TASK? OR INVESTIGATIVE OPPORTUNITY?


The good investigator understands the difference between a “task” that needs to be completed, and an investigative opportunity.

All too often, investigators – and sometimes even managers- see a performance standard as merely a “task” that needs to be completed, and misses the opportunity to capitalize on an investigative opportunity.

What am I talking about?

Think about these investigative functions – building canvasses, vehicle canvasses, review of 311 calls. If you see only the necessity to “complete the task”, without understanding the investigative opportunity each function provides, then you are missing the big picture in investigations.

Realizing the importance for the detective to get someone to tell them what happened, these simple investigative assignments may be thought of in their true measure as providing an opportunity for an investigative lead to be developed. Remembering the big secret of detective work- getting someone to tell you what happened- is sometimes the biggest hurdle the novice detective needs to achieve.

Knowing why you perform certain tasks in an investigation is critical to achieving success. If you don’t understand why you are doing something, and are merely performing the act, i.e. building canvass, because it needs to be “checked off” on the checklist, then you are missing the big picture of investigative success.

This is not just a problem for the new detective, but sometimes even for the more seasoned detective, and at times one that even the investigative manager or executive may be found guilty of. What do you expect to achieve by the task you are performing?

Take, for example, the building canvass. Knocking on doors and talking to people- isn’t this the foundation of the good detective? Can you talk to someone that may be an eyewitness? Perhaps if not a witness, but someone that may be able to provide you with background intelligence on why something may have happened, or intelligence on the area and players frequenting it, is the purpose of the building canvass. Having an opportunity to develop this information should be well sought after.

The building canvass provides an opportunity to talk to people. Certainly an investigative opportunity and more than merely a task to be completed!

So too is the vehicle canvass. Merely having plate numbers on cars recorded is only the first step. Actually reviewing the information for investigative leads is the second, and more critical, step. Is there a vehicle on the scene that appears out of place? Does the vehicle canvass provide you with an investigative opportunity, or is it merely a task that needs to be checked off?

When you begin to think of detective assignments in a follow-up investigation along these lines, seeking to determine the investigative opportunity and not merely viewing it as a laborious task, you have taken the step towards a successful detective investigator.

There’s nothing more discouraging than to hear a detective being assigned a task to be completed “because the Chief wants this done”. If you want your detectives to be successful investigators than take the time to explain what investigative opportunities are being sought.

When the detective knows why he or she is doing something, then they can be expected to do it to the best possible way they can. If they are only instructed to complete the task, for the sake of the task- and never understand why it is being performed- than you can’t really expect to get anything of value.

You certainly cannot, as an investigative manager, expect to have this detective reach any investigative potential unless you take the time to instruct “why” something needs to be done. There is no replacement for the thinking detective!

If you don’t know “why”, then how can anyone expect “positive results”?

If you don’t know “why”, then ask a question. If you are giving instructions and you don’t know why, take the time to find out first.

Investigative opportunities are limited. Don’t waste a good opportunity for success.

It’s an investigative opportunity, and not merely a task that needs to be checked off.



STREET LAMPS

As noted in the 1846 Rules and Regulations for the police department, the inspection of street lamps was a very important job of the patrolman. So, too, was the arrest of anyone who tampered with these street lamps.

It is written in the 1846 Rules & Regulations that it was the duty of every Policeman, if they came upon anyone tampering with these lamps, to take them into custody and to “forthwith give information to the mayor, Recorder, Aldermen, or either of the Special Justices of said city”.

I’d like to have been there for that notification to the Mayor!

It’s also noted specifically that they needed to act against anyone who was driving greater than 5 miles per hour. Remember, that driving referred to driving a horse-drawn cart or horse 5mph! Just wonder how they were able to determine 5mph in 1896?


HISTORICAL NOTE ON DEPARTMENT AWARDS

New York City had it first police "Medal Day" on Saturday, May 26, 1855 in City Hall Park , when the "NYC Municipal Police Department" gave out seven (7) silver medals.

"Chief of Police" George Matsell and Mayor Fernando Wood awarded six (6) of the solid silver medals for heroism and good arrests and one (1) silver medal for "meritorious service."

The first medal given out by the NYPD was awarded on August 17, 1871 and was for given for quote, unquote “meritorious conduct.” It was awarded to Patrolman Bernard Tully of the 19 Precinct (today's 17th Precinct) for the arrest of a burglar with one shot fired. And that was the only medal that the NYPD awarded in 1871.

COMPUTERS, FORENSICS AND DETECTIVES

A quote I came across regarding detectives and investigations that I thought I’d share with you.

“Computers don't make the match. Analysts make the match”.

“Computers narrow down the field of comparisons for the analyst”.

I like this thought, and use it when speaking with new investigators. This goes along the same lines as the quote from Dr. Baden, esteemed Medical Examiner to the stars.

Baden served as the Chief Medical Examiner in NYC and went on to become one of the preeminent pathologists in the country, whose opinion is sought by the media on almost all deaths of any notoriety.

Speaking at a symposium on DNA to police executives, Dr. Baden started his lecture with the following statement.

“Forensics doesn’t solve homicides. Detectives solve homicides. Forensics provides the investigative tools for the detective to help solve a case. Sometimes providing an investigative lead or helping to corroborate or refute a statement, but it’s the detective that solves the homicide”.

A great statement, I thought!



“LEST WE FORGET…” THE NYPD MEMORIAL

May 16, 1864 Ptl George Duryea, 19 Pct, Arrest-robbery
May 16, 1947 Ptl Frank Golden, 108 Pct, Shot- accidental discharge
May 17, 1927 Det Morris Borkin, DetDiv, Shot- burglary arrest
May 17, 1930 Ptl William Duncan, 18 Pct, Shot- GLA arrest
May 18, 1922 Ptl Douglas Hay, 49 Pct, Assaulted
May 18, 1962 Det Luke Fallon & Det John Finnegan, 70 Sqd – Shot-robbery
May 19, 1931 Ptl William O’Connor, Mtd, Shot
May 19, 1997 PO Anthony Sanchez, 13 Pct, Shot- robbery
May 20, 1920 Ptl John Fitzpatrick, DetDiv, Shot-GLA arrest
May 21, 1968 Det Richard Rolanz, 103 Pct, Line of duty heart attack
May 21, 1971 Ptl Joseph Piagentini & Ptl Waverly Jones, 32 Pct – Assasinated
May 21, 1996 PO Vincent Guidice, 50 Pct, Arrest- Cut by glass, assaulted
May 23, 1919 Ptl Emil Carbonell, Mcy, Auto accident on patrol
May 23, 1927 Ptl Walter Wahl, 7 Pct, Fire rescue
May 23, 1939 Ptl Nicholas Moreno, 87 Pct, Shot- investigation
May 25, 1970 PO Miguiel Sirvent, 71 Pct, Shot- robbery
May 26, 1924 Det Bernardino Grottano, DetDiv, Shot- burglary in progress
May 26, 1947 Ptl Phillip Fitzpatrick, Mtd, Shot- robbery
May 26, 1998 PO Anthony Mosomillo, 67 Pct, Shot- arrest, warrant
May 28, 1948 Ptl Charles Meyer, Hwy3, LOD injury
May 28, 1966 Ptl John Bannon, 110 Pct, Shot- off duty incident
May 28, 1970 Ptl Lawrence Stefane, 9 Pct, Stabbed by EDP
May 28, 2000 PO David Regan, 62 Pct, Auto accident on patrol
May 29, 1963 Ptl George Crane, 23 Pct, Shot- burglary in progress
May 29, 1978 PO James Washington, HPD, Struck by elevator in rescue
May 30, 1916 Ptl Henry Schwartz, 15 Pct, Shot- investigation
May 31, 1938 Ptl Melvin Williams, Mcy Unit, Motorcycle accident on patrol

STREETS OF SAN FRANCISCO

This 1970’s crime drama highlighted a pair of plainclothes homicide detectives, Lt. Mike Stone and Inspector Steve Keller, cruise the streets of San Francisco solving a variety of crimes, usually involving murder. Stone, played by Karl Malden, is the street-smart 20-year veteran cop, and Keller, who was played by a very young Michael Douglas, is the college-educated rookie detective. Much of the series' success was due to the friendly by-play and relationship between the two leads.

In San Francisco, the detectives go by the title “Inspector”.

The show ran for five seasons, between September 16, 1972, and June 9, 1977, on ABC, amassing a total of 120 60-minute episodes. The series started with a pilot of the same title, and was based on the detective novel Poor, Poor Ophelia by Carolyn Weston.

The show revolved around two police officers who investigated homicides in San Francisco. The centre of the series was a veteran cop and widower, Lt Mike Stone (Karl Malden) who had more than twenty years of police experience and was now assigned to the Homicide Detail of SFPD’s Bureau of Inspectors (the San Francisco Detective Bureau). He was partnered with a young detective and energetic partner, Assistant Inspector Steve Keller (Michael Douglas) a college graduate, age twenty-eight, who had no experience in the police force. Stone would become a second father to Keller as he learned the rigors and procedures of detective work. Eventually, Keller was promoted to full inspector. As the series went on, Douglas became a star in his own right.

After the second episode of the fifth and final season, Douglas left the show after successfully producing the film “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”, which won the Academy Award for Best Film for 1975. He in turn would also establish a film career. His character's absence was explained by having him take a teaching position at a local college, while Lt. Stone was partnered with another detective, Insp. Dan Robbins, played by Richard Hatch. The change was not popular with audiences, and the show ended in 1977, due to low ratings.

Michael Douglas would go on to continued fame, later starring in the hit movie “Wall Street”, and go on to marry Catherine Zeta-Jones.



A DETECTIVES SECRET

The following is taken from the booklet “A Detectives Secret”, printed February 1898, authored by Ex-Chief Thomas Byrnes.

Byrnes, as regular readers to this site may recall, was a Chief of Police and former “Chief of Detectives”- attributed as the “First” Chief of Detectives of the department; for more info on Byrnes take a look at recent prior postings to this site.

Here is the opening to Byrnes’ dictum on “How To Become A Detective and How To Succeed As One”.

“To become a successful detective a young man must have, first of all, natural aptitude; then, plenty of brains, and last, but far from least, an almost inexhaustible fund of perseverance. Without all of these qualifications he may grow to be a satisfactory, or even an excellent policeman, but he can never hope to be a successful detector of crime.”

Byrnes is attributed to being the lawman who headed the Broadway Squad and drew an imaginary line in the street on Broadway and John Street- a “dead line”- and made the statement to the criminals of America: “Beyond this corner you shall not pass”.


LONDON CRIME FIGHTING STRATEGY: OPERATION TRIDENT

In keeping with the general media theme this past week concerning events in London, what with some sort of wedding going on there on the other side of the pond that has many people’s attention, I am including some details of a project that has been ongoing by the Metropolitan Police (Scotland Yard) in London known as Operation Trident.

What is Trident?

Trident is an anti-gun crime operation that was set up in 1998 to help bring an end to a spate of shootings and murders among young, black Londoners.

Over 350 police officers and 86 support staff work just on Trident. They are advised and informed by a group of black community leaders called the Trident Independent Advisory Group.

75% of London's gun crime involves the victim and suspect both coming from the capital's black communities. Trident was set up in response to black community members wanting the police to do something that specifically targeted the criminals affecting them. “Trident only works because it is a partnership with community leaders combined with robust, intelligence based policing”, according to official Scotland Yard statements.

What's the problem?

For a small number of people either carrying a gun, or living in fear of gun crime, is an everyday reality.

Operation Trident or Trident, is a Metropolitan Police Service unit set up to investigate and inform communities of gun related crime occurring within London’s black community, with special attention being placed on shootings relating to the illegal sale of drugs.

The importance of Trident is such that it was established as a dedicated Operational Command. called the Trident Operational Command Unit within the Metropolitan Police Specialist Crime Directorate. This is the equivalent of the Detective Bureau establishing a separate Division to address gun related crimes in the black communities of the city. In 2004 it expanded with the formation of Operation Trafalgar, which investigates all other non-fatal shootings in London.

As part of the Specialist Crime Directorate, Trident is also known as SCD8 and more recently officers within the command have referred to themselves as "the Ocho".

According to Metropolitan Police publications, the key responsibilities of Trident include the prevention and investigation of shootings in London’s communities and all gun related murders within London’s black communities.

Trident is composed of several key units. These include three Shooting Investigation Units, four Murder Investigation Teams (MITs) and five Proactive Units. These are supported by an Intelligence Unit incorporating airport liaison and immigration units, the Community Engagement Team and the Financial Payback Unit.

Trident was initially set up as an intelligence based initiative in April 1995 after the brutal murders in and around areas of Lambeth and Brent. Of particular attention was the murder of Marcia Lawes in Brixton by Delroy Denton. These incidents “were made much harder to investigate due to unwillingness on the part of witnesses to come forward through fear of reprisals from the perpetrators of such criminal behavior”.

Following a continuation of the shootings and murders Trident was implemented on a London wide scale. In May 2004 Trident was expanded and currently has over 460 police officers and police staff engaged in the investigation and prevention of firearm murders and other gun crime affecting London’s communities.

The work of these combined units is coordinated in the following areas.

In terms of the investigations of MURDER, Trident investigates all murders by shooting involving a gun, where both the victim and suspects are from black communities.

In terms of Non fatal Shootings, Trident investigates all non-fatal shootings, as well as any threat to police officers where a firearm is produced but not discharged.

Their Pro-Active Operations are aimed at targeting those who possess, supply, convert, reactivate and manufacture illegal firearms and those who seek to use illegal firearms to prevent shootings occurring.

A 2009 article in the Baltimore Sun addressed Trident, with a reporter for the Sun accompanying the Trident officers on a ride-along. The following is excerpted from the November 27, 2009 Baltimore Sun article on this topic.

“The Trident program was set up about 10 years ago to address the growing problem of black-on-black gun crime in Britain's Afro-Caribbean and black communities. The impetus was a wave of killings, along with the black community's simmering distrust of police.

“With 300 officers and a budget of $44 million, Trident investigates homicides and spends hundreds of thousands of dollars on slick public-relations campaigns aimed at diverting young men from gun violence.

“The Trident squad gave The Baltimore Sun an inside look at a murder investigation, though because of government-imposed restrictions in Great Britain on reporting about active cases, police insisted that certain facts and names be withheld to preserve the prosecution.

“Detective Chief Inspector John Crossley's squad typically handles cases in the northern part of town but has had to pick up a few cases from South London recently to balance workloads. The workload in London, of course, pales in comparison to that of Baltimore police. London, a city of 7.5 million, has seen 110 homicides this year, only 17 of which involved guns. There is no unit that is equivalent to Trident in Baltimore, where the homicide division, by default, specializes in black-on-black gun crime, with nine out of every 10 of the homicides fitting that pattern.

“In the early stages of an investigation, a killing in Baltimore gets assigned to a squad of six, and police can free up additional resources as needed.

“The cases being investigated by Trident squads are scrawled in blue marker on white dry-erase boards at opposite ends of an upstairs office. Each case is assigned an obscure operational name, such as "Operation Tilton," "Operation Conch Key," and "Operation Tavernier." On the board, there are slots for each officer assigned to the case, such as the primary case officer, the officer who will act as a liaison to the family and the officer assigned to inspect closed-circuit television footage. Each board lists about 20 cases - dating to the late 1990s.

“Overall, officials say, gun crime is on the decline. Police are seeing more shootings apparently intended only to maim, a trend that police and city leaders believe might be due to criminals' awareness of the stiff penalties they face if charged with murder. Though total shootings have nearly doubled this year, from 123 to 236, gun crime is still at one of its lowest points in the past five years. Fatal shootings investigated by Trident have dropped from six in the past fiscal year to four this (2009) year”.

Not immune to the budget and economic crisis that is affecting everyone throughout the world, London’s Metropolitan Police appear likely to be closing down Operation Trident by the end of 2011.



HORSE SENSE

The following was written by Elbert Hubbard, best known for his writing “A Message To Garcia” in 1898.

While this more famous work, “Message To Garcia”, deserves much longer inclusion on this site at a later time, I chose to reprint this following writing on “Horse Sense”, which I think many will enjoy.

“If you work for a man, in Heaven’s name work for him. If he pays wages that supply you your bread and butter, work for him, speak well of him, think well of him, and stand by him, and stand by the institution he represents. I think if I worked for a man, I would work for him. I would not work for him a part of his time, but all of his time.

“I would give an undivided service or none. If put to the pinch, an ounce of loyalty is worth a pound of cleverness. If you must vilify, condemn, and eternally disparage, why, resign your position, and when you are outside, damn to your heart’s content. But, I pray you, so long as you are a part of an institution, do not condemn it.

“Not that you will injure the institution – not that – but when you disparage the concern of which you are a part, you disparage yourself. And don’t forget – “I forgot” won’t do in business”.

Certainly applicable to any work situation, least of which being this life we have chosen.

DETECTIVE TERMINOLOGY: INTERVIEW, INTERROGATE AND DEBRIEF

Somewhere along the way, probably in a measure of political correctness, investigators have adapted and interchanged these two terms. More often than not, without understanding the basis of the terms to begin with.

Talking to people is the basis of detective work.

A good detective understands this as the foundation of an investigator. Detectives need information from others, and talking to people is how we get much of that information.

Two of the major terms to describe the forms we take in talking to people are Interview, and Interrogation. The third term is Debriefing.

As defined for the investigator, these terms distinguished as follows.

Interrogation- in speaking with another person, a confrontational tone for the purpose of obtaining a confession or admission of guilt, culpability, or other involvement.

Interview- in speaking with another person, a conversational tone for the purpose of obtaining information.

The Interrogation is the confrontational discussion with another who is a suspect in a crime. The Interview is the informational questioning with someone in an effort to get information.

In an effort to sound “less confrontational”, or to make an effort to seem less accusatory, we use the term “interview” when, in reality, we know what we are conducting is an “interrogation”.

The third term, Debriefing, is even less accusatory, but slightly different in definition than the interview.

While the “debriefing” is in reality an “interview”, is has grown into main stream investigative usage in the past decade or so, adapted from the militaristic intelligence gathering interview.

When a military source returned from a battle field, from the “front lines”, or when an intelligence source came back from “contact with the enemy”, the intelligence “debriefing” was conducted.

The debriefing was intended to gather as much information from the source as could be obtained, with this intelligence to be examined by analysts as to its appropriate value.

Investigators have coined this “debriefing” as a general question and answer session with someone, usually one who has been arrested, in an effort to gain intelligence on other criminal activity.

Thus, while all are very similar in scope, the three terms- Interview, Interrogation, and Debriefing – have distinct differences in scope.


BICYCLE CRIME- LONDON STYLE

With all the attention given in these past several weeks over the ceremonial undertakings in London involving the wedding of Will and Kate (yes, The Minister is on a first name basis!), I thought this following information on a current crime trend in London was worth taking a look at.

It seems that New York City is not alone in the recent push towards bicycle usage- in fact, we are somewhat way behind our European cousins in the use of this mode of transportation.

In London, Mayor Boris Johnson wants more people to get on their bikes, and an active push is underway to encourage bicycle usage- and to stop bicycle thefts. The City is also aware that if a bicycle gets stolen, the owner is not as likely to replace and continue the use as had been before the theft.

Last year, approximately 24,000 bikes were stolen in the capital city of London, which is why the Cycle Task Force was created, and the London Police is making it a priority to catch cycle thieves all over London, and to educate cyclists about keeping their bikes safe.

The unit is made up of three sergeants, 12 Police Constables and 12 Police Civilian Community Officers, who work all over London in tandem with the Traffic’s Cycle Team.

“Having a cycle squad helped us have a better understanding of the type of cycle theft happening out there,” says Commander Mark Gore, who heads STC.

Sergeant Titus Halliwell of the squad says: “There’s no typical cycle thief. You might think that they’re entry-level criminals who are just cutting their teeth. But what we’ve found is that there are people out there making hundreds of pounds (dollars) a day from stealing bikes and selling them on websites such as Gumtree and eBay.”

One recent tactic being used by thieves is to steal a bike and simply chain it up elsewhere until they find a buyer. This way they hope to avoid being caught with it.

The Cycle Task Force encourages riders to get their bikes registered on private sites, such as Immobilise.com or Bikeregister.com, which upload the frame number to a central database. A sticker is then affixed to ward thieves off. Police officers can access their databases by requesting a login. They’re also encouraging retailers to security-mark the bikes at the point of sale.

Investigators in the Cycle Task Force catch criminals by looking for clues, such as repeat phone numbers on sites such as Gumtree or eBay. They also carry out sting operations, putting out decoy bikes to see if a thief will bite.

Cyclists reunited with their property by the task force often tell other cyclists on riding forums, which leads to more people reporting stolen bikes, thus improving intelligence.

“By making it safe to own a bike in London we are reducing the fear of crime, lessening pressure on the transport system and encouraging people to live healthier lives,”says Steve Burton, a spokesman for the Transport For London.


FROM THE HUMIDOR

Some basic information for the cigar smoker.

Lighting the Cigar: Holding the cigar, rotate the foot just above the flame. Warming or pre-heating the foot primes the cigar to light faster. Then without letting the flame touch the cigar, draw gently while rotating the cigar to ensure an even burn.

What about the ash? The ash on a premium cigar should be even and tight. Remember a premium cigar has a long leaf filler and the ash will be long, therefore you want the ash length to show, noting your selection of a fine cigar. When the ash is about to drop, you may let it drop naturally into the ashtray or with your index finger lightly tap the cigar over the ashtray. If the ash falls on your clothing, don�t panic, the fire is on the cigar not in the ash. You can stand up and let the ash fall to the floor, or gently brush the ash away.

What about the band? To remove the band or not is a personal preference. It�s completely up to you. (The Minister leaves the band on).


MULTIPLE AWARDS OF THE MEDAL OF HONOR

Some history of the department that every member should be aware of concerns these officers who have received multiple awards of the Medal of Honor.

Department history reflects only three members who have received multiple awards of the Medal of Honor. Only one of these lived to receive his second medal.

Detective Timothy J. Connell was awarded his first Medal of Honor in 1922, after he was wounded foiling a hold up at a cigar store which resulted in a shoot-out with two armed perpetrators of which he mortally wounded one and the second showed up the next day at a local hospital with a bullet wound. Detective Connell was awarded his second Medal of Honor posthumously in 1926 after he was killed in another shootout with four armed adversaries in 1924.

Detective John Cordes was awarded his first Medal of Honor in 1924 after a shootout in which he was wounded five times, and again in 1928 for another shoot out. He lived to be awarded his second Medal of Honor, and completed his career as a Lieutenant – Commander of Detectives, commanding first the Broadway Squad and then the Riverfront Squad, from where he retired.

Police Officer Robert Bilodeau, Street Crime Unit, was awarded his first Medal of Honor for an incident that took place on April 5, 1979, when while making an arrest during a decoy operation his throat was slashed, an injury that required 63 stitches. His second award was posthumously in 1981 for an incident that took place on February 12, 1980, when Officer Bilodeau chased a gunman into an alleyway. The gunman turned and shot Officer Bilodeau three times, but before he died he was able to wound his assailant.



“LEST WE FORGET…” THE NYPD MEMORIAL

May 1, 1892 Ptl Robert Nichol, 20 Pct, Off duty fire rescue
May 1, 1964 Ptl Edmond Schrempf, TPF, assaulted
May 1, 1981 PO John Scarangella, 113 Pct, Shot- car stop
May 2, 1974 PO William O’Brien, 10 Pct, auto accident on patrol
May 3, 1913 Ptl William Heaney, 12 Pct, Shot- arrest
May 3, 1921 Ptl John Conk, 97 Pct, Struck by horse
May 3, 1931 Ptl Bernard Sherry, 15 Pct, Shot- burglary in progress
May 3, 1964 Det Joseph Greene, DetDiv, Auto accident on patrol
May 4, 1863 Ptl Francis Mallon, 4 Pct, Shot by EDP
May 4, 1914 Ptl Michael Kiley, 156 Pct, Shot- arrest
May 4, 1931 Ptl John Hoey, 40 Pct, Auto accident on patrol
May 4, 1938 Ptl Thomas Hackett, 4 Pct, Auto accident on patrol
May 4, 1968 Ptl Gerard Apuzzi, 107 Pct, Asphyxiated
May 4, 1981 Lt Jan Brinkers, PSA8, Shot- off duty robbery arrest
May 5, 1934 Ptl Arthur Rasmussen, 3 Pct, Shot- robbery in progress
May 5, 1971 Det Ivan Lorenzo, Narco Div, Shot- off duty incident
May 6, 1934 Ptl Lawrence Ward, 23 Pct, Shot-investigation
May 6, 1964 Ptl Stanley Schall, 70 Pct, Line of duty heart attack
May 7, 1931 Ptl John Ringhauser, 102 Pct, auto accident on patrol
May 8, 2000 PO David Regan, 62 Pct, Auto accident on patrol
May 9, 1939 Ptl William Holstein, Mcy2, Motorcycle accident
May 10, 1922 Ptl Henry Pohndorf, 38 Pct, Shot- robbery arrest
May 10, 1979 PO Robert Soldo, 108 Pct, Shot- off duty incident
May 11, 1959 Ptl Harry Hafner, Hwy3, Motorcycle accident
May 12, 1925 Ptl Charles Godfrey, 16 Pct, Shot- arrest
May 12, 1932 Sgt Theodore Werdann, 87 Pct, Injured on patrol
May 12, 1944 Ptl Joseph Curtis, Mtd, Line of duty injury
May 12, 1951 Ptl Harold Randolph, 75 Pct, shot- off duty incident
May 13, 1913 Ptl Charles Teare, 12 Pct, Shot- arrest
May 15, 1934 Ptl John Morrissey, Telegrph Bur, Injured- assaulted

CAR 54, WHERE ARE YOU?


Fifty years ago, running for two seasons from 1961 to 1963, the television sitcom Car 54 burst onto the television screens to critical acclaim.

The series follows the adventures of NYPD officers Gunther Toody, who was played by Joe E. Ross, and Francis Muldoon, played by Fred Gwynne, in the fictional 53rd precinct in the Bronx, assigned to Patrol Car 54.

Toody, played by the Seward Park HS dropout Joe E. Ross, was short, stocky, nosy, not very bright, and lived with his loud, domineering wife Lucille.

Muldoon, played by the Harvard educated Fred Gwynne, was the tall, quiet, and more intelligent partner. He was a shy bachelor who lived with his mother and two younger sisters.

Fred Gwynn – Muldoon – would later go on to stardom playing the part of Hermn Munster in The Munsters, and the judge in the movie My Cousin Vinnie.

Car 54 was one of the first sitcoms that regularly featured characters from multiple ethnicities. Another of the recurring characters, playing Officer Schnauzer, was Al Lewis, who you may know as Grandpa in The Munsters. (While this show may have folded, it seems The Munsters did pretty well from the cast!)

Filmed in a studio in The Bronx, it was one of the first television shows to make use of on location shooting on the streets of New York.

At that time television shows were in black and white- color TV was not yet in practice.

So as to avoid confusion, the producers had a special police car provided for the show that was painted a red color.

The TV show's police cars on location shots were actually bright red and white, but appeared as the proper shade of gray for an NYPD car on black-and-white film. NYPD cars of that era were black and green with a white roof and trunk. Thus, the filmmakers achieved a realistic appearance without alarming or confusing bystanders during production.

This series had a brief revival in past years on televisions Nick at Night, but because of the relatively short time frame and limited number of episodes it has remained out of rerun viewing. To commemorate the fifty year anniversary a boxed set of season 1 episodes is being released.

If you were a fan of the show, or recall seeing some episodes on Nick at Night and caught yourself laughing out loud, you will be happy to know you’re not without good company.

The show also counted among its loyal viewers author William Faulkner, who, according to several biographers, never missed a Sunday-night airing of the program during the final year of his life.

William Faulkner, according to a recent Wall Street Journal article, hated television,” said actor Hank Garrett, who played Officer Ed Nicholson on the program. “But he would go every week to a friend’s house to watch the show.”

In more recent years a movie version of this show was produced, titled- you guessed it – Car 54. If you happened to see this movie at some point, I can assure you the TV shows were much funnier. If you never saw the movie version- don’t bother!

The television series started off with a very catchy theme song, as most television shows of that time period did.

Does anyone remember the lyrics?


CAR 54, WHERE ARE YOU??? THE MUSICAL THEME SONG

There’s a holdup in the Bronx, Brooklyn’s broken out in fights

There’s a traffic jam in Harlem that’s backed up to Jackson Heights

There’s a scout troop short a child,

Khrushchev’s due in Idlewild,

CAR 54 WHERE ARE YOU??????


You can identify the dated material in the theme song- Khruschev was the Russian Premier (actually, it was the USSR), and Kennedy Airport was still known as Idlewild Airport.



RICO- A TOOL FOR THE GOOD GUYS

A recent takedown of alleged mobsters in the metropolitan New York area highlighted one of the nation's most powerful and sweeping laws: the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act.

Now in its 41st year, RICO was passed in 1970 to pursue the Mafia as a whole, tying the big bosses to the crimes of their underlings by claiming they were all part of a "criminal enterprise." Prosecutors have used RICO to pursue some of the highest-profile organized-crime families, including the Gambino’s and Genovese’s.

The law allows federal prosecutors to stitch together crimes going back many years, from extortion and loan sharking to murder, in a single case. It is easier for them to convict mob defendants when they wrap in evidence of the "broader context in which the crime was committed, along with the pattern of conduct that led up to the crime," said Samuel Buell, a professor at Duke University School of Law.

RICO's reach has expanded well beyond the mob in recent years. Businesses can be considered enterprises subject to the law, said Peter Henning, a law professor at Wayne State University, in Michigan. Victims of an alleged fraud can use RICO to file civil suits and recover triple the amount of damages they suffered. The Gulf of Mexico oil disaster has prompted civil racketeering suits. Some alleged conspirators of Ponzi schemer Bernard Madoff have been charged under RICO, as have tobacco companies and prominent political figures.

Over time, Mr. Henning noted, the law has become controversial. "RICO is often criticized because of its use in civil cases to deal with business disputes that have nothing to do with mob activity," he said.

RICO's first big test came in 1979, when the law was used to prosecute the Hell's Angels motorcycle gang in California. The bikers were acquitted. With their long hair and tattoos, they didn't look like an organized-crime enterprise to the jury.

After Frank "Funzi" Tieri was found guilty on racketeering charges and convicted as head of the Genovese crime family in November 1980, prosecutors had their road map. By 1986, they had major cases pending against 17 of the country's 24 families.

In New York in 1985, prosecutors for Rudolph Giuliani, then the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District, won indictments of the heads of the city's five Mafia families. The case was different from other RICO actions being brought against specific crime families at the time in that Mr. Giuliani's office sought to connect all five families in one coordinated enterprise.

Before the case went to trial, Philip Rastelli, head of the Bonanno family, was granted a separate trial, in which he was later convicted, and Paul "Big Paulie" Castellano, head of the Gambino family, was assassinated that December in front of Spark's Steak House in midtown Manhattan in a hit set up by John Gotti. Mr. Giuliani handed the prosecution—which at that point included the three other bosses and a handful of their top soldiers—off to a young assistant, Michael Chertoff, who two decades later became the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security.

The trial was colorful if grim. Carmine "The Snake" Persico, the boss of the Colombo family, acted as his own attorney, telling the judge, "I've had quite a bit of experience with the federal government." He was convicted along with two other mob bosses, "Fat Tony" Salerno of the Genovese family and "Tony Ducks" Corallo of the Lucchese organization. They were each sentenced to 100 years in prison.

Mr. Gotti was acquitted in a racketeering trial in Brooklyn and eventually would be dubbed the "Teflon don" after winning acquittals in other cases. In 1992, he was convicted in another racketeering trial and sentenced to life in prison, where he died in 2002.

The law's author, Notre Dame law professor G. Robert Blakey, was said to have named RICO after Edward G. Robinson's gangster in the 1930s film "Little Caesar." Over the years, Mr. Blakey has demurred from confirming or denying the story.



WHO ARE THE 5 FAMILIES?

The names of the Five Families are attributed to Mafia informant Joe Valachi.

After his arrest in 1959, Valachi gave the police the names of the current bosses of the Five Families.

It was Valachi who was the first notorious mob informant, at such a high level, to break the code of silence. His story about organized crime (when it was still OK to call them the Mafia) were made into a best seller book, The Valachi Papers.

The names of four of those bosses, Gaetano Lucchese, Vito Genovese, Carlo Gambino, and Joe Bonanno, were used to name their respective families. The fifth family was headed by Joe Profaci in 1959, but it is named after its 1960s era boss, Joseph Colombo.

Lucchese, Genovese, Gambino, Bonanno, and Columbo- the Five Families of New York Organized Crime.



FROM THE NYPD RULES & REGS- 1846

I must thank Michael Bosak for forwarding me a copy of the 1846 Rules and Regulations of the New York Police Department- a time before the department was known as the NYPD.

Some of the interesting items taken from the rules follows.

There was no such thing as a part time police officer, or of police officers having “a second job”. According to the regulations:

“All members of the department shall devote their whole time and attention to the business of the department, and not follow any other calling; and although certain hours are allotted to each man's duty, on ordinary occasions, yet all the members must be prepared to act at a moment's notice whenever the public service may require their attendance”.

Even then being on time for work was a requirement. “Punctual attendance shall be required of every officer and patrol man connected with the department, on all occasions; sickness and disability only shall be an excuse for absence from duty”.

Not happy about keeping a memo book? In 1846, members of the department were following a similar edict.

“Each- member shall, at all times, have with him a small book, in which he shall enter the names of persons taken in charge by him, and such particulars in each case as will be important on the trial of the cause, if tried”.

Members of the department had certain distinct items to wear to denote their authority. Not everyone had a standardized uniform they were equipped with, and a requirement to distinguish oneself from others was written into the regulations.

“Sergeants and Policemen performing Patrol duty in any of the following streets, shall  conspicuously display the emblem of office from the time of commencing duty in the morning until 11 o'clock, P.M.: -- in Broadway, Bowery, Grand, Chatham, Fulton, Wall, Division, Nassau, Pearl, Courtlandt, Church, Laurens, Walnut, Water, Cherry, West, South, Front, Maiden Lane, Canal, West Broadway, Washington, Walker, Catharine, Hudson, Houston. Anthony, Bleecker, Sixth Avenue, Duane, Third Avenue, Clinton, Centre, John, and in the Twelfth Ward”.

Apparently, on these streets- the busy streets of metropolitan New York City- downtown Manhattan- it was necessary to make sure the officers were distinctly noticeable to the public at large.

Interested in taking a little vacation out of town for the day?

“No member of the Police department shall leave the city without permission from the Mayor or Chief of Police”.

I can just see that play out. “Excuse me, Mister Mayor, I’d like to take the family up to Poughkeepsie to have a picnic tomorrow. Is that OK with you”?

Having the Sergeant come by and check up on you, and scratch your memo book, was not foreign back then either. The term many have heard that the Sergeant would have to “give you a see” on patrol originated here.

“The Sergeants will, if possible, see each man on his beat without calling, but should they not be able to find him, the call rap will be given in the centre and on each extremity of the beat, and if unable then to find the man in search of, the Sergeant will extend the adjoining beats, until the beat of the man absent is the fully covered ; he will report to the officer in command, the name of the man and cause of absence, if ascertained”.

No radios. No telephones or call boxes yet to make it easy to find someone. No, if you couldn’t find the cop by seeing him on foot walking the beat, you’d have to rap your stick on the ground until he came to answer this call. Technology at its finest.



IN MEMORIAM: PO JOHN SCARANGELLA 113 PCT
Shield# 22524 113 Pct.
Date of Incident: April 16, 1981
Date of Death: May 1, 1981

Officer Scarangella succumbed to gunshot wounds received two weeks earlier when he and his partner were shot by heavily armed gunmen during a traffic stop.

Officer Scarangella and his partner stopped a van that fit the description of a van wanted in connection with several burglaries in the area. It was believed that Jo Anne Chesimard, a career criminal, was in the van at the time of the stop. Chesimard was wanted in the connection of the killing of a N.J. trooper Phillip La Monico.

Before Officer Scarangella and his partner could exit their vehicle, the two occupants of the van exited and opened fire with 9 millimeter semi-automatic handguns, firing a total of 30 shots. Officer Scarangella was struck twice in the head and his partner was struck 14 times in the legs and back.

Officer Scarangella was removed to the hospital where he died two weeks later. Officer Scarangella's partner, Richard Rainey, was forced to retire in 1982 due to the wounds.

The two suspects in the murder fled the state. One suspect was apprehended in North Carolina by detectives from the New York City Police Department and the Sumter County Sheriff's Department. The second suspect was apprehended in Pennsylvania by two Police Officers from the Philadelphia Police Department when they observed him walking down a street in Philadelphia wearing a bullet resistant vest. When those officers approached the suspect, he dropped a gun and fled on foot. He was apprehended after a fierce struggle in which several officers were injured. At that time, he was found to be in possession of the gun that was used to kill officer Scarangella and wound his partner.

James Dixon-York and Anthony Laborde (the occupants of the van) were both member s of the B.L.A. (Black Liberation Army - a spin off of the old Black Panther Party). Both suspects were convicted of attempted murder in connection with the shooting of Officer Scarangella's partner, but in two different trials the juries were hung on the charge of murder in connection with the killing of Officer Scarangella. In July of 1986 both suspects were convicted of murder and sentenced to 25 years to life in prison.

Officer Scarangella had been a member of the New York City Police Department for 12 years. Officer Scarangella was working the day shift that day with his partner Richard Rainey. Scarangella had switched his shift so that he could take his wife to a doctor's appointment.

John Scarangella was known to everyone as “Jerry”.




LEGAL TERMS: BRADY

The Brady doctrine requires that prosecutors turn over material exculpatory to the defendant.

Prosecutors have an affirmative duty under the Fifth Amendment to disclose evidence favorable to an accused upon request, when such evidence is material to guilt or punishment. This duty arises from Brady v. Maryland, and the evidence required to be produced is commonly called Brady material.

In Brady, the Supreme Court overturned a defendant’s murder conviction because the prosecution suppressed the statement of a codefendant in which he admitted to the actual homicide.

After Brady, several decisions expanded the scope of the doctrine. For instance, the government’s duty to produce exculpatory evidence under Brady arises even if the defendant has not specifically requested that evidence. The Supreme Court also held that information relevant to impeach the credibility of a government witness is Brady material.



NOTORIOUS NEW YORK: LUCKY LUCIANO

100 East 50th Street

This building was the former home of both Bugsy Siegel and Lucky Luciano, notorious figures in organized crime not only here in New York City, but in the United States.

Charles “Lucky” Luciano was born Salvatore Lucania on November 24, 1897, and lived until January 26, 1962.

Luciano using the name Charles Ross lived here on East 50 Street, in 39C, a three room suite that he paid $7,600 a year for.

Lucky Luciano was an Italian gangster born in Sicily, Italy. He is considered the father of modern organized crime in America for splitting New York City into five different Mafia crime families, and establishing the first crime “commission”.

He was the first official boss of the modern Genovese crime family. He was, along with his associate Meyer Lansky, instrumental in the development of the “National Crime Syndicate” in the United States.


DETECTIVE STATUTE IN CITY CHARTER

In April 1964 the City Council passed a bill that formally established the Detective Division in the Police Department.

This measure now allowed the Police Commissioner statutory authority to designate Lieutenant’s as Commander of Detective Squad (CDS) and Sergeants as Supervisor of Detective Squad (SDS). It also allowed the formal establishment of both 2nd and 3rd Grade Detectives – prior to this statute, the only recognized rank as a Detective was Detective First Grade. That doesn’t mean they weren’t using the titles before this, only that the city charter did not formally establish this until 1964.





“LEST WE FORGET…” THE NYPD MEMORIAL

April 16, 1907 Ptl Alfred Selleck, 16 Pct, Shot – arrest
April 16, 1955 Ptl Andrew Reynolds, 107 Pct, Motorcycle accident on patrol
April 17, 1925 Ptl Thomas Kelly, 12 Div, Shot – arrest, GLA
April 17, 1938 Ptl Humbert Morruzzi, 9 Pct, Shot- robbery in progress
April 18, 1936 Ptl Leroy Sheares, 32 Pct, stabbed, arrest
April 19, 1963 Ptl Kenneth Cozier, ESU, LOD heart attack
April 21, 1934 Det James Garvey, 20Sqd, Shot- investigation
April 23, 1977 PO Robert Mandel, 77 Pct, shot-arrest
April 24, 1897 Rndsmn Oscar Rheinhardt, 31 Pct, Thrown from horse
April 24, 1969 Det John Roth, DD, auto accident on patrol
April 24, 1980 PO Robert Sorrentino, 101 Pct, shot-robbery
April 25, 1874 Ptl John Gibney, 1 Pct, shot
April 25, 1955 Sgt Donald Wiseman, 107 Pct, auto accident on patrol
April 27, 1892 Ptl Adam Kane, Bwy Sqd (1Pct), Beaten by EDP
April 27, 1988 Sgt John McCormick, BxNarco, shot-arrest
April 27, 1994 PO Jose Perez, BSTF, auto accident on patrol
April 29, 1945 Ptl Jacob Szwedowski, 24 Pct, Shot – arrest
April 30, 1979 PO Robert Betsch, 76 Pct, LOD heart attack

INDEX CARDS

There’s nothing wrong with a detective carrying their own individual “cheat sheet”. If it helps you get your job done, why not?

I learned a method many years ago after a conversation I had with Dan Kelly, then the Commander of Queens Homicide.

Dan Kelly, a department legend who will be the subject of a more detailed review in a separate posting, was known by many as the “Dean” of Homicide investigations.

One lesson I observed was his reference to a set of index cards he carried in his jacket pocket. I soon learned the value of the Kelly Method.

Today’s investigator cannot expect to remember each and every procedure, guideline or reference point with the multitude of investigations he or she is tasked with on a daily basis. Neither can the specialist in homicide, arson, sex crimes or any other investigative specialty.

The method adopted by Dan Kelly, which I have learned to adopt to my own preferences, utilizes index cards. Maintaining a reference card on specific tasks to be performed at a scene is a good way for the investigator to keep the investigation on track.

I suggest that detectives, especially those newly assigned, take the Crime Scene Guidelines checklist and shrink it down to fit on the back pages of their notebook. So too can this be shrunk and placed on an index card.

As a squad commander, the utilization of an index card on your major incident investigations can help you keep track of tasks that need to be performed, results of tasks accomplished, and a quick reference on the status of these investigations.

An axiom I have always preached to new detectives is the idea that good detectives don’t need to have all the answers, but should know where and who to go to in order to find the answers.

You quickly date yourself when you mention the importance of a detective’s “rolodex” of contacts; todays detective is more likely to be maintaining his phone book directly in his smartphone- blackberry, iPhone, Android etc – than to be using a handwritten rolodex.

Just a point to consider, though. If your electronic phone book crashes, do you have a hard copy to replace it with?

Any method you may adopt, whether it be index cards, checklists in your notebook, or cram notes on your forearm- if it helps you stay on track with your investigation, it’s worth it.


LIEUTENANT DETECTIVE DAN KELLY

Two years ago, on March 30, 2009, Retired Lieutenant Detective Dan Kelly passed away.

Readers can search this site for “Dan Kelly” and find several articles I wrote over the years related to Dan.

My posting today regarding Index Cards is a direct result of Dan sharing his investigative expertise with The Minister many years ago.

Last May 2010 the paddleball courts at Astoria Park were dedicated to Dan. Links to several newspaper stories that appeared regarding this event are included later in this blog.

I am reproducing here a blog I posted several years ago that I think you will find of interest. If you have been reading this site for some time, you may recall it. If you are a new reader, you will certainly appreciate it.


DAN KELLY: DEAN OF NYPD HOMICIDE INVESTIGATORS

I recently came across a copy of a 1991 magazine article written by Robert Martin about Lt Daniel Kelly, Jr – “Dean of NYPD Homicide Investigators”.

It appears that this may have been written for a John Jay College publication; the photocopy is clear as to the time line – Fall 1991 – but does not include the periodical information. It seems that the author was a Detective Captain taking a college course at the time.

I know Dan for quite a number of years, as Dan was the C.O. of Queens Homicide when my father worked there. Dan was the C.O. during the hey-days of the late 80’s into the 90’s, and had a supervisory staff that included Sgt. Fred Cornicello, Sgt. Phil Panzarella, and Sgt. Robert Plansker, as well as Sgt. Tom Gray.

Quite a number of department notables came through this area, and speak quite favorable of Dan Kelly even to this day. Dan retired a good number of years ago, but he certainly warrants a spot in the department’s notorious past commanders. The Eddie Byrne case was just one of the more notable cases that are too few to mention.

I will reprint part of the article here, as I found it very interesting, and perhaps you will too.

“On this particular night, a new homicide had occurred. I was in the office of the Queens Homicide Task Force being briefed as to what had taken place. Numerous theories were being tossed about and the recent crime was compared to some homicides that had taken place in the recent and distant past. The source of this information was Lt. Daniel J. Kelly, Jr., Commanding Officer of the Queens Homicide Task Force. It occurred to me then, that Dan Kelly was a living link to the history of the NYPD, particularly in the area of homicide investigations in Queens. While we continued to work, I knew that I had found the subject for my paper. That solved problem number one. Problem number two would be to talk Dan into doing an interview with me. Dan Kelly is a quiet, humble individual and not one to “blow his own horn.” When I approached him with the interview idea he suggested other people who he thought would be more interesting and informative. But through a combination of pressure, pleading and cajoling, I was able to get Dan to agree to do an interview regarding his experience on “the Job.”

Dan joined the department in October of 1952, made Detective in 1956, Sergeant in 1963 and Lieutenant in 1967. Except for brief stints in uniform, when promoted to Sergeant and Lieutenant, he was involved in homicide investigations since 1956; almost thirty-five years.

When asked about his most memorable cases, Kelly replied, “Since 1973 I have investigated the killings of seventeen police officers in Queens, all have been important and all but one of these investigations was successful.” He names the Byrnes case and the killing of PO Scott Gadell in a shootout in Far Rockaway, as two of the most memorable.

When asked which one case sticks out in his mind, Kelly mentions the Scarangella / Rainey shooting in the 113 Precinct, which occurred in April 1981. In this case, two uniformed officers on routine patrol attempted to stop a van which had been seen in the vicinity of numerous burglaries. When the van stopped, two individuals jumped out and fired over thirty rounds at the two officers in their radio car. Officer Scarangella was killed and his partner, Officer Rainey, was severely wounded.

Kelly points to this case as being a “text book investigation” in that it covered the four major investigative steps that must be covered in a successful cases.

These steps are:

A. The Crime Scene
B. Interview / Interrogations
C. Surveillance
D. Record Checks

Through much hard work and the use of these techniques, the two killers were identified, tracked down, arrested and convicted. Kelly says that he and many of the Detectives that work for him, consider this case the most satisfying of their careers.

On the other side of the coin, Kelly did not hesitate when asked for his most frustrating case. “Howard Beach” he answered, “was four months of constant pressure and criticism. The news media and politicians put a lot of pressure on us and it made for a very frustrating case.”

At this point I asked Lt. Kelly to tell me step by step his response to a homicide scene.

“I usually get notified by phone, so before I leave the station house I stop at the desk and try to get a computer printout of the job. By looking at this I get some ideas, who called, what time, what unit responded, were there any other calls that may have had something to do with my job. This way I’m not pulling up to the scene completely in the dark as to what happened.

I also let the Desk Officer know that his switchboard operator might be getting calls with information about the homicide. If I have the manpower, I will leave one Detective in the office to take these calls, if not, I ask the switchboard operator to get as much information as possible from anyone calling.

In route to the scene you pray that the uniform personnel have established a criome scene, they have kept unauthorized personnel out of the scene and they have identified and detained any witnesses.

When I arrive I usually go directly to the body, and try and determine if the person was killed where the body fell or perhaps killed elsewhere and dumped, or assaulted at some other location and ran until he dropped at this spot. I then take a few steps back and enlarge my field of view. At this point, I look for areas where a witness may have seen what happened, areas to canvass.

One trick that Detectives have been using for years is to conduct a canvass after the crime at the exact location, time and day as the original crime took place. People are creatures of habit. So if you have a homicide go down on a certain corner at Friday night at 7 pm, it’s a good idea to have Detectives conduct a canvass of the same corner on the following Friday night at 7 pm. Chances are good that you will come up with someone who saw something, if not the homicide itself, some other thing out of the ordinary which did not seem important to them at the time.

The importance of the canvass is it gives you the independent witness. The witness who is not a friend of the victim or the perpetrator. It is this witness, with no ax to grind, who will give you a true, unbiased picture of what really took place.

It is crucial to get all the available witnesses interviewed as soon as possible, and if at all possible to get these interviews on audio tape. These interviews must be documented, along with such things as the assigned Detectives arrival on the scene, what time, who was there, his impression of the scene, a sketch and such factors as weather and lighting conditions.”

One thing that troubles Kelly is his belief that crime scenes are not held for long enough periods of time. “We, in New York City, give up the crime scene too soon. I know it’s a question of numbers and the volume of homicides in the city make it tough, but once you give up a crime scene, you can’t get it back. I would like to hold onto them longer.”

I asked if he believed the old adage “the first forty-eight hours after a homicide are the most important.” “That’s true”, Kelly replied. “If you get out quick with enough manpower, you will get the answers with a canvass, background checks, fin ding the independent witness and the motive. The only aspect that is not usually finalized is the scientific aspect, which again is a reason to hold the scene longer.”

We then moved onto the topic of what Dan looks for when interviewing potential members for his squad. “I look for investigative experience, knowledge of the law, attitude is very important and patience. For a Detective to be a good interviewer or interrogator, he must have patience. He must use that patience, and a good knowledge of the crime to get as much as he can from the subject, while giving up as little as possible.”

Lt. Kelly retired in August 1991, reaching the maximum age for active service in the department. I asked him, “Dan, when you walk out of the office door for the last time in August 1991, how would you like to be remembered by those still on the job?” Kelly thought for a long time, and then replied, “He knew his job, he did his job.”

For forty years, Dan Kelly knew his job and did his job like no one else has ever done it.”

Note from me: So much of what Dan Kelly said about homicide investigations in 1991 are so true to this day! Much of what he says in this piece are standard detective investigative tasks, which I myself use even to this day, when instructing at the CIC and the Homicide Course. The more things change…


LINKS TO ASTORIA COURTS STORIES ABOUT DAN KELLY:

Dennis Hamill, who attended the paddleball court dedication wrote this about Dan Kelly in the Daily News.

“After a week of putting away stone cold killers, Lt. Detective Dan Kelly, known as the Dean of Homicide Detectives, spent most of his weekends in sweltering summers and icy winters here on Court A of the paddleball cages of the Steinway Park Playground on 38th St., near 21st Road in Astoria, the neighborhood where he died in 2009 at 80 - about 20 blocks from where he was born.

But this neighborhood he loved and never left doesn't forget one of its favorite native sons, that everyone called "Buddy."

This was June 11, 2010 and about 250 people, most of them NYPD detectives, are gathered in this concrete oasis in the middle of working-class Astoria to honor this man who was formed on these tough streets, attended Public School 85, Junior High School 141, Bryant High and Baruch College.

Kelly joined the NYPD in 1952, after serving in the Army during the Korean War, earning his gold detective shield in four years, and making lieutenant in 1967”.

One of those interviewed by Dennis Hammill of the Daily News was Bill Clarke. Bill, a retired Detective from NYPD went onto much fame as a producer for the television series NYPD Blue.

Said Clarke about his former boss, Dan Kelly, "He was very methodical, always put all his information on 3-by-5 index cards, kept track of the names, the details, the associations. He was a real manager. And a great man. You will not find anyone on The Job who has a bad word to say about Dan Kelly."

The emcee of the event was Hon. Gregory Lasak, Supreme Court Justice in Queens.

Lasak emcees the event with a perp walk down memory lane:

"In July of 1980, Detective Abe Walton of the Street Crime Unit was in a social club in the 106 Precinct. When the place was stuck up, he tried to prevent it and wound up getting murdered."

Lasak said that when the shooter was finally tracked down, Dan Kelly was the first one through the door to take down the suspect.

"The legend of Lt. Kelly spread across the city because the SCU covered the whole city," Lasak says.

Dan Kelly would head 17 cop killing investigations in his career, including one in which a captain - Ray Kelly - who would eventually become commissioner, helped capture the suspect in the Carter Hotel in Times Square.

"Dan was a fantastic cop," Commissioner Kelly says. "He had a unique talent to analyze crime scenes, canvass a neighborhood, interview witnesses, and interrogate suspects. I got to see his outstanding work first hand."

Lasak reminds us that in the 1980s, Dan Kelly supervised the Yeshiva University shootings, spotted the license plate involved in the infamous upstate Brinks armored car robbery in South Ozone Park and personally intervened, successfully investigated the high-profile murder of Police Officer Edward Byrne by crack kingpins in 1988.

And for 35 years, until he died last March 30, Kelly unwound from the mayhem of his city by playing paddleball every weekend with his pals here on the courts that now bear his good name.

"I thought very hard about the best way to describe my dear friend Dan Kelly," says Judge Lasak. "Simply, when you were in his presence, you were in the presence of greatness."

"Dad was a simple man who inspired us to do the right thing," says his daughter Patricia Montano.

"He was a boss who made you feel like you worked with him not for him," says Bill Clarke. "Like I said, Dan Kelly was the best boss ever on The Job."


Why not take a look at some of these articles linked here?


Wall Street Journal:


http://blogs.wsj.com/metropolis/2010/06/10/legendary-nypd-detective-gets-paddleball-memorial-in-queens/

NY Daily News

http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/queens/2010/06/09/2010-06-09_astoria_ball_courts_named_for_dan_kelly.html




FROM THE LEGAL DESK: MITIGATION

While not a regular course of the investigation conducted by most detectives, this is a term that you may hear the ADA refer to. It is certainly a term that your retired brethren and other friends in the private or corporate sector will be quite familiar with.

Mitigation is the term that is used to make the actions one performed in a crime handled in a manner that is less rigorous in the courts.

The best way I could put it in normal, everyday terms is that mitigation is the defense answer to “a good excuse”.

Crimes are at times committed under circumstances which are not justifiable nor excusable, yet they show that the offender has been greatly tempted; as, for example, when a starving man steals bread to satisfy his hunger, this circumstance is taken into consideration in mitigation of his sentence.

In civil cases, mitigation comes into play when the matter of judgement is explored.

Mitigation refers to the lessening of something.

For example, when an employee files a claim for wrongful discharge, he/she may seek to recover damages for lost wages. However, if he/she fails to seek other employment, the court may limit the amount of damages for lost wages to those that the court deems to be a reasonable period of unemployment, under the reasoning that the employee failed to mitigate damages by obtaining other employment. In a further example, when a person is injured in an auto accident he/she may seek damages for injuries. However, if he/she fails to get medical attention and an infection develops, the court may exclude recovery for medical bills, lost wages, and suffering related to the infection.

Mitigation is an affirmative defense. What the defense is saying, in essence, is that, yes, the defendant committed these acts, but he had a reason for doing it. And they would like these reasons to be taken into consideration by the judge, and the jury, in the determination of sentencing or damages to be awarded.

Mitigation is a required process that must be explored in all capital offenses.

It is mandated by the Supreme Court that a mitigation investigation be conducted in all capital crime cases. A capital crime is a crime punishable by death penalty.

Mitigating factors can play an important role lowering the death penalty to life in prison or a long prison term. The mitigating factors for capital crimes vary from state to state. The general mitigating factors include the age of the defendant, first time offender and extreme mental or emotional distress.

A capital offense, once a conviction has been handed down, must undergo an investigative process of mitigation that includes a psychiatric evaluation, investigation of the family background, and any other contributing factors – a “social history evaluation”, which must be taken into consideration.

The area of mitigation is a specialty of many private and/or corporate investigators.

Defense counsel in death penalty cases are required to investigate all aspects of the client’s life history and present all possible mitigating factors. The goal of a mitigation presentation is to take the jury for a walk in the defendant’s shoes.




NOTORIOUS NEW YORK: 210 EAST 46 STREET

Constantino Paul “Big Paul” Castellano (June 26, 1915 – December 16, 1985)

On December 16, 1985 at 5:30pm Gambino Godfather Big Paul Castellano and his driver Tommy Billotti were gunned down on the sidewalk, IN FRONT OF 210 East 46 Street, while John Gotti and Sammy The Bull Gravano watched from the car parked on the northwest corner of 3rd avenue and 46th street.

Both Big Paul and Billotti would be shot six times.

With the death of Castellano, John Gotti would then take over as the Dapper Don of the Gambino Crime Family.

Constantino Paul “Big Paul” Castellano, also known as “Big Paulie” (or “PC” to his family), was an American Mafia boss in New York City.

He succeeded Carlo Gambino as head of the Gambino crime family, at the time, the nation’s largest Mafia family.

In 1985, he was one of many Mafia bosses arrested on charges of racketeering, which was to result in the Mafia Commission Trial; in December of that year, while out on bail, Castellano and his bodyguard were shot to death outside Sparks Steak House in Manhattan on the orders of John Gotti.

Note From The Minister: I’ve eaten at Sparks Steak House. While it is one of New York’s Notorious crime locations because of these killings outside, and it is certainly nicely decorated inside, I would give it only Two Stars as its steak is concerned!




THOMAS BYRNES: FIRST CHIEF OF DETECTIVES?

Regarding the noted department character THOMAS BYRNES, who is known as the First Chief of Detectives, I have the following information that was provided by Michael Bosak- true department historian and keeper of the history- regarding Byrnes.

Bosak notes that, as you know, Thomas Byrnes wasn’t really NYC’s first ‘Chief of Detectives’.

But he was the first to hold that position with the rank of ‘Inspector’ and then again as ‘Chief Inspector’.

He held the rank of ‘Inspector’ as ‘Chief of Detectives’ while he temporarily held the position of “Acting” ‘Superintendent of Police’ [Chief of Department] at the same time.

NYPD ‘Superintendent of Police’ William Murray was out extended sick. So Byrnes had the department create a new rank just for him: ‘Chief Inspector’.

Later he would actually become ‘Superintendent of Police’ and later was the first to hold the title of, “Chief of Police” on the NYPD. (Only four men got to hold that title, equivalent to today’s ‘Chief of Department’.

Teddy Roosevelt then forced him to retire.

Teddy Roosevelt, often referred to as the Police Commissioner, actually held the title President of the Board of Police Commissioners.

Teddy, in his annotations, said it was his very first priority as ‘President of the Board of Police Commissioners’, to force Thomas Byrnes out of office.

Byrnes was later shown to be a rather corrupt individual.

This was brought out later during his own sworn testimony in front of the Lexow Commission hearings in 1894, charged with investigating corruption.

He was a mega millionaire back then, in 1894, and couldn’t account for a penny of his wealth or how he obtained any of it. All on an annual salary of $3,000 a year.

The Lexow Commission unbelievably didn’t pursue it and let him retire.

Although coming under fire after his retirement, Thomas Byrnes was certainly a noted character in the early days of this department.

I have been fortunate to get my hands on a copy of a small publication that Thomas Byrnes wrote in 1898, titled A Detectives Secrets. This publication, which sold for 5 cents at the time, is written by Ex-Chief Thomas Byrnes, and is his contribution on “How To Become A Detective and How To Succeed As One”.

I thank Michael Bosak, again, for his effort on turning me on to the availability of this publication. Future postings on this site regarding this publication are most certainly to appear!



LONDON DISTURBANCES

I truly believe that as real police professionals we should seek to not only further our education in our chosen field, but should be aware of current issues and practices not only around us locally, but on a global scale.

In this means I have posted issues concerning worldwide matters related to policing and investigations.

As it relates to current economic issues, we are not alone here in New York City, or even in these United States. Economic impact is striking worldwide, and issues concerning policing, and matters of salary, benefits, and working conditions of government workers worldwide is in the forefront of the news.

London is no stranger to these issues either.

I came across the following 15 minute video on You Tube, in which a reporter for the Guardian newspaper in the UK rode along with members of the Metropolitan Police Department’s Territorial Support Group, as they policed the recent large scale demonstration on the streets of London of the March For The Alternative.

This demonstration was aimed at government spending cuts.

It is certainly a well done video on what our brothers in London are going through, and worth the fifteen minutes of viewing.

Here in New York we have not yet seen the demonstrations that have erupted on some of the streets of our European counterparts.

The writer of a British police blog, Police Inspector Blog, makes mention of some of these demonstrations, where “a dozen police officers were surrounded and beaten by a masked mob in Sackville Street, off Piccadilly”. “Hardly the police state they spend almost every day writing about. Light bulbs filled with ammonia and military grade thunderflashes wrapped with coins were thrown at police lines. I suppose it makes a difference from the bottles of piss favored by the students”.

You can view this documentary video at:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/video/2011/mar/28/march-alternative-police-video



“LEST WE FORGET…” THE NYPD MEMORIAL

April 6, 1937 Ptl Daniel Sullivan, Mcy Unit, motorcycle accident
April 6, 1953 Ptl Sam Katz, 32 Pct, Shot-investigation
April 6, 1955 Ptl John Conlon, 28 Pct, Injuries sustained on patrol
April 10, 1937 Det Michael Foley, 9 Sq, Shot-robbery arrest
April 10, 1950 Ptl Louis Balzano, line of duty incident
April 10, 1960 Ptl Vito Valenzano, 20 Pct, LOD heart attack
April 12, 1929 Ptl Andrew McLean-Wood, NFI
April 13, 1961 Ptl Robert Dugo, 6 Pct, LOD heart attack
April 13, 1988 PO Anthony McLean, PSA2, Shot- investigation
April 14, 1907 Ptl George Sechler, 16 Pct, Shot – arrest
April 14, 1929 Ptl William Schmeller, 32 Pct, Accident – auto pursuit
April 15, 1857 Ptl Stephen Hardenbrook, 9Dist MetroPDNY, Stabbed-arrest
April 15, 1932 Ptl James Morrissey, Traffic F, Auto accident on patrol
April 15, 1968 Ptl John Banks, ESU, LOD heart attack

"The greater danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it." Michelangelo

DETECTIVE TASK: VERIFY THE ALIBI

A key task of the detective is not only to interview and document witness statements and statements of admission by the perp, but to investigate and verify an alibi that is presented as proof of innocence.

Often dismissed as “not our job” to prove innocence, it is actually a very definite task of the investigator. And if overlooked it could result in a case being dismissed at trial, and certainly at the risk of embarrassment to the investigator.

It certainly strengthens a case when the suspect presents an alibi which you disprove!

Later on at trial, what is the defense supposed to do? Present even another version of innocence, only for the jury to be asking themselves “then why didn’t he tell the detectives this when they arrested him”?

A suspect who presents an alibi as to how he could not possibly be the person responsible for the crime needs to have this alibi either disproved- or proven – for the case you are presenting for prosecution to be strengthened.

Efforts and any attempts to verify the suspect’s alibi need to be properly documented in the case folder. These efforts will surely be important at some point down the road when the defense attorney is seeking to discredit the investigation you conducted. It is not a properly conducted investigation to merely ignore the presentation of an alibi by a suspect, and certainly not the handiwork of a professional detective.

These efforts at verification of an alibi can prove quite helpful later on at trial when the defense now wishes to present other facts to a jury, leaving the obvious question to be asked “then why didn’t he/she tell the detectives that in the beginning”? Likewise, an alibi that is left unanswered presents to a jury the potential that this person didn’t do it.

Your eyewitness identification will certainly come under harsh review by the defense, and may fall apart at trial, making you look like you never took the time to “find the truth”.

Investigate the alibi, document your findings, and make sure all information is properly recorded and turned over to the prosecution. It’s what a professional detective does.



SAN FRANCISCO UTILIZES CIVILIAN INVESTIGATORS

I came across an article recently in which it was reported that the SFPD had initiated a pilot project regarding the investigation of burglaries and auto thefts.

I found it unusual that the program sought to “train civilian investigators to respond to low-level crimes not in progress”.

According to the San Francisco Police Chief, George Gascon, “letting non-police investigators do some of the legwork on these non-violent crimes will speed the process of responding to and collecting evidence at lower-priority crime scenes, will take some of the pressure off dwindling city funds for law enforcement, and will free up police officers to respond to more urgent calls and to investigate violent and other serious crimes, such as gang-related activity”.

"So at the end of the day, you end up with a better preliminary investigation with a collection of evidence," says Gascon. This frees up the officer on patrol, while also providing a response of "civilians who are just as able to be trained to have a great level of skills and handle evidence in court as well as sworn officers."

This item, reported by NPR, was due to be up and running this past year.

Unusual response to index crimes, for sure. I will try and find out how this program played out in San Francisco.

SO GOOD THEY MADE IT TWICE? HAWAII FIVE-O

The original Hawaii Five-O television show aired for twelve seasons from 1968 to 1980, and continued in reruns for many years.

The show featured a fictional state police unit run by Detective Steve McGarrett, played by actor Jack Lord.

The theme music composed by Morton Stevens became especially popular.

Most episodes would end with McGarrett instructing his subordinate to "Book 'em, Danno" often specifying the charge such "murder one."

Hawaii Five-O was named in honor of Hawaii's status as the 5oth state, although the show's name ends with the letter "O" instead of the number zero.

The show centers on a fictional state police force led by former U.S. naval officer Steve McGarrett, was appointed by the Governor to rid the state of its organized crime problems.

In the show, McGarrett oversaw State Police officers—a young officer, Danny Williams who he referred to as “Dann-O”, along with regulars Chin Ho Kelly and Kono Kalakaua.

For twelve seasons, McGarrett and his team hounded international secret agents, criminals, and assorted other organized crime syndicates plaguing the Hawaiian Islands.
McGarrett's arch-nemesis was a rogue intelligence officer of the Peoples Republic of China, named Wo Fat.

The show was the longest running crime show on American television until Law and Order surpassed it in 2003.

Its relatively unique setting also made it popular at a time when most crime dramas of the era were set in or around LA or New York City.

The Hawaiian-based television show Magnum P.I. was created after Hawaii Five-O ended its run, in order to make further use of the expensive production facilities created there for Five-O.

The first few Magnum P.I. episodes made direct references to Five-O, suggesting that it takes place in the same fictional universe.

In 2010 television introduced a “new” version of Hawaii Five-O.

Like the original version, it follows an elite state police unit set up to fight crime in the state of Hawaii. It premiered on Monday, September 20, 2010, 42 years to the date from the premiere of the original show, September 20, 1968.

The series covers the actions of a small special state police unit created by the governor of Hawaii to investigate serious crimes on the islands.

The team is headed by Steve McGarrett, the son of the original McGarrett, who himself is also a Navy SEAL officer at the time it is created.

The show initiates its debut with the assassination of the “original” McGarrett at the hands of an organized crime nemesis. It is this killing that spurs the Hawaiian Governor to resurrect the special task force, to rid the state of organized crime. Who better to head it then the son of the original McGarrett? Only in television!

The “new” McGarrett chooses as his partner Honolulu PD Detective Danny Williams. Only in TV land would the second character also be a Dann-O!

He fills out the team by selecting Chin Ho Kelly, an ex HPD officer who was trained by McGarrett's father, and Chin's cousin, a rookie cop named Kono Kalakaua.

Each episode begins with a crime or a body, followed by the assignment of the crime to the unit by either the governor herself or her representative. The task force uses the authority of the governor's office to gain access to crime scenes and investigations involving the Honolulu PD (HPD) when they cross paths.

As the series progresses, it's discovered Chin was kicked off the force after being accused of police corruption where he detailed to Danno and McGarrett that he took payoffs and denies ever doing so. This prompted McGarrett to offer him a second chance to become a full-time police officer again with Five-0; he once crossed paths with his estranged cousin who is an HPD Gang Task Force officer working undercover.

One episode had a revelation to a case he was working on involving the asset forfeiture inventory stashed in an HPD locker that no one knows about which led to Chin's resignation from HPD. Delving into these charges, his accusations lead the team to true corruption in the HPD, including a mole that nearly had Chin killed (who was later implicated in the murder of Danny Williams' best friend and later identified by Sang Min (the human trafficker who was seen in the pilot episode), and suspicious cases Steve's father was looking into - involving the Yakuza.

After the terrorist responsible for his father's murder is apprehended, a mysterious criminal interrogates him about Steve looking into his father's old cases. This figure is later revealed to be "Wo Fat", a criminal with ties to the Yakuza, and is possibly responsible for the car bomb murder of Steve's mother. When his father looked into this (as a member of the HPD Organized Crime Task Force), he began to dig too far into the corruption, forcing him to lay off the investigation. He saved everything he uncovered in a toolbox, which he left to Steve in the hopes of picking up where he left off.

If you were able to follow that lead up to the series, you’re on your way to being a Five-O aficionado!

In an effort to bring the series up to date, a female detective was introduced. Kono Kalakua, played by Grace Park, often finds the need to walk around in a bikini – for obvious reasons – is taken straight out of the Police Academy, recommended by her cousin Chin Ho.

Reminding yourself that it’s television, and fact doesn’t have to stand in the way of entertainment, you can enjoy Hawaii Five-O for what it is intended.

Entertainment.



WHY FIVE-O?

It’s not “Fifty”, it’s “Five-0”.

What exactly does the “Five-O” of Hawaii Five-O refer to?

As quoted on the television show of the “new” Hawaii Five-O, the reference is easily explained.

Correcting the “new Danno”, the current squad commander McGarrett explains the derivation.

“It’s what my dad (the original McGarrett of Hawaii Five-O fame) used to call our family because we’re not native Hawaiians. He nicknamed us five-o’s, after the fiftieth state in the Union. It was his way of making us feel like we belonged someplace”.

By calling themselves “Five-O”, they created a sense of belonging. How heart wrenching.

It’s even more incredible how the street term has taken on such usage. Even today on the streets of New York you often hear local people refer to plainclothes cops as “Five-O”.


FIVE-O THEME SONG LINK

Both versions end with the flashing blue light on the roof of the police car.

The newer 2010-11 version uses the same “old” blue light then morphs into a newer style blue light on a newer police car to end the sequence. A touch of artistic measure that bridges the old into the new?

The 2010 version has Grace Park, in a bikini, though.

But the original version has the hula dancers, and the “real” Danno and McGarret!
Book-em, Danno. Murder 1.

New opening sequence
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7Ba_jz22sI

ORIGINAL THEME SONG- longer version than used in 2010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AepyGm9Me6w&NR=1



NOTORIOUS NEW YORK

870 7th Avenue

This was certainly a favorite spot of the mob, coming up in two separate killings of notoriety.

It was here on November 4, 1928 that Arnold Rothstein, mentor to both mob bosses “Lucky” Luciano and Meyer Lansky, was shot in room 349 over nonpayment of gambling debts.

About 29 years later Godfather Albert Anastasia would be shot while getting a haircut in the first floor barber shop here.

Albert Anastasia was boss of what is now called the Gambino Crime Family, one of New York City’s “Five Families” of organized crime, from 1951-1957.

He also ran a gang of contract killers called Murder Inc which enforced the decisions of the Commission, the ruling council of the American Mafia.

News photographs published after his execution, while seated in a barbers chair with a hot towel covering his face while getting a barber’s shave, received much notoriety after his death.

I can never sit in a barbers chair for a hot towel shave without thinking about this incident.

Makes you wonder, who’s sneaking up?


INTERESTING WEB SITE

A reader recently passed along the following interesting web site concerning old-time New York gangster spots.

http://theboweryboys.blogspot.com/


OLD BROOKLYN STATION HOUSES

An article in the Sunday NY Times (March 20, 2011) highlighted some very old buildings that were once- and some of them remain – NYPD police precincts.

Starting around 1890, George Ingram churned out medieval-style police stations “like a ticket blitz”.

The Brooklyn newspaper, The Brooklyn Eagle, ran a story on these station houses back in the late 1890’s. “Palatial Homes for the Wielders of the Club,” said The Eagle in its review of the earliest surviving Ingram designs we know of.

The current station house of the 88 Precinct saw its start as the Fourth Precinct of the Brooklyn Police Department, at Classon and DeKalb Avenues.

The home of the Brooklyn Police Department 13th Precinct still stands, at Tompkins and Vernon Avenues. Although not currently in use as a police facility, the building remains occupied and in full use. This police precinct was utilized up through the 1960’s, when it was the home of the Brooklyn East Borough command as well as housing the Division command offices.

These buildings were noted for an arcaded tower at the front, with an extra, smaller round tower above that, capped by a conical slate roof, all “in perfect harmony of color and in keeping with the bold Norman style.”

The 75 Precinct in Brooklyn started as the Brooklyn police Department’s 17th Precinct. At the corner of Liberty and Miller Avenues stands the old station house that operated until the current house on Sutter Avenue opened. This building, although unoccupied, is still standing.

Still standing on Fourth Avenue and 43 Street is the former home of the 18th Precinct of the Brooklyn PD.

The former Brooklyn PD 19th Precinct stands at 37 Herbert Street, under the BQE. It’s not that long ago that this building was being utilized for the offices of Brooklyn North Narcotics. The Minister recalls a time when the current 94 Precinct was under renovation and the Herbert Street building was being used to house the 94 Precinct.

Brooklyn’s 22 Precinct is not only still standing, but currently in use by the NYPD, at Grand Avenue and Park Place. Now housing the offices of Brooklyn Robbery Squad and the Brooklyn Special Victims Unit, as well as some Brooklyn North Borough commands, the “77 Annex” as it is known once housed a working precinct that was later combined into the 77 Precinct. The Minister also recalls a time when this building was utilized as the temporary quarters of the Transit Police District 32, while the permanent quarters of District 32 were under renovation.

One of my earlier recollections of this building is the innovative manner that the heaters were utilized by District 32’s detectives as a heating surface to cook their meals on!

Another old station house, erected in 1895 but designed by a different architect, is the current Brooklyn North Borough Command at Wilson Avenue and Dekalb Avenue.

This particular building was the home of the 83 Precinct up through the 1980’s, until its current station house on Knickerbocker Avenue opened. And, yes, I also recall bringing prisoners into this building as the 83 Precinct.

There are countless other old station houses around, all with a history all their own.

To check out the full NY Times article, you may access the following web site.

Princely Police Precincts in Brooklyn
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/20/realestate/20streets.html



IN MEMORIAM

Please take a moment to remember PO Alain Schaberger, 84 Pct, killed in the Line of Duty on Sunday, March 13, 2011.



“LEST WE FORGET…” THE NYPD MEMORIAL

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
March 22, 1932 Ptl George Myers, Line of duty injury
March 23, 1986 PO James Holmes, PSA3, Shot-off duty robbery
March 26, 1949 Ptl Anthony Oetheimer, 114 Pct, Shot-robbery in progress
March 26, 1992 PO Joseph Alcamo, 100 Pct, Auto accident on patrol
March 27, 1921 Ptl Joseph Connelly, 10 Div, Shot-investigation
March 27, 1944 Ptl Arthur Eggers, Traffic C, Auto accident on patrol
March 28, 1922 Ptl James Baker, 83 Pct, Motorcycle accident
March 31, 1914 Ptl Thomas Wynn, 155 Pct, Arrest-robbery
March 31, 2002 Det Jamie Betancourt, BxNarco, Stabbed- o/d dispute
April 2, 1880 Ptl James Stone, 3 Pct Brooklyn PD, Assaulted – struck by brick
April 2, 1914 Det Joseph Guarneri, DetDiv, Shot-arrest
April 2, 1930 Ptl Thomas Harnett, 13 Pct, Auto accident on patrol
April 2, 1978 PO Christie Massone and PO Norman Cerullo, 79 Pct, Shot-car stop
April 3, 1953 Ptl John Pendegrass, 32 Pct, Shot-robbery
April 3, 1972 Ptl Phillip Cardillo, 28 Pct, Shot-investigation
April 4, 1947 Ptl Jack Chason, 79 Pct, Shot-robbery
April 5, 1926 Ptl Charles Reilly, 13 Pct, Shot-Robbery arrest
April 5, 1952 Insp Thomas Boylan, Airplane struck auto


Reminder- You can access the web site:

http://www.nypdangels.com/

for more information on those members killed in the line of duty.