The Kansas City Police Department protects the 39th largest city in America. This week we ask you to pray for the Kansas City Police Department and for Chief James Corwin.
For the next 38 weeks Ten-Four Ministries will be contacting the police chiefs in the largest 50 cities in America and presenting them with The Gospel. This is an ongoing project called The Across America Project.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Two Kinds of 'Back-Up'
Today, I went to a local print shop to pick up a banner for a "Prayer Station" I will set up outside of Wal-Marts on Saturdays. I parked my car at the rear of a medical clinic, next to the print shop.
As I walked out of the shop---banner in hand, I noticed a patrol car pull up to the curb in front of the medical clinic next door. Standing outside the front door of the clinic was a homeless woman, holding three large bags. She appeared to be in her fifties or sixties. A female officer exited the patrol car and walked toward the homeless woman. It was obvious to me that the officer was there for the woman.
I would later learn that the woman regularly comes to the clinic for various kinds of assistance. Today, for whatever reason, the workers inside the clinic locked the doors, refused entrance to the woman, and called the police.
The woman turned to see the officer walking toward her. She quickly walked away from the front door and down the driveway that led to the back of the building. The officer repeatedly ordered the woman to stop. She refused. Now walking in the same direction as the officer and the woman, I told her that she should obey the officer. She would have none of it.
As the three of us walked toward the back of the building, I told the officer that I was a retired deputy sheriff. "If it's all right with you," I said, "I'm going to stick around just to make sure everything is 'Code-4.'"
She looked at me and nodded her head. "Back-up" is on the way."
When we got to the back of the building, I stood a reasonable distance away (far enough away so as not to interfere with officer, but close enough to get to her if she needed help).
The officer ordered the woman to face the wall and place her hands behind her back. The officer's intent was to conduct a pat down search of the woman for weapons--a safe and reasonable thing to do. (It's what I would have done.) As soon as the officer put her hands on the woman's wrists, she became combative. She tried to turn toward the officer and break free of the officer's hold. Although older, the woman was larger than the officer.
The officer tried to gain control of the woman. When it didn't look like that would happen from a standing position, the officer took the woman to the ground.
Officers, retired or otherwise, never stand around and watch other officers fight.
I moved to where the two were now on the ground. I placed my knee between the woman's shoulder blades and grabbed her left arm. I wanted to keep the woman from reaching her hand underneath her body. The officer hadn't yet searched her and I didn't want the woman pulling a knife or other kind of weapon on us.
I quietly told the woman that she should stop resisting. She continued to struggle.
Moments later, two officers came around the side of the building. They had a certain look in their eye--the look an officer gets when he or she is rushing to help another officer in need. I know that look very well. And that look in the officers' eyes reminded me that I was not in uniform and they didn't know me.
"I'm a retired deputy! I'm a retired deputy!"
I wanted to make sure they clearly understood that I was not part of the problem. I stepped aside and let the other two officers take my place.
The woman continued to struggle for a few more moments until the officers were able to get her handcuffed.
The officer I assisted asked if I would stick around until her sergeant arrived; just in case he wanted to take a statement from me regarding the use of force.
"Sure. My time is your time." I said. "I'm going to go put this (my banner) in the car."
I had an ulterior motive. You see, in the center console of my car, I had my last Ten-Four Ministries Challenge Coin. I designed the first challenge coin for the ministry when I served as the director. Captain Travis Yates (Tulsa PD), the new director of the ministry, updated the coin recently. The challenge coin includes a small gospel tract insert.
I grabbed the coin and a few gospel tracts, and walked back to where the officers were still conversing with the woman. The folks inside the clinic were desirous of prosecution for trespassing, so it looked like the woman was going to be arrested. Since the woman appeared to have all of her mental faculties and seemed to be well enough to care for herself, I think the officers were going to issue her a citation and release her at the scene.
After the officer took statements from people inside the clinic and interviewed me regarding the use of force, she told me I was free to leave. She held out her hand.
"Thanks for the help."
"Glad to do it." I said. "And I have something for you."
I removed the challenge coin from my pocket and handed it to her.
"Stay safe out here. And God bless you."
She smiled and thanked me for the coin.
I didn't have a chance to talk to the other officers because they were still dealing with the woman. And I had hoped for an opportunity to put the gospel into her hands, but an appropriate opportunity didn't present itself. She was still very agitated and the officers were still trying to calm her down and obtain necessary information from her.
As I walked away, the sergeant and the other officers thanked me for the "back-up."
"Back-up." I guess today the Lord gave me an opportunity to provide an officer with two kind of "back-up"--physical and spiritual.
Please join me in praying for the officer--that she will read the tract and that the Lord will use it to draw her to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. Maybe she will be the one to bring the Law and the Gospel to the law enforcement brethren on her department.
As I walked out of the shop---banner in hand, I noticed a patrol car pull up to the curb in front of the medical clinic next door. Standing outside the front door of the clinic was a homeless woman, holding three large bags. She appeared to be in her fifties or sixties. A female officer exited the patrol car and walked toward the homeless woman. It was obvious to me that the officer was there for the woman.
I would later learn that the woman regularly comes to the clinic for various kinds of assistance. Today, for whatever reason, the workers inside the clinic locked the doors, refused entrance to the woman, and called the police.
The woman turned to see the officer walking toward her. She quickly walked away from the front door and down the driveway that led to the back of the building. The officer repeatedly ordered the woman to stop. She refused. Now walking in the same direction as the officer and the woman, I told her that she should obey the officer. She would have none of it.
As the three of us walked toward the back of the building, I told the officer that I was a retired deputy sheriff. "If it's all right with you," I said, "I'm going to stick around just to make sure everything is 'Code-4.'"
She looked at me and nodded her head. "Back-up" is on the way."
When we got to the back of the building, I stood a reasonable distance away (far enough away so as not to interfere with officer, but close enough to get to her if she needed help).
The officer ordered the woman to face the wall and place her hands behind her back. The officer's intent was to conduct a pat down search of the woman for weapons--a safe and reasonable thing to do. (It's what I would have done.) As soon as the officer put her hands on the woman's wrists, she became combative. She tried to turn toward the officer and break free of the officer's hold. Although older, the woman was larger than the officer.
The officer tried to gain control of the woman. When it didn't look like that would happen from a standing position, the officer took the woman to the ground.
Officers, retired or otherwise, never stand around and watch other officers fight.
I moved to where the two were now on the ground. I placed my knee between the woman's shoulder blades and grabbed her left arm. I wanted to keep the woman from reaching her hand underneath her body. The officer hadn't yet searched her and I didn't want the woman pulling a knife or other kind of weapon on us.
I quietly told the woman that she should stop resisting. She continued to struggle.
Moments later, two officers came around the side of the building. They had a certain look in their eye--the look an officer gets when he or she is rushing to help another officer in need. I know that look very well. And that look in the officers' eyes reminded me that I was not in uniform and they didn't know me.
"I'm a retired deputy! I'm a retired deputy!"
I wanted to make sure they clearly understood that I was not part of the problem. I stepped aside and let the other two officers take my place.
The woman continued to struggle for a few more moments until the officers were able to get her handcuffed.
The officer I assisted asked if I would stick around until her sergeant arrived; just in case he wanted to take a statement from me regarding the use of force.
"Sure. My time is your time." I said. "I'm going to go put this (my banner) in the car."
I had an ulterior motive. You see, in the center console of my car, I had my last Ten-Four Ministries Challenge Coin. I designed the first challenge coin for the ministry when I served as the director. Captain Travis Yates (Tulsa PD), the new director of the ministry, updated the coin recently. The challenge coin includes a small gospel tract insert.
I grabbed the coin and a few gospel tracts, and walked back to where the officers were still conversing with the woman. The folks inside the clinic were desirous of prosecution for trespassing, so it looked like the woman was going to be arrested. Since the woman appeared to have all of her mental faculties and seemed to be well enough to care for herself, I think the officers were going to issue her a citation and release her at the scene.
After the officer took statements from people inside the clinic and interviewed me regarding the use of force, she told me I was free to leave. She held out her hand.
"Thanks for the help."
"Glad to do it." I said. "And I have something for you."
I removed the challenge coin from my pocket and handed it to her.
"Stay safe out here. And God bless you."
She smiled and thanked me for the coin.
I didn't have a chance to talk to the other officers because they were still dealing with the woman. And I had hoped for an opportunity to put the gospel into her hands, but an appropriate opportunity didn't present itself. She was still very agitated and the officers were still trying to calm her down and obtain necessary information from her.
As I walked away, the sergeant and the other officers thanked me for the "back-up."
"Back-up." I guess today the Lord gave me an opportunity to provide an officer with two kind of "back-up"--physical and spiritual.
Please join me in praying for the officer--that she will read the tract and that the Lord will use it to draw her to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. Maybe she will be the one to bring the Law and the Gospel to the law enforcement brethren on her department.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Armor of God Project
Project Gives Small Town Officers Bullet-Proof Vests
Courtesy: KTUL
Tulsa - Small police departments don't always have the funds to provide officers with bullet-proof vests. Since many officers can't afford the 500-dollar price tag to buy one themselves, they sometimes go without. That's unthinkable for the "Armor of God" project, who is trying to keep police officers safe.
Larger police forces get new vests every five years, when the manufacturer's warranty runs out. The old vests -- many times still good -- are burned, stored or thrown away.
The Armor of God project aims to put those old vests to good use, by giving them to officers who don't have one.
When Tulsa police Captain Travis Yates learned officers in other countries didn't have vests, he and another officers from Alabama founded the Armor of God Project. Two months ago, they shipped 25 to the Philippines.
"One day later, an officer chased a stolen car into an alley," Yates says. "The guy exited the car and shot the officers at point blank range in the chest. That vest saved his life."
Then Captain Yates started hearing about officers in need in this country.
"There are officers who have to buy their own," Yates says. "Sometimes they don't have the money to do that. This particular officer who we're giving the vest to went and got fitted but couldn't afford it. His fiancee called us in tears."
That officer gets a vest tomorrow in New York.
"We were motivated before when we were working with other countries," says Yates. "But when we found out the need was in our own country, it has really just ramped our efforts up."
The Armor of God Project has a checklist to make sure the recycled vests are in good shape.
"Experts have told us the vests will still work properly and effectively. And right now, they're wearing nothing. If you're not wearing one, the best thing is a new vest. The next best thing is a used vest."
He says this project ends up helping small departments and surprisingly the big ones as well.
"They're looking for a reason to get rid of the vests," he says. "We have a way to get rid of them and put them on the back of an officer in need."
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Across America - City #40
The Cleveland Police Department protects the 40th largest city in America. This week we ask you to pray for the Cleveland Police Department and for Chief Michael McGrath.
For the next 39 weeks Ten-Four Ministries will be contacting the police chiefs in the largest 50 cities in America and presenting them with The Gospel. This is an ongoing project called The Across America Project.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Henry County, Georgia & Armor of God Project
April 9, 2009 McDonough, GA - Steve Wetherington and Elizabeth Cole of the Henry County Police Dept. donate vests on behalf of Deputy Chief Keith Nichols. Pictured (left to right) are Steve Wetherington, Ray Mahan, and Elizabeth (Liz) Cole.
On April 8, 2009 a mass email was sent out the classmates of the FBI National Academy session 227 and several classmates responded with positive feedback about the project.
One of those responding was Deputy Chief Keith Nichols of Henry County Police Department McDonough, Georgia. Deputy Chief Nichols acted immediately and gathered and boxed 10 outdated vests and then contacted the “Armor of God Project”. It has been amazing how God has connected the dots and put people in the right place at the right time for this project. Ray Mahan was already in Georgia near McDonough when the email went out on the 8th and on April 9th he went to the Henry County Police Department and picked the vests up.
On April 10th I called Deputy Chief Nichols and thanked him for the donation and quick response to the project and Chief Nichols stated he was” Glad that they could help and be a part of the project”.
Some might say the timing of these events was just coincidental; but we won’t. God prepares the way to what He provides.
Thank you Chief Nichols, Steve, Liz, and everyone at the Henry County PD for your willingess to help, we thank God for you!
Lt. Clint Reck
Muscle Shoals (AL) Police Department
Co-Founder - Armor of God Project
The Quest For Character
A few months ago, I became familiar with an excellent resource on character by Pastor John MacArthur. I have been exposed to countless hours of training in leadership, integrity, character, etc. and i found this resource to be about as good as it gets in the area. It is a quick, easy read and I highly recommend it.
I have a few copies available in our store. By purchasing the book through the ministry you will help fund our 10-33 Fund, which helps officers in financial need. You can purchase the book here.
Thursday, April 09, 2009
Tuscaloosa P.D. & The Armor of God Project
March 26, 2009 was an exciting day for The Armor of God Project. We arrived in Tuscaloosa, AL and were greeted by Captain Michael Flowers and other Tuscaloosa officers eagerly waiting to assist us with the project.
The Tuscaloosa Police Department donated 68 outdated vests to the project and have partnered with us in helping keep our fellow officers safe. There are two things that will never change in law enforcement. The first is our mission to protect and serve our communities and fellow citizens. The second is our commitment to working as a team to accomplish that mission, and that mission has grown more dangerous each and every day. These officers in Tuscaloosa are outstanding examples of the teamwork needed to accomplish these missions.
What a great encouragement it was to see these men so readily involve themselves with this opportunity to help their fellow officer; wherever that officer may be.
If you would like to find out more about this important project, you can go to www.vestforlife.com.
Sunday, April 05, 2009
New York, New York
I had the honor of being invited to Goshen, New York last week to speak at the Orange County STOP-DWI Conference. I am often invited to various law enforcement conferences to speak on the subject of Police Pursuits. It is a hot topic issue in law enforcement and I have been training and writing on the issue for some time. Travelling and speaking in front of crowds isn't my favorite activity but what an awesome opportunity to introduce the audience (mostly law enforcement) to Jesus Christ. I usually get an opportunity to do that through a discussion with the activities of Ten-Four Ministries and in my first session last Thursday, almost 100 people took the SURVIVAL GEAR Tract, that gives them a free copy of Take Up The Shield.
Once the two training sessions were complete, I had the privilege of travelling to Calvary Chapel of Orange County to speak at a law enforcement fellowship group. The group, organized by New York State Police Investigator Tom Brozycki, was a blessing to be a part of. As I told Tom, "This is where the rubber meets the road." There are a lot of law enforcement fellowship groups out there and I commend every one of them. Men, getting together, on a regular basis and encouraging each other in the faith is very important. While I believe in our Centurion Fellowship Ministry and I encourage each of you to participate, there is something special about what Tom and many others are doing. I anticipate that Ten-Four Ministries will be actively involved in helping the organization of these in-person fellowship groups in the future. I will discuss those plans at a later date.
I would like to thank all of the men that permitted me to spend time with them and specifically Tom and his pastor, Owen Ridgely, for their hospitality and invitation.
The next morning was interesting. When the Orange County conference officials asked me what I had planned prior to leaving on Friday, I told them I may try to visit Orange County Choppers. I was surprised to find out that the shop was just a few minutes from my hotel and even more surprised to find out that the conference officials had arranged for a private tour of the facility for me.
I showed up at 9 a.m. on Friday and met with the head of security, a local officer. He took me past the front tourist area and into the shop. As soon as I walked back there, I noticed several cameras and the owner and lead tv personality (Paul Sr.) of the show walked up to us.
Paul Sr. was gracious with his time and I had the opportunity to give him a Ten-Four Minsitries Challenge Coin. Paul left but then quickly came back to thank me for the coin again (I assumed he had looked at it). I encouraged him to read the tract located in the container and he told me he would.
I spent the next hour walking around the shop and visiting the show room, which is where I located the bike above.
It was an incredible blessing to spend a few days around fellow law enforcement officers from another area and to meet fellow christians. I believe this will not be the last trip to the area and I sincerely thank everyone involved that helped bring me there.
Once the two training sessions were complete, I had the privilege of travelling to Calvary Chapel of Orange County to speak at a law enforcement fellowship group. The group, organized by New York State Police Investigator Tom Brozycki, was a blessing to be a part of. As I told Tom, "This is where the rubber meets the road." There are a lot of law enforcement fellowship groups out there and I commend every one of them. Men, getting together, on a regular basis and encouraging each other in the faith is very important. While I believe in our Centurion Fellowship Ministry and I encourage each of you to participate, there is something special about what Tom and many others are doing. I anticipate that Ten-Four Ministries will be actively involved in helping the organization of these in-person fellowship groups in the future. I will discuss those plans at a later date.
I would like to thank all of the men that permitted me to spend time with them and specifically Tom and his pastor, Owen Ridgely, for their hospitality and invitation.
The next morning was interesting. When the Orange County conference officials asked me what I had planned prior to leaving on Friday, I told them I may try to visit Orange County Choppers. I was surprised to find out that the shop was just a few minutes from my hotel and even more surprised to find out that the conference officials had arranged for a private tour of the facility for me.
I showed up at 9 a.m. on Friday and met with the head of security, a local officer. He took me past the front tourist area and into the shop. As soon as I walked back there, I noticed several cameras and the owner and lead tv personality (Paul Sr.) of the show walked up to us.
Paul Sr. was gracious with his time and I had the opportunity to give him a Ten-Four Minsitries Challenge Coin. Paul left but then quickly came back to thank me for the coin again (I assumed he had looked at it). I encouraged him to read the tract located in the container and he told me he would.
I spent the next hour walking around the shop and visiting the show room, which is where I located the bike above.
It was an incredible blessing to spend a few days around fellow law enforcement officers from another area and to meet fellow christians. I believe this will not be the last trip to the area and I sincerely thank everyone involved that helped bring me there.
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