BEAT  TO  BEAT
March 2019
A message from our Executive Director...

As an organization, we are continually evaluating and re-evaluating what we do, how we do those things, and why we do them. When considering program improvements and additions, the Board of Directors and USDSA staff always reflect on our mission: promoting the safety and well-being of law enforcement officers (LEOs), their families and their communities. While we are dedicated to the survival training and equipment donations that we provide to LEOs, we want to do something more for their families. We value the dedication and courage LEOs display each and every day as they help maintain order in communities and ensure a safe environment for our children. As retired and former Law Enforcement Officers, we realize that continued education is an important factor, not only in law enforcement, but in everyday life. Especially when we are younger and looking forward toward our goals and aspirations as adults. With that in mind, we are honored to establish a post-secondary educational scholarship program.

The cost of a college education is rising at an unbelievable rate. With college price tags continuing to climb, options for affordable financing can't keep up. Scholarship research becomes a crucial part of the application process. Finding a chunk of money to help offset the expense is incredibly helpful. Whether it's a community college, a traditional four-year university, or an accredited trade school, if you are a current full-time, commissioned LEO, USDSA wants to help defray your expenditures to these post-high school institutions.

Thanks to the generosity of donors from all over the United States, USDSA will be awarding up to 25, $2,000 post-secondary educational scholarships to dependent children of full-time, commissioned law enforcement officers. Financial aid for higher education can be confusing, but our application process is quite simple.   The application is available on our website. Please help us spread the word!

Thank you for your support of law enforcement.

Stay Safe,
 
David Hinners
Executive Director
US Deputy Sheriff's Association
Survival  Training
Training Offered at USDSA National Training Headquarters

USDSA is conducting our Instinctive Hand-To-Hand Combat course at our national training headquarters on March 28! This class is open to all current law enforcement officers.

Coming face to face with a combative individual is one of the most dangerous positions an officer can find themselves in. During this course, USDSA trainers prepare officers for numerous real-world situations they may encounter in the line of duty and teach them the techniques that will keep them safe while using the appropriate amount of force.  Participants work on footwork, striking, takedowns, control holds and ground fighing to lay the foundation for future in-house training.

March 28, 2019, 8:30 AM - 16:30 PM
USDSA National Training Headquarters 
2909 S. Spruce St.
Wichita, Kansas 67216

No equipment is needed. Wear gym/mat clothes for the training (no boots on the mats). If hotel rooms are needed please contact us as we have arrangements for special rates at area hotels. 
Contact USDSA: 316-263-2583

SPACE IS LIMITED! 

USDSA Provides Training to 
Wichita Police Department

On their day off, officers from the South Bureau of the Wichita Police Department (WPD) came in to the USDSA training center for instinctive hand-to-hand combat training.  This course is a hands-on approach to real world combative, emphasizing officer survival and proper use of force.  The officers worked on footwork, striking, takedowns, control holds, and ground fighting.

"I want to provide my officers with every tool possible to ensure they are safe when out on the street.  We patrol the Old Town district where disturbances frequently occur. It is vital that we have these skills," says Sgt. Michael Lloyd, USDSA trainer and sergeant with WPD.

Old Town is a large entertainment district and home to more than 100 different businesses. It is a sought out destination for its restaurants, shopping, and things to do. T he clubs and bars in the area are within easy walking distance of each other. WPD has made Old Town safety a top priority within their department.


Sgt. Michael Lloyd and Officer Leslie Clayton
Officers Kyle Mellard and Cory Dento n
Officers Cameron Nelson, Cory Denton and 
Brett Pearce
Pictured with Sgt. Gulliver (center) are (left to right) Officers Jones, Husen, Balderas, Jameson, Eller and Johanson

Tactical Entry/Active Shooter Training Held at USDSA Training Center 

As part of an initiative made possible by federal grant monies in July 2017, the Wichita (Kansas) Police Department (WPD) started a four-year campaign to crack down on crime and illegal activity along the Broadway corridor. The area, which spans 40 blocks, is known to be a hot spot for crimes involving drugs, theft and prostitution, along with nuisance calls relating to things like speeding, illegal dumping and homelessness.

The team is making a difference:
  • In 2018 the Broadway Corridor Team had contact with 17,882 citizens, 529 businesses contacts, and 260 motel contacts.
  • The team arrested 665 individuals resulting in 895 misdemeanor arrests and 400 felony arrests and issued 546 citations.
  • The team logged 3,850 man hours on bicycles.
  • The team has had 4,680 student contacts in the five schools located in the corridor.
  • Since August of 2017, the corridor team, members of the WPD Vice Unit, and officers from all four patrol bureaus have conducted 15 sex trafficking stings resulting in 121 individuals being arrested.
The WPD Broadway Corridor Team was at the USDSA National Training  Headquarters in mid-February for tactical entry/active shooter response training.  This foundational program consists of close quarters combat training, tactical thinking, and teamwork drills.  It's designed for all street level officers but has been presented to numerous tactical/SWAT teams, as well.  This flexible system of room clearing techniques is taught to small groups, down to a two-person team. The proven tactics can be used by any number of personnel in any type of structure, the reality of what officers face. Elements of dynamic entry, stealth search, and active shooter scenarios were addressed. The officers gained confidence not only in their abilities but those of their fellow officers.

Suicide Is Not The Answer

By: Stan Popovich, guest columnist

You are a police officer and you are the end of your rope; you can't take it any much longer. You are suffering from anxiety, depression, guilt or some other fear related issue and you feel there is no hope. Although things may seem difficult suicide is not the answer to your personal struggles.
 
Here are six reasons why suicide is not the solution to your problems.
 
1.Things Change Over Time
Regardless of your situation, things do not stay the same. You may feel very bad today, but it won't last forever. Remember this fact: Regardless of your current situation, everything changes over time. This includes your current situation. Nothing remains the same forever.

2. There Are Always Other Options... Always
You may feel lost and confused, but the answers to your specific problems are out there. The key is that you have to find the answers. The answers to your problem will not come to you. As mentioned before, the first step in finding the solution to your problem is to seek help from a qualified professional.

3. You Can't Predict The Future
You are fearful, confused and do not know where to turn. You think that there is no hope for you. When you are in this situation, remember the 99 percent rule. The 99 percent rule states that that no one can predict the future with 100 percent certainty. Even if the thing that you are afraid of does happen, there are circumstances and factors that you can't predict which can be used to your advantage.
 
For instance, you miss the deadline for a project you have been working on for the last few months. Everything you feared is coming true. Suddenly, your boss comes to your office and tells you that the deadline is extended and that he forgot to tell you the day before. This unknown factor changes everything. We may be 99 percent correct in predicting the future, but all it takes is for that 1 percent to make a world of difference.
 
4. Focus On The Facts of Your Situation and Not Your Thoughts
When people are depressed they rely on their fearful, depressing, and negative thoughts. That is a huge mistake. Your fearful thoughts are exaggerated and are not based on reality. When you are depressed, focus on the facts of your current situation and not on what you think. Do not assume anything regarding your current situation. Seek help from a professional immediately.
 
5. Go To The Hospital Immediately When Its That Bad
If things are so bad that you are unable to function, drop everything and go to your local hospital or crisis center immediately. The people there will take care of your situation right away.
 
6. No Situation Is Hopeless
Your loved ones, friends, relatives, God, mental health counselors, priests, ministers, etc. are all good sources of help. They are all willing to help you and they can make a difference, but you must be willing to take advantage of this help. Regardless of your situation, take advantage of the help that is around you. Remember: Every problem has a solution. You just have to find it.
 
BIOGRAPHY:
Stan Popovich is the author of "A Layman's Guide to Managing Fear".  For more information about Stan and to get some more free mental health advice, visit Stan's website at http://www.managingfear.com/
Equipment  Donations
USDSA's equipment donation program provides safety equipment, free of charge, to under-funded departments.  Below, are a few thank you letters we have received this past month.  To see the complete listing of the many departments we have supported through this program, CLICK HERE.
Clinchco Police Department
Virginia


The  Town of Clinchco, Virginia, Chief of Police, Richard Thacker, sent USDSA the following thank you for a recent donation:

The Clinchco Police Department would like to thank the United States Deputy Sheriff's Association for the generous donations they made to our Department in the last two years. These donations of equipment have made our Department safer and better equipped to protect the public from Drunk Drivers. We have received two Bullet Proof Vest, two PBTs, and mos t recently four First Aid Kits. We could not afford this equipment on our own and it helps in so many ways. Again, thank you and God bless you for the fantastic work you do.

Richard A. Thacker
Chief of Police 
Clinchco Police Department 
Clinchco, Virginia
Custer County Sheriff's Office
Oklahoma

On behalf of the Custer County Sheriff's Office, I would like to thank everyone at the United States Deputy Sheriff's Association that made the recent donations to our department possible.

Your donation of 10 medical kits and a ballistic shield will benefit our department tremendously! The medical kits were issued out to Patrol Deputies and Investigators immediately and the ballistic shield will be carried by myself in my patrol vehicle so that hopefully it will be in the right place at the right time if it is ever needed.

In the attached picture is Sheriff Kenneth Tidwell and myself with 4 of the 10 medical kits (the medical kits were issued prior to the arrival of the ballistic shield and I was unable to get everyone back to the office so that we could have all 10 for the picture) and the ballistic entry shield that was donated to us.

Again, thank you very much for your generous donation!

Deputy Blake Powers
Custer County Sheriff's Office
Elizabethtown Police Department
Georgia

The Elizabethtown Police Department would like to thank the United States Deputy Sheriff's Association for donating 14 belt trauma kits.  

These belt packs have rubber gloves, Swat-T tourniquet, and QuickClot Combat Gauze for emergency on hand first aid needs for themselves or another until EMS can arrive.  We are very grateful to the association for their efforts to keep our officers safe and prepared with life saving devices.
Blanca Marshal's Office
Colorado

On behalf of the Blanca Marshal's Office, I would like to thank the USDSA for donating the PBT to our agency. This product is going to assist the agency in effectively performing their duties. 

Thank you again!

Paul Quintana, Marshal
End  Of  Watch
When a law enforcement officer dies in the line of duty, the loss is a tragedy for the family and the community they serve. The USDSA honors all law enforcement officers who  make the ultimate sacrifice to ensure the safety of our communities. We urge everyone to take a moment to reflect on the sacrifices that have been made. 

USDSA provides a cash donation to the primary beneficiary or memorial fund of any law enforcement officer in the United States, who perishes in the line of duty.  If you would like to contribute to this memorial fund, you may donate here.

Remembering those we lost, our thoughts and prayers are with their families and communities.
Master Police Officer Joseph Shinners
Provo Police Dept.
Utah
01-05-19
 Officer Dale Woods
 Colerain Township Police Department
Ohio
01-07-19
Officer Clayton Townsend
Salt River Police Dept., Tribal Police -  Arizona
01-08-19
Officer Natalie Corona
Davis Police Dept.
California
01-10-19
Trooper Christopher Lambert
Illinois State Police
Illinois
01-12-19
Sgt. WyTasha Carter
Birmingham Police Department
Alabama
01-13-19
Deputy Sheriff Ray Elwin Horn III
Comal County Sheriff's Office
Texas 
01-17-19
Officer Sean Tude
Mobile Police Department
Alabama
01-20-19
Deputy Sheriff Joshua Bryan "LJ" Ryer Jr
Glascock County Sheriff's Office
Georgia
01-29-19

Click here to visit our website for more End Of Watch Tributes
Other  News
USDSA Launches Post-Secondary 
Education  Scholarship Program

Thanks to the generosity of our donors, the USDSA is pleased to announce 
a new post-secondary education scholarship program for dependent 
children of current, full-time commissioned law enforcement officers.
 
Click here for more information and to apply.
Shop Amazon and 
Support USDSA

AmazonSmile is a website operated by Amazon with the same products, prices, and shopping features as Amazon.com. The difference is that when you shop on AmazonSmile, the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price of eligible products to the USDSA. Every item available for purchase on www.amazon.com is also available on AmazonSmile (smile.amazon.com) at the same price!

Shoppers who start at smile.amazon.com will find the same Amazon they know and love, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the price of eligible purchases to the charity of your choice.

Signing up is easy!

Here's how to shop AmazonSmile:

1. Visit  smile.amazon.com
2. Sign in with your Amazon.com credentials
3. Choose United States Deputy Sheriff's Association to receive donations
4. Start shopping!
5. Add a bookmark for  smile.amazon.com to make it even easier to return and start your shopping at AmazonSmile

Thank you for supporting the USDSA!
Preventing Tax Fraud 
With the tax season in full swing, it is important to be extra vigilant about how, and with whom, you share personal information. In addition to filing early, there are other ways to help reduce your risk of becoming a victim of identity theft this tax season. 

If filing offline, make sure not to leave any tax forms in the car and to shred any paperwork you do not need.  If filing online, be suspicious of email claiming to be the IRS, even if the email has the appropriate logos. According to the IRS website, the IRS does not reach out to taxpayers for personal information unless there is an issue. Also, log off completely when finished with each transaction and be wary of slow-running computers. However you choose to file, request your refund as a direct deposit so criminals cannot have it redirected to their address or steal it from your mailbox.

When it comes to filing taxes, there are plenty of reasons to file early instead of waiting until the last minute. The two most obvious are to get your refund back sooner, if you are receiving one, and to avoid long lines in the early-April post office rush.

One of the most compelling and more surprising reasons to file your tax return early, however, may be beating the would-be thieves to the punch. With the sharp increase in transactions requiring the sharing of confidential data online and off, tax season is one of the most opportune times for criminals to steal personal data, or capitalize on the information they have already obtained. Filing early may be your best defense.

A criminal can use your stolen social security number or personal tax identification number to fraudulently file a tax return in your name. They cash in by having your refund re-routed to a different address or bank account. The sooner you file your return, the less opportunity someone else has to file a return in your name.

In addition to fraudulent filing, identity thieves may sell your stolen social security number and personal information to those with poor credit, criminal records or illegal immigrant status, who then use that information to apply for a job. Their employers report earnings to the IRS under your name. Then, when you file your return, the IRS comes after you for failing to report all of your income. Criminals may also use your social security number to fraudulently apply for tax or government-funded programs, like Social Security or Medicare, in your name.

Filing early can bring the identity theft to light sooner than later, minimizing the time and damages associated with resolving the fraud. Remember, the cost of recovering your identity is not limited to the replacement of stolen items or money; it can also include attorney fees, lost wages, ID replacement, mail, and phone charges.
United States Deputy Sheriff's Association
2909 S. Spruce
Wichita, Kansas  67216
316-263-2583
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