Associate Magazine FBINAA Q2-2023

Continued from "Recruiting the Unrecruited", on page 34

Finally, I am humbled by the support that has come in the form of endorsements of my candidacy. I am proud to be endorsed by the Arizona Chapter, the California Chapter, the Montana/Idaho Chapter, the Rocky Mountain Chapter, the Utah Chapter, and the Washington Chapter. This organization will always be a priority for me. The best part of visiting chapters is the feeling I get from fellow members. I always feel like I’m with family. The FBINAA truly is a family. It is for this reason I ask for your vote during the National Conference in Denver, Colorado in July. If you can’t make the trip, know that you can vote electroni cally. With the support of my family and the Idaho State Police, I am committed to seeking a position on the National Board representing Section I. I welcome your questions or if I can help in any way, do not hesitate to contact me at bill.gardiner@isp. idaho.gov. Continued from "Meet the Candidate", on page 15 Continued from "A Message From Our Chaplain, on page 27 NA are varied—some want to further their careers, some want to continue the training, and some want the brother/sisterhood it provides. But we are almost entirely a volunteer organization. At times, many of us start to see only how much time it takes out of our days to get involved and do not see the spiritual benefits it can bring. That is where we, as senior leaders of our organizations, play a vital role with our members—letting them know you sin cerely care about them, providing guidance and support, reas suring them that they matter, and helping them see the benefits of giving back. And there are other rewards for taking part in a volunteer ef fort. Research shows that volunteerism may impact the kinds of leadership skills that successful leaders have. We benefit socially through personal engagement and spiritually by knowing we’re contributing to something we feel strongly about that is impor tant to us. Doing good deeds for others is referenced in the scriptures as a spiritual consideration of well-being. “And now abideth in faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.” Corinthians 3:13 Before volunteering with the Commission, Lew Whitacre had a very successful career working with the U.S. Forest Service and was highly recognized by his peers for his ability to influence others to give more of themselves. That legacy remains today, and his passion for helping others unite in a cause inspired those who knew and worked with him. He was a true servant with a servant’s heart of caring for others. The Osceola National Forest Training and Firearms Facil ity in Lake City, Florida, is named in his honor and his ashes were spread over the range by GFC aircraft, just as he had wished.

step-up supervisors are all opportunities for those in lower ranks to attain leadership skills and responsibility. In some instances, it may be discovered that those who thought they wanted to be in a leadership position do not want it after all. Conversely, those who may not have considered being in leader ship may be led to do so. All voices within an organization and a community must be heard. When only specific voices are heard it leads to mistrust within the organization and community. Within the department it can also lead to low morale, terminations, misconduct, as well as low hiring and retention rates. Everyone has the responsibility to ensure their voice is heard in an organization and to recruit those who they feel will enhance their career as well as the agency. This problem was not created overnight and will not be fixed overnight; let us all do our part.

FBINAA.ORG | Q2 2023

About the Author: Tameca West began her law enforcement career with the West Palm Beach Police Department in 1995 as an Emergency Communications Operator in the Critical Services Bureau and became a sworn member four years later in February 1999. As an officer she worked in road patrol, as well as the narcotics unit and served as a Field Training Officer. In 2006, she was promoted to the rank of sergeant where she served in the Patrol Division and Internal Affairs. In 2009, she was promoted to Lieutenant and served in the Patrol Division and Community Services. In 2014

needed to remain calm in these situations, so they can enforce the law and protect their citizens’ constitutional rights. CONCLUSION It is imperative that agencies prepare their staff for these sometimes-contentious encounters with First Amendment audi tors. Law enforcement agencies must ensure their staff are famil iar with the laws they enforce, while simultaneously ensuring they don’t gloss over topics involving situations where the subject(s) is not actually violating the law. Our staff deserve our attention on this topic if we hope to build successful organizations. About the Author: Christopher Distel has served in the United States military for more than 18 years and is the full-time operations superintendent for the Ohio National Guard’s 178th Base Defense Squadron in Springfield, OH. His military career began in the Marine Corps as an infantryman with assignments at the White House Com munications Agency, as an instructor at the School of Infantry, and a combat tour in Iraq. Prior to his current role, Distel was employed for nine years by the Ohio Depart ment of Rehabilitation and Corrections holding the position of Deputy Warden. Distel graduated FBI National Academy Class 285 in March 2023. she was promoted to the rank of Captain where she served in the Critical Services Bureau as well as the Patrol Division. In 2017 she was promoted to the rank of As sistant Chief. She has supervised the Criminal Investigations Division, Special Inves tigations Division, Crime Scene, Evidence, Operations, Communications, Records, Special Events and Emergency Management. Tameca has received the Department’s Life Saving Medal and Certificates of Merit. Tameca earned a bachelor’s degree from Palm Beach Atlantic University, a master’s degree from Lynn University and is a Southern Police Institute Graduate. She also attended the Police Executive Research Forum. Tameca is also a proud retired Army veteran.

Continued from "First Amendment Audits", on page 10

God bless,

Mike Hardee National Chaplain Session 232

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