x-sender: governor.haley@sc.lmhostediq.com x-receiver: governor.haley@sc.lmhostediq.com Received: from mail pickup service by sc.lmhostediq.com with Microsoft SMTPSVC; Thu, 24 Mar 2016 22:37:37 -0400 thread-index: AdGGP0tPyocw7+6UQo+VEUHjMFR3Hg== Thread-Topic: Response via eform 100002 - Help with a State Agency From: To: Subject: Response via eform 100002 - Help with a State Agency Date: Thu, 24 Mar 2016 22:37:37 -0400 Message-ID: <65839B39DCA74DA1B2FAB8CCC1265294@IQ12> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-Mailer: Microsoft CDO for Windows 2000 Content-Class: urn:content-classes:message Importance: normal Priority: normal X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.1.7601.17609 X-OriginalArrivalTime: 25 Mar 2016 02:37:37.0550 (UTC) FILETIME=[4B56DAE0:01D1863F] WORKFLOW 344 Ms. P Catherine Te Slaa Te Slaa Ms. 8700 W. Dakota Ave. Lakewood CO 80226-____ cathy@normteslaa.com 3039809184 3039809184 I love old movies. Although my husband leaves the room each time he sees me watching anything in black and white, I really do enjoy the settings, the clothes, the characters and actors, and I love the stories. Stories with wonderful lines like: "You know how to whistle, don't you, Steve?" or "The stuff that dreams are made of." That's why I was caught so off-guard when watching the 1944 movie Laura when I heard Bessie, Laura's maid, say, "I ain't afraid of cops. I was brought up to spit whenever I saw one." This demeaning and suspicious attitude towards the very people who pledge to serve and protect is a source of concern and confusion to me. Our law enforcement officers are well-trained, highly skilled, experienced professionals. One officer calms a young man contemplating suicide - just doing his job. My car was rear ended on a very busy street, middle of traffic, when before I knew it, a police car with flashing lights was right behind us, seemingly out of nowhere, moving both of our cars to a safe place off the street. I was so grateful he got to us so quickly, but he too was just doing his job. These past few weeks alone, officers have been killed in the line of duty, even in our own state, serving and protecting, ultimately sacrificing, with their lives. Just doing their job. We must do what we can to build a positive and supportive environment for all of our law enforcement officers throughout our country. Please don't remain silent on your support. Show your support to those who have pledged, worked, and continue to train and improve their skills to handle situations they encounter each day. Support departments and communities when you see the heart wrenching photos of caravans of police cars parading down streets at services for fallen officers, and show it continuously. We cannot ignore or forget what they do in and for our community. We cannot afford to lose our well-trained, well-disciplined and caring officers who are feeling stretched and degraded, who are finding themselves surrounded by a suspicious and distrustful mindset. Detective Mark McPherson responded to Laura's maid with: "OK, go ahead and spit if that'll make you feel better." He has to put up with it, but we all can play a role in changing the attitude. I am compiling a list of ideas for individuals and communities and I will be happy to share with anyone interested! My son is a deputy sheriff, and he has a podcast and blog (www.TheSquadRoom.net) that he started to help those in law enforcement and other first responders with their mental, physical and spiritual health. In his podcasts he interviews those who are effective in playing a role in maintaining officers' health with these issues. He interviews Police Chief Diane Urban, Hayward, California, in Episode 24, who leads her officers with integrity and respect, providing strong leadership throughout her community after the shooting of one of her officers. Episode 26 interviews Jim Bond, Chief of Police in Oregon City, Oregon, who also is highly effective and respected in his community. He is clear as to why he has chosen law enforcement as his profession in Episode 26: "I love being a part of the team of people who keep a community safe." We desperately need him, Ms. Urban, and all of our competent, trained and compassionate officers to continue training and working with other officers, helping maintain our safe communities. Please request President Obama, our presidential candidates, our local and state legislators and the people in our communities find ways to show support our local law enforcement departments. President Obama himself said in his State of the Union address in January when talking about seeing the future of our country unfolding that he could see this in ".the young cop walking the beat, treating everybody with respect, doing the brave, quiet work of keeping us safe." Just doing his job. Respectfully submitted, Catherine Te Slaa 73.95.62.111