The Sentinel
Volume 3, Issue 3
SEPTEMBER 2016
"Forever Vigilant - Forever Strong"
Contents
Special Interest Articles
During a time of controversy regarding
our Countries National Anthem; a time when even
African American Officers themselves have
questioned the integrity of some of the recent
national police involved shootings of African
Americans; inaccurate promotional exams; and the
F.O.P themselves indorsing a Presidential candidate
who does not reflect the needs of all its members, or
the communities we serve… some members of the
Sentinel Police Association are left asking, “ Just how
“Blue” are we”?
Continued on page 2
Fifty Shades
1
Acknowledgements
2
Taking Care of Our Own
3
ABM Column
4
SEPTEMBER 2016
The Sentinel
Volume 3, Issue 3
“Sometime its better to keep silent than to tell others what you feel,
because it becomes hurtful when they can hear you, but cant
understand you”- author unknown
Or is it…….? In a recent news story covered by the Cincinnati Enquirer,
President Eddie Hawkins voiced our organizations concerns about the
recent presidential nomination of Donald Trump. During his interview,
President Hawkins merely stated he didn’t feel law enforcment should
get involved in politics, although the Sentinels did not endorse any
particular presidential canididate, but the back lash was horrendous.
Some members of the FOP made statements such as it, “Stirs up
trouble’, “Maybe you should attend FOP meetings” or maybe just
maybe we should sit down, and shut up. Any one who knows why our
organization was founded would understand we are not built to sit
down and shut up, it just isnt in our makeup. As Eddie stated, “We urge
individuals to vote on the individual who looks to better our
communities as a whole.” As our mission statement states…
To ensure the delivery of quality police services to the
citizens of Cincinnati, through respect, compassion,
and understanding.
So in saying this, how do we deal with
diversity, and address the back lash. How
do we let it be known that it isn’t just about
Black or Blue, It’s about being human, and
having empathy not only towards each other
but towards the communities we are sworn to
protect.
The Sentinel
Volume 3, Issue 3
SEPTEMBER 2016
PUBLIC DENOUNCEMENT
On 10/12 Members of our organization voted in favor of
presenting a no confidence vote for the City of Cincinnati and
the Civil Service Commission for unfair promotional practices.
MORE ACTIVE PARTICIPATION
The Sentinel Police Association
would like to recognize the
accomplishments of Officer
Donald Jordan. Officer Jordan
is a Cincinnati native, who grew
up in Avondale and attended
Western Hills High School.
Upon graduation Officer Jordan
attended Ohio State University,
Cincinnati State and is currently
enrolled at Xavier University,
majoring in Criminal Justice.
Officer Jordan has been a
member of the Cincinnati Police
Department for 16 years; he
coaches basketball and also
mentors children. In his spare
time Officer Jordan enjoys
playing racquetball, preparing
meals, and spending time with
his beautiful wife Adriane and
eight year old son Avery.
Recently Officer Jordan was
recognized as the City of
Cincinnati’s Employee of the
Year by our city’s major.
Congratulations,
Officer Jordan
Members often ask what are the Sentinels doing
about certain events-remember YOU are the Sentinels
and YOU have a voice and the authority to take
action. We will continue to support each other and
our ideas for projects and programs. Please refer to
our suggestion section of the sentinel website
www.sentinelpolice.org for any comments or
suggestions that you think will benefit the
progression of our organization and its members.
Remember during times of dissention we need to be
steadfast, as an organization and not give into the
temptation to quit when things get hard.
PAYING OFF MORTGAGE
Brothers and sisters, we have accomplished a great feat! On
May, 16, 2016 we cut a check to 5/3 Bank in the amount of
14k, eliminating our mortgage. We will continue to make
building improvements, next on the list is building a retaining
wall and repaving the parking lot. So far we have replaced the
ceiling tiles, conducted a deep cleaning, organized the kitchen,
painted the walls and fixed the plumbing. In the future we
plan to finish the basement. Special Thanks to our Business
Manager, Ron Avant, for facilitating the organization of the
building improvements.
The Sentinel
Volume 3, Issue 3
SEPTEMBER 2016
SCHOLARSHIP
The 2016 scholarship packet is now available.
High school seniors must write the history of the National
Anthem, including a brief synopsis of the Anthem (including the
third and fourth verses) and explain why they agree or disagree
with Colin Kapernick kneeling during the singing of the Nation
Anthem. All Sentinel members’ children, who are high school
seniors, are entitled to the $500.00 scholarship (as long as they
complete the packet by the due date, March 1, 2017). We will
award one $500.00 scholarship to a Cincinnati Public School
student.
NO BANQUET
There will be no 2017 MLK Banquet. We will resume banquet activities in
the winter of 2018. We will be organizing a banquet committee and begin
planning early 2017. Please reach out to Officer Robinson or Stevenson to
express interest
MASCERADE BALL- HEALTH UPDATE AND THANKS
Alisha has completed her chemotherapy and radiation treatments for colorectal
cancer. She would like to thank everyone for the continued prayers and support.
She really appreciates the donations and participation in the events. Some of
the donations have gone to co-pays, supplements, and non-traditional
treatments. Alisha welcomes any questions regarding her journey as she wants
everyone to be healthy and get checked. Remember All Butts Matter!
SEPTEMBER 2016
The Sentinel
Volume 3, Issue 3
SEPTEMBER 2016
The Sentinel
Volume 3, Issue 3
Greetings Family!
It feels so good to be back with you again. I really appreciate the opportunity to once again indulge
as your cranium stimulator. With a sound mind and a beating heart, let the infusing of your grey
matter begin! In the years passed, we have seen the politically correctness take the forefront of
our society. We were all aware of how hateful words could spark a protest or even a riot. Just lying
beneath the surface of morality, was the racist, hate filled, conspiracy theorist, waiting to pounce!
“How dare you complain or express your damn conscious, educated rights, as an American citizen,
feelings to us!” “Follow what we say and not what you see!”
Before I continue, I must protect those that may continue to read further. So, sit back and let the
journey begin…………..
HISTORY 102: “FRANCIS SCOTT KEY,” Aug. 1, 1779 – Jan. 11, 1843
A Lawyer, District Attorney, poet, slave owner, and author of the infamous, “Star – Spangled –
Banner”, a poem written by Francis Scott Key on September 13, 1814, which was originally titled,
“The Defense of Fort McHenry” and not an expression of the free-man’s rights!! Key wrote the
poem as a tribute to his witness of the bombing of Fort McHenry during the War of 1812. Key
witnessed the lone flying American Flag, the morning after a night of bombardment of the Fort
McHenry. The music pinned to the poem was originally the music of a popular English drinking
song titled, “To Anacreon in Heaven” composed by John Stafford Smith. As people began to refer to
this new song, as “The Star-Spangled Banner,” it became popular and in 1916 then President
Woodrow Wilson announced that it should be played at all official events. On March 3, 1931 the
poem was adopted as the national anthem of the United States of America. If you like to see the flag
that Francis Scott Key laid witnessed to, you can find it at the Smithsonian Institution’s Museum of
America History in Washington, D.C.
Ok, let me get you back on track. That’s just enough of His-Story to plant an interior lining of your
skull to protect your brain matter! There has been many showing a sign of protest of what the
United States flag symbolize to them. Each one of us has had some experience of what “freedom”
means. Although this is a country that prides itself on civil liberties and open expression of ones
beliefs, it has been thrust into the light when one display his or her disbelieve of what the US flag
symbolize to them. Lives have been threatened. Rights have been placed into question; for what,
exercising the freedoms that the flag supposed to symbolize in the first place. Like a wild forest fire,
the protest has engulfed not only sport stars, but mainstream Americans. Our children have taken
noticed and have begun to show support, although they may not really understand the full scope of
the matter at hand.
HISTORY 103: “THE PRIVELEGED CLASS”
COMING SOON
Sincerely ABM
SEPTEMBER 2016
The Sentinel
Volume 3, Issue 3
In loving memory of :
Jana Cruise 1961-2016
Thaddeus Steele 1964-2016