Blue View by the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP)

The U.S. Department of Justice is tasked with enforcing the law, defending the interests of the United States, and ensuring public safety. This is no small task. It takes a team of committed public servants to support this mission.

On this episode of the Blue View, we’re joined by U.S. Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta, the third highest ranking official at the Justice Department. A friend of the FOP, Vanita has a long history of working with law enforcement to build support for policing and a common-sense approach to criminal justice.

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WATCH THIS EPISODE ➡️ https://youtu.be/N1lIbh1zUiY 

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Vanita Gupta is the 19th United States Associate Attorney General and serves as the third-ranking official at the Department of Justice. Associate Attorney General Gupta supervises multiple litigating divisions within the Department of Justice, including the Civil Division, Civil Rights Division, Antitrust Division, Tax Division, and Environmental and Natural Resources Division. She also oversees the grant-making components of the Department, including the Office of Justice Programs, the Office on Violence Against Women, and the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services; and supervises the Office of Information Policy, the Community Relations Service, the Executive Office for United States Trustees, and the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission.

Associate Attorney General Gupta previously served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, the nation’s oldest and largest coalition of non-partisan civil rights organizations in the United States.

Associate Attorney General Gupta graduated magna cum laude from Yale University and received her law degree from New York University School of Law, where later she taught a civil rights litigation clinic for several years.

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We can measure time, but we cannot measure loss. On 15 May, we’ll gather on the West Front of the Capitol to honor our fallen Brothers and Sisters who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their community. The sacrifice of these fallen officers and their families will never be forgotten.

On this episode of the Blue View, National President Patrick Yoes sits down with Glenda Lehmann, President of the National FOP Auxiliary Board.

We’re also joined by Andy Maybo and Matt Hagen, Co-Chairs of the Memorial Committee. In their roles, Andy and Matt are responsible for the planning, setup and execution of the National Peace Officers Memorial Service in Washington D.C. Andy is a K-9 officer with the U.S. Capitol Police and the former President of FOP DC Lodge #1. Matt is a Deputy Sheriff with the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office and president of the Minnesota State FOP Lodge.

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On this episode of the Blue View, National President Patrick Yoes sits down with Congressman John Rutherford (FL-04) to discuss his law enforcement background, how Congress is tackling some of the most pressing issues facing the law enforcement community, and the rise in violent crime.

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Congressman John Rutherford has lived in Jacksonville, Florida since 1958, and attended Florida Junior College and Florida State University, where he studied Criminology. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, 171st Session and the National Executive Institute. He began his career in law enforcement in 1974 as a patrolman in the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO), working his way up through the JSO where he eventually served as Director.

In 2003, 2007, and 2011, John was elected Sheriff of Duval County. For three terms and twelve years, John ran a 3,200 employee office, and due to his effective leadership, homicide and overall violent crime in Jacksonville dropped to a 40-year low. Using a model of intelligence-led and community-based policing, John and his team of law enforcement professionals dramatically improved neighborhoods and prevented crime throughout the community. He also made the mental health component of the criminal justice system a priority, reducing the recidivism rates of the mentally ill and facilitating their treatment. John also served as Chair of the Legislative Committee for the Florida Sheriff’s Association, where he advocated before the legislature for policies that strengthened constitutional rights, supported our law enforcement, and enhanced public safety across the State.

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On December 16th of last year—in a city that has been ravaged by crime and with a police department that is short upwards of 400 officers—Baltimore City Police Officer Keona Holley was gunned down as she sat in her patrol car. Seven days after two men approached from behind and opened fire on Officer Holley, the 39-year-old officer, who had been on the job for just two years, died just 2 days before Christmas.

So far this year, there have been two officers shot in Maryland, a state where countless elected officials continue to demonize the brave men and women of law enforcement.

On this episode of the Blue View, National FOP President Patrick Yoes sits down with Clyde Boatwright, President of the Maryland State Fraternal Order of Police, and Mike Mancuso, President of the Baltimore City FOP Lodge 3.

00:00 - Intro

02:06 – Fallen Officer Keona Holley

03:40 – Attacks on Law Enforcement

05:09 – Rogue Prosecutors

09:16 – Looming Crisis

13:15 – Recruiting the Best and Brightest

18:00 – Message to Officers

21:48 - Closing

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When disaster strikes a community in our nation, our first responders spring into action without hesitation. What is often overlooked is that they too are victims of the disaster. It is these everyday first responders who are called to action to bring safety, security and peace to a chaotic situation. What many don't realize is the families of these first responders are also facing challenges and damaged property, which can distract them from achieving their public safety mission.

That is where the National FOP Foundation steps in. Volunteers with the FOP Disaster Area Response Team (DART) provide hot meals and remediation work on first responders' homes so they can stay on the job and focus on stabilizing their communities.

On this episode of the Blue View, National FOP President Patrick Yoes sits down with Jason Smith, Chairman of the National FOP DART Committee to talk about the FOP’s commitment to support first responders in communities ravaged by natural or man-made disasters.They were joined by Rob Pride, Chairman of the National FOP Board of Trustees, and Shawn Helbig, Kentucky FOP National Trustee, both of whom shared their first-hand experience with the National FOP's DART response to their communities following the 2021 Western Kentucky tornado and the 2022 Colorado wildfires.

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WATCH THIS EPISODE (Youtube @GLFOP) ➡️  https://youtu.be/nYU2Gc-ye8w 

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Jason Smith serves as the Chairman of the National FOP DART Committee and previously served as the President of the Oklahoma State FOP. He started his career in law enforcement as a Deputy Sheriff with the Payne County Sheriff's Office in 1996. Prior to his retirement, Jason served as Chief of Police with the Anadarko Police Department and the Jenks Public Schools Police Department.

Rob Pride serves as the Chairman of the National FOP Board of Trustees. Rob, a Colorado native, has been a member for the FOP since 1994 and started his law enforcement career as a reserve deputy at age 19. Over his more than 25-year career, Rob has worked as a corrections officers, patrol officer, gang enforcement, narcotics detective, general investigations detective, and currently serves as a sergeant in his patrol division. Rob also currently serves as team leader for his agency’s SWAT Crisis Negotiations Team and also supervises the Field Training Unit responsible for training new police officers.

Shawn Helbig is the National Trustee for the Kentucky State FOP. Having dedicated his life to his community, Shawn is currently a detective for his county attorney after retiring after a long, almost two-decade career with the Bowling Green Police Department.

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Blue View Podcast ➡️ https://blue-view.castos.com/

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The “City of Brotherly Love” has been anything but in recent years. In 2021 Philadelphia made history for the number of homicides, with 562. While the rise in crime has alarmed many, there are some who have attempted to dismiss it.

Across the country, rogue prosecutors are making sweet-heart deals with violent criminals. Unfortunately, Philadelphia has fallen victim to the failed pro-criminal policies of District Attorney Larry Krasner. Despite the mounting challenges they face, the men and women of the Philadelphia Police Department go to work every day to serve and protect their communities.

On this episode of the Blue View, National FOP President Patrick Yoes sits down with John McNesby, President of the Philadelphia Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #5, to discuss the current state of affairs in Philadelphia, the deadly consequences of a rogue prosecutor, and the dangers facing the men and women of the Philadelphia Police Department.

***NOTE: This episode was recorded on 3 March 2022***

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WATCH THIS EPISODE ➡️ https://youtu.be/ZYIbij7A4FE 

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00:00 - Intro

00:50 - About John McNesby

02:00 - How Dangerous Has Philadelphia Become?

03:15 - Rogue Prosecutors Dismiss Crime Crisis

06:55 - Who's Speaking On Behalf of the Victims?

08:50 - Growing Danger for Law Enforcement

11:40 - Protecting and Serving

15:40 - Handcuffing the Police

20:55 - Looming Crisis

26:00 - Closing

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John McNesby is the President of the Philadelphia Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #5. He first joined the Philadelphia Police Department in 1989, working as a patrolman and later a narcotics officer in the East Division. After years working the beat, in 2007, McNesby ran and won a race for president, beginning a tenure that’s been cloaked in success: steady pay increases, healthy benefits packages, and more.

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They are the ones who are born with the remarkable desire to serve and protect their community or country. It is a calling ingrained in them. Every day, law enforcement officers wake up, put their uniform on and leave their loved ones behind to go out in their community, not sure if they will be coming back home.

Now, more than ever, the law enforcement community needs the full support of our communities and elected officials. In this episode of the Blue View, National FOP President Patrick Yoes sits down with Representative Abigail Spanberger, from the 7th Congressional District of Virginia, to discuss her tireless work on Capitol Hill to ensure that law enforcement officers and their families receive what they have rightfully earned and deserve.

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WATCH THIS EPISODE ➡️ https://youtu.be/gm_GdbcMyMs 

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00:00 - Intro

01:08 - About Abigail Spanberger

02:40 - Navigating the Waters

06:50 - Fighting for Fairness

18:35 - COPS on the Beat

24:03 - A Looming Crisis

32:04 - Final Thoughts

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U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger is proud to represent the people of Virginia's Seventh Congressional District in the U.S. House. Abigail’s career has been defined by public service — first serving as a federal agent with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, working money laundering and narcotics cases. She then served at home and abroad as a CIA case officer, focusing on counterterrorism and nonproliferation efforts. Following her time at CIA, Abigail worked in the private sector, helping colleges and universities diversify their student bodies and increase graduation rates.

First elected to the U.S. House in 2018, Abigail serves on the U.S. House Agriculture Committee and the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee. She is also Vice Chair of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus. Abigail grew up in Henrico County, Virginia and is a proud graduate of Henrico County Public Schools. Abigail and her husband Adam have three school-aged three children.

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“Fairness” – a concept that our society treasures; something that we, as law enforcement officers, value. American’s plan and prepare for retirement years by investing a retirement benefit. But, for millions of public employees, police, firemen, teachers, and others, that planning means that if you have paid into both a public pension system and also met the necessary quarters to qualify for Social Security benefits, you will be penalized. Although we paid for these benefits, the social security rules could result in a reduction of social security benefits.

The “Windfall Elimination Provision” (WEP) and the “Government Pension Offset” (GPO) in current Social Security law cut or eliminate the earned benefits of more than two million retirees. This provision has created a very real inequity for many public employees, particularly law enforcement officers, who retire earlier than other government employees due to the demands placed on them both physically and mentally… and often begin second careers. The provision cuts as much as 60% from the Social Security benefit. A benefit that they have paid for, just as other Americans.

Keeping what you earned and deserving nothing if it isn't earned – that’s “fair.” One of the FOP’s Top Priorities is H.R. 82, the “Social Security Fairness Act,” which would repeal both the WEP and GPO. This is an issue of fairness, as these public employees are unfairly penalized under current law.

It is critical to have strong allies in Congress, especially those who working to address the most pressing issues facing America’s law enforcement community. Today, we’re joined by one of the leading sponsors for the bill, Representative Rodney Davis, from Illinois’ 13th Congressional District. Representative Davis has been fighting for our men and women in blue since day one. Representative Davis is one of our most devoted supporters, and we thank him for the help.

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WATCH THIS EPISODE ➡️  https://youtu.be/5mPs2NUR_-A

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The Blue View is a weekly podcast presented by the National Fraternal Order of Police (FOP). We are the world’s oldest and largest organization of sworn law enforcement officers, with more than 364,000 members in more than 2,200 lodges.

Make sure to tune in each week to hear from the country's top law enforcement experts, elected officials, and other notable leaders as they'll share their perspective and insight into the issues facing America's law enforcement.

SUBSCRIBE:

Blue View Podcast ➡️ https://blue-view.castos.com/

Apple Podcasts ➡️ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/blue-view-by-the-fraternal-order-of-police-fop/id1609211746

Spotify ➡️ https://open.spotify.com/show/3OZzhTEcwf3e2y0sPqdsew

Amazon ➡️ https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/aad56de4-4a9a-46d2-a71f-ba46ea487797/blue-view-by-the-fraternal-order-of-police-fop 

It seems that overnight, the 800,000 men and women who protect our community every day went from public servants to public enemies. As politicians and the media demonize law enforcement officers, the Fraternal Order of Police, the largest and oldest labor organization, is standing up for our law enforcement officers every day. America’s heroes, our law enforcement officers, deserve an organization that fights for them.

On this episode of the Blue View, National FOP President Patrick Yoes sits down with National Vice President Joe Gamaldi and National Treasurer James Smallwood to discuss how the Fraternal Order of Police is speaking up and fighting for our members, especially during one of the most dangerous times for law enforcement. The Fraternal Order of Police is the Number One Voice of America’s Law Enforcement Officers.

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WATCH THIS EPISODE ➡️  https://youtu.be/wcw0C4Eq7NU

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The Blue View is a weekly podcast presented by the National Fraternal Order of Police (FOP). We are the world’s oldest and largest organization of sworn law enforcement officers, with more than 364,000 members in more than 2,200 lodges.

Make sure to tune in each week to hear from the country's top law enforcement experts, elected officials, and other notable leaders as they'll share their perspective and insight into the issues facing America's law enforcement.

SUBSCRIBE:

Blue View Podcast ➡️ https://blue-view.castos.com/

Apple Podcasts ➡️ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/blue-view-by-the-fraternal-order-of-police-fop/id1609211746

Spotify ➡️ https://open.spotify.com/show/3OZzhTEcwf3e2y0sPqdsew

Amazon ➡️ https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/aad56de4-4a9a-46d2-a71f-ba46ea487797/blue-view-by-the-fraternal-order-of-police-fop 

As crime rates continue to rise across the country, the violence directed at law enforcement officers is skyrocketing. In just the first month of 2022, we saw the real-life consequences of and felt the immense pain caused by the recent surge in violent crime and the heinous acts of cowardly individuals whose sole motivation was to injure or kill a law enforcement officer.

This past year was one of the most dangerous years for law enforcement in recent history due to the increase of violence directed towards law enforcement officers, the nationwide crime crisis fueled by rogue prosecutors, and the ongoing pandemic.

Today, National FOP President Patrick Yoes sits down with National Vice President Joe Gamaldi and National Treasurer James Smallwood to discuss the alarming increase in violence against the police as well as the consequences of the continued demonization of our law enforcement officers.

Watch This Episode ➡️  https://youtu.be/dqksw_yj_Nk 

00:00 - Start

01:19 - Opening

01:53 - 2021 Officers Shot and Killed

03:40 - The Increasing Danger

06:00 - Crime Crisis and Rogue Prosecutors

08:03 - How to Reverse Course

10:40 - 2022 Officers Shot and Killed

12:07 - Sounding the Alarm

15:33 - Final Thoughts

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The Blue View is a weekly podcast presented by the National Fraternal Order of Police (FOP). We are the world’s oldest and largest organization of sworn law enforcement officers, with more than 364,000 members in more than 2,200 lodges.

Make sure to tune in each week to hear from the country's top law enforcement experts, elected officials, and other notable leaders as they'll share their perspective and insight into the issues facing America's law enforcement.

SUBSCRIBE:

Blue View Podcast ➡️ https://blue-view.castos.com/

Apple Podcasts ➡️ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/blue-view-by-the-fraternal-order-of-police-fop/id1609211746

Spotify ➡️ https://open.spotify.com/show/3OZzhTEcwf3e2y0sPqdsew

Amazon ➡️ https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/aad56de4-4a9a-46d2-a71f-ba46ea487797/blue-view-by-the-fraternal-order-of-police-fop