sacrificed. As a result of these October 1918 loses the department for the first time issued an order that one could not join the military without the expressed writtenpermission of the police commissioner.

(Thanks to NYPD Historian, Retired Det Mike Bosak, for this information).


FOR THE CORPORATE MARKET

Those who have joined the corporate sector may find the following of interest.

It appears that it pays to invest in security.

A recent study called �Prospering in the Secure Economy� conducted by Deloitte & Touche USA LLP found that investment in corporate security leads to real, measurable business benefits including cost reduction, enhanced revenue, reduced risk and brand protection. Recent government security initiatives and new legislation mean that a wide range of industries are upgrading their security functions.

Investing in security � though costly � is essential and must be integrated into a company�s operational planning, the survey suggests.

By doing so the private sector can safeguard critical infrastructure and vulnerable supply chains while maximizing shareholder value.


NICKYYYYYY

The day has come. Det Nick Dimonda, of the 77 Squad, has retired.

Nicky was always quite a colorful character. It is safe to say that he will be missed by many. I can honestly say that anytime Nicky left a room, he left a mark there. Most likely he left people smiling, maybe even laughing. He is the kind of detective that keeps a squad room jumping, makes it fun to be at work.

I can recall many a time after a conversation with Nick about one or another investigative issues, when I said to myself � or anyone else that may have been there at the time � Does he really think I believe that?

By his own account, the one area where he will surely not be missed is at Fleet Services.

According to Nicky, his eighteen auto accidents with department autos over the past twenty odd years is probably a record � and as he officially comes �off the books� he is willing to admit that not one � not any � of those actually happened exactly as they have been thought to. Does anyone find that startling?

I recall the accident he had while in Kings North Warrants, when the double parked auto jumped out of �Park� and coasted into a parked auto. Apparently a manufacturers defect.

We won�t even begin to mention the large stuffed wild animal incident, in Brooklyn South PMD, will we?

Yes, a colorful character for sure.

Many of his close friends gathered recently at Two Tom�s to bid him a fond farewell, wishing him a happy retirement. (Perhaps it was just one or two friends, and a gathering of other people who couldn�t pass up on the four-inch thick pork chops?)

Anyway, more on the retirement gathering at another time.

For now, we wish to extend our deepest thanks for having the opportunity to have worked with you. Good luck, Nickyyyyyyyyy.


�LEST WE FORGET�� THE NYPD MEMORIAL

March 9, 1948 PO Julius Mirell, 34 Pct, Shot-burglary
March 9, 1974 PO Timothy Hurley, 103 Pct, Shot-robbery
March 10, 1917 Ptl Deforest Fredenburg & Ptl John Lober, No information available
March 10, 1994 PO Sean McDonald, 44 Pct, Shot-Robbery
March 11, 1930 Ptl Joseph Scott, 32 Pct, auto accident on patrol
March 11, 1947 Ptl Winthrop Paris, 30 Pct, Shot-Investigation, off duty
March 11, 1959 Ptl Robert Forrest, 24 Pct, Off duty LOD heart attack
March 11, 1987 Det Louis Miller, FTU10, Shot-Burglary in progress
March 12, 1909 Lt Joseph Petrosino, Det Div; Shot � Investigation in Italy
March 12, 1931 Ptl James Flanagan, 25 Pct, Shot- off duty investigation
March 14, 1872 Det Phillip Lambreck, 19 Pct, Assaulted
March 14, 1967 Det John Pollins, Narc, Arrest- narcotics buy/bust
March 14, 1996 PO Kevin Gillespie, SCU, Shot � investigation
March 15, 1922 Ptl James McMail, 85 Pct, Assaulted during arrest
March 15, 1930 Ptl Walter DeCastillo, 84 Pct, Shot- robbery in progress
March 15, 1934 Ptl Philip Clarius, 78 Pct, Shot � robbery in progress
March 15, 1936 Ptl Dioniso Pasquarella, 75 Pct, Shot � off duty altercation
March 16, 1940 Ptl Francis Dolan, 10 Pct, Fell from auto
March 17, 1956 Ptl George Lessler, 10 Pct, LOD heart attack
March 18, 1926 Ptl William Higgins, 13 Div, LOD injury
March 18, 1948 Ptl John Casey, 20 Pct, LOD injury
March 18, 1972 Ptl Elijah Stroud, 80 Pct, Shot � robbery
March 19, 1943 Ptl James Donovan, 75 Pct, Shot � investigation, off duty
March 20, 1804 Ptl Hugh Enright, 24 Pct, Shot- burglary arrest
March 20, 1963 Ptl John Tuohy, TD2, Heart attack chasing felon

�In homicide, you never solve anything alone.�

HOW THINGS HAVE CHANGED

I can�t imagine this ever being said in today�s day and age.

In the December 1965 edition of SPRING 3100, the feature story had to do with the change in the city�s administration. Mayor Robert Wagner Jr. had completed his third term as mayor, and was being succeeded by John V. Lindsay.

In the twelve years that Wagner served as Mayor it was noted that the salary of Patrolman rose from $4780 on January 1, 1954 to $8840 at the current 1965 rate. Advancements were made in many areas, including overtime pay and residency extensions to outer counties.

�Mayor Wagner abided by his promise to permit no political intrusion into the operation of the Police Department�, stated former Commissioner Michael Murphy. Commissioner Murphy further stated that he had �only two phone calls from the Mayor� during the entire time he was in charge of the department.


REMEMBERING OUR PAST: DET. ALBERT MAXWELL

Det. Albert Maxwell of the 23 Squad was recognized by the city�s two major newspapers, as their �Hero of the Month�, in October 1965.

Both the Daily News and the Journal-American recognized Maxwell for his off-duty capture of a bandit following an exchange of gunfire near a Queens liquor store. The bandit was wounded in the battle.

It was on Columbus Day 1965 that Det. Maxwell was taking his two chi8ldren for a drive when he saw a man running along a South Jamaica street. Stopping the car, he learned from the man that a nearby liquor store was being held up. As Maxwell approached the shop a man ran out with a gun in his hand. The detective ordered him to halt after identifying himself but the man spun around and fired two shots at the officer. They missed. Maxwell fired back hitting the gunman in the chest and in the ensuing struggle received cuts about his eye that required several stitches.


SUGGESTION AWARDS � 1965

Some of the MOS who received cash awards for suggestions during the year 1965 are noted below. Some of them make you wonder, don�t they?

Here�s one having to do with those DD forms. Ptl. James Reilly of the 7 Div received $25 for proposing that the DD 52F, the Known Gambler Card, be revised to allow space for a photograph to be placed.

Another Detective form was addressed with the $20 that Lt. James Dicks received for proposing that the form 64B, the recap of detective arrest activity, be resized so that it would fit into a typewriter (!). (How big was it before?)

Lt. Armando Garcia received $25 for proposing that city agencies should give advance notice to members when they need them at court or other proceedings. (As opposed to� surprise court appearances?)

A $20 award went to Ptl Thomas Landers for proposing that TA subway maps be placed in the station house sitting rooms.

Captain Rudolph Blaum received $10 for proposing that signs be printed for the station house reminding MOS that it is desirable to be courteous under all conditions.



THE 74 PRECINCT

The 74 Precinct moved into a new stationhouse on August 5 of 1965. That building it was is today known as �The Park House�, at Prospect Park, and utilized by BSTF.

The 74 Precinct covered the area of Prospect Park, Grand Army Plaza, half of the Park Circle, and also included the area of the Parade Grounds, Botanic Gardens and Guider Park. It was noted that while some four million persons visit Prospect Park annually, only two live there � the caretakers of the Lefferts Mansion, built in 1777 and moved to the park in 1918, when the precinct was then numbered the 77 Precinct.


INMATE RELEASE PHOTO INFORMATION

Did you know that the State Inmate Release photos are available in the Photo Unit?

The Photo Unit receives inmate release photos from State Corrections. The Photo Unit makes an original negative, which is obtainable and stored under the inmates NYSID #. In addition, one copy of the release photo is sent to the Detective Borough of inmate residence, and one copy is sent to the Detective Squad of the releasee�s residence.


THE NYPD IN TELEVISION

Thanks to the excellent site www.policeny.com for compiling a great history of the NYPD in television and the movies.

Here are some old favorites.

DECOY

Ran from 1957-58. This show starred Beverly Garland as an undercover policewoman.Notable in that it was oneof the first NYPD shows and the main character was a female.

Remember that this was at a time when most Policewomen acted as matrons, or worked in the Juvenile Aid Bureau.

BRENNER

This show ran from 1959-60. It starred Edward Binns and James Broderick as father and son detectives whose assignments often crossed.

A good show but unfortunately short lived.

INTERESTING WEB SITE ON IDENTITY THEFT

Identity Theft Resource Now Available OnlineThe National Criminal Justice Research Service has recently announced an addition to their �In the Spotlight" series, this one on identity theft.

This online resource provides information on the topics of identity theft and includes links to publications, statistics, legislation, funding, and training resources. (NCJRS)

You can access the spotlight :

http://www.ncjrs.org/spotlight/identity_theft/summary.html

LAWS OF FASHION

The most recent edition of ESQUIRE magazine includes a rather large section concerning laws of fashion � things to keep in mind as a sharp dressing detective. Although it wasn�t put together by Conde Nast�s GQ, I�m sure there are certain key points that many can relate to.

Well, realistically, I�m sure some of our sharper dressing gumshoes can relate to, but maybe others � leaving some names out like Larry Eggers, wouldn�t know if they were hit on the head.

Sharp dressing detectives has always been a stickler to The Minister � A Detective should dress like a Detective! I could never understand detective�s dressing like they were back in anti-crime. Look the part, act the part, and earn the respect afforded the part. Or, as has been put by other fashion experts � �Dress for the job that you want, not the job that you have�. In any event, while unwritten as such in Esquire, the meaning is simple � Detective�s should dress sharp.

Some of the 50 Laws of Fashion that Esquire quoted I had to take particular note of � some for the affirmation of their intention, and some for their foolishness to the otherwise sharp dressing sleuth.

For example, one of their first laws is that it is �Better to be overdressed than underdressed�. For the boardroom, the corporate water cooler, and � if I may add - the squad room as well, certainly a good rule to follow. Don�t believe me? Walk into an interview room dressed in t-shirt and jeans, like every other anti-crime cop, and start an interview / debriefing. Then try the same interview dressed in a suit; if you don�t think it has an initial influence on your subject, you�re wrong. If you don�t believe me, just ask around, and check with some of the other experts. (As an unnamed source once put it, the ideal interviewer dresses like a fed, and interviews like an NYPD detective!)

ESQUIRE recommends that you leave the pockets of your suit jacket sealed, just the way they came. �Opening them for cell phones and keys is the quickest way for them to lose its shape�. This is coupled with another law that says �Nothing says jackass quite as well as a cell phone on a belt clip�. Here is where I have to take exception with these experts.

They certainly do not have the detective in mind, not in today�s day and age. My question is, if the pockets are to remain sealed, and nothing else goes on your belt � where do you put ALL of that extra STUFF you carry? Cell phone, beeper, cuffs, extra magazine, handgun: all items that you regularly load onto your belt. Unless you are supposed to be carrying a �man bag�, a European men�s carry-bag, or can be fortunate enough to travel with your own personal valet, there�s just no way around it � you need the pockets, and some of the belt.

The fashion police do not address the issue of lapel pins worn on suit jackets; in the world of fashion, there is no such thing. If I may try to add my recommendation, lapel pins should be limited to no more than 1 at a time. Pins denoting merit over membership should take precedence; subtlety is a key. The same for tie pins. It�s noted here that ESQUIRE didn�t address the issue of tie pins or tie tac�s, yet the newest issue of GQ does. According to GQ, tie clips are ok, as long as they are �simple� and don�t have those alligator-tooth sides that chew up your tie�s material. And tie clips, when worn, should be worn below the level of where your suit jacket is buttoned (rule of thumb � if your jacket is buttoned, you don�t see the tie tac. Subtlety, again, should be the rule here as well.

And just how long should that tie be? �Your tie tip should just reach your waistband�. A pretty simple rule to follow, for most people. Just how Larry Eggers is supposed to figure out where his waistband is at any given time is another question; his waistband moves like the changing tide. Actually, none of these rules apply to Larry. He�s a fashion enigma unto himself.

Maybe some of our former super-sleuths working for fashion publications can make a suggestion, for a fashion spread on the well-dressed detective � how to dress fashionable, and practical. Maybe Mr. Cantwell can mention it to Si Newhouse next time they pass in the elevator!


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

February 21, 1920 Ptl Henry Immen, 53 Pct, Shot-burglary in progress
February 21, 1982 PO george Werdann, 47 Pct, Robbery, off duty
February 22, 1925 Ptl Maurice Harlow, 13 Pct, Shot by prisoner
February 23, 1930 Ptl Joseph Keenan, PA, Shot-accidental discharge
February 24, 1930 Ptl George Coughlin, Mcy Dist, Auto accident on patrol
February 24, 1968 Ptl John Augulis, 83 Pct, LOD heart attack
February 24, 1980 PO Seraphin Calabrese, TPD-1, Shot-arrest
February 25, 1938 Ptl Henry Masterdon, 11 Pct, Injured on patrol
February 26, 1988 PO Edward Byrne, 103 Pct, Shot-assassination guarding witness
February 28, 1928 Ptl John Hubbard, Traffic A, Auto accident on patrol
February 28, 1952 Sgt Paul Brooks, GCP Pct, Motorcycle accident
February 28, 1970 Ptl Michael Melchionna, TPD1, Shot-investigation
February 29, 1980 Ptl Irving Smith, TPD-PA, Shot-off duty robbery
March 1, 1945 PO Albert Black, Traffic F, Fire rescue
March 1, 1970 PO Joseph Mariconda, Aviation and
PO Patrick Harrington, Aviation
Helicopter Accident

A DETECTIVE

A detective must possess patience and perseverance.

To succeed he must not be easily discouraged. His duty is to detect. Detection is something more than a mere conclusion or expression of opinion.

Do not jump at conclusions from the information submitted at the time the complaint is received � investigate at once. Take nothing for granted � investigate and be convinced.

A good detective is always more or less suspicious and very inquisitive.

(Taken from the 1940 NYPD Manual of Procedure)


JADED THOUGHTS OF A BROOKLYN DETECTIVE

Driving in to work one morning, the radio news was reporting a naked female washed up, DOA, on the shore of Hoboken, NJ. They reported it was under �suspicious circumstances�.

My first thought was, what would be the �un-suspicious� circumstances that a naked female would wash up on the shore DOA?

My next thought, jaded by some would say too much time in Brooklyn North, was that somehow I was sure this would come back to East New York. I wasn�t sure just how, but I wouldn�t at all be surprised.


HOCKEY VIEWPOINTS

Did we really need the NHL to announce, on February 11, that the hockey season was very close to being officially cancelled?

Did anyone think they�d still be able to get a good 10-game season in before everyone made the playoffs, or what? I just think that by February it�s pretty obvious; if you haven�t played a game yet, there�s no season. But then again, what do I know?

I can�t help thinking that for some New York fans � whether they are Rangers or Islanders � it at least prevents their team from having a LOSING season. I�m a cynical Rangers fan, as you can tell.

I�ve been rooting for the Rangers since they played hockey without any helmets, and the entire league consisted of six teams. A league composed of 99% Canadian players, in four American cities and two Canadian cities. At a time when not only did they not wear helmets, but the goalies didn�t wear any masks!

Think about that for a moment. What type of person do you suppose volunteered for that position? �We�re going to shoot these hard rubber objects at you at up to 90 miles and hour, and we want you to stand there and block it with your body; and you don�t need any stinkin� masks, either�. I think that had a lot to do with the number of hockey teams in the league. Just follow me for a second.

If you�ve ever gotten together to play hockey, whether it be roller or the real kind, on ice, you probably have noticed that a goalie is a treasured position. In fact, if you�re a goalie, you can probably show up at any ice rink, with your equipment, and find yourself playing any number of games you�d like � everyone always needs a goalie.

Imagine doing this without any mask. You get to wear really big pads on your legs, but your head is left wide open. Probably not too many people volunteering for that job, I would imagine. That�s probably why you had only six NHL teams � not too easy getting anyone to play goal, even in Canada, right? By the way, it was only as I grew older that I realized that those big leg pads had nothing to do with protecting your legs � it was made to keep that puck out of the goal! Using that rationale, I�m surprised they never thought of a large object to wear on your head, like a Green Bay Packers-type �cheesehead� � make it harder to get that puck in the goal � nothing to do with protecting the head, of course.


FROM THE FASHION DETECTIVE

The latest issue of ESQUIRE contains pages of �fashion tips� that will be recounted on this site on the next posting. Surely some of our gumshoes could use a little fashion advice.

I�m not talking about some retirees like Johnny Belfort or John Muller � they knew how to dress. And probably of no use to some others, with names like Larry Eggers and Nick Dimonda coming to mind. In fact, it�s been heard that after taking one look at what they had to work with in Larry Eggers, the crew of �Queer Eye for the Straight Guy� all decided to date women!

One tip from ESQUIRE that I seem to recall, especially so this past week, was one of their �Esquire Rules for the Fashionable Man�.

ESQUIRE noted at one time that �Every man should know how to iron a shirt�.

I bet there�s at least one male MOS who wishes he had taken that advice.



YOU CAN�T MAKE THIS STUFF UP

Some actual quotes as heard from the Brooklyn North squad room.


�That�s putting the horse before the cart�

�If you don�t like the smell of Ben-Gay, try using the senseless kind�

�I got a mind brain headache (migraine headache)�

�He�s like a bull in a china closet�

�Behind every cloud is a silver platter�

�Go through everything with a fine toothbrush�

�Too many fires on the iron�

�It�s the best truth I could come up with�

Det to perp: �There�s an allegation against you��
Perp: �Officer, then I gotta talk to the alligator!�

�I can�t come into work. I have striped throat�.



INTERESTING WEB SITES

Journalist's ToolboxLots of resources. Scroll down to see them. There is also a place to sign up for their newsletter which will notify you if they add a new resource.

http://www.americanpressinstitute.org/content/4040.cfm


Government Employee Lookup: Provides a few different databases that can be searched for government employees including employees at state and federal levels.

www.whowhere.com/GovtPages

Informus: Allows you to perform a name search by previous address

www.informus.com/adrrpt.html

Switch Board: Find people using their surname, address or telephone number.

www.switchboard.com/

Who Where - People Locator: Allows you to search for people using their name. Also includes various other search utilities including email address and company lookups.

www.whowhere.com/


10-13 BENEFIT

A 10-13 Benefit is being held on Thursday, February 24, starting at 7 PM, to benefit the families of Det. ROBERT PARKER and DET. PATRICK RAFFERTY, of the 67 Squad, who were both killed in the line of duty this past year.

The event will take place at The El Caribe Caterers, 5945 Strickland Ave, Brooklyn.

Hosted by The Highlanders M/C, the Open Bar, Full Hot and Cold Buffet, and music by STE Entertainment will go for $60. pp.

You can contact the 67 Squad or Brooklyn South Homicide for tickets or more info.


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

February 11, 1966 Ptl Stanley Butch, Harbor, Fell from boat
February 11, 1982 PO James Carragher, PSA1, Shot: Off duty robbery
February 12, 1930 Ptl George Miller, 22 Pct, Auto accident on patrol
February 12, 1936 Ptl James Young, Mounted, Shot-robbery
February 12, 1940 Ptl John Holt, 28 Pct, Off-duty burglary
February 12, 1980 PO Robert Bilodeau, SCU, Shot-investigation
February 13, 1918 Ptl Samuel Rosenfeld, 102 Pct, Shot-Robbery in progress
February 14, 1921 Ptl John Sheridan, 70 Pct, Line of duty incident
February 14, 1925 Det Chester Hagan, DetDiv, Shot-investigation
February 14, 1963 Ptl Vincent Zichetella, 14 Pct, Shot-robbery
February 14, 1984 PO Thomas Ruotolo, 41 Pct, Shot-Robbery
February 14, 1999 PO Matthew Dziergowski, 123 Pct, Auto accident
February 15, 1917 Ptl Samuel Cunningham, 42 Pct, Shot-GLA Arrest
February 15, 1932 Ptl James Goodwin, 34 Pct, Shot-off duty robbery
February 15, 1971 Det Joseph Piciano, 41 Sq, Shot by prisoner
February 16, 1918 Det John Quinn, DetDiv, Physical assault during arrest
February 16, 1923 Det John Donohue, DetDiv, Shot by EDP
February 16, 1923 Ptl Joseph Reilly, 21 Pct, Shot by perp
February 16, 1941 Ptl Leon Fox, 60 Pct, Shot-Robbery in progress
February 17, 1921 Det Joseph Bridgetts, DetDiv, Shot-GLA Arrest
February 17, 1996 PO Charles Oddo, Hwy2, Struck by auto
February 19, 1931 Det Christopher Scheuing, 13Sq, Shot-burglary in progress
February 19, 1968 Ptl Anthony Graffia, 106 Pct, Shot-robbery
February 19, 1971 PO Horace Lord, MN PEP Sqd, Shot-arrest investigation
February 20, 1921 Ptl George Smith, 96 Pct, LOD Accident
February 20, 1971 Det Erle Thompson, 114 Pct, Shot-off duty domestic dispute


TO CONTACT THE MINISTER OF INVESTIGATION...

Send an e-mail to:

Ltjac77@yahoo.com

Wishing all readers a very Happy Valentines Day!

�� the less I say, the more my work gets done.�
From PHILADELPHI FREEDOM, by Elton John & Bernie Taupin

Don�t you sometimes wish more people followed this advise?


EVIDENCE

There are four broad categories of criminal evidence, each with its own strengths and weaknesses.

Circumstantial evidence involves such things as the suspect's opportunity to commit a crime (alibi), his access to commit a crime (special means or knowledge) and motive (financial or psychological). Even if a particular suspect has opportunity, access and motive to commit a crime, in all likelihood, so too do other suspects. Consequently, circumstantial evidence is the weakest proof of a suspect's guilt.

Testimonial evidence involves human inferences or interpretation. For example, an eye witness who relies on memory to pick out a suspect from a line-up is offering testimonial evidence. Other examples include behavior symptom analysis, polygraph, handwriting analysis, medical and psychiatric opinions and information provided by an informant. While testimonial evidence tends to directly link the suspect to a crime, its accuracy can range from chance levels to within the 90thpercentile.

Forensic evidence describes scientific testing that matches an unknown sample to its source. Examples of forensic evidence include fingerprints, tool marks, DNA, hair and fiber analysis, toxicology reports as well as ballistics. While forensic evidence is extremely accurate, it rarely proves a suspect's guilt. Rather, the evidence may indicate that the suspect was at the crime scene, had sex with the victim or that a bullet was fired from a gun owned by the suspect.

Direct evidence describes evidence that directly links the suspect to a crime. An example is finding property stolen during a burglary in the back seat of the suspect's car that was pulled over two blocks from the home that was burglarized. Other examples include a surveillance video clearly showing the suspect robbing a clerk or an employee caught smoking marijuana in the company washroom.

Direct evidence represents the strongest proof of a suspect's guilt, but rarely exists.


YOU CAN�T MAKE THIS STUFF UP

Police in Los Angeles had good luck with a robbery suspect who just couldn't control himself during a lineup.

When detectives asked each man in the lineup to repeat the words: "Give me all your money or I'll shoot!" the man shouted, "that's not what I said!"


INTERESTING WEB SITES

One stop shopping for terrorism related information!
National Memorial Institute for the Prevention of Terrorism
http://www.mipt.org/


Fone Finder: Local and international phone number database with various search options. Used also to determine who a carrier is for a cell phone.
www.primeris.com/fonefind/


EARLY SECTOR CARS

Thanks for the contribution of Det1 (Ret) John Reilly, who passes on some thoughts on his early days in a radio car.

After about 2 years on foot posts he recalls getting assigned to an RMP car in 1957. The cars were two doors, and where the back seat would be there were two large steel boxes that contained the radio�s transmitter & receiver. The operator (driver) drove for the full 8 hours, and in 1957 they still had manual shift cars.

Sectors in a precinct were numbered, 1, 2, and so on. All cars were called by their car number; he recalls his first car was 301, a later one was 453. If a car was covering more than one sector then at the start of the tour you called Central and told them that 301 would be covering sectors 1, 2, and 3 etc.

If there was a job, the call would be broadcast for �301K�; followed by the recorder�s reply �301 to Central�. A few years later the radio boxes were moved to the trunk of the RMP.

Some of the old timers had told him that it was not until the late 1940s or early 1950s that all RMPs had two way radios. For a good many years the cars also carried in a locked box a .30-30 lever action rifle, however so many were stolen out of the RMPs that by the 1950s they were all removed from the cars.



BY THE WAY�

Did you happen to catch the article on Retired Det1 John Reilly in the latest edition of SPRING 3100?

Appearing in the �Actively Retired� section, it included a great photo of John, his wife and grandchild.

Thanks again, John, for all your contributions to keeping the history of this department alive!



A TIP FOR LOST CAR KEYS

The following tip was sent by Dan Mackey, a Retired Detective who currently works for Homeland Security, and is quite interesting.

Ever lock your keys in the car?

Well, according to Dan, who states this has been verified, there is a way to enter the car with a spare remote control you may have left back in your house or some other location.
This will only work if your car has remote controlled locks. You also need a CELL PHONE handy at your car.

If you lock your keys in the car and the spare keys (remote) are home, call someone at home on your cell phone.

Hold your cell phone about a foot from your car door and have the other person at your home press the unlock button on the remote, holding it near the phone on their end.

Your car will unlock. Saves someone from having to drive your keys to you.

Distance is no object. You could be hundreds of miles away, and as long as you reach someone who has the other "remote" for your car, you can unlock the doors (or the trunk!) According to Dan this works fine; it was tested and proven.


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

January 31, 1901 Ptl Thomas Fitzpatrick, 29 Pct, Explosion-rescue
January 31, 1901 Ptl Edward Mullin, 29 Pct, Explosion-rescue
January 31, 1927 Ptl James Masterson, 18 Div, Shot-robbery in progress
January 31, 1928 Ptl Patrick Fahey, Traffic C, Fall from horse
January 31, 1928 Ptl William Kelly, 37 Pct, Shot-robbery in progress
January 31, 1931 Ptl Harold Conway, 27 Pct, Drowned
January 31, 1959 Ptl Michael Talkowsky, 23 Pct, Shot-robbery
January 31, 1968 Ptl Stephen DellAquila, Safety B, Scooter accident on patrol
January 31, 1984 PO Angelo Brown, 84 Pct, Shot-robbery, off duty
January 31, 1992 PO Hilario Serrano, 43 Pct, Shot-robbery, off duty
February 1, 1935 Sgt George Nadler, ESU, Explosion-investigation
February 2, 1975 PO Frank Bugdin, Midtown North, Shot-investigation
February 4, 1933 Sgt Eugene Monahan, 34 Pct, Shot: Robbery pursuit

It is noted that the ten line of duty deaths recorded on January 31 represent the date with the most line of duty deaths for members of this department other than the loss we suffered on 9-11-01.


Editor�s Note: Regular readers to this site will note the listing of MOS killed in the line of duty is out of sequence from the previous posting. This was my error, and for the sake of properly memorializing these officers, I am posting their names at this time.

CLUBBER WILLIAMS AND THE TENDERLOIN

It has been noted many times that the police force of nineteenth-century New york consisted of many who could best be described as either goons or grifter�s, some of whom saw their chief activity as consisting of extorting protection money from local merchants.
Naturally, some precincts offered more �gravy� than others, and every crooked cop's ambition was to get assigned to a precinct with lots of lucrative crime. There was no more notable precinct for this than what was then the 29th Precinct � consisting of such areas as the fashionable red-light district on the West Side below 42nd St., where the flesh-peddlers were protected by cops who in turn were protected by powerful Tammany Hall.

In 1876, when Capt. Clubber Williams was transferred there, he famously announced: "I've had nothing but chuck steak for a long time, and now I'm going to get a little of the tenderloin." And "the Tenderloin" is what that part of town soon became known as.

One man who disapproved was Dr. Charles Henry Parkhurst, pastor of Madison Square Presbyterian Church.

In 1895, a newly appointed police commissioner named Theodore Roosevelt started cleaning up the corruption, and The Metropolitan Police Force was on its way to becoming New York's Finest.

(The N.Y. State Metropolitan Police ceased policing NYC in 1870 and were disbanded in 1871; the NYPD became the NYPD on April 5, 1870)

Captain �Clubber� Williams is certainly one of the more colorful characters in this department�s history.

Born Alexander Clubber Williams, he was a sailor before joining the NYPD, and he kept that love for the sea. After being promoted to captain, Williams, as an avid and active yachtsman, equipped one of the NYPD harbor launches luxuriously with all the lavish amenities possible at the time for entertaining the ladies and for his own personal use.

As the C.O. of the NYPD Sanitation Bureau (that�s right!), he led the heavily armed, machine gun loaded harbor launches as they escorted NYPD garbage barges in stealthy convoys in the dark of the night to illegally dump NYC garbage off of Bay Ridge. This led to many armed face to face confrontations between the NYPD Harbor launches and Brooklyn PD harbor launches.

In addition to commanding the Sanitation Bureau, Clubber Williams was also the first commanding officer of the NYPD Mounted Unit, which was established July 10, 1871 at 40th Street and Broadway.

Bestowing the nickname on him was no easy task; his legendary use of force is reported to have resulted in that he was either arrested or went to the trial room for assault and excessive use of force 397 times. (And he was promoted to Captain!)

After Williams was forced to retire by Theodore Roosevelt, he bought a boat yard in the old town of Astoria and became one of the largest owner- builders of luxury yachts on the east coast. He was also one of the wealthiest retired members of the department



CRIME FIGHTING STRATEGIES: NEW ORLEANS CAJUN STYLE

A recent visit to the Big Easy was not without a buff-out period with some of New Orleans� gumshoes.

A discussion regarding crime in their city soon focused on the level of violence, which remains rather high, and then to crime within a certain housing project. (In New Orleans they still have �projects�; they had no idea what a �development� was).

The Lincoln Projects, found nestled between the business district and the posh Garden District, was a project of considerable crime and havoc. Drug dealing was rampant, accompanied by the violence that goes hand in hand with the drug trade. Shots fired at police, by police, and a resident list that looked like the roster of Angola prison. Think Cypress Houses combined with the crime and population of the Pink Houses, and you have an idea.

How did they address crime in this project, driving the crime rate down to the lowest it ever saw? Perhaps you are thinking a long-term federal RICO case � wrong. A state organized crime enterprise take-down? Wrong again. Resident undercovers, perhaps? No. Not even technical gadgetry like CCTV or audio monitors were utilized.What they did was more novel than any approach you will ever see in New York.

They leveled the projects, knocking them down to the grounds, razed the property, and sold it to Wal-Mart, who built a �Super Wal-Mart� with a very, very large parking lot!What did you do with the people who were living here, you may ask? �Well, they had to move� was the reply I got.

Apparently many moved outside the city limits, much to the chagrin of the surrounding parishes (counties), but of apparent little concern to the city leadership.Probably had no problem knocking down their COMPSTAT numbers for the first year reporting.


SOME LEGAL DEFINITIONS

Corroborating evidence: Supplementary evidence that tends to strengthen or confirm the initial evidence.

You have one good witness who makes an identification. Corroborating evidence can mean the difference between the case being ready to arrest or not. Are there any supplemental or confirming evidence to help? Perhaps you have a witness who cannot make an ID of the perp, but who can provide details of the crime that serve to confirm those given by your eyewitness.

A good example of this can be a witness who hears a shot, sees a tall male in a red jacket running through the courtyard and get into a white car, and flee the scene. Combined with an eyewitness, who identifies a tall male in a red jacket as the shooter, who runs in the directionthat the second witness indicates, your corroboration should be strong enough to support an arrest and prosecution.

Corroborating evidence can mean the difference between a 1-witness case that won't be written up by the DA, and a case that is viable and prosecutable - and arrestable in the DA's eyes.

DON't discount witnesses who can corroborate the incident even if they cannot provide an identificatiion; they may prove to be very valuable when the entire case is reviewed.


INTERESTING WEB SITES


Pinkertons Global Intelligence Services � Provides weekly intelligence summaries and other related stories.
www.pinkertons.com/pgis


Public Intelligence Review - News and press releases from Public Intelligence Review and Newsletter.

www.ccnet.com/~suntzu75/pirn.htm


Gang Information database - Provides a searchable database of internet links to gang related information.

www.virtuallibrarian.com/gangs/



WHAT ABOUT THE PIZZA?

I recently reported that the famed Brooklyn pizzeria, DiFara�s, was opening a branch in lower Manhattan.The Manhattan location, on Houston Street & MacDougal (just off 6th Avenue) is being run by the daughter and son of the original�s owner.

It�s named Demarco�s, dropping the use of the Brooklyn�s name for some unspecified super-secret pizza reason. Anyway.

Finding my way into Manhattan one afternoon I chose to drop in and make a personal inspection, mostly so that I could �scoop� MISTER John Cantwell who, now that he�s retired, was sure to be checking out the goods in all his �spare� time. I have to admit, I was pretty disappointed � and I never even got to taste the product!

First of all, the NYC location is NOT a copy of the Brooklyn landmark; first of all, there�s no large pizza oven when you walk in the door. In fact, there�s no pizza oven visible at all! There�s a bar (you know, for drinking) and a room full of tables in what looks like a nice Italian restaurant setting � NOT the DiFara�s pizza setting by any means.

Walking in to what I was expecting to be a �pizza-place� really took me by surprise; when asked �how many� to be seated, I could only think to say �I was just looking for some pizza?� Sure � have a seat, as I was handed � a menu?

While the motto at the Brooklyn DiFara�s is more along the line of �If you want a clean table, go ahead � don�t let us stop you from wiping it down�, the Manhattan spot is along the �Italian bistro� setting � very un-detective like. (Well, let me correct that � very un-Brooklyn detective like perhaps).

I�m not saying the pizza isn�t good � I just don�t know yet!

After seating me in a corner table, around the corner from the bar, I was left to peruse the menu for � ten minutes perhaps? There was one other table of people, and those four had apparently already eaten. I didn�t smell any food, and after ten minutes it looked like I wasn�t going to see any, either.

Now, I�m a busy Minister of Investigation. I don�t have lazy afternoons to sit around and wait for a waitress to come and take my order for � 2 slices of pizza?? I couldn�t wait any longer, I had to leave.

I�m pretty sure they make pizza there, because I read it in TIME OUT NY magazine. I just can�t be absolutely certain yet, even upon a personal visit. The room looks nice, like it would make for an �enjoyable dining experience�; I just wanted a slice of pizza, and left hungry.

For all I know �Mr. GQ� John Cantwell has already �scooped� me, and tasted the product. As for me, I�ll have to try another day. I just don�t get the same feel of the atmosphere from DiFara�s in Brooklyn, where the owner puts the pies in, and takes them out of the oven, with his bare hands � who needs those silly wooden pallets anyway?

DeMarco�s may be related, but it�s more like a distant cousin � or one of those �fake uncles� you have in the family.


MORE ON THE NINTH AND CAL�S

A recent posting to this site on the �Fighting Ninth� Precinct, and the station house�s neighbor Cal�s, has prompted some e-mail to The Minister.

Det1 (Ret) John Reilly has some memories of that local joint. It was right next to the 9th Pct. stationhouse, and if you happened to find yourself in the bar very late at night, maybe at 1 am or 2 am Cal, the owner, was known to have announced "O.K,. I'm going home, last one out lock the door and leave the keys at the desk."

Sometime around 1968 Reilly recalls arresting a motor-cycle gang leader at 3rd Street and 2nd Avenue, in possession of a Tomahawk pipe with marijuana in the pipe bowl and a small homemade bomb in his coat pocket. A few weeks later he walked into Cal's and saw the same hoodlum sitting at a table. After giving him a toss, he was given the bum's rush out onto the street with a warning never to come back. Some time later the same punk was seen again in the NYS Supreme Court where he was being arraigned on a charge of murder, for killing and setting on fire a rival gang member.

Apparently not all the people who wanted to hang out in Cal's were "good guys."



�LEST WE FORGET�� THE NYPD MEMORIAL

February 1, 1935 Sgt George Nadler, ESU, Explosion-investigation
February 2, 1975 PO Frank Bugdin, Midtown North, Shot-investigation
February 4, 1933 Sgt Eugene Monahan, 34 Pct, Shot: Robbery pursuit
February 6, 1914 Ptl Edward Murtha, 147 Pct, Shot-Robbery investigation
February 6, 1944 Ptl Eugene Mahoney, 5 Det Sq, Auto accident on patrol
February 9, 1963 Det Richard Arundell, DetDiv, LOD Heart attack
February 10, 1926 Ptl Frank White, 35 Pct, Shot-Burglary in progress

A REPORTERS TAKE ON MURDER- AT A GOOD ADDRESS

Pete Hamill, noted New York journalist, writes in his latest book, DOWNTOWN, about what murder means to the newspaperman.

�From the nineteenth century on, most New Yorkers knew that there were only a few basic scripts for murder. Some desperate fool with a rented gun would try a stickup, panic, and shoot the owner of the delicatessen. Another fool would try a mugging on a dark street and get gunned down himself when the victim turned out to be an off-duty cop. A busted-out gambler would be drinking in an after-hours club when a tall gunman and a shorter partner walked in with guns blazing. The cops, and the tabloids, would then send out an alarm for a Mutt-and-Jeff bandit team. The felons were always caught�.

His take on the newspapers angle on murder hits the mark. So is his analysis of murder notoriety.

�The truth is that human passion drove most homicides. One night in the early 1960�s, a sad-eyed detective named Ray Martin told me: �The biggest killer in New York? It�s not drugs. It�s not robbery. It�s not greed. It�s jealousy.� That seemed true then and remains true now. While there was so many of these crimes of passion not all of them made the newspapers, unless they fit into a special category: Murder at a Good Address.

A murder driven by jealousy on Park Avenue (in Manhattan) was bigger news than a similar murder in Brooklyn.� I�m sure our colleagues in Manhattan South will attest to this!

Murder at a good address. Sure to make a headline. If I may add my own comment here, murder on the subway also makes a great headline. A lot of people use the subway every day; people who have no idea what it looks like outside the station of Nostrand Avenue on the �A� line take a train that goes passed the station; a person who rides a subway � no matter how frequently � is immediately drawn to a newspaper story about a murder on the subway. (Just another one of those things �you learn new every day�).

Hamill notes further how, during the hey-day of crime in New York City (before the police officers were so �productive� and murders were driven below the 600 mark!) editors looked for some special twist in a story. �Concrete nouns, active verbs, and details � good details.�

Lamenting about a particularly slow �news day�, Hamill recalls standing around the city desk with the city editor remarking �what we need here is a good murder.� To which the city editor quickly commented, �At a good address.�


FOR THE HOMICIDE DETECTIVE: 3 & 1 RULE

Generally speaking, body temperature will drop 3 degrees during the 1st hour after death, then 1 degree subsequent hours. This will continue until the body drops to room temperature. After approx 30 hours, the body temperature will begin to rise again.

That is why the MLI will take body temperature as well as the ambient temperature at the location.

Using this approximate - general - guide, and taking into consideration environmental factors (heat, cold, etc.) an ME will make an "estimate" concerning time of death.

It is important to remember that this is an estimate only.

At best, according to many experts, the estimate will be within 4 hours plus or minus. It's not as exact as they get on CSI, but will provide a general time frame.

It's always best to discuss time of death direct with the ME who performs the post mortem exam when such time of death is a critical factor. Don't leave it to the MPS Detective to pass on their version of the ME's determination; speaking to the doctor directly can help to clear up questions you may have.


ANNIE ALLEY

Pete Schrammel of the 75 Squad made a recent contribution on an item of particular interest. This is an item that I make sure to cover on training presentations I give, to all new MOS and newly assigned investigators.

Often referred to by MOS, but not always easily defined, is the term ANI-ALI, or, as it is referred to over the air, �Annie Alley�.This is actually a technical term from derived from the telephone company, that has to do with the 911 enhanced system that provides information on the calls made to the 911 system.And what is the ANI-ALI, you ask?

ANI : Automatic Number Identification (the callback #)
ALI : Automatic Location Identification (Address/Cross streets of caller)

Pete is right, that a lot of people may not know the origin of ANI/ALI.

I recall reading a DD5 submitted from a detective who indicated that he interviewed the 911 caller, a �Mr. Ani Ali�, at the location.

I guess you may be able to add this into the file that You Learn Something New Everyday?


MOUNTED COPS AND BICYCLE PATROLMAN

In the latter part of the 1800's when NYPD "Patrolmen" were being paid $600 annually, those patrolmen holding the rank of "Bicycle Patrolmen" received $100 more each year.

At the same time, those who were "Mounted Patrolmen" were paid a whopping $800 a year for a 100 plus hour work week, including reserve time in the station house.

When a "Mounted Patrolman" got transferred from one precinct to another precinct his horse and all its equipment went with that patrolman to his new command. Each horse and the saddle, etc. was assigned to a specific police officer, and when you were transferred, your horse and all its equipment went with you as specified on the orders.

You were responsible for the care and grooming of that horse and you attended to that horse's welfare on your own off-duty time when necessary. In most cases when a patrolman was transferred from one command to another, not only was the command specified, but the assigned patrol post was also specifically assigned on the orders. Roundsmen and Sergeants also had to care for their own mounted steed, but Captains were excused and their horses were assigned to a patrolman or hostler for care and feeding. Note that there was no rank of lieutenant on the job at the time.

Close formation mounted drill and riot control was held each Sunday morning for the entire department for all mounted patrolmen that had just worked the late tour.

Late tours in the 1800's were for six hours and ended at 0600 hours. The 3 hour mounted drill started at 0900 hours and was usually conducted in Central Park.

Furthermore, you were expected to drill and get there and back, all on your own off-duty time.

When the weather was inclement, the training was conducted in the West 66th Street Armory. (Now an WABC TV studio between CPW and Columbus Ave.) in today's 20 Precinct.

When the NYPD opened its new mounted training school with 45 horses and new stables on August 1, 1905, mounted training for the entire department was then moved to Richardson Ave. and East 241 Street in the 47 Precinct.

Also, the Brooklyn Police Department also had its own Mounted Squad, which was established on April 3, 1875 with its stables and headquarters on Bergen Street, just off Flatbush Avenue.

(Thanks to Mike Bosak for that contribution).



IN MEMORIAM: PTL. JAMES KILLION

On January 18, 1935 Ptl. James J. Killion #6906 of the 17th Pct was killed in the line of duty.

At about 7 pm, Jan. 18, 1935, while on patrol duty Ptl. Killion and Ptl. Walter B. Curtis interrupted a robbery at a leather goods store at 548 5th Ave. Manhattan.

Four bandits were holding up the store when the officers entered the store. Shots were exchanged and Ptl. Killion was hit and fell to the floor. His assailant ran from the store, and after a short chase was caught by a Mounted Patrolman Henry J. Ferger, Mtd Sqd No. 1.

Back at the store the gunfight between the remaining three bandits and Ptl. Walter Curtis continued. When Ptl. Curtis cornered the bandits in a rear room he threatened to blow their heads off; the three surrendered, not knowing that Curtis had fired his last round and was out of ammunition.

Curtis with the assistance of Ptl. Henry Quinn, Traffic D, disarmed and arrested the bandits.

Ptl. Killion was rushed to Polyclinic Hospital where he died the same day.

Ptl. Killion was appointed to the NYPD on Sept. 27, 1929. He was 30 years old, married with two children.

On May 27, 1936, a posthumous award of the NYPD Medal of Honor was presented to his widow, Mrs. Nellie Thompson Killion, at City Hall Plaza by Mayor Fiorello H. LaGuardia.

Ptl. Walter Curtis was also awarded the NYPD Medal of Honor for his courage and actions on Jan. 18, 1935.

Ptl. Ferger was awarded Honorable Mention and Ptl. Quinn a Commendation. All of the holdup men who took part in the robbery of the store and the death of Ptl. Killion were arrested, convicted and put to death in the electric chair.

INTERESTING WEB SITE

FREE People Searches
http://www.reunitetonight.com/

The Best Legal Web Sites (so they say !!). Be sure to check out all the links.
http://www.nylawyer.com/law101/bestsites/


Investigators Guide to Sources of Information: There is some good information here. It is Downloadable, free to print and good to put into a binder for your desk.
http://www.gao.gov/special.pubs/soi/soi_ch4.htm


More Investigative Information Sites:

Local and State Governmentshttp://www.gao.gov/special.pubs/soi/soi_ch1.htm

Federal Agencies
http://www.gao.gov/special.pubs/soi/soi_ch2.htm

Directories, Reference Works http://www.gao.gov/special.pubs/soi/soi_ch3.htmElectronic

Databaseshttp://www.gao.gov/special.pubs/soi/soi_ch4.htm

Investigators' Guide To the Internet
http://www.gao.gov/special.pubs/soi/soi_ch5.htmcondor


THE CIGAR AFICIONADO

What is the proper way to light a cigar?

If you use a match, wait until the sulphur burns off before using it to light your cigar. Wooden matches are recommended over regular matches.

If you use a lighter, use a butane one. The gasoline based ones impart a flavor to your smoke. Of course, Zippo will be irritated by this; they recommend you allow the flame to burn for a few seconds to allow the disturbing odor to dissipate.

Preheat the open end - the foot - by slowly rolling the cigar above the flame at an angle allowing a tiny black ring to form all the way around the wrapper. Try not to let the flame touch the cigar.

Then place the cigar in your mouth, and draw in as you repeat the process, slowly rolling the cigar at an angle above the flame, but never letting the lighter flame actually touch the cigar.

About a 1/2 inch or so away. Slowly spin the cigar to establish an even burn.

Once it appears to be fully lit pull it away from the flame, away from your mouth and actually look at the glowing foot to see if it's fully lit.

If the burn is uneven, repeat the previous step on the appropriate side to even the burn.

You can also try to blow on the end if there is a small bit of uneven burn, to help intensify the heat there, and then take a couple of steady draws. Then wait just a little while before continuing to puff; this short delay will allow the cigar a chance to stabilize and self correct the burn.

If the smoke happens to go out, knock off the ash, gently blowing through the cigar to clear out the old smoke, then begin to draw in while rolling the cigar through the lighting process.

And you thought lighting a cigar was easy?


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

January 21, 1932 Ptl John Walsh, 17 Div, Shot-off duty robbery
January 21, 1941 Ptl Daniel Piselli, 88 Pct, Killed-line of duty incident
January 21, 1948 Ptl William Von Weisenstein, 101 Pct, Auto accident on patrol
January 21, 1958 Det Francis O�Rourke, 32 Sqd, Line of duty heart attack
January 21, 1986 Det Anthony Venditti, OCCB, Shot-investigation
January 21, 1995 Det Alfred Boesch, Housing SNEU, Line of duty incident
January 22, 1971 Ptl Robert Bolden, 75 Pct, Shot-off duty altercation
January 23, 1934 Ptl Joseph Misichia, 114 Pct, Shot-arrest
January 23, 1943 Ptl Pasquale Venturelli, 45 Pct, Auto accident on patrol
January 23, 1987 PO Michael Reidy, 41 Pct, Shot-off duty robbery
January 24, 1967 Ptl John Barry, PA, Line of duty heart attack
January 24, 1975 Ptl John Scala, ApplicInv, Shot-off duty robbery
January 25, 1994 PO Nicholas DeMatiis, 106 Pct, Auto pursuit
January 27, 1908 Ptl John Loughman, 15 Pct, Shot-off duty incident
January 27, 1938 Ptl Edward Roos, 8 Sqd, Auto accident on patrol
January 27, 1943 Ptl Angelo Dimuro, 1 Pct, Line of duty incident
January 27, 1972 Ptl Gregory Foster, 9 Pct, Shot-assassination
January 27, 1972 Ptl Rocco Laurie, 9 Pct, Shot-assassination
January 28, 1938 Sgt David Kilpatrick, 40 Pct, Shot-robbery in progress
January 28, 1980 PO Cecil Sledge, 69 Pct, Shot-car stop
January 30, 1930 Ptl Maurice O�Brien, 28 Pct, Shot-arrest
January 30, 1956 Ptl Benny Bruno, GCP Pct, Auto pursuit

PAY ATTENTION TO THE DETAILS: ANOTHER DETECTIVE LESSON

Good detectives pay attention to details � little details, with diligence and follow up, that so often make the difference between success and failure.

Another example of the painstaking attention to details is exhibited in the work done during the investigation of �The Mad Dog Killers�, two Mutt-and-Jeff hoodlums who went on a killing spree starting on Christmas Eve in 1962.

Starting out in Woburn, Mass. on Christmas Eve 1962, Henry Dusablon and Emanuel Samperi wanted to treat their sweethearts to a trip to New York for the holiday. Dusablon was a hulking lug who was described as having �quick fists and slow wit�. Samperi was the swarthy shorty who grew up on the lower East Side, who spent his life trying to prove he was a tough guy.

They started by holding up an antique store that Dusablon once worked in, knowing that cash would be on hand. It wasn�t enough to just rob the place, though. Dusablon made sure to shoot the owner in the head before making off with the one-hundred dollar haul.

They left for New York with their sweethearts, soon finding themselves out of money by December 26. They then took off to holding up a variety store owner as he opened up for business, and once again shot the owner at point-blank range after ordering to lie on the ground. They made sure to remove a diamond ring from the body before leaving with the $15 cash that their latest heist produced.

Next they found themselves in Jamaica, robbing an Army-Navy store, and shooting that owner as well before leaving. A little while later, in the Bronx, a liquor store was also robbed, and the proprietor shot dead. This was followed by another liquor store in uptown Manhattan, with the clerk once again gravely wounded. All four victims that day had been shot in the head, with the cash registers left empty.

Detectives who had been working on the variety store homicide from earlier in the morning learned from a relative that the victim often wore a diamond ring, an anniversary ring that was missing from the body.

PAYING ATTENTION TO THE DETAILS: the detectives started a search of pawnshops looking for a recently pawned diamond ring. Bingo! One of the detectives found a receipt for a ring pawned at a pawnshop just blocks from the incident. The slip was signed by Henry Dusablon of Woburn, Mass.

CONTINUING TO PAY ATTENTION TO DETAILS: the detectives learned that Dusablon and his friend left Massachusetts to go to New York on Christmas Eve. Detectives now fanned out throughout the Manhattan area checking hotels, armed with a photo of Dusablon they received from the Mass. authorities, and began a search of hotel records.

Bingo! Not only did they find a hotel clerk who recognized the culprits photo, they also found that he and Samperi checked in using their real names!

They then found Dusablon in his hotel room with his girl, and a short time later apprehended Samperi when he also returned to the room with his girlfriend.

Paying attention to details once again paid off. They found the pawned jewelry by poring over pawnshop records, and then found the killers by canvassing hotel to hotel, in person, until they found them.

By the way, the trial resulted in the pair being convicted and sentenced to death, but because of the repeal of capital punishment in 1965 they ended up spending the rest of their lives in prison. Samperi died in 1998, at age 64, and Dusablon will spend his 41st consecutive Christmas behind bars this year.

Interesting note is that the killers, who were dubbed the �Mad Dog Killers� after the spree became public, got less attention than they deserved at the time due to a newspaper strike.

When detectives asked Dusablon why he chose to murder for such paltry robberies, the thug answered: �Because dead men tell no tales.�

Pay Attention To Details!



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AMERICAN PEOPLE FINDER - Allows you to search for people using their name, address, or phone number.

www.bigfoot.com
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www.411-USA.com
FOUR 11 - Phone number directory. Search by name.


FROM THE FILE OF: EVERYDAY YOU LEARN SOMETHING NEW

I learned very long ago that elevation in rank does not necessarily correspond to an increase in knowledge. I think this was very clearly displayed when, years ago (it was probably during the TV series� first season) the then-Chief of Detectives for the Transit Police contributed the (unused) idea that we should show parts of the television show NYPD BLUE during the newly appointed detective orientation program.

He liked the way Sipowicz conducted interviews.

I recently contributed to someone else learning something new, I�m quite sure.

When I met a retired detective, Walter Crosby, who is the current Assistant Chief Investigator with the NYS Attorney General�s Office, we spent some time discussing the fact that he retired twenty-two years ago from the 14th Homicide Zone, which worked out of the current Brooklyn North Homicide office in the 90 Precinct.

Crosby fondly remembered time spent in the office typing out DD5s on the �old� manual typewriters, and I informed him that we are still using some of those same typewriters � Louis Savarese types our roll calls on one of the �old� manual typewriters every week!

We then shared some notes regarding detective overtime. Crosby noted that there was no such thing as overtime � you worked the case doing what had to be done regardless. He mentioned that when he retired they let him make some overtime to help his pension in the last months, so that he could finish the last year with about � ten hours � of overtime.

A LISTENING DEVICE TO DETECT GUNSHOTS

A recent article in the NY TIMES Technology Section (December 16, 2004) by Cyrus Farivar outlined a new technology being explored by several police agencies to help detect the sound of gunshots.

It appears that soon police agencies around the country may be able to equip street corners with microphones and video cameras to fight gun-related crime.

The system, based on work by Dr. Theodore Berger, director of the Center for Neural Engineering at the University of Southern California, uses the equipment and a computer to recognize gunshots, pinpoint where they came from and transmit the coordinates to a command center. It relies on software that mimics the way the human brain receives, processes and analyzes sound.

Several law enforcement agencies, including police departments in Chicago, Oklahoma City and Phoenix and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department have expressed an interest in the system.

"When you put in automated gunshot recognition in a highly visible format like this, the residents no longer have to fear reprisal and the police no longer have to depend on the residents for accurate information," said Bryan Baker, 56, chief executive officer of Safety Dynamics. He and Dr. Berger co-founded the company in Oak Brook, Ill., 20 months ago to produce the system, called Smart Sensor Enabled Neural Threat Recognition and Identification, or Sentri.

The system is also reported to be able to distinguish gunshots from voices, car traffic and construction. "You can find that brains can do it, but you can't find physical systems that can do it," Dr. Berger said. "It's very hard to corrupt the signal in such a way that we don't know what's going on."

Over time, the system can learn to recognize certain sounds. "The gunshot has a particular unique signature, where you have the sound of the explosion when the firing pin hits the bullet and the sound of the bullet as it expels from the gun," Mr. Baker said. "You've got a little blip, and then a drop, and then a big blip, and with the training we've done now, we've picked it up so that both blips are part of what it has learned."

The system uses four microphones, contained along with the computer in a bulletproof box two feet by two feet by three feet. The system is able to determine quickly where a gun was fired, using the difference in time that the sound took to reach each microphone. The computer sends a signal to the video camera, which zooms in on the location. The system then transmits information and the video directly to law enforcement headquarters.

The devices, which cost up to $25,000 each, can cover an area with a radius of about 200 yards.

In about six months, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department will test the devices, installing as many as 20 around Los Angeles County.

The information and video images can be immediately reviewed by officers at headquarters who may be able to determine the nature of the incident, he said. "Because of that we gain a tremendous tactical advantage before we arrive on the scene," he added.


IN MEMORIAM: ROUNDSMAN RICHARD COMISKY

Roundsman Richard Comisky was killed in the line of duty on March 11, 1883, in a highly unusual incident.

Comisky, 32 years old at the time, had 7 years of duty in the department when he was shot and killed by a jealous co-worker.

Roundsman Comisky was shot and killed by a fellow officer who was jealous of him. The two officers had been friends for many years and had hoped to get promoted together. When Comisky was promoted to Roundsman, the suspect became jealous. On the date of the incident Roundsman Comisky was the Acting Sergeant of the precinct and was at his desk.

Two other reserve officers were in the station house. The suspect entered and brought his .38 caliber firearm to Roundsman Comisky because it was not working properly. Roundsman Comisky repaired the firearm and handed it back to the suspect. The suspect then walked around the desk, exchanged words with one of the reserve officers and then stated, "I'll kill you" to Roundsman Comisky. Before the Roundsman could respond the suspect leapt across the desk and shot Roundsman Comisky in the head, killing him.

The suspect was taken into custody by the two reserve officers and charged with murder.


FROM THE DEATH INVESTIGATORS NOTEBOOK

Lividity: The process by which the blood settles into dependent capillaries and eventually �fixes� in certain areas of the body.

Postmortem Lividity: Also known as livor mortis. Caused by the pooling and settling of blood within the blood vessels from the effect of gravity. It appears as a purple discoloration of the skin. During life, the pumping action of the heart maintains a constant flow of blood through the numerous vessels of the body. Upon death, this pumping action ceases, and the blood pools within the dependent portions of the body (lowest points).

Blanchability: When lividity first develops, if you press your finger firmly against the discolored skin, the pressure will cause �blanching�. When pressure is released, the discoloration returns. After four or five hours the discoloration becomes clotted and pressure will NOT cause blanching.


�LEST WE FORGET�� THE NYPD MEMORIAL

January 10, 1987 PO Francis LaSalla, ESS1, Fire rescue
January 11, 1908 Ptl Robert Fitzgerald, Bridge Pct, Drowned-Rescue
January 11, 1916 Ptl Joseph Gaffney, 26 Pct, Shot-arrest
January 11, 1929 Ptl Albert Bruden, Mcy Unit, Auto pursuit
January 11, 1941 Ptl Edward Maher, Traffic P, Shot-robbery
January 12, 1974 PO Timothy Murphy, 120 Pct, Shot-off duty incident
January 12, 1981 PO Robert Walsh, 7 Pct, Shot-off duty robbery
January 13, 1924 Ptl John Schneider, 3Div, Robbery investigation
January 13, 1950 Ptl Edward Carraher, 14 Pct, Injured on patrol
January 13, 1997 Det Kenny Fung, 72 Sqd, Heart attack during investigation
January 15, 1938 Ptl Frank Zaccor, 14 Pct, Shot-robbery in progress
January 16, 1953 Ptl Thomas Sheehan, 10 Pct, Line of duty heart attack
January 17, 1947 Ptl Harry Schriffies, McyDist, Shot-investigation
January 18, 1935 Ptl James Killion, 17 Pct, Shot-robbery in progress
January 18, 1960 Sgt Edward Johnson, 5 Pct, Stabbed by EDP
January 18, 1967 Det Harold Jacob, Safe Loft & Burg Sqd, Line of duty heart attack
January 18, 1979 PO Robert Manzione, 7 Pct, Line of duty heart attack