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Archive

Archive for July, 2009

Do You Know Misconduct When You See It?

July 23rd, 2009

40d71844358638e01In my previous article I made mention that “When it comes right down to it, many officers do not even know what constitutes Misconduct, or how it’s investigated in the first place.”  Incredibly, I know that a few of you probably said to yourself that misconduct could never happen to me or at my agency.    As you read the following TRUE articles pulled out of recent news papers ask yourself this question, “Do I really know myself, and what I would do in situations like these?”  Read more…

Misconduct / Curruption

Survival Tips If You Are Taken Hostage

July 13th, 2009

2 hostages taken June 30, 2008

3a5df457e4803aa2According to the governor’s office, two people have been taken hostage by a prisoner with a knife at the Maine State Prison in Warren.  The incident began mid-afternoon and a negotiating team has made limited contact with the prisoner.  Official have not identified the inmate but say he is in jail for robbery and aggravated assault.  One hostage is a prisoner and one hostage is prison staff.  Family members of the hostages have been notified. Read more…

Mental Preperation

Having the Mr. Rogers Syndrome

July 4th, 2009

0b7ecaf074f24eb2“Dear Mr. Barnhart, First of all let me thank you for your service to our country and now to the public. I have read all of your posting and though I don’t disagree with most of your opinions it seems that you leaning on the side of what I like to call “The Mister Rogers Syndrome”. I have worked the streets and behind glass (because bars are inhumane) for over 23 years and it’s always a changing environment. I am proudly an A**Hole, my mother says I get it naturally and I use it daily, but for me it doesn’t matter if its an inmate or staff the key is being fair, firm and consistent.  Just to clarify I have also never been assaulted and have the respect of over 600 inmates as a regular officer but as a tactical officer I have had to use the minimal amount of force necessary to complete the mission and still have that respect.  One of the issues that I have seen over and over is “weakness” “back pedaling.” Most of the assaults I have seen are on “Mr. Rogers” types, they want to give, give and help these poor mis-understood humans until its time to kick butt and all the inmate sees is a liar and a hypocrite. Read more…

Mental Preperation, use of force

Understanding Communications in Corrections

July 4th, 2009

 

728b876164fe70ceI thought that I knew how to verbally de-escalate individuals and generate voluntary compliance through my emanation of authority, that is, until my first day with inmates.  When I was a police officer I was very confident in my weapons systems and had a clear understanding of the use of force continuum and where I stood as it related to my abilities.      Verbal de-escalation was just a required term of action that I placed into my reports in order to justify the physical slam that just occurred. Read more…

Mental Preperation, use of force

Verbal & Non-Verbal Deception Behavior Analysis

July 3rd, 2009

“Truth is generally the best vindication against slander.”

Abraham Lincoln

 

6537d3d20c9526fcIn the course of a day the average correctional officer can be deceived more often than they are spoken the truth.  Inmates will mix truthful information with lies when speaking to officers and you need to be able to pick out the truths and discard the deceptions.  Inmates rely on deception, manipulation and bewilderment in order to gain favors, outside contraband, a phone call or items such as an extra bar of soap.  Read more…

Mental Preperation