Official Publication
NCNARC
North Carolina Narcotic Enforcement Officer’s Association
www.ncnarc.org
Fall, 2009
Vol. 11, No. 2
NCNEOA 2009 Officers
First Vice President
“Bubba” Summerlin
NC SBI
P. O. Box 3492
Greenville, NC 27836
(252) 813-9634
[email protected]
President
Andy LeBeau
Boone Police Department
1500 Blowing Rock Road
Boone, NC 28607
Office: (828) 268-6927
[email protected]
Second Vice President
Brian Arrington
Randolph County Sheriff’s Office
727 McDowell Road
Asheboro, NC 27205
(336) 318-6637
[email protected]
Secretary
Phil Hamby
Yadkin County Sheriff’s Office
210 E. Hemlock St.
Yadkinville, NC 27055
(336)399-3840
[email protected]
Treasurer
Tim McLawhorn
Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office
210 N. Market St.
Washington, NC 27889
(252) 946-7111
[email protected]
Sgt.-at-Arms/East
Dennis Wooten
Nash County Sheriff’s Office
P. O. Box 355
Nashville, NC 27856
(252) 459-1539
[email protected]
Sgt.-at-Arms/West
Gene Parsons
NC SBI
P. O. Box 1510
Jefferson, NC 28640
(828) 294-2226
[email protected]
EAST Training
Coordinator
Scott Parker
Nash County Sheriff’s Office
P.O. Box 9045
Rocky Mount, NC 27804
(252) 459-1551
[email protected]
West Training
Coordinator
Peyton Colvard
Ashe County Sheriff’s Office
205 Academy St.
Jefferson, NC 28640
(336) 219-2600
[email protected]
Magazine
Editor
Kevin Black
Irredell County Sheriff’s Office
PO Box 287
Statesville, NC 28687
(704) 924-4073
[email protected]
Immediate
Past President
Marty Ferrell
High Point Police Department
1009 Leonard Avenue
High Point, NC 27263
(336) 887-7871
[email protected]
Contents this issue
NCNEOA President’s Message....................................................................................................................................................................3
NCNEOA Application for Membership......................................................................................................................................................4
NCNEOA Past Presidents.............................................................................................................................................................................5
Unleashing Destruction and Addiction....................................................................................................................................................6
You Survived. Now What?..........................................................................................................................................................................7
Spring Conference pics...............................................................................................................................................................................10
Friends of NCNEOA........................................................................................................................................................................................12
Savage Struggle...........................................................................................................................................................................................14
NCNARC is published two times a year by the North Carolina Narcotics Enforcement Officer’s Association, P.O. Box 266, Elizabethtown,
NC 28337, Phone: 910-862-6968, Internet: www.ncnarc.org. Kevin Black, editor: Goldsboro, NC. NCNEOA is a charter member of
the National Narcotic Officers’ Associations Coalition (NNOAC) and an affiliate of the International Narcotics Enforcement Officers
Association (INEOA).
Vol. 11, No. 2
NCNARC
3
Fall, 2009
NCNEOA President’s Message
By Andy Le Beau
F
irst, I want to tell you what a pleasure it has been to be a part of and serve this
organization. The people who make up the NCNOEA are extraordinary, as members
of society and within the police profession. NCNEOA members carry the burden
of holding the line against the seemingly over-whelming tide of drug traffickers. Having
been a “narc” for eight years, I truly appreciate your contribution and dedication. I also
must recognize the hard work and dedication of the entire executive board. Running an
organization is absolutely a group effort and requires many different talents.
In addition to holding training conferences to help equip ourselves to investigate, build
a case and prosecute drug dealers; the NCNEOA is always engaged in the battle of politics.
Sometimes it seems the war on drugs has two fronts. Last year we dedicated our time,
money and collective voice at our state legislature and in the on Capitol Hill to secure Byrne-JAG funding.
With that accomplished for the time being; we now strive to maintain that level of commitment from those
who control the budgets. In the scheme of things, the amount of money given to drug enforcement is small,
but essential. The NCNEOA is committed to working with our partners in the National Narcotics Officers’
Association to never again be stripped of Byrne-JAG funding.
This year one of the messages that the NCNEOA and NNOAC will take to Washington is to stand against
the movement to legalize and decriminalize drugs that are currently illegal. We who are on the front line know
the truth about the harm drugs—even marijuana—cause to individuals, families and society. We know where
the path of experimentation can lead if marijuana were suddenly to become legal. We must educate ourselves
in the arena of this controversy. The National Institute on Drug Abuse and the Drug Free America Foundation
are good resources that provide useful information concerning the dangers of legalization and marijuana usage.
I assure you, our opponents—progressive citizen groups such as NORML and LEAP—are throwing everything
they have into this battle as they sense a softening of the American will. The “war on drugs” has not been lost.
In fact, it can be argued that it has been successful in many areas. The social experiments have been done in
other countries. Let’s not make the same mistakes.
On the cover
AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo
Copyright 2009 KMD Media LLC.
Reprinted with permission.
As seen in the February issue of Homeland
Security Today - A Mexican marine stands
guard as 26 tons of cocaine burns behind
him in Manzanillo, Mexico on Nov. 28,
2007. The drugs were seized from a ship in
the port city of Manzanillo in one of the biggest drug busts on record.
February 2009/www.HSToday.us
In Thomas Paine’s 1776 pamphlet Common Sense, Paine uses
these words in describing how powerful groups are successful:
“The greater weight will always carry up the less, and as all the
wheels of a machine are put in motion by one, it only remains to
know which power…has the most weight, for that will govern;
and though the others, or a part of them, may clog, or…check
the rapidity of its motion, yet so long as they cannot stop it, their
endeavors will be ineffectual; the first moving power will as last
have its way, and what it wants in speed is supplied by time.”
In closing, I want to encourage all of you to get involved with
the NCNEOA. If you just want to be a member, great; but every
year we have elections for board positions. Being involved in the
NCNOEA has truly been one of the highlights of my career. There
are no other groups in North Carolina doing exactly what we do. 
www.ncnarc.org
Andy Le Beau
President NCNEOA
4
Vol. 11, No. 2
NCNARC
Fall, 2009
NCNEOA
NCNEOA
"ORGANIZED ENFORCEMENT AGAINST NARCOTICS'
“ORGANIZED ENFORCEMENT
AGAINST NARCOTICS”
APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP
APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP
(PLEASE PRINT)
General membership is open to any sworn law enforcement officer who is employed full-time by a duly constituted governmental
authority and who is engaged in the enforcement of laws governing illegal drugs and narcotics.
NAME: ________________________________________________________________________________________
Last
First
Middle initial
DOB: _______________________________________ SSN: ____________________________________________
MAILING ADDRESS: _____________________________________________________________________________
CITY: __________________________________________ STATE: ____________ ZIP CODE: ___________________
AGENCY: ____________________________________________________ RANK: ____________________________
TELEPHONE WORK: __________________________________ HOME: ____________________________________
BENEFICIARY NAME/ADDRESS: ___________________________________________________________________
INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
DO YOU HAVE A N.C. TRAINING & STANDARDS INSTRUCTOR CERTIFICATE? ______ Yes ______ No
IF SO, DO YOU HAVE A SPECIALTY? _____ Yes _____ No
LIST: ______________________________________
E-MAIL ADDRESS: _______________________________________________________________________________
DATE OF APPLICATION: __________________ APPLICANT SIGNATURE: __________________________________
New Member
Renewal
Associate
($25.00)
($25.00)
($25.00)
• ALL MEMBERSHIPS EXPIRE ON DECEMBER 31s1
Associate Membership is open to any individual with an expressed interest in the work of NCNEOA and a willingness to support
the purposes of NCNEOA.
Payment of annual dues includes subscription to NCNEOA Magazine. Life Insurance, and Training.
MAKE CHECK PAYABLE TO:
MAIL APPLICATION TO:
FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL:
WEB-SITE:
NCNEOA
PHILLIP
LITTLE, 95
POEdgewater
BOX 266, Rd.,
EL1ZABETHTOWN,
28337
Tim
McLawhorn,
Washington, NCNC
27889
910-862-6968
WWW.NCNEOA.ORG
www.ncnarc.org
Vol. 11, No. 2
NCNARC
5
Fall, 2009
NCNEOA Past Presidents
1981 Ken Razza, Hickory Police Department
1982 Ken Razza, Hickory Police Department
1983 Ken Razza, Hickory Police Department
1984 Jim Morris, Emerald Isle Police Department
1985 Anthony Dennis, Carteret County Sheriff’s Department
1986 Ralph McKinney, Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office
1987 Ralph McKinney, Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office
1988 Ralph McKinney, Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office
1989 Tony Keller, Catawba County Sheriff’s Office
1990 Tony Keller, Catawba County Sheriff’s Office
1991 Tony Keller, Catawba County Sheriff’s Office
1992 Lee Tate, Edgecombe County Drug Task Force
1993 Phillip Little, Bladen County Sheriff’s Office
1994 Kevin Duckworth, Morganton Police Department
1995 Scott Parker, Nash County Sheriff’s Office
1996 Bob Kennedy, Boone Police Department
1997 Leonard Hudson, Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office
1998 Tim Nelson, NC State Bureau of Investigation
1999 Marty Ferrell, High Point Police Department
2000 George Shaver, New Bern Police Department
2001 Steve Surratt, NC State Bureau of Investigation
2002 Jeff Eddins, NC State Bureau of Investigation
2003 Phil Hamby, Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office
2004 Tim McLawhorn, Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office
2005 Chris P. LaCarter, Hickory Police Department
2006 Randy Johnson, NC State Bureau of Investigation
2007 Kevin Black, Iredell County Sheriff’s Office
2008 Marty Ferrell, High Point Police Department
www.ncnarc.org
6
Vol. 11, No. 2
unleashing
destruction
and
addiction
A
s a 35-year law enforcement veteran and a father
of two, I am alarmed by the dramatic increase in
efforts to legalize or de-criminalize powerful and
dangerous drugs including marijuana. I am surprised that
the “drug war has failed” drumbeat of drug legalizers is
growing louder even in the wake of significant declines in
drug abuse by young Americans in recent years. And I am
appalled at the suggestion by some that legalizing and taxing marijuana is a smart way to close government budget
gaps. I have yet to hear a convincing argument that marijuana legalization is a healthy policy choice – physiologically,
economically, or socially.
Legalization advocates claim that current drug policy
has failed. This is patently false if you measure success
by whether drug use has increased or decreased. In fact,
according to the Monitoring the Future survey conducted
by the University of Michigan, youth marijuana use has declined by 25% since 2001. That translates into hundreds of
thousands fewer young people using drugs today than just
8 years ago. That is not a failure of policy - it is a success
generated by a balanced policy focused on preventing use,
enforcing laws, and treating those afflicted with the disease
of addiction. Legalization advocates would have us believe that marijuana is a benign drug. That message is not only reckless,
it is dangerous. By treating marijuana as a joke, the prolegalization lobby is using our kids as pawns in a dangerous
political game. The research is clear: because teen brains
are still developing, young people that use marijuana are at
greater risk of developing dependence. Research also shows
that marijuana use leads to greater incidence of depression,
attention deficit disorder, and even schizophrenia. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, chronic
marijuana use is associated with problem behaviors including other drug use.
NCNARC
Fall, 2009
According to Dr. Paula
Riggs, Associate Professor of Psychiatry and
Director of Adolescent
Services at the University of Denver, marijuana use by teens causes
acute neurotoxicity. It
“impairs cognitive functioning…And if you’re a
kid who smokes regularly,
you won’t progress developmentally at the same rate
as kids who aren’t smoking.”
Today’s marijuana is much more powerful and addictive
than in years past. THC – the psychoactive ingredient in
marijuana now averages 10%, up from 4% since 1983 and
many samples tested between 20 and 37%. If that does not
convince you, consider that marijuana is the number one
drug for which Americans kids between the ages of 12 -18
seek treatment. More that 65% of all teens in treatment
are there for marijuana dependence with another 11% in
treatment for alcohol and drug dependence together, many
of whom are using pot with alcohol. In another disturbing trend, hospital emergency room admissions involving
marijuana tripled between 1994 and 2002 and now surpass
ER admissions involving heroin. And drugged driving accidents – many involving marijuana – kill more than 8,000
and maim another 500,000 every year.
The bottom line is that efforts to legalize drugs including marijuana and attempts to change America’s abstinencebased drug policy to one of harm reduction – in other words,
a policy where we teach people to use harmful drugs safely
– put our kids and our communities at risk. The Monitoring
the Future survey shows that the number one reason that kids
cite for not using pot is that it is illegal. Ask almost any cop,
paramedic, ER doctor or schoolteacher if they think legalization is a good idea and you will hear a resounding “no”.
It is clear that drug use and the disease of addiction threaten
America’s health and economic stability. It is amazing that
some would suggest unleashing even more destruction and
addiction through legalization. 
Ronald Brooks, President
National Narcotic Officers’ Association
www.ncnarc.org
Vol. 11, No. 2
NCNARC
7
Fall, 2009
YOU SURVIVED
THE TRAUMA,
BUT NOW WHAT
DO YOU DO?
By John M. Fleming
T
he detective Investigator’s Association in New York
hosted a two-day training program to assist officers
who have been affected by exceptional events in-
cluding hostage situations, assaults on officers, brutal death,
and intense or negative media coverage.
Participants learned the difference between “flashbacks”
such as those found with PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) and “flashbulb” memory.
Flashbacks are only present when the officer cannot re-
move himself from that state of mind.
The flashbulb memory occurs when one sense acts as a
Animal Care Clinic
200 W. Wall St.
Rural Hall, NC 27045
trigger, which brings back memories connected to a stressful
event. During a flashbulb memory decreased memory is experienced, as well as decreased learning speed and attention
span, tunnel vision, and altered time perspective.
The scenario-based, interactive approach utilized by the
instructors forced all the participants to treat the sessions as if
they were real life situations as opposed to a boring training
lesson.
On the second day three volunteers debriefed some officers who participated in the September 11 World Trade Cen-
Michael Grimes CIT
P.O. Box 339
Hampstead, NC 28443
ter rescue and recovery effort during the two days following
the attacks. During the exercise the officers began to talk
about what they could smell, what they saw, and the difference tastes in their mouths. The group took control and the
person running the de-briefing session took more of a passive
role, which is that is supposed to happen. Some were angry
while others remained silent, but the emotion on their faces
was obvious.
The lead trainer was Dr. Grady P. Bray, an internationally
Schramm, Tingen
& Associates
3434 Kildaire Farm Rd. Ste. 132
Cary, NC 27518
known disaster psychologist and one of the originators of the
critical incident stress support movement. He has worked numerous domestic and international air disasters and the Oklahoma City bombing.
Those in attendance included detectives from each of the
five district attorneys offices, the NYPD, the Putnam County
Sheriff’s Office, the Scarsdale Police Dept, and the New York
www.ncnarc.org
Continued on next page
8
Vol. 11, No. 2
NCNARC
Fall, 2009
NOW WHAT, cont.
State Department of Corrections.
The Detectives Investigators Association is in the process of developing a peer support system.
Presently there is no such system in place, even though police work is recognized as one of the most
stressful occupations in the country. Police officers rank third in premature deaths in this country.
The union has felt that the lack of such a program for their officers was a major problem which had to
be addressed. The program will be guided primarily by the principle of promoting human welfare and
well-being for the officers and their families. 
A not e from th e Editor
In the field of law enforcement we become callused
over the years. We make fun of the rookies when they
come upon their first death scene. We make distasteful remarks and laugh at how horrible human beings can be to
each other. But for most, regardless of whether we admit
it or not, it bothers us. Most of the time we keep it in and
tell ourselves “It’s all part of the job.” We shut out our
spouses or families and justify by saying, “They won’t understand.” We even keep it from each other thinking that
our peers will think we are weak.
PTSD or post-traumatic stress disorder has become a
common buzz word since the “War on Terror”. The military (whom our profession is patented) has widely accepted PTSD and other combat related stresses. They provide
treatment and programs for family to help them deal with
the problems their loved ones may face. We, as law enforcement, are behind the curve. Although we don’t have
to deal with roadside bombs or incoming mortars; we deal
day-in and day-out with the worst society has to offer.
Your average combat tour is one year. Your average police
career in North Carolina is 30 years. Just think of what
you have seen in your career thus far and imagine what you
have left to see before you retire.
Most of us workout everyday to maintain our bodies.
We go to college and in-service training to maintain or enhance proficiency. Take the steps to maintain your mental
well-being. Don’t be afraid to reach out and talk to someone when things or situations bother you.
John Fleming has e-mailed me the packet he has put together. If anyone is interested, contact me or John Fleming
at the numbers listed at the end of this article.
Kevin Black
www.ncnarc.org
About th e Au thor
John M. Fleming is president of the Detectives Investigators’ Association and a retired
narc with NYPD. This article was reprinted
with his permission.
Want to know more?
Anyone looking for more information
about this program should contact John M.
Fleming at (646) 533-1341 or Kevin Black at
704-924-4073.
Get Profiled!
If you are interested in how to get
your agency profiled in the next
magazine, please find my contact
info on our website @ NCNARC.org
In fairness we will try to alternate
agencies from east to west.
Vol. 11, No. 2
S
NCNARC
9
Fall, 2009
History of the National Narcotic officers’ associations coalition
ince the beginning of the drug epidemic in the 1960s, law enforcement officers in many states have formed statewide narcotic officer
associations. Most of these associations are involved in providing
drug enforcement training for law enforcement officers and drug resistance
education to the public. Additionally most associations worked closely
with their own state legislatures and criminal justice policy organizations
to develop strong drug laws and policies. These associations have been
responsible for enhancing the professionalism of narcotic enforcement.
Although many of the narcotic officers’ associations were very
successful in representing the needs of law enforcement officers within
their own state, they realized that they were not especially effective in
working with the Congress or Federal criminal justice policy agencies. It
became apparent to the leadership of these state associations that they
needed to come together as a combined group in order to effectively
represent narcotic officers at our nation’s capital.
During 1994, the Funding for the Edward Byrne Memorial Program
was removed from the administration’s budget. This funding was crucial
for the continuation of many local and state drug enforcement programs.
This was the catalyst for the foundation of the National Narcotic Officers’
Associations’ Coalition (NNOAC). The NNOAC was created in July of
1994 in Chicago, Illinois, when the leadership of many of the nation’s
state narcotic officers’ associations came together as part of an effort to
re-establish the Edward R. Byrne Memorial Fund. As a direct result of the
NNOAC’s efforts and the efforts of many other concerned groups, funding
was restored to this vital program.
The NNOAC is currently comprised of 36 individual state narcotic
associations, the six RISS projects and the Territory of Puerto Rico
representing more than 50,000 law enforcement officers from across
the nation. It serves as an umbrella organization, coordinating the efforts
of these associations in our nation’s capital. Each member association
appoints a delegate to represent them at the NNOAC Board meetings.
With, “one association, one vote,” every association receives equal
representation regardless of the size of their association. The NNOAC
is managed by an Executive Board, which consists of a president, vice
president, secretary, treasurer and executive director. Those positions are
elected from within the ranks of the appointed delegates. The president
appoints committees such as membership, drug policy and website.
The NNOAC represents its member associations by monitoring
all relevant Federal legislation and policy. The Coalition focuses on
domestic and international drug-related crime issues by developing and
maintaining relationships with the Office of National Drug Control Policy,
the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Regional Information Sharing
Systems (RISS) and the National Guard Counter Drug Program and all
other relevant agencies and programs.
The NNOAC allows state and local narcotic officers’ associations to
work through their congressional delegations allowing for a unified voice
in the nation’s capital. The Coalition actively researches, monitors, and
supports legislature initiatives designed to increase the effectiveness of
narcotic enforcement and law enforcement in general.
Over the past eight years the NNOAC has been very successful in
representing narcotic officers from its member associations. Our successes
have included restoration of the full funding for the Edward Byrne Program
in 1994, and providing support which resulted in the passage of legislation
regarding the ban of assault weapons, the administration’s Crime Bill. The
NNOAC has participated in policy meetings and conferences with other
law enforcement organizations and have been active participants in the
preparation of ONDCP’s National Drug Control Strategy, the Department
of Justices National Methamphetamine Strategy, and DEA’s National
Heroin Strategy.
The NNOAC has also been responsible for increasing the awareness
of the Administration and Congress regarding state and local drug
enforcement issues. NNOAC delegates have testified before the U.S.
House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate on a variety of drug
issues, including: The Byrne hearings, asset forfeiture, minimum
mandatory sentencing, medical marijuana, funding for the National Guard
and the Certification of Mexico. NNOAC delegates have also participated
as briefing team members for congressional study trips. In addition, a
member of NNOAC was part of the President’s Law Enforcement Steering
Committee, which consists of national law enforcement groups. This
committee is responsible for advising the president on key law enforcement
issues. NNOAC serves on the ONDCP committee to develop the National
Drug Control Strategy, on the Advisory Committee for the Counter-Drug
Intelligence Executive Secretariat for the implementation of the Central
Counter-Drug plan. NNOAC also serves on the Law Enforcement
Intelligence Forum (LEIF) which advises the U.S. Department of Justice,
Bureau of Justice Assistance on Regulations regarding the collection
and distribution of criminal intelligence information and serves on the
committee for National Model Drug Laws.
As the NNOAC continues to grow, so will its participation in the
legislative and policy areas. To learn more about the NNOAC and our
positions regarding federal drug policy and legislation, please visit our
website at www.natlnarc.org.
Goals
and
Objectives
Below is a list of NNOAC’s goals and objectives:
• To ensure that the Edward R. Byrne Memorial Fund is
fully funded in order to maintain the multi-jurisdictional drug task
forces, which are the backbone of narcotics law enforcement.
• To maintain, increase, and intensify drug asset revenue
sharing – the most important tool that narcotic law enforcement
has today.
• To assist in the preparation of the National Drug Strategy.
• To place more emphasis on the domestic side of the drug
strategy by increasing state and local level involvement on the
direction taken in the fight against drugs.
• To increase unification, networking, and act as a liaison for
the exchange of information.
• To have an impact on legislation affecting narcotic officers
and narcotic enforcement in the United States.
• To act as a conduit for the exchange of information,
intelligence, and training guidelines affecting narcotic
enforcement.
• To identify and refer members to quality training for narcotic
law enforcement officers to ensure their safety and effectiveness.
• To act as a resource for states that want to establish a
narcotics officers association.
www.ncnarc.org
10
Vol. 11, No. 2
NCNARC
Andy LeBeau, incoming
NCNEOA President.
Outgoing President Marty Ferrell or is it PK
Hamby? Anyway, one of them is officiating the
banquet.
Past President Kevin Black receiving
his Lifetime Membership award. Did I
mention the best magazine editor ever?
Det.
Raymond
Larid
FCSO
recieving
the
NCNEOA
Valor
Award.
www.ncnarc.org
Det. Grady
Price (Ashe
COSO)
recieving the
NARC of The
Year Award
with his lovely
wife.
Fall, 2009
Vol. 11, No. 2
NCNARC
11
Fall, 2009
Although numbers
were off from
previous years,
we still had a
strong crowd.
Trooper Bobby
Smith, always a
crowd pleaser.
Conference attendees wait
patiently for the next raffle give
away.
One of the best
speakers at the
The man, the myth, the
conference. SA
legend Scotty Parker, oh..
Mark Demis,
and Bobby Smith.
BATF.
Attendees listen intently to
Greg Martin (GCSO) tell
stories from when he was a
rookie. It something to do
with riding horses to calls.
NCNEOA 2009-2010
Board Members. R-L
Dennis Wooten, Albert aka
Bubba Summerlin, Scotty
Parker, Peyton Colvard,
TIm McLawhorn, ANdy
LeBeau, Marty Ferral,
Kevin Black, Gene Parson,
Brian Arrington, Phil PK
Hamby.
www.ncnarc.org
12
Vol. 11, No. 2
NCNARC
Fall, 2009
Friends of t
03/18/2009 - 10/09/2009
A & M Automotive
A-1 Lawn Care
Ace Cash Express
Ace Plastics Inc.
Always Plumbing LLC
Andy’s Burgers Shakes and Fries
Animal Hospital of Marion
Armstrong Mouzzon I F S LLC
A2z Publishing Inc.
Backacre Medical Pllc
Barbare's Concrete Co. Inc.
Barwell’s Carpentry LLC
Bernie Stewart Development
Big Rock Tavern
Boilerworks Inc.
Bonterra Properties
Buck's Corner Farms/J. Meadows
Camino Real Mexican Restarant Bar
Carnell's Plumbing Co.
Carolina Furniture Concepts
Carolina International Forwarding
Ccon Metals
Coast Tees
Compact Car Service
Country Deli
Covenant Community Partners
D & S Discount Tobacco Store
Dac Service Heating & Air Conditioning
East Coast Automotive LLC
El Zarape Mexican Restaurant
Fayetteville Pain Center
Firetti Builders Inc.
Greenville Subway LLC
G3 Media Inc.
Harris Crouch Long Scott
Harry Lee's Landscaping Service
Incentives Inc.
Industrial Machine Service Inc.
Industricare
Jean Connor
Jif A Mart
KB Security Solutions Inc.
Kevin Garvey State Farm Insurance
Logistics Sales & Marketing
MQA Support Service LLC
Margaret De Loatch
Mayflower Seafood Restaurant
Megacorp Logistics LLC
Metrolina Anesthesia
Metropolitan Cafe & Catering
Mini Express Food Stores
Morehead Title Co.
Mountain Island Chrprctic Pllc
North Carolina Audiology Association
Norwood Grocery
Paul Tillery Commercial Rentals
Planet Fitness
Preferred Flooring
Problem Solver Inc.
Professional Asset Recovery
Quality Towing
RS Distribution
Reidsville Biz Center
Thank
www.ncnarc.org
Vol. 11, No. 2
NCNARC
13
Fall, 2009
the NCNEOA
Reynolda Farm Market
Rowland Contracting Inc.
S & R Dental Laboratory
Sanderling Construction Inc.
Shooter Choice Indoor Gun Rang
Sono Japanese Restaurant
Southeastern Heating & Air
Sparger Investments
Stuart's Wrecker Service
T & L Trucking
Team Vtac Inc.
The Baker Law Firm Pa
The Winning Team Inc.
U Haul Co.
Unipro Uniforms
Webb's Maintenance & Piping
Welborne & White
Wilson Stereo & Sound
Yale Rope Technologies Inc.
Brunswick Family Dentistry Plc
Carolina Behavioral Care
Animal Emergency Services
Blackwater Lodge
Buie Norman & Co.
Carthage Shooting Sports
H and R Block
Inccentric Corporation
R 4 Inc.
Triad Auto
Absolute Dental Services Inc.
Atlanta Bread Co.
Bravo Servitax
Computer Links Inc.
Dr. Ronald Intini
Eastwood Grill & Mart LLC
First Source Inc.
Internet Business Center
Natures Associates
Parkers Garage
R Dooley Inc.
R&M Refrigeration Repair Co.
Service Master Restoration
Servicemaster Professional Services
Tedd Electric
Uniform-U
k You
proud supporters
of the
North Carolina Narcotic Enforcement
Officers Association
R L Riddle
Enterprises
Llc
91 Magnolia Ct.
Manson, NC 27553
www.ncnarc.org
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Vol. 11, No. 2
NCNARC
Fall, 2009
THE LAWLESSNESS ALONG THE MEXICAN
This grim assessment of the situation is not
BORDER HAS GONE WAY BEYOND A
some imaginative movie script extrapolated from
LOCAL CRIME WAVE: THERE HAS BEEN
recent headlines or a hypothetical future scenario
A DRAMATIC INCREASE IN ARMED ROBto be gamed at the Pentagon. These events—the
BERIES, NOT BY LONE GUNMEN BUT BY
crime wave,the armed attacks,the beheadings,the
HEAVILY ARMED GANGS. KIDNAPPINGS
lynchings,the scheme to recover the lost territories,
AND HOMICIDES ARE WAY UP—AND
the deployment of much of the US Army and
NOT JUST MURDERS BUT BEHEADINGS.
almost the entire National Guard—actually
POLICE ARE GETTING INTO SHOOTOUTS
occurred in 1915 and 1916, when the Mexican
WHERE THEY ARE FREQUENTLY OUTRevolution left northern Mexico in chaos.
GUNNED. IT IS STARTING TO LOOK LIKE
The Mexican Revolution, from 1910 to 1920,
By BRIAN MICHAEL JENKINS
engulfed the entire border region. RevolutionarA TERRORIST CAMPAIGN. RAIL LINES AND
ies found sympathy and support on the US side,
BRIDGES ARE BEING SABOTAGED, AND
NOW AN ENTIRE TRAIN HAS BEEN DERAILED AND ITS raised money and recruited soldiers in the cities and towns of the
Southwest and bought guns. Whether and how officials in WashPASSENGERS ASSAULTED AND ROBBED.
Isolated ranches and small towns have turned into virtual garington chose to apply the US neutrality laws, which prohibited the
risons. Economic activity, especially in southern Texas, has seriarming of foreign armies from US soil, made the United States a
ously declined. People are frightened, and they are mean.
player in the conflict. Whatever they decided in Washington, smugEveryone seems to be carrying a weapon and shooting on suspigling flourished on the border.
cion. Mexicans are the targets. There have been disturbing reports
The railroads were of strategic importance. Built by US investors,
Mexico’s rail lines ran south from the border; the only east-west line
of summary executions and lynchings by vigilante volunteers.
ran just north of the frontier. If the Mexican government or one of the
Central government authority no longer exists in the Mexican
rebel armies wanted to rapidly redeploy or reinforce forces in northstates along the US border. Warlords, commanding their own
armies, are gunning down their rivals. Except for refugees heading
ern Mexico, it had to use the US line. By granting or withholding pernorth and guns being smuggled south, commerce across the fronmission, the United States could influence the outcome of battles in
tier has ceased to exist. Some of the gangs are holed up in their
Mexico and would draw the wrath of the losing side.
sanctuaries just across the border, but the government in Mexico
Battles for the border towns imperiled adjacent cities on the US
side. In some cases, the defenders deployed in a way that obliged the
City cannot, or will not, bring the situation under control.
attackers to shoot northward. Attackers would assault parallel to the
Although much of the violence along the border appears to be
border to avoid casualties on the US side.
purely criminal, evidence of a subversive political plan has been
uncovered. Mexican extremists have declared it their goal to
The political turmoil in Mexico precipitated a crime wave in the
recover the “lost territories”—land taken from Mexico after the
United States. The distinction between combatant and bandit was sitMexican-American War in 1848.
uational. Heavily armed, desperate men marauded towns on both
The plan calls for enlisting Mexicans residing in California, Arisides of the frontier, but in late 1914 and 1915, the violence escalated,
especially in southern Texas,where the attacks were beginning to take
zona, New Mexico and Texas in a campaign to terrorize and drive
on a political complexion. Seeking to exploit the intense nationalism
out the Anglo population, thereby ending decades of what the
generated by the revolution, a small group of conspirators in Mexico
planners call Yankee discrimination and tyranny. The movement,
which apparently draws on support from some of the warlords in promulgated the “Plan of San Diego.” It called for the recovery of the
Mexico, appears to have few adherents on the American side of
lost territories, the land that Mexico had been forced to cede to the
the border, but it could be the forerunner of a large-scale uprising
United States following the Mexican-American War. To accomplish
on US territory. As a consequence of the terrible economic situathis, the conspirators exhorted Mexicans north of the border to overthrow their oppressors and assert their rightful independence. Feb. 20,
tion caused by the violence, there are many unemployed, restless
1915, was the date set for the uprising. On that day, subscribers to the
men who might be receptive to radicalization and recruitment.
plan were to rise up in arms, proclaiming the liberty of the Latin race
And if the situation in Mexico is not brought under control, foreign
and its independence of Yankee tyranny, “which has held us in iniquifoes of the United States, determined to distract US leaders from
issues elsewhere in the world, will find opportunities to exploit.
tous slavery since remote times,” as they put it. The rebels would proWith the new challenges the US administration faces overseas,
claim the independence of Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado
Washington has reason to fear unrest on its own territory.
and Upper California. Every white North American over sixteen years
of age was to be killed. African-Americans were invited to join the
The United States has already deployed more than half of the
movement, in return for which they would receive six states north of
mobile forces of the US Army on the border with Mexico. The
those already mentioned. The Apaches would have their lands
president’s federalization of the National Guard to reinforce the
returned to them.
regular forces has brought an additional 150,000 troops to the
Except in the lower Rio GrandeValley, where the Mexican populafrontier. Military commanders want a freer hand to go after armed
groups just across the border, but that could easily lead to war with tion was subject to the most discrimination,the Plan of San Diego was
Mexico. The Mexican army is no match for US forces, but limited
largely ignored. Feb. 20 came and went without the predicted uprisUS forays into Mexico might achieve little, while an invasion and
ing, but the crime wave escalated.
Ordered to investigate the growing lawlessness in the area, Gen.
occupation could prove costly. The president is desperate to
Frederick Funston, commanding the American forces on the border,
eliminate the possibility of an incident that might compel US
concluded that it was criminal, not political. The army continued its
military intervention in Mexico, which some prominent political
patrols along the border, but refused to assume any responsibility for
leaders argue is the only solution.
SAVAGE
STRUGGLE
on the
Border
Part II
HSToday Magazine | February 2009
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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
law enforcement within the states. As the violence increased, Fun- press fanned these fears. So did German agents, whose objective
ston did contemplate declaring martial law,but he decided it was too from 1914 on was to propel the United States into a war with Mexico,
extreme. However, Army patrols were ordered to treat all armed which would keep it out of the war in Europe.
bands in the area as invaders.
In 1915, German agents plotted with former Mexican President
The locals were terrified and increasingly took matters into their
Victoriano Huerta, who had been overthrown in 1914 by revolutionown hands.As shootings and lynchings increased,a worried Funston aries with the help of the United States. The Germans offered to help
called for reinforcements. Their arrival confirmed Mexico’s suspi- restore him to power,which would inevitably lead to US intervention.
American officials were onto the plot, however, and they arrested
cions of imminent US military intervention. The commander of Mexico’s garrison then called for reinforcements on his side, which
Huerta as he stepped off the train in El Paso.
Funston, in turn, interpreted as an ominous move. Washington was
When Pancho Villa’s forces attacked Columbus in 1916, German
fearful that an imprudent move on either side could precipitate a war. agents on the border became superhawks calling for immediate US
While US diplomats worked to resolve the chaotic situation in Mex- military intervention. The Germans then approached President
ico, the violence along the border continued.
Venustiano Carranza, who deeply resented the continued presence
Various solutions were proposed. The jingoist press called for the of Pershing’s forces in Mexico. They offered Carranza a deal: If the
United States appeared about to
annexation of Mexico. Funston
enter the war in Europe, Mexico
suggested that the United States
could count on German support to
negotiate an agreement with Mexico that would give US troops the
wage war on the United States and
right of pursuit into Mexico (as they
recover the lost territories. The Gerhad had in the campaigns against
mans suggested that Japan be invited
the Apaches). One US senator proto participate in the alliance. These
posed the construction of permaterms were laid out in a telegram
nent forts along the Rio Grande.
from German Foreign Minister Arthur
Another official suggested that US
Zimmermann to the German ambasforces occupy a strip of land 10
sador in Mexico. The infamous secret
miles wide on the Mexican side of
Zimmermann telegram was sent on
Jan. 16,1917,but was intercepted and
the border. Yet another proposed
decoded by British intelligence,
that a strip of land 1 mile wide
which promptly turned it over to the
north of the border be cleared of all
American ambassador in London.
brush so that troops could monitor
Here it was, the sum of all fears, a
movements across the frontier.
Funston added to his pursuit pro- Pancho Villa (center, in the presidential chair) surrounded by fellow
German-Japanese alliance with Mexrevolutionaries. His 1916 raid on Columbus, NM prompted a US
posal the mobilization of Apache expedition and nearly caused a US-Mexican war.
ico to provoke an uprising in the
Scouts and bloodhounds, and he
United States and take back the lost
requested that he be allowed to order “no quarter” during the pursuit.
territories. It is not clear what troops or other military assistance GerThe secretary of war disagreed, but more troops were sent south.
many might have provided Mexico in 1917 or whether or not Japan
In 1916, attention shifted to the western border, where Pancho
was interested in joining a war with the United States. When the
Villa, outraged by his defeat at Agua Prieta, across the border from telegram was reported in the press, Zimmermann publicly admitted
Douglas, Ariz., launched an attack on Columbus, NM. The Mexican that he had sent it. One suspects that, while Germany would have
government garrison in Agua Prieta had been reinforced by rail liked to see the United States and Mexico in a war,the telegram might
through American territory. Villa’s men were slaughtered in the have been intended primarily to keep the Americans worried about
attack, andVilla was determined to get his revenge. Actually, his plan their southern flank. But Carranza had little appetite for war with the
was more strategic than merely vengeful. The raid on Columbus United States, and President Woodrow Wilson was determined to
would almost certainly provoke US military intervention, which avoid war with Mexico.Wilson and Carranza settled their differences,
would set his two enemies, the governments of Mexico and the Pershing’s column was withdrawn, and on April 6, 1917, the United
United States, now allied against him, against each other. It nearly States declared war on Germany.
worked. As Gen. John Pershing crossed the border to pursue Villa
deep into Mexico, tensions increased between Mexico and the No guarantees
The point of this history lesson is that current concerns about the
United States. Pershing’s expedition was withdrawn in 1917.
growing lawlessness in northern Mexico and its consequences for US
Outside meddling
national security are not without precedent—and not that farThroughout the years of the Mexican Revolution,there were fears that fetched. A peaceful southern border is not a guarantee of national
a hostile foreign power would take advantage of the chaotic situation security.
in Mexico to establish military bases, perhaps to wage war on the
With the end of the revolution, things settled down on the border,
United States. Most of the concerns focused on the supposed ambi- but some of the same sorts of problems that emerged between 1910
tions of Japan to obtain a naval base on the Pacific Coast of Mexico. and 1920 arose in later years. There were concerns about German
This fit well with the hysteria generated in the United States,especially agents in Mexico during the 1930s and 1940s, and after World War II,
in California, by fear of the “Yellow Peril.” California’s sensationalist there were worries about Soviet agents and Communist subversion.
4 February 2009 | www.HSToday.us
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SAVAGE STRUGGLE ON THE BORDER: COULD MEXICO FAIL?
The Cold War also raised concerns about the clandestine delivery ity would still exist, and local political leaders would continue to be
of nuclear weapons. After Sept. 11, 2001, the major concern was elected and make speeches. Police would continue to deal with
that terrorists might smuggle weapons of mass destruction across petty crime. Commerce would continue. Superficially, northern
the border.
Mexico might appear normal—a failed state does not necessarily
The appearance of a tiny domestic terrorist movement in Mex- have to look like Somalia, the guerrilla-infested departments of
ico in the 1970s, the Zapatista insurgency in southern Mexico in Colombia or the North West province of Pakistan. But no-go areas
the 1990s and the confrontations following the disputed election and untouchable crime bosses protected by heavily armed private
of Felipe Calderon raised questions about Mexico’s ability to han- armies would point to the real locus of power if the central government decided that rooting out the crimidle internal dissent without provoking
EXICO’S GANGS COULD CARRY nals was not worth the blood and
wider resistance through oppressive
OUT LARGE-SCALE TERRORIST treasure it would require. From Mexico’s
measures.
Of great current concern to the
perspective, illegal immigration and
BOMBINGS, AS THE NARCO
United States is the apparent inability
TRAFFICKERS DID IN COLOMBIA, drug consumption are US problems.
of Mexico to suppress the drug gangs
Although this situation would hardly
AS A WARNING TO AUTHORITIES
that infest the northern half of the
be good news for the US war on drugs,
TO BACK OFF.
country. They derive huge profits that
the United States could live with it. Conenable them to corrupt Mexico’s police and judiciary and have cerns would increase only if American expatriates living in Mexico
diversified into the smuggling of human beings across the border.
became regular victims of criminal violence, or especially if the vioThe level of criminal violence and corruption in Mexico has lence were to spread across the border into the United States. The
obliged Mexico’s president to increasingly rely on the army to chal- expatriates could always decide to leave if things got too dangerlenge the activities of the drug lords and their private militias. That ous. But it may be difficult to prevent the violence from spreading
risks corrupting the army itself.
across the border if Mexican drug traffickers compete to take conOn the US side, the continuing flow of drugs and illegal immi- trol of downstream distribution or decide to engage in other crimigrants has resulted in a growing worry that the violence south of the nal operations in the United States.
border will spread north. This is a domestic law enforcement probThose, too, would be regarded as law enforcement problems if
lem, but it has already prompted a significant buildup in physical and until the violence reached intolerable levels, which would
border security measures and deployments of the National Guard, make it increasingly, as during the Mexican Revolution, a matter of
not to mention a motley militia of volunteers. Could the border with national security.
Mexico again become a national security concern?
There is also the much-feared (and much exaggerated) possibility that the crime bosses might smuggle terrorists or weapons of terThe nature of the threat
ror into the United States. There is no evidence of linkages between
Nothing on the political horizon even vaguely indicates that Mexico Mexico’s gangs and foreign terrorist organizations, and it is to be
is heading for another revolution or that its political system is on the hoped that gang leaders are smart enough not to imperil their
brink of collapse (a very dubious CIA assertion in the 1980s). highly profitable businesses by doing things that would unleash an
Decades of one-party rule have been transformed into a tumul- all-out US-led effort to destroy them. But there is always the possibiltuous two-party, sometimes three-party competition. A low-level ity that a gang might be tempted by a huge cash offer, or that a gang
insurgency sputters on in the southern state of Chiapas, and occa- under pressure might in desperation be willing to take the risk or
sional small-scale bombings indicate an extremist fringe on the far simply would consider itself invulnerable to US retaliation.
left, but none of this poses a serious security challenge.
Except for the period during the Mexican Revolution, the United
The threat comes from the proliferation of criminal gangs profit- States has no experience living next door to a failed state. Its options
ing from the trafficking of heroin and cocaine into the United States. for containing the violence produced by the revolution were not
Organized gangs engage in kidnapping, and they are believed to very good then, and given the number of Americans living in Mexico and the importance of trade with Mexico, they are even less
have taken over the business of smuggling people desperate for
work across the border. Feeble law enforcement efforts are ham- attractive now.
strung by corruption that extends high into Mexico’s political appaThe United States could, of course, take two bold steps: It could
ratus. President Calderon has tried to solve this problem by relying dramatically reduce the Mexican traffickers’ profits—and therefore
on the army instead of the police to go after the gangs, and he has
their power to corrupt—by treating drug consumption as a social
had a measure of success in killing or capturing some of the most
problem and investing more in domestic demand reduction and
notorious gang leaders. But Mexico’s gangs have not been reluctant treatment, as many policy-research studies have recommended.
to fight back, taking on the state through assassination of high-rank- Source-country control and interdiction are the costliest and least
effective components of the US war on drugs. As long as US demand
ing officials and terror campaigns.
If the army continues to press them, the violence could easily remains high, criminals will draw huge profits.
escalate. Mexico’s gangs could carry out large-scale terrorist bombThe United States could also move to legalize and fully integrate
ings, as the narco traffickers did in Colombia, as a warning to the more than 12 million illegal immigrants in the country, the
authorities to back off. The gangs could also finance local terrorist majority of whom are from Mexico, and adopt a system of work
groups to distract authorities.
visas that reduces the need for running the border and takes the
The deterioration of northern Mexico from crime-ridden to profit out of human smuggling. Thus far, the United States has
crime-ruled would be gradual and insidious. Nominal state author- addressed illegal immigration from a legal and economic perspec-
M
HSToday Magazine | February 2009
© Copyright 2009 KMD Media LLC. Reprinted with permission.
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SAVAGE STRUGGLE ON THE BORDER: COULD MEXICO FAIL?
REUTERS/STRINGER MEXICO
tive, but there is a national security aspect to it, as well. It is simply
not in the national security interest of the United States to have a
floating underworld population of 12 million people who are vulnerable to blackmail and other pressure. The security of the nation
would be better served by legalizing and fully integrating them into
society, however unpopular that may be with certain sectors of the
American electorate. In any case, neither of these approaches
seems likely to be implemented.
If violence emanating from Mexico reached intolerable levels
on the US side of the frontier, the United States could gradually seal
the border. The Great Wall approach already has popular appeal
and political traction. But it would have serious adverse consequences on both sides of the frontier, increasing unemployment in
Mexico and disrupting manufacturing in the United States. (Protectionists and wall proponents will argue that unemployment in Mexico is not our problem and that sealing the border would reduce
outsourcing of jobs.)
As it was in 1916, military intervention is a measure of last resort.
Unless Mexico were to collapse into anarchy,it is hard to envision Pershing’s columns again moving south. Yet it is not unimaginable to
foresee limited interventions to rescue Americans held hostage, Special Forces captures of criminal warlords wanted in the United States
or covert strikes on criminal headquarters. Any such action would
stoke Mexican nationalism, which is driven mainly by anti-American
sentiments, especially among the country’s intelligentsia. It would
guarantee the hostility of the Mexican government.
The United States could offer more material and technical assistance to Mexico’s underfunded law enforcement establishment. The
problem here is again corruption and human rights concerns. The
6
February 2009
|
United States could also try to expand its cooperation with the Mexican Army, which now has the lead in tackling organized crime in
northern Mexico. The Mexican army, however, is a conservative,
closed establishment, usually suspicious of and generally cool to US
engagement.
Finally, the United States could discreetly assist Mexican authorities with intelligence that would enable them to operate more effectively against the gangs,but the problem here is the disturbing degree
of penetration of Mexico’s criminal intelligence and law enforcement
by the criminals themselves. Indeed, some US agencies refuse to
share any intelligence with Mexican authorities. Nonetheless, US
authorities should take advantage of the likelihood that the threat the
gangs pose to the United States is not immediate. There will be time
to gradually develop intelligence sources,which can take years,if it is
made a priority now.
It is possible that Mexican authorities will gradually contain the
gangs and that the surge in violence seen in recent months is a spike,
not a trend. The probability of Mexico becoming a failed state still
seems extremely low. In such circumstances, precipitate US action
might only exacerbate the situation in Mexico. But simply ignoring
the danger is not an option. Nor will the security issues be resolved by
the current US obsession with building a wall. HST
BRIAN MICHAEL JENKINS is recognized as a leading authority on terrorism and is senior advisor to the president of RAND Corporation. His most recent book is Will Terrorists Go
Nuclear? published in 2008 by Prometheus Books, New York. He is currently working on a
book on Mexico.
Next month, in the last article of this 3-part series, Jana Schroeder,
Homeland Security Today’s Mexico City correspondent, reports on the
politics of Mexico’s savage struggle.
www.HSToday.us
© Copyright 2009 KMD Media LLC. Reprinted with permission.
www.ncnarc.org
18
Vol. 11, No. 2
Undercover
from 9 to 5
Fall, 2009
Professionally
•
•
Lt. Scott Allen
Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office
Asheville, NC
D
NCNARC
•
uring the 15 years I worked narcotics I never drove
fancy sports cars or had the glamorous life people
seem to visualize when you use the term undercover. I must have missed the fame and fortune bus except for
an article written about me when my U/C days were over.
(Mountain Xpress volume 14 no. 27 Jan 2008). Few civilians and many employed in law enforcement don’t realize
the majority of undercover work is done by officers not assigned in a full time undercover status. Most U/C assignments usually last no more than a couple months and require
only orchestrated contacts with the offender. These types
of U/C operations can expand from street level purchases
to infiltrating some major narcotics trafficking organizations. But, still the need to go “deep cover’ does sometimes
arise. Try convincing department heads to pull monies from
the divisional budget allotment for a deep cover apartment.
Depending upon your departments geographical location
and manpower compiled with today’s economic times and
budget cuts many agencies have adapted to working narcotics on a fixed income. Thus evolves the “9 to 5 undercover
agent”. These operatives perform the same u/c assignments
but without the some of the benefits of a full time u/c. These
assignments are still as dangerous, still as stressful, and
still need to be done. In many drug units “9 to 5 undercover
agents” usually serve a dual investigative role by being case
agents and undercover operatives. Working undercover 9 to
5 requires time management skills to balance not only your
professional life but also your personal life. Management
skills are displayed daily by over seeing case management,
assisting on other investigations, following departmental
policy and procedures, court preparation, and then add in
your personal life. There still has to be spousal/significant
other time, family time, bills to pay, kids to chauffer, and
many other obligations required from our personal lives.
First I would like to say this article was written to recognize and praise you for the job you do. Having been in that
law enforcement role I appreciate the complexity of your duties. Below are just some points of thought I have and currently utilize to professionally and personally assist me in
being a successful law enforcement officer and person.
•
•
•
•
•
Planning- plan out as many of your daily tasks as
possible (remember time management is one of your
most valuable skills)
Plan out all operations ( I know 99 out of a 100 deals
never go as planned, but a plan establishes officer
safety, continuity, personnel assignments, and provides some liability)
Operational debriefs- learn by mistakes to reduce
mistakes
Training-Take all the professional training you can.
Concentrate on duty assignment topics and career
goal oriented training
Train together as a unit (surveillance, take downs,
agent rescues, and etc.)
Relationships- build as many professional relationships as possible (Prosecutor’s office, peers, professional organizations, and etc)
Informant debriefs- learn all you can from offenders
ask who, how, and why questions.
Officer safety always comes first
Personally
•
•
•
Time off- spend quality time with your family and
have some alone personal time
Healthy lifestyle- eat a healthy diet and exercise as
often as possible. Exercise is a great stress reliever
Spiritually- work on being the best person you can
be- develop and nurture your faith 
About the Author
Lt. Allen is a 22-year veteran of law enforcement.
During his career has worked in California and NC,
served in the capacities of detention, patrol, patrol
Sgt, enforcement team Sgt, drug investigator, drug
investigator supervisor, and unit Agent in Charge.
Lt Allen has been recognized for his efforts in drug
investigation by the FBI and DEA. Lt Allen has been
awarded on both federal and state level for his leadership in the field of narcotics investigations. Lt Allen
has been recognized and testified as an expert in the
field of narcotics investigations. During his 15 years
of drug work Lt Allen seemed to be called upon to act
as the undercover operative in numerous state and
federal investigations. These investigations were to
include narcotic purchases from street level to trafficking, weapons, and a double murder for hire.
www.ncnarc.org
Vol. 11, No. 2
NCNARC
19
Fall, 2009
NCNEOA AWARDS PROGRAM
North Carolina Narcotics Enforcement Officers’ Association
Special NCNEOA Awards will be presented to selected recipients at the Spring Conference each year. Nominations are solicited and should be submitted to the Awards Committee. The Awards Committee will consist of the
Executive Board. The deadline for all awards is March 31st of each year.
NCNEOA Award of Valor
This honor is to be awarded to the nominee who, in
the judgement of the Awards Committee, is most deserving of the recognition for having performed duty in the
area of narcotic enforcement at a personal risk of life.
NCNEOA Distinguished
Service Award
I hereby nominate:
_______________________________________
This award is to be presented to an individual who
has made outstanding contributions in the area of drug
enforcement during his entire career.
NCNEOA Narcotics
Officer of the Year Award
TO: NCNEOA Awards Committee
for the award of:
(indicate by check mark)
This award will be presented to two officers, one from
the East and one from the West, who have been paid
members for one calendar year prior to nomination. The
Awards will be presented to individuals who have used
innovative ideas in a drug investigation. The impact of
the case(s) they have investigated on the area in which
they work, the type and amount of seizures (which include United States currency and property), the number
of arrests and convictions, etc. will be considered.
_____ NCNEOA Award of Valor
_____ NCNEOA Distinguished Service Award
_____ NCNEOA Narcotics Officer of the Year
Agency ________________________________
Title __________________________________
Attach details
of action and circumstances
for which nominee
should be considered for award.
Nominated by __________________________
Agency/Rank ___________________________
Phone # ________________________________
www.ncnarc.org
North Carolina Narcotics
Enforcement Officer’s Association
P.O. Box 266
Elizabethtown, NC 28337
Presrt Std
U.S. P ostage
PAID
Duluth, MN
Permit No. 1003
Skill
Set: Muscle Memory?
ncnarc.org
by Tiger McKee
Skill Set: Muscle Memory?
by Tiger McKee
Y
ou hear the term "muscle memory" a lot in training, but if you think
about it muscles don't have brains, so the muscles can't actually have
memories. Each muscle, or group of muscles, only knows how to do
two things - contract and relax, and these actions are controlled by your mind.
When training and practicing what we are really trying to do is develop the
neural pathways that run between the mind and the muscles.
To understand what is taking place we start at the brain. The mind makes a
decision, and then fires impulses through the neural network that carries this
command to the proper muscle(s). The mind's command must follow a certain
pathway that carries this impulse to its destination, the muscle.
When first learning a new skill this pathway from the mind to the muscles is
like a dirt road. It takes a long time for the impulses to negotiate this rough and
unknown pathway. As we begin to actually learn the skill through repetition
the pathway becomes a paved two-lane road. After thousands of repetitions it
eventually becomes a large interstate, capable of high speed and lots of traffic.
These repetitions also form sequences in the mind, which are filed away in the subconscious mind. Once something is
truly learned the conscious makes a decision, for example "reload," then the subconscious takes over to send the impulses
down the interstate to the muscles, which perform that particular task. It's kind of like math, once you do your 2 times table,
eventually you don't have to actually work it out in your mind, you just know that 2 times 9 is 18.
This is why training your mind is the most important aspect of fighting. According to Bruce Lee, "Training is more a
matter of learning coordination, training the nervous system, not a question of training the muscles." The physical components of the process, your muscles, are pretty much the same every day, with exceptions of course for injuries and the
gradual effects of aging. The muscles can only do what the mind tells them to.
The mind must be educated and trained so that it can control the muscles. The best way to get these repetitions is with
dry practice and mental imagery practice. With dry practice you're working with the muscles included in the process, and
at the same time becoming familiar with your weapons. Mental imagery practice is simply the process of vividly imagining the actions you need to perform. Both methods of practice are providing you with the necessary repetitions to form a
smooth flow from the mind to the muscles.
Fighting is a mental process. Once you've been introduced to the proper skills you have to practice to learn those skills,
retain them, and improve them. Mastering the fundamentals, and being able to perform them under stress, is the key to
becoming a great fighter. 
Tiger McKee is director of Shootrite Firearms Academy, located in northern Alabama, author of The Book of Two Guns,
a staff member of several firearms/tactical publications, and an adjunct instructor for the F.B.I. (256) 582-4777 www.shootrite.org