(Acting) Chief Fisher - Still just acting

(Acting) Chief Fisher is acting like he did while he was acting as the chief in San Diego. He has already willingly carried out his first order from his bosses in Labor Employee Relations. At their direction, he agreed to strip all employees from the bargaining unit if they volunteer for a detail to aid the Federal Air Marshals Service. After 9-11, agents were detailed to the FAMS, but surprisingly they continued to be recognized as bargaining unit members with rights and protections. Of course this was pre-Aguilar and at a time when management actually stood up for the Patrol and the agents instead of doing anything to get promoted.

To read more about the detail, the loss of your rights and protections, and what you are required to do to maintain your coverage with PORAC, please go to www.nbpc.net.

Suicide is Never the Answer

SUICIDE IS NEVER THE ANSWER

A sobering statistic in Law Enforcement is the fact that an officer is more likely to be a victim of suicide than a homicide. The suicide rate per 100,000 people is 11.1% for the population and 18% for Law Enforcement. Suicide is devastating to families, friends and co-workers.

It is something you have a hard time understanding when you hear about it happening. Especially, when it happens to one of your own. What do you think when you hear a story about one of your own who risks his/her life everyday for this country taking their life? It saddens me and it maddens me! As an Agent and as a mental health professional it makes me want to do more. I hope this information is useful. If only one suicide is prevented that is a victory.

I will start with some of the basic information.
Here are some of the warning signs:
1. Threatens to harm self.
2. Prior suicide attempt(s).
3. Disturbance in sleep/appetite/weight.
4. Thinking is constricted – all or nothing, black or white.
5. Increased risk-taking behavior.
6. Has plan and means for suicide.
7. Emotionless/numb.
8. Angry/agitated.
9. Sad/depressed.
10. Hopeless, not future-oriented; giving away valued possessions.
11. Problems at work/home.
12. Recent loss (status, loved one).
13. Under investigation.
14. Socially isolated/withdrawn.
15. Increased consumption of alcohol/drugs.

The problem is as Agents you do some of these things as habit in order to do your jobs. These things serve you well in our daily work but hinder your ability to get help when you truly need it. For instance, if you have problems at home, you try not to take it with you to work. You try to separate the two so you can do your job. You try to set home problem aside to get the job done, to make sure you have your fellow agent’s back when he/she needs you. The problem occurs when you get overloaded. You can only do this for so long before it overwhelms you. This can lead to what psychiatrist Karl Menninger referred to as “suicide by inches.”

“This refers to more gradual behaviors of self-destruction, like excessive spending in an effort to buy happiness, excessive drinking or compulsive adultery as a means to escape, addictively overworking at the cost of relationships with spouse and kids.” The Force Science News #101: Practical pointers for preventing “suicide by inches” Bill Lewinski.

As Agents you try to blow off steam in ways that don’t help sometimes, they just mask the problems. Going out and drinking (choir practice) is one of the ways you do this. It is something that is done in celebration some times. It becomes a problem when it is an escape. A way to forget about the problems at home and/or at work. You compound all of these issues and you have a dangerous mix. I am not trying to be Chicken Little here. I just want all of you to remember that suicide is NEVER the answer. It is a poor solution to temporary problems.

Some good suggestions I have found in this article and my practice are:
1. Talk to a Buddy. Talk to someone you can honestly open up to without worry of how they are going to judge you. Sometimes it’s nice to just have a sounding board.

2. Develop a Purpose outside of work. There is more to life than the “JOB.” Remember it is just that a job. When you leave or go on vacation the job still gets done. Find something you enjoy doing outside of work that is in line with whom you really are or who you want to be. It could be anything from going back to school to fishing to building model ships in glass bottles. You can also volunteer to help those less fortunate. That always puts things in perspective. Who cares what it is, just do something constructive, positive, fun and purposeful to you.

3. Pay attention to your mental health. Pay attention for the symptoms listed above and below. If you see them happening in your life or a friends or a co-workers intervene.
a. Are you banging in a lot?
b. Are you coming to work hung over a lot?
c. Are you always irritable?
d. Are you drinking frequently and excessively?
e. Do you feel as though no one will understand?
f. Are you worried about getting fired?
g. Are you having problems at home (divorce, break up, death in the family, bankruptcy etc.)?

These are a few things that may contribute to problems in your physical and mental health. If they are then gets some help at setting up a plan to deal with each of these issues. You are not the first person to have the problems and you will not be the last. You ability to deal with them might help you help someone else.

4. Consider getting a check up.
a. Go to you general practitioner if you don’t know what to do or don’t want to go to a “shrink.”
b. A yearly mental health check up was suggested in the article from The Force Science News and I think it is an excellent idea.

I know as Law Enforcement Officers you tend to not trust outsiders, especially mental health professionals. There are some good ‘shrinks” out there. Find one that fits with you. Mental health professionals understand that sometimes it is not personal; it is just that you don’t click. It is ok to shop around for a therapist. Yes, I said the word it is not a four letter one. Although it would be more acceptable to agents if it was.

Now I take my mental health professional hat off and this is straight from my heart as an Agent. We have a saying that we would rather be tried by twelve than carried by six. Give things a chance to work themselves out. You cut off all options with such a final actions. With time the situation will lose some of its sting.

Think of it this way. Every Law Enforcement Officer hates a cop killer. Wouldn’t committing suicide be doing the same thing!

Overall remember watching each others back does not stop when you take off the uniform. During this holiday season and each day after let’s be there for each other. Don’t put on blinders because you don’t want to offend someone.

Again, SUICIDE is NEVER the answer!

For more information: www.thepainbehindthebadge.
www.psf.org (The National Police Suicide Foundation)
www.forcesciencenews.com
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) 1-800-467-3277

No matter the situation. You must remember that your life is a gift. How you choose to express that gift is up to you. Respect this gift and get help if you need it, but most of all remember things are never as bad as they seem and you are much stronger than you think!

San Diego Chief a No-Show at Agent's Funeral

I've always believed in leadership and that you take care of both your mission and your men. But lately here in San Diego Sector I have seen a disturbing trend by those who state they are "in command."

During the memorial services for Agent Nate Afolayan I looked around and saw only "acting" Assistant Chiefs and an "acting" Deputy Chief representing San Diego Sector. What really surprised me was that Chief Mike Fisher was not there since the union was scheduled to meet with him after the memorial service had concluded. It turns out that Chief Fisher had some very important training and could not find time to honor one of his agents who had died or to meet with the union. I could care less about the meeting, but to not attend the memorial service is inexcusable.

Now with the murder of Agent Rosas I thought there was no way the sector staff would pull the same moves again. Wrong. Chief Fisher was again nowhere to be seen at the services. "Acting" Chief Rick Barlow presided over the memorial services. What kind of training is more important than attending the funeral of one the agents you are supposed to lead? Unless his wife was giving birth or there was a death or medical emergency in his family, there is no reason on this earth that he shouldn't have been there.

Chief Fisher now has established a track record of disregarding fallen agents and their families in their time of need. There is talk that he may be the next Chief of the Border Patrol and that truly concerns me. If he continues to pull stunts like this he will perfectly fill the Aguilar mold. Honor First? More like Fisher First.

Border Patrol Agent Robert Rosas Memorial Videos

Special thanks to the Imperial Valley Press for creating and posting the following videos.



Thanks to the creator of the following video:

Border Patrol Agents mourn the death of fellow agent Robert Rosas

The National Border Patrol Council, Local 1613 is deeply saddened and angered by the brutal murder of Border Patrol Agent Robert Rosas. He was following a group of people who had crossed the border illegally into Campo, California (in eastern San Diego County) on the evening of July 23rd when he was fatally shot several times by unidentified assailants who fled back into Mexico immediately after the shooting.

The events surrounding this senseless tragedy are currently being investigated by the FBI. The National Border Patrol Council, Local 1613 is refraining from commenting on the specific details of the case to avoid jeopardizing the investigation and in hopes of expediting the capture of those who are responsible for this murder.

This latest act of violence along our border highlights the extreme dangers that Border Patrol Agents face while protecting the United States from the illegal entry of persons, drugs, weapons, and other contraband. Border Patrol Agents routinely work alone in remote areas due to the lack of manpower. Agent Rosas is the 108th Border Patrol Agent to lose his life in the line of duty, with 21 of those deaths occurring during the past decade.

Agent Rosas entered on duty with the U.S. Border Patrol on May 22, 2006, as a member of the 621st Session of the U.S. Border Patrol Academy. He is survived by his wife, a two-year-old son and an 11-month-old daughter.

A public viewing for Agent Rosas will be held on Thursday, July 30th from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Faith Assembly of God Church, 320 South J Street, Imperial, California 92251. A memorial service will be held on Friday, July 31 at 9:00 a.m. at the Southwest Performing Arts Theatre (located on the Southwest High School campus), 2001 Ocotillo Drive, El Centro, California 92243. Internment services will immediately follow at Evergreen Cemetery, 201 East Gillett Street, El Centro, California 92243.

MEMORIAL FUND:

A memorial account has been established for Agent Rosas and his family through Cabrillo Credit Union.

Cabrillo Credit Union
Robert W. Rosas Memorial Account
Account Number 186716-02.
www.cabrillocu.com
1-800-222-7455

Speech by Congressman Poe

House Resolution 681

Press release from DHS Secretary

Press release by CBP

Visit the Officer Down Memorial Page for Agent Rosas

Reports of Questionable Training at El Cajon Station

Training for a career in the US Border Patrol should be hard. If you work hard in training, the real thing should be easier. But training should be conducted with a purpose and a goal. Field Training Officers have a difficult and thankless job, but it is not a license to impose their will upon trainees. It is not the place to do the wrongs unto others that may have been done to you. Just because you had to do something when you were a trainee doesn't make it right or useful. Hazing trainees has no place in the Border Patrol.

Recently Local 1613 has become aware of questionable training methods being used at the El Cajon Border Patrol Station. Trainees are being run up and down trails not to learn the area or to work alien traffic, leaving us with the question: what is the point? Is it punishment or is there some training value to it? No one in the union is opposed to hard training, only pointless training that can get agents injured or killed. The weather in eastern San Diego county during July is conducive to heat emergencies. Bulletproof vests and poorly ventilated uniforms only make the problem worse.

On Sunday, July 5, 2009, agents were further subjected to training methods of little value. Trainees were forced to perform push-ups on hot blacktop which resulted in some agents injuring their hands. To literally add insult to injury, a Supervisory Border Patrol Agent took photos of this activity, yet did nothing to stop it. Again, where is the training value in any of this?

This kind of behavior accomplishes nothing except to placate the egos of those overseeing the trainees. It is obvious that the field training officers have not been properly trained and that management is condoning their actions. For this the FTOs should be removed from their position and the supervisor of the unit held accountable.

Local 1613 is also aware that trainees are being pressured and intimidated not to "rat" on anyone now that this situation has come to light. Any interference with the ability of an agent to exercise their right to union representation will be viewed as a serious matter and will be pursued in accordance with the Collective Bargaining Agreement and/or applicable third party procedures.

IMB Manager Up to His Old Tricks Again

Just when you think that the antics of Field Operations Supervisor Mike Apple can't get any lower, he surprises with another blatant attempt to get information to burn agents with.

Most agents are aware that Apple has people working at the RVS cameras who report to him when they see something they don't agree with on the video feeds. A few seconds taken out of context by someone far removed from the action can lead to months of investigations, grief for the accused agents, grand jury investigations, or even criminal prosecution. Apple's take on these situations seems to be slanted towards the accusers, not to the agents.

Recently we have become aware of Apple's latest "slash and burn" tactic. Certain shifts have a contact/cover unit that works between the primary and secondary fences providing back-up to the line units. To ensure that this unit provides ample coverage to the line units, Apple has enlisted the help of a new, highly-trained, supervisory unit: the minimum wage paid, LAPR card carrying, KIEWIT security officers.

From information provided by these security guards, Apple has given them his cell phone number so that they can inform him of how many times they see the contact/cover unit during a shift. Apparently Apple does not trust the agents enough to do their job correctly, nor does he trust his own managers to properly supervise those agents. If that is the case it is deeply disturbing.

Is this tactic known to and approved by sector and station management, or is it solely the design of one misguided manager? Members need to be aware of this new tactic and are advised to use caution when dealing with FOS Apple. Remember that according to our contract should Apple or any other supervisor wish to speak with you, and you feel that discipline may result from that conversation then you are entitled to union representation. With these kind of tactics currently being used by some supervisors, we advise that you call a union rep...quickly.

Unless the management at Imperial Beach does something to correct FOS Apple's actions, we foresee more events like this occurring in the future. Please contact us if you are aware of similar incidents.

Follow Local 1613 on Twitter

For those who use Twitter you can now get updates by following us at http://twitter.com/nbpc1613

Member advisories, issues, and news related to the Border Patrol and this union will be discussed on Twitter.

VRP Grievance Settled on Courthouse Steps

Facing another near-certain arbitration loss, a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) attorney requested a meeting with the National Border Patrol Council (NBPC) to discuss settlement for the grievance over the Voluntary Relocation Program (VRP). The parties were scheduled to meet on June 18, 2009 before an arbitrator. Fortunately, Labor and Employee Relations personnel did not play a major role in the settlement discussion, which allowed Border Patrol Management and the Union to reach a fair and equitable settlement in a short amount of time. We look forward to conducting business in a similar manner in the future.

Read more

In Memoriam - Harold Newton

The National Border Patrol Council - Local 1613 is deeply saddened to report that Harold Newton, brother of Border Patrol Inspector Theodore L. Newton, Jr., passed away on June 11, 2009 at approximately 2:18 p.m.

For those who do not know, Harold and the Newton family are very special members of the Border Patrol family. Since his brother’s tragic death on June 17, 1967, Harold fought tirelessly to improve the Border Patrol, to protect the agents, and to prevent another tragedy. While we cannot list all of his accomplishments, there are a few he regularly mentioned when he spoke: successfully lobbied on numerous occasions for increased manpower for the Border Patrol; successfully challenged Border Patrol policy which foolishly permitted two-man checkpoint operations; and successfully lobbied to make sure new agents were not assigned to the field prior to attending basic training at the academy. While this is just a brief list of his accomplishments, those who know Harold are well aware of how he is a remarkable advocate for the Border Patrol and all of its agents.

Information for the funeral services will be posted when the family provides the details. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Newton family during this difficult time.

Pictured below is Harold Newton (right) with Congressman Darrell Issa at the official ceremony to rename the Murrieta station as the Theodore L. Newton, Jr. and George F. Azrak Border Patrol Station.