AN OPEN LETTER TO LAW ENFORCEMENT
My fellow LEO’s – first – it is against the policy of my department to recommend or endorse any commercial product – so this endorsement is not made on behalf of the Mobile Police Department, The City of Mobile, or any related agency – It is made by me Jack Dove, MPA, MSCJ - that’s called a “disclaimer” – so if you quote me – make sure you quote me correctly.
As Jack E. Dove – a 38 + year Police Command Officer and Certified Police instructor – APOST certification # 586 :
I would like to recommend the Gang Specialist Training Academy to any Law Enforcement officer who has any form of involvement with Gang Crimes. If you have not noticed – everything in our occupation has some link to gang activity -
I would tell you that it is not limited to just Officers involved in Gang Interdiction but it would be a benefit to any street officer, administrator or certainly any Investigator from Homicide to Burglary Divisions.
I already hold a national “Gang Crimes Expert” certification , and have had that since 1992. However, every year our challenges in Law Enforcement change.
This past two year cycle has seen more changes and challenges than I can ever remember – and I personally believe that our job has become much more difficult than I have ever seen in almost forty years of policing.
All one has to do is watch the news to see another police officer shot – killed – maimed – or criticized - for doing nothing more than his job – protecting and serving his or her community and this great United States.
Duty, Honor- Country – these are the things that the “real” police stand for, and live by, every day they go out the door – on and off duty.
But, to survive the challenges we face in today’s society – you must have good –adequate- and advanced training. You can be the best police officer in the world – but if you cannot articulate what you saw or what gave you the justification to make an arrest or an interdiction – then you put yourself behind the “eight ball” – especially in the society we face today! The only way you can articulate your actions – is proper training.
No matter what position your city government takes – we all have gang-bangers to contend with. Many jurisdiction’s don’t like to admit that – but the “real” Police know it’s true. Thank goodness my jurisdiction does – but it has not always been so – just hang in there – the pendulum always swings!
I have often found that no matter how much you know about a subject , there will always be something new to learn, a new trend, an unpredicted situation or a defense attorney who your facing in Court – who did his homework when you did not.
Having said that, I have relied on updating my Gang Training every year. In the past two years I did the “Gangology” course , and given the opportunity I took the Gang Specialist training. As I stated, I learned new things , old things, and emerging trends that I had either forgotten, never knew, or had not seen in my jurisdiction or experience! Old dogs can learn new tricks. No matter how much you know – there is always something new to learn and share!
I realize that many police departments have cut budgets and are facing times where the money is just not readily available – and I am sure my Department is no different than yours – Training is always one of the first things cut. So, I personally paid for both training sessions myself. Rusty knows that just as well and has provided some outstanding plans to help you achieve success in your training. Use them!
The information I got and the things I learned have already returned a dividend in working with some very dangerous Hybrid gangs that we have here in my region.
I can only say that the training you will receive is valuable and can only enhance your working knowledge – and perhaps even your survival on the street with the bad guys.
In my area – we deal with Hybrid groups that like to “make it up” as they go – Crips, Bloods, Folk Disciples , OMG - but even in that hybrid field – the history, motivations, and the links to transnational gangs is something we all need to know about, understand, and address. And – no matter where you live – there are outlaw motorcycle affiliations – white supremacy hate groups and street gangs – call them wannabe’s if you like – but if it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck – and - well – trust me it’s a duck.
I have taught gang crimes to over seventy different jurisdictions throughout the United States, and have already incorporated many of the training items I received in the Gang Specialist Academy into the programs I use to teach entry level and advanced level gang officers. I assure you that it is not a waste of your time or your money.
Lastly, I have known Rusty Keeble for twenty five years. I first met him when he was President of the Florida Gang Investigators Association circa 1992-93.
Since that initial meeting I have had occasion to do training for FGIA, DOJ, and BATF. I have always found Rusty to be an honorable man with the best interest of his fellow Police Officers placed first in his priorities. My professional association with FGIA – NGIA and now G-Force - has always involved Rusty Keeble – and he has always been a “go-too” Resource for me. He is an expert, a resource – a friend – and a Policeman’s Policeman! – (For me- the last one is the most important)
The paper copy of the diploma may be slow to arrive, but the training is there every day, and as with anything in education, it’s up to the individual officer to use what is provided. Everything you are taught is backed up by citation, statute , and fact – it is an indisputable information source.
If you do invest in yourself and your training, then you will find it worthwhile and a definite benefit to your Law Enforcement career.
If you’re an Instructor, trust me- you will learn something you did not know and it will only add to your “Bona Fides” when you have to testify in Municipal, State or Federal Court.
To sum it up – the training is beneficial – it’s not a “give me” – you do have to read- you do have to take tests – and you do get a career benefit. You DO learn.
In every occupation – life is what you make it – in our occupation – going home alive is what you strive to do and the only way you can do that is either train as you “police” – or be a very lucky guy or gal -
and No - Rusty did not pay me – reward me – solicit me - or give me a deal to write this training endorsement.
What I written here is simply the truth – try it – you’ll like it - and the training you receive and share – might just save your life or that of a fellow officer.
God’s blessing on all of you – be Safe – Be Well – and Be Careful out there – it’s not Mayberry.
Captain Jack Dove, MPA, MSCJ
Commander, Community Services,
Spec. Operations Division
As Jack E. Dove – a 38 + year Police Command Officer and Certified Police instructor – APOST certification # 586 :
I would like to recommend the Gang Specialist Training Academy to any Law Enforcement officer who has any form of involvement with Gang Crimes. If you have not noticed – everything in our occupation has some link to gang activity -
I would tell you that it is not limited to just Officers involved in Gang Interdiction but it would be a benefit to any street officer, administrator or certainly any Investigator from Homicide to Burglary Divisions.
I already hold a national “Gang Crimes Expert” certification , and have had that since 1992. However, every year our challenges in Law Enforcement change.
This past two year cycle has seen more changes and challenges than I can ever remember – and I personally believe that our job has become much more difficult than I have ever seen in almost forty years of policing.
All one has to do is watch the news to see another police officer shot – killed – maimed – or criticized - for doing nothing more than his job – protecting and serving his or her community and this great United States.
Duty, Honor- Country – these are the things that the “real” police stand for, and live by, every day they go out the door – on and off duty.
But, to survive the challenges we face in today’s society – you must have good –adequate- and advanced training. You can be the best police officer in the world – but if you cannot articulate what you saw or what gave you the justification to make an arrest or an interdiction – then you put yourself behind the “eight ball” – especially in the society we face today! The only way you can articulate your actions – is proper training.
No matter what position your city government takes – we all have gang-bangers to contend with. Many jurisdiction’s don’t like to admit that – but the “real” Police know it’s true. Thank goodness my jurisdiction does – but it has not always been so – just hang in there – the pendulum always swings!
I have often found that no matter how much you know about a subject , there will always be something new to learn, a new trend, an unpredicted situation or a defense attorney who your facing in Court – who did his homework when you did not.
Having said that, I have relied on updating my Gang Training every year. In the past two years I did the “Gangology” course , and given the opportunity I took the Gang Specialist training. As I stated, I learned new things , old things, and emerging trends that I had either forgotten, never knew, or had not seen in my jurisdiction or experience! Old dogs can learn new tricks. No matter how much you know – there is always something new to learn and share!
I realize that many police departments have cut budgets and are facing times where the money is just not readily available – and I am sure my Department is no different than yours – Training is always one of the first things cut. So, I personally paid for both training sessions myself. Rusty knows that just as well and has provided some outstanding plans to help you achieve success in your training. Use them!
The information I got and the things I learned have already returned a dividend in working with some very dangerous Hybrid gangs that we have here in my region.
I can only say that the training you will receive is valuable and can only enhance your working knowledge – and perhaps even your survival on the street with the bad guys.
In my area – we deal with Hybrid groups that like to “make it up” as they go – Crips, Bloods, Folk Disciples , OMG - but even in that hybrid field – the history, motivations, and the links to transnational gangs is something we all need to know about, understand, and address. And – no matter where you live – there are outlaw motorcycle affiliations – white supremacy hate groups and street gangs – call them wannabe’s if you like – but if it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck – and - well – trust me it’s a duck.
I have taught gang crimes to over seventy different jurisdictions throughout the United States, and have already incorporated many of the training items I received in the Gang Specialist Academy into the programs I use to teach entry level and advanced level gang officers. I assure you that it is not a waste of your time or your money.
Lastly, I have known Rusty Keeble for twenty five years. I first met him when he was President of the Florida Gang Investigators Association circa 1992-93.
Since that initial meeting I have had occasion to do training for FGIA, DOJ, and BATF. I have always found Rusty to be an honorable man with the best interest of his fellow Police Officers placed first in his priorities. My professional association with FGIA – NGIA and now G-Force - has always involved Rusty Keeble – and he has always been a “go-too” Resource for me. He is an expert, a resource – a friend – and a Policeman’s Policeman! – (For me- the last one is the most important)
The paper copy of the diploma may be slow to arrive, but the training is there every day, and as with anything in education, it’s up to the individual officer to use what is provided. Everything you are taught is backed up by citation, statute , and fact – it is an indisputable information source.
If you do invest in yourself and your training, then you will find it worthwhile and a definite benefit to your Law Enforcement career.
If you’re an Instructor, trust me- you will learn something you did not know and it will only add to your “Bona Fides” when you have to testify in Municipal, State or Federal Court.
To sum it up – the training is beneficial – it’s not a “give me” – you do have to read- you do have to take tests – and you do get a career benefit. You DO learn.
In every occupation – life is what you make it – in our occupation – going home alive is what you strive to do and the only way you can do that is either train as you “police” – or be a very lucky guy or gal -
and No - Rusty did not pay me – reward me – solicit me - or give me a deal to write this training endorsement.
What I written here is simply the truth – try it – you’ll like it - and the training you receive and share – might just save your life or that of a fellow officer.
God’s blessing on all of you – be Safe – Be Well – and Be Careful out there – it’s not Mayberry.
Captain Jack Dove, MPA, MSCJ
Commander, Community Services,
Spec. Operations Division