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Aloha SHOPO Members, Family, Friends, and Guests,
It seems as if it were just yesterday that I had wrapped and delivered Christmas gifts. "My how time flies!" I'm sure most of you if not all, share the same sentiments. Christmas gifts and merchandises are already on display all over town, and we've yet to celebrate Thanksgiving!
Before I go on any further, I hope and pray that all is well with you and your family. As we approach the Holiday Season, I pray Our Heavenly Father provides for all your needs, especially for those facing financial challenges as a direct result of these unexpected and unpredictable tough economic times. As we pray, let us not forget to pray for the many families afflicted by Homelessness.
With Thanksgiving only a few days away, lets really take the time to thank Our Heavenly Father for the many blessings (Good Health, Our Families, Our Job, Our Home, Schools for Our Children, etc.) we've experienced individually and as a family over the many years.
As you reflect on your many blessings, if you haven't done so in the past, may I humbly ask, make this year even more special for you and your family by sharing some of your blessings. May I suggest delivering a Turkey and/or giving of Christmas Gifts for a Homeless family. Or if you and your Beat Partners know of a family in your assigned District/Division struggling to make their mortgage payment, utility bill, food bill, maybe a "WATCH PRIDE PROJECT" of a monetary collection to help offset a portion of these expenses. Or at the very least, find an Organization looking for volunteers to serve Our Fellow Human Beings in need.
"Police Officers.....Sharing the Gift of Love....."
OUR MILITARY HEROES: Speaking of tough challenges! As Brother and Sister Police Officers, we have and will always salute and honor the many Men and Women of our United States Military Armed Services for their Sacrifices and Commitment in combating Terrorism abroad, and protecting our way of life, "FREEDOM!"
Again, I humbly ask every member of our Law Enforcement Community and Families, please remember to pray for Our Military Heroes and their families as they continue their daily challenges of the uncertainties of this War, and not limited to.
Let's extend our hearts and helping hands to our Military Personnel and their families during these Special Holidays also. Whether it's a family venture or with your Beat Partners, maybe some Gift baskets, Fruit baskets, Gift Cards, Toys for the kids, a little something to let them know that we sincerely appreciate, and Love them for all they do.
"Our Military Heroes Are The Best, and Deserves Our Best"
POLITICAL ACTIVITIES: A small moral victory for Our SHOPO Ohana. I say "small" moral victory because we have a long way to go with in the success of our key endorsements in the recent Federal, State, and County races.
With all due respect to Our other valued Federal, State, and County candidates endorsed by SHOPO, our key endorsements were for President elect Barrack OBAMA, Mayors Mufi HANNEMANN (Honolulu), Bill KENOI (Hawaii County), and Mayor Bernard CARVALHO (Kauai).
With our Country's current economic crisis, these four (4) candidates will have a direct impact in addressing Federal, State, and County mandates that may threaten our current Retirement/Pension, Medical, and Salaries/Wages just to name a few.
And as always, SHOPO is humbled and honored by all Federal, State, and County political candidates who have sought SHOPO'S endorsement throughout the years. Equally, for both the candidates that did, and did not receive SHOPO'S endorsement, Good Luck and God Bless You and your future endeavors.
To all our newly and/or re-elected Federal, State, and County Officials, if I may humbly suggest, please remember to make decisions that are first and foremost LEGALLY Correct, and equally important, MORALLY sound, for one purpose and one purpose only, "FOR THE PEOPLE!"
A decision to cast a Yes or No vote should not be difficult if it's founded on being LEGALLY Correct, and MORALLY Sound. Yes, you can't make them all happy, but No matter how you voted on tough issues, you owe it to "THE PEOPLE," an explanation please!
"Respect The People's Voices As Reflected In Their Vote"
R.O.P.A. (Removal Of Police Authority): The infamous "acronym" that has really negatively impacted and affected the mind-set and morale of our HONOLULU POLICE OFFICERS to a point where it has now become a Safety concern and has had a "Chilling Affect" for our Police Officers and their Families.
This "Chilling Affect" will ultimately have a direct impact ("negatively") on the Community's Call for Service and Well being.
The "Chilling Affect" is best described, "Damned if you do, and Damned if you don't!" Officers are now second guessing themselves and are resolved to being "reactive" versus being "proactive."
As a direct result on how R.O.P.A. (a lengthy "Guilty Until Proven Innocent" process) is being levied against Our Officers, Our Officers are now reluctant and hesitant to respond "instinctively" to quail situations that could easily escalate to "a verbal and physical confrontation, and heaven forbids, a Deadly encounter" for fear of being R.O.P.A.'d!
SHOPO has supported the R.O.P.A. Policy of which has been collaboratively amended over the years through the efforts of the late Chief Michael NAKAMURA, then Chief Lee DONOHUE, and SHOPO. Obvoiusly, this has definitely not been the case under the current Honolulu Police Administration.
SHOPO has exhausted all it's "sincere" efforts dating back to 2006 during Negotiations, Labor Management, and numerous meetings with HPD and Honolulu City Officials in hopes of reaching a compromise.
With no other recourse, on Friday, November 7th, 2008, SHOPO has filed an Official Prohibited Practice Complaint (case #CE-12-696) with the Hawaii Labor Review Board (HLRB), citing amongst other concerns; Contractual Violations, Due Process Violation, Disparate Treatment, Double Standards (Rank and File Officers versus Administrators), etc.
"Protecting & Exercising Our Rights"
SHOPO GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS: If there was ever a time and venue to show "SOLIDARITY & UNITY" with your union, this is it! I strongly urge you to please mark your calendar and make every effort to please attend your Annual SHOPO General Membership meeting.
Not only is this an opportunity to be informed and updated on the latest activities impacting our membership, this is also an awesome opportunity to fellowship; enjoy good food and refreshments, entertainment, and great door prizes.
As a matter of standard protocol, the meeting officially begins with a discussion of "hot button" issues positively or negatively impacting our membership at the County and State level, immediately followed by the entertainment festivities.
Last Friday was our first General Membership meeting hosted in Kona by Hawaii Chapter Chair John Stewart and the Hawaii County Officials. Although I wasn't able to attend due to work related and personal commitments, Vice President Malcolm Lutu, Secretary Andrew Lum, Treasurer James "Kimo" Smith, Executive Director Russ Akana, and Business Agent Art Nishida attended. There were approximately 110-120 in attendance (consisting of Officers and their respective family members) to enjoy and partake in the festivities.
The remaining General Membership meetings are as follows;
November 21st : Hilo General Membership beginning at 1800 hours (preceded by the State Board of Directors Meeting 0800-1630 hours).
December 5th : Honolulu General Membership Meeting beginning at 1730 hours (immediately followed by the State General Membership Meeting).
December 10th : Kauai General Membership Meeting beginning at 1700 hours.
December 19th : Maui General Membership meeting beginning at 1800 hours (preceded by the State Board of Directors Meeting 0800-1630 hours).
Again, as a sign of "SOLIDARITY & UNITY" for our Union, I strongly encourage you and your family to attend for an educational and fun fillied evening.
"United We Stand, Divided We Fall"
IN CLOSING: To my Brother and Sister Police Officers (namely Honolulu Police Officers during these trying times), always remember that it's an Honor and a Privilege to don a Police Officer's Badge which obviously comes with a great deal of integrity, trust, repsect, responsibilities, challenges, demands, and rewards.
As you "Hit the Road" to do what you do best, "TO PROTECT, AND TO SERVE," Safety First (for You, Your Beat Partners, and the Community)! If you have to do more with less, exercise your discretion as you've been trained to do, and carry out your duties to the best of your abilities, "SAFETY FIRST!!!"
Before, during, and at the end of our tour of duty, always remember that we're going home safely to our Loved Ones awaiting our safe return.
As only we as Police Officers can validate, "Being a Police Officer is just a job! Yet, not just anyone can be a Police Officer!" We are a very special breed of people, who despite the daily challenges and hazards of our profession, we are willing to make the ultimate sacrifice so others may live.
"Be Humble... Be Genuine... Be Brave..."
Aloha, Stay Safe, and God Bless,
Tenari R. Ma'afala - SHOPO President
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