1. Drink Lot’s of Water
2. Get Eight Hours of Sleep
3. Control Your Stress
4. Reduce Your Intake of High Fructose Corn Syrup
5. Control Your Portions of Food
6. Rest and Relax
7. Engage in High Quality Relationships
8. Be Moderate in Your Intake of Caffeine and Sugar and Don’t Use Tobacco
9. Stay Active - Exercise
10. Control Your Weight & Your Finances

1. Drink Lot’s of Water

Many medical sources suggest that men drink between 2-3 liters (that’s a little more than 8-12 cups) of water each day (women should drink a little more between 2.2 - 3.3 liters or about 9-14 cups) to stay hydrated. Read an excellent article at the Mayo Clinic website: CLICK HERE

2. Get Eight Hours of Sleep

There is a good article on understanding sleep problems at the WebMD website at: CLICK HERE and interesting article about a door-to-door survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics saying 7-8 hours of sleep in optimal but more or less is risky on the MedHeadlines website: CLICK HERE

3. Control Your Stress

Consider that many sources say that exercise alone is not a good way to manage stress so try meditation, yoga, tai-chi or even talking but do something every day to manage and reduce your stress. Again, the WebMD website has a good article on tips to control your stress at: CLICK HERE and the Mayo Clinic discusses how to Win Control Over Your Stress at: CLICK HERE

4. Reduce Your Intake of High Fructose Corn Syrup

The danger is not so much from the product it’s the fact that it’s in so many things we eat in the U.S. and we need to pay attention to our intake just like anything else. One way to do that is reduce the amount of processed or pre-packaged foods you eat. Check out what The Mayo Clinic says this about it: CLICK HERE and then this recent report from MSNBC.

5. Control Your Portions of Food

A food portion is the amount of a food that you choose to eat at one sitting. It isn’t necessarily the “serving” listed on the product’s container. That also isn’t a “recommended” serving, but rather a measurable quantity that allows you to gage the amounts of proteins, carbohydrates and calories etc. as described by the manufacturer. A portion is something you control and in order to maintain your proper weight and level of physical fitness you should keep an eye on how much food, fat and calories you are taking in.

Here’s one of the Mayo Clinics pages on portion control (CLICK HERE) and they have links to many other articles on diet and nutrition.

Heres and excellent article on the WIN Network site about food portions and servings. this is the Weight-control Information Network site of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). CLICK HERE

6. Rest and Relax

It is scientific fact that if anyone doesn’t get enough rest and relaxation they will start to experience ill effects such as fatigue, slower response times and even agitation and mood swings. These can be a problem for the average person, but they become an professional liability for police officers.

You can find a series of interesting articles on the National Health Association website (CLICK HERE)

The Mayo Clinic offers a list of relaxation techniques to help you reduce your stress (CLICK HERE)

7. Engage in High Quality Relationships

Whether it’s your car partner, your spouse, people you work with or people you are dating, relationships can make or break your ability to do the job of police officer.  Finding the right, positive relationship and avoiding the negative ones can be a challenging task. If you are serious about being the best cop and the best person, you can be, you need to get good at picking the right people to spend MOST of your time with. Again, the Mayo Clinic comes through with a series of articles: (Click the Title(s) that interest you!)

Friendships: Enrich your life and improve your health (Learn how to find good friends and be a good friend.) CLICK HERE

Adult health and Relationships — (from physical and mental health to relationships and workplace issues.) CLICK HERE

Social support: Tap this tool to reduce stress (This is an excellent article on Social support networks provide many health benefits — how to build, maintain these essential relationships.) CLICK HERE

Marriage counseling: Working through relationship problems (Marriage counseling can help couples resolve differences and rekindle love.) CLICK HERE

Infidelity: Mending your marriage after an affair (Infidelity doesn’t have to mean your marriage is over. You can overcome an affair.) CLICK HERE

8. Be Moderate in Your Intake of Caffeine and Sugar and Don’t Use Tobacco

Like everything else caffeine can have benefits and drawbacks. A couple of cups of coffee a day won’t kill you but if you also eat chocolate, drink sodas or energy drinks you might be taking in too much. Some of the warning signs might include insomnia, nervousness, irritability headaches etc. Check out what the Mayo Clinic says about caffeine. CLICK HERE

As far as sugar we get back to some of the issues we found with high fructose corn syrup in that it can promote tooth decay, contribute to an overall condition of poor nutrition and upset your body chemistry by raising your triglyceride count. visit the Mayo Clinic site: CLICK HERE

Check out the FitSugar website CLICK HERE

You know the stats, according to the American Lung Association Every year in the U.S. over 392,000 people die from tobacco-caused disease, making it the leading cause of preventable death. Another 50,000 people die from exposure to secondhand smoke. CLICK HERE for more information.

9. Stay Active - Exercise

This may be perching to the choir but I’ve seen some pretty fat cops and we all need to maintain a peak level of fitness or this job WILL KILL YOU! Not the bad guys, just working the job. So you have to fight everyday for proper fitness. That’s easier for some of you than the rest or us but make no mistake it is a FIGHT!

Check out some of these valuable resources from the Mayo Clinic: (Click the Title(s) that interest you!)

Exercise: 7 benefits of regular physical activity (Need motivation to Exercise? Consider seven ways Exercise can improve your life — starting today!) CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

Here’s a Slide show on Core Exercises (Core exercises strengthen your core muscles, including abs, back and pelvis. CLICK HERE to See how.)

CLICK HERE for a Target heart rate calculator (To calculate your target heart rate zone to exercise safely.)

Here’s a Slide show: Back Exercises that take only 15 minutes a day (Want to prevent back pain? Improve your strength and flexibility with these back exercises.) CLICK HERE

Depression and anxiety: Exercise eases symptoms (Depression symptoms often improve with Exercise. Here are tips to help you get started.) CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

Exercise: A drug-free approach to lowering high blood pressure (Exercise is a drug-free approach to lowering blood pressure. Here are tips on getting started.) CLICK HERE

Exercise and illness: Should you exercise when you’re sick? (Exercise and illness — Whether you should Exercise when you’re sick depends on your symptoms.) CLICK HERE

Aerobic exercise: What’s the best frequency for workouts? (For cardiovascular fitness, aerobic Exercise can be done in short bursts or longer sessions.) CLICK HERE

Weight loss: Better to cut calories or exercise more? (Weight loss — The key to weight loss is burning more calories than you consume.) CLICK HERE

Late-day exercise: Can it cause insomnia? (Several studies indicate that regular Exercise improves sleep in people with insomnia.) CLICK HERE

Exercise intensity: Why it matters, how it’s measured (Exercise intensity is a measure of how hard you’re exercising. Here’s why it matters.) CLICK HERE

Cross-training: Rev up your exercise program with variety (Cross-training combines two or more types of physical activity. Mix it up today!) CLICK HERE

Aerobic exercise: Top 10 reasons to get physical (Need inspiration to work out? Consider the top 10 benefits of aerobic Exercise.) CLICK HERE

Aerobic exercise: How to warm up and cool down (Ready to Exercise? Warming up and cooling down can keep you on the go.) CLICK HERE

Eating and exercise: Time it right to maximize your workout (Timing what you eat before you Exercise can make or break your workout.) CLICK HERE

10. Control Your Weight & Your Finances

Why did we lump these two things into one suggestion? Because they are the same as all the other things on the list that most people can’t do in moderation or do too little of (like sleep and water) but with money and diet we think of keeping track. We count calories and we budget money. That ONE skill of keeping count of something is the key to all TEN of these suggestions. As human beings, and especially cops, we do better when we keep track of something important. If we can count it, we can control it. It you want to create Total Wellness in your life and in your law enforcement career then you need to learn to budget, or diet or most simply you need to focus on what’s important and keep it under control. The best way to do that is to KEEP COUNT!

Keep track of the number of hours you are sleeping, make time to relax and de- stress, measure the amount of water you drink by using your own water bottle each day and counting the number of times you fill it. Read food labels and count calories. Check for Corn Syrup or High Fructose Corn Syrup in food ingredients. You will be surprised at how many things contain this product. Even if you enjoy caffeine or sweets they shouldn’t be a major part of your diet especially in a high energy and high stress policing career.

Here are two excellent resources from the Mayo Clinic:

Calorie calculator (Calculate how many daily calories you need to maintain your weight.) CLICK HERE

Counting calories: Getting back to weight-loss basics (Calories count when it comes to weight loss. Here’s how to best cut calories.) CLICK HERE

Here’s a link to an excellent resource, from CopsAlive.com contributor Chuck Rylant, entitled “7 Steps to Financial Freedom” to get you started on your financial management strategy: http://www.cjrylantwealthmanagement.com

Best wishes from CopsAlive - Stay Safe and Stay Healthy!

Take our CopsAlive Opinion Survey on your Personal Threat Assessment CLICK HERE - Thanks!

From the early days of the night watch in the 1600s to the high-tech criminal investigations of the 21st century, discover a history that has largely gone untold — the history of American law enforcement — a profession that serves a vital and valued role in our society.

The National Law Enforcement Museum will be a hands-on, interactive museum providing an opportunity to walk in an officer’s shoes… and experience firsthand what it is like to make life-or-death decisions, solve crimes, protect our communities and safeguard our freedoms.

The Museum will house the most comprehensive collection of law enforcement artifacts — both historical and contemporary — in the United States. It will also offer a range of educational programs for school-age children, adults and law enforcement professionals; in fact, the Museum’s educational programs are already under way, years before the facility itself open. And the Museum will serve as a research center for students and others pursuing the study of law enforcement in America.

While the doors won’t open until mid-2013, get a preview at what will certainly become a not-to-be-missed museum destination.

Building and exhibit designs are being finalized. Precious artifacts that reflect the work of law enforcement, past and present, are being collected. And the “A Matter of Honor” fundraising campaign is underway.

National Law Enforcement Museum Mission Statement

The mission of the National Law Enforcement Museum is to tell the story of American law enforcement through exhibits, collections, research and education. The Museum dynamically engages the broadest possible audience in this story in an effort to build mutual respect and foster cooperation between the public and the law enforcement profession. By doing so, the Museum contributes to a safer society and serves to uphold the democratic ideals of the U.S. Constitution.

A Natural Extension of the Memorial

The National Law Enforcement Museum is a natural extension of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. It will be a place where all Americans can honor, remember and learn about the hardworking heroes who keep us safe and provide the backbone of our democratic society.

An Interactive Opportunity to Walk in an Officer’s Shoes

The Museum creates a unique opportunity for visitors to become immersed in the exciting and often dangerous lives of law enforcement officers. Visitors will learn about the evolution of American law enforcement from the first days of night watch in the 1600s to today’s state-of-the-art, high-tech criminal investigations.

Interactive exhibitions will allow visitors to walk in an officer’s shoes and experience, firsthand, what it is like to make life-or-death decisions, solve crimes and keep Americans safe while maintaining a free and open society. A destination in and of itself, the Museum will meet the high standards established for world-class museums on the National Mall and worldwide.

The Heart and Soul of American Law Enforcement

More than a physical structure, this magnificent Museum will be the hub — the heart and soul — for America’s diverse law enforcement professionals. The Museum will be a place where officers, families, friends, colleagues and all Americans fascinated with and grateful to these American heroes can come together as one unified community.

A Matter of Honor

To make this dream a reality, the Museum needs assistance from people like you. As you explore this world-class museum, you will come to better appreciate the sacrifice and commitment of America’s law enforcement officers and learn firsthand why it is important that the National Law Enforcement Museum be built.

Visit often to learn more about the exciting exhibitions, get updates on building construction, monitor the Museum’s fundraising progress, meet the people making it happen and understand why your help is “A Matter of Honor.”

Whether you choose to make a financial contribution, donate an artifact, sign up to volunteer or contribute your own personal story, there are a number of ways in which you can assist us in creating this special place. We are asking for your assistance in making this Campaign a great success.

Please consider it “A Matter of Honor.”
CLICK HERE to lend your support!

For More Information about the building of the National Law Enforcement Museum visit: http://www.nleomf.com/TheMuseum/about/index.php

CopsAlive.com suggests you use this article as a way to contemplate your law enforcement career’s legacy.

CLICK HERE to download our CopsAlive “Plan Your Legacy” worksheet and spend a few minutes thinking about how you would like your contribution to law enforcement to be remembered.

I am always looking for officers with a “back-up” plan to provide extra income and insurance against working in patrol until you are 65 years old and Forestal told me that…
before he got married he was looking for an engagement ring for his wife and started thinking about how to pay for it and he picked up a bunch of off duty jobs  and after about 3 months working off duty he was working one day doing security at local bank and the revelation hit him.  He told me that he thought “what am i doing?  I’m not getting ahead here, I need something that’s going to get me out of the rat race.  I need something that’s going to produce for me in the future again and again and again. I need something that’s going to benefit me now, and tomorrow.  I need to start a business.”
He also said that he may not want to work in law enforcement all his life and the internet business option is very attractive.  Many law enforcement officers work extra duty but few have the foresight to see the benefits to starting their own businesses.  Maybe listening to E. L. Forestal will motivate you to consider a business or even an internet business while you are still on the job.

I conducted an interview with E. L. by telephone and we spent just over an hour talking about what he does with his businesses and how he created them.

If you would like to listen to our discussion please use the player below or click the lower link to download an mp3 file to play on your iPod or iPhone.

CLICK HERE to Download the mp3

Check out his websites by clicking on the images in this article!

I arrived at C.O.P.S. Spouses’ Retreat the weekend of September 18-21,
2009, at the YMCA Trout Lodge in Potosi, Missouri, after only one month
as the Marketing Coordinator for Concerns of Police Survivors.  I knew
the organization dealt with death, dying, and grief; yet I was not
prepared for what I saw. I was instantly introduced to a young widow who
was there for the first time.  She was 25 years old, just one year older
than me. While I smiled as I meet all the spouses, I could not get the
young widow out of my head.

Part of my job that weekend was to interview… that young surviving
spouse; and, after meeting her, I began to worry. “Will I say something
wrong?  What if I make her cry?”  I realized this was going to be a much
more difficult task than anticipated.

On the second day of the retreat, I pulled her aside asking if I could
speak with her. She seemed hesitant but agreed. One of the studies I had
read in the C.O.P.S.’ office cited “the fewer number of years in a
marriage, the more devastating the effects of the loss are on the
surviving spouse”.  Here I was just weeks before my first wedding
anniversary, realizing how horrible this young widow’s life must be
without her husband.

When Tiffany Cortez, Phoenix, AZ, and I sat down for the interview, I
promised to make it as easy as possible. I began the interview by asking
her to tell her story and why she is at C.O.P.S. Spouses’ Retreat.
Tiffany explained, “I am here because my husband, George, age 23, went
to work with the Phoenix, Arizona, Police Department one night and never
came back. We had spoken just 15 minutes prior and exchanged text
messages 5 minutes prior to the incident that claimed his life. I was at
home doing laundry with our two boys, who were jumping on the bed,
watching the Diamondbacks game and flipping through the channels when I
heard ‘Officer down at 83rd and Encanto’ on the T.V. My heart just
stopped. I quickly tried calling him and he didn’t answer. I just knew
it was him. I was taken to the hospital and that was when I found out
what happen. George was making an arrest; the suspects were 18 and 19
years old, boyfriend and girlfriend. It was the girl’s birthday and the
male was trying to cash a $250 fraudulent check that the female had
written. My husband got called out to the scene and was by himself. As
he had one handcuff on the male, the female tried to run out the door,
George turned to yell at her and that was when the male pulled out a gun
and shot him. He shot George twice, once in the face and again in the
shoulder,” said Tiffany.

I fought back tears and kept waiting for Tiffany to cry as she explained
her story.  She was so strong but my heart felt like it was going to
beat out of my chest and I was shaking.

“It was July 27, 2007, when George was killed. Our boys were 4 and 2
years old. George and I were high school sweethearts. We met when we
were 16,” Tiffany said with a smile.

During the interview, I couldn’t help but think of my husband and our
upcoming one year anniversary. Tiffany’s story really hit home because
we are about the same age and she is now a widow left to raise her two
children alone.

With a shaking voice I asked, “What do you think of Spouses’ Retreat so
far?”

“I love Spouses’ Retreat,” Tiffany replied, “I was so scared coming, but
I am very happy that I am here now. It’s been good to hear everybody’s
stories and get to tell yours. The feedback from everybody’s issues and
what is going on in their lives now relates to me, my loss, and my
issues. I can relate to everyone that I have met because somehow,
someway, there is a connection,” she replied.

She went on with a smile, “I now want to take my boys to C.O.P.S. Kids
Camp. If they will let me take my 5 year old, he will be almost six; I
just can’t leave him behind.” It is obvious that her two boys are her
life.

As we finished the interview, I gave Tiffany a hug and thanked her for
speaking with me. “If you ever need anything, do not hesitate to call
me,” I said as we parted.  I hope that we will stay in touch after the
retreat.

I am glad the interview went well, but it had a dramatic effect on me,
the interviewer.  I had just met an amazingly strong woman who never
shed a tear while telling of her devastated life; I was now the one
crying.   Tiffany made me realize that tomorrow is not a given and that
sometimes life is too short.  Yet she made me realize that this
organization that I’ve known for only one month does some amazing
things.  And my job is to market C.O.P.S.  It’s a task that I embrace
knowing of the good it does for survivors like Tiffany Cortez.

When I got home after the retreat, I hugged my husband, I cried in his
arms, and I told him how much he means to me.

Learn more about the work of Concerns of Police Survivors at http://www.nationalcops.org

Here is a tale that always brings me back to reality when it’s easy to miss the forest for the trees.   I’ve seen this many places so I don’t know who credit as the original author.

“It had been almost two years since the American businessman, with an MBA from a prestigious Ivy League school, took a vacation.  He had a very important role as a business advisor at… a Fortune 500 consulting firm.  While vacationing in Mexico, he met a Mexican fisherman with a small boat who’d just caught a lot of fish.  Impressed by the Mexican’s catch, the American began talking with him.

It was only 2:00 in the afternoon, so the American asked the man why he was coming in from fishing so early.  The Mexican said he had enough fish for his family and friends and had no need for more.  He continued by saying he wanted time to take a siesta, play with the kids, and have his neighbors over for dinner and dance.

The businessman proudly told the Mexican that if he worked longer he could form a corporation, buy more and larger boats and expand the company by exporting fish out of Mexico.  He continued by saying that after about 20 years the company would be large enough to sell for millions of dollars.

The Mexican was impressed by this idea and asked what he would do next.  The American said “that’s when all the hard work will pay off.”  He could sell the company, retire and live on the beach, spend his time doing a little fishing, playing with the kids, and enjoying dinner and dance with friends.”

What do you think?  Does this make you reconsider what you are doing in your work as a police officer and why you are doing it?  I think it serves as a great reminder to all of us in law enforcement, every time I read it, that maybe we should focus on the real goals in our lives and we can get there with proper financial planning and the right goals.

I invite you to find out more by visiting http://www.cjrylantwealthmanagement.com and download the FREE workbook, 7 secrets to Financial Independence.

Chuck Rylant, MBA, CFP©
C. J. Rylant Wealth Management

Photo by John Marx

Since 1996, Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.) has provided highly acclaimed training to help agencies deal with officer death, injury, disability, police suicide, and the after effects of losing a close co-worker.  The “Traumas of Law Enforcement” is recommended for Chiefs, Superintendents, Sheriffs, Chaplains, Dispatchers, Benefits Assistance Officers, Planning and Research officers, Employee Assistance employees, Liaison Officers, Special Operations Divisions, Victim Assistance personnel, any law enforcement officer, law enforcement family member, or law enforcement survivor.

While the “Traumas of Law Enforcement” trainings have usually been funded through Federal grants to Concerns of Police Survivors, C.O.P.S. paid the $90,000 cost for these trainings out of their general account in 2008 and raised funds from Streamlight®, GLOCK®, Harley-Davidson, the 100 Club of Houston, TX, and the Maryland and Indiana Chapter of Concerns of Police Survivors for the 2009 trainings.  C.O.P.S. is now able to redirect funds from their general account and corporate contributions to other C.O.P.S. programs thanks to a grant from the Bureau of Justice Assistance, Office of Justice Programs of the U.S. Department of Justice.  In May 2009, BJA announced a $1.5 million, 20-month grant to C.O.P.S. to fund the “Traumas of Law Enforcement” for 2010 and 2011.

The training is a three-day seminar, totaling 21 hours, providing law enforcement agencies with the tools needed… to develop general orders addressing traumatic issues affecting officers and to sensitize them to emotional support needs of fallen officers’ surviving families. The main topics covered are appropriate death notification, funeral protocol, the need for emotional debriefings following critical incidents, law enforcement suicide, officer disability, traumatized officers, the effects of officer deaths on the co-workers, appropriate methods for dealing with survivors after the funeral, and the importance of support for officers that continue on the job.

“This training was perhaps one of the most renewing and refreshing professional experiences I have had for some time. It was sort of like chicken soup for police officers souls,” stated Chief R. Keith Wood, Maryville (MO) Police Department, after attending C.O.P.S. training sessions.
C.O.P.S. presents the “Traumas of Law Enforcement” training at various key cities across the country each year and every year approximately 700 local, county, state, and Federal law enforcement officers/officials attend this training. C.O.P.S. has presented nearly 100 trainings to approximately 8,000 individuals from the law enforcement community.

2010 Traumas of Law Enforcement Training will be held on the following dates at the following cities:
January 11-13, 2010
Charlotte, North Carolina
Training Location: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police & Fire Training Academy
Training Address: 1770 Shopton RD, Charlotte, NC 28217
Training Phone: 704-432-1600

Hotel: Doubletree Hotel Charlotte Airport
Hotel Address: 2600 Yorkmont RD, Charlotte, NC 28208
Hotel Phone: 704-357-9100 or 1-800-222-8799
Hotel Room Rate: $89.00 16.25 % Tax

Registration Deadline: December 21, 2009

January 25-27, 2010
Whittier (Los Angeles Suburb), California
Training Location: STARS Center- Building K Classroom K2
Training Address: 11515 Colima RD, Whittier, CA 90604
Training Phone: 562-946-7863

Hotel: Holiday Inn Select
Hotel Address: 14299 Firestone BLVD, La Mirada, CA 90638
Hotel Phone: 714-739-8500
Hotel Room Rate: $75.00 9 % Tax

Registration Deadline: December 27, 2010

February 8-10, 2010
Hamilton (Trenton Suburb), New Jersey
Training Location: New Jersey Forensic Science Technology Center-Auditorium
Training Address: 1200 Negron DR, Hamilton, NJ 08691
Training Phone: 609-584-5051

Hotel: Hilton Garden Inn Hamilton
Hotel Address: 800 US Highway 130, Hamilton, NJ 08690
Hotel Phone: 609-585-6789
Hotel Room Rate: $129.00 15 %Tax

Registration Deadline: January 15, 2010

February 22-24, 2010
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Training Location: Grand Valley State University, Pew Campus-Loosemore Auditorium
Training Address: 401 W Fulton, Grand Rapids, MI, 49504
Training Phone: 616-331-7720

Hotel: Holiday Inn Grand Rapids Downtown
Hotel Address: 310 Pearl ST NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504
Hotel Phone: 616-235-7611
Hotel Room Rate: $83.00 14 % Tax

Registration Deadline: January 22, 2010

March 1-3, 2010
Glendale (Phoenix Suburb), Arizona
Training Location: Glendale Regional Public Safety Training Center-Room #219
Training Address: 11550 West Glendale AVE, Glendale, AZ 85307
Training Phone: 623-722-7145

Hotel: Hampton Inn & Suites
Hotel Address: 6630 N 95th AVE, Glendale, AZ 85305
Hotel Phone: 623-271-7771
Hotel Room Rate: $ 140.00 12.87% Tax

Registration Deadline: February 3, 2010

March 15-17, 2010
St. Peters (St. Louis Suburb), Missouri
Training Location: St. Peters City Hall-Auditorium
Training Address: 1 St. Peters Centre BLVD, St. Peters, MO 63376
Training Phone: 636-278-2244

Hotel: Drury Inn St. Peters
Hotel Address: 170 Mid Rivers Mall CIR, St. Peters, MO 63376
Hotel Phone: 636-397-9700
Hotel Room Rate: $84.00 12.5% Tax

Registration Deadline: February 17, 2010

March 29-31, 2010
Oregon City (Portland Suburb), Oregon
Training Location: Willamette Falls Hospital Community Health Education Center-Auditorium
Training Address: 519 15th ST, Oregon City, OR 97045
Training Phone: 503-657-6919

Hotel: Best Western Rivershore Hotel
Hotel Address: 1900 Clackamette DR, Oregon City, OR 97045
Hotel Phone: 503-655-7141
Hotel Room Rate: $72.00 Single $77.00 Double 11% Tax

Registration Deadline: March 1, 2010

Concerns of Police Survivors’ mission is to “rebuild shattered lives” of the surviving families of law enforcement officers who have made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty. In addition to “Traumas of Law Enforcement” training, C.O.P.S. provides seminars for affected co-workers during the National Police Survivors’ Conference held during National Police Week in Washington, DC.  Starting in 2010, C.O.P.S. will be holding its first retreat for affected co-workers.

C.O.P.S. is a national organization with 50 chapters throughout the United States. C.O.P.S. is a not-for-profit organization with a membership of more than 15,000 surviving families; and, unfortunately, that membership continues to grow as 140-160 law enforcement officers are killed every year in the line of duty.
The training is FREE, however, pre-registration is mandatory. Visit www.nationalcops.org after November 1, 2009 to register for “Traumas of Law Enforcement”.

Of the resources made available… to members of IACP and attendees was an outstanding interactive CD-ROM prepared by the IACP Police Psychological Services Section entitled: “Preventing Law Enforcement Officer Suicide: A Compilation of Resources and Best Practices”.  The CD contains information about developing a suicide prevention program in your agency, sample suicide prevention materials, sample training materials, sample presentations on the topic of police suicide, sample funeral protocols, and a list of additional reading materials on the topic.

The statistics about the numbers of cops who take their own lives are far too high for us to ignore any longer.  This issues of police suicide and total wellness for police officers must become a priority in all of our discussions.

For more information on this resource and others visit http://psych.theiacp.org or their main site at http://www.theiacp.org

For the past 21 years, Concerns of Police Survivors has asked law enforcement families, surviving families, and police supporters to burn a blue light in their windows during the holiday season. The blue light is symbolic of our remembrance of those officers who have made the supreme sacrifice and honors those officers who continue to work the violent streets of our nation.

The idea began in 1988 when Mrs. Dolly Craig wrote to C.O.P.S. that she would be putting two blue candles in her living room window that holiday season. One for her son-in-law, Daniel Gleason, who had been killed… in the line of duty while serving the Philadelphia (PA) Police Department on June 5, 1986, and one for her daughter and Danny’s wife, Pam, who had been killed in an automobile accident in August 1988. Danny and Pam had 6 children. Dolly Craig is now deceased as well, but her idea is her legacy. Project Blue Light now burns bright in the hearts of the nearly 15,000 surviving families of America’s fallen law enforcement officers during the holiday season.

“Everyone who appreciates law enforcement should get involved with Project Blue Light,” said Jennifer Thacker, C.O.P.S. President, “Project Blue Light allows citizens to show support for local law enforcement and the heroes who have been killed in the line of duty.” Project Blue Light is a simple gesture; during the holidays decorate with blue lights or simply insert a single blue bulb in the candle stick replicas that adorn many windows in homes or businesses.  C.O.P.S. also encourages law enforcement agencies to decorate the precinct stations and headquarters in blue lights.

The color blue is symbolic of peace. By displaying blue lights in your holiday decorations, you will be sending a dual message – that you support America’s peacekeepers and that you hope the coming year will be a year of peace.

Learn more about the good works of Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.) at:
http://www.nationalcops.org/

If you want to learn more about our Law Enforcement Retreat at Sea CLICK HERE

If you want to learn more about the Carnival Dream CLICK HERE

If you want to sign up for CopsAlive Cruise 2010 CLICK HERE

and if you want to take a virtual tour of The Carnival Dream CLICK HERE

P.S.  We just heard from the travel agent that our voyage is almost sold out so you have my apologies if you are not able to book a cabin this time, but rest assured we will sail again in January of 2011!

Check out our blog on the new book Cash in a Flash (CLICK HERE) where we met bestselling author Robert G. Allen who was another guest of the Internet Marketing group on our CopsAlive Cruise 2009.  In our blog post, about his new book, is a video interview we made where Robert told you why this cruise might be very important to your financial future!

We as police officers and sheriff’s deputies use debt to live a life we really can’t… afford. Very rarely do we use debt to pay for some catastrophic expense like medical bills. And even when credit was used for these things, it’s usually because we spent too much money trying to be happy and didn’t plan for emergencies with insurance and savings.  You would think that just because we work in law enforcement we would plan for emergencies better but I don’t think we do.

Think about the things you’ve used credit for; vacations, cars, eating out, etc. All of these are luxuries including the car. Do you really NEED the car you drive or is it possible you could have gotten by with something less expensive?

So how does the above exercise help with debt? If you’ve done the exercise as I’ve suggested, every time you make a purchase, you’ll ask yourself if it’s really worth it. You’ll remind yourself that you make $X per hour as a cop and will have to work Y amount of hours to buy that thing. That thinking will dramatically change what you spend money on. You’ll only buy things you’re willing to exchange your life, for your money, to get.

Now working as a cop, you’ll remember that in order to buy that thing, you’ll have to spend X amount of hours away from your kids, your spouse, or whatever you enjoy doing, to afford it. You’ll make better buying decisions and get far more pleasure out of life. I do this and it works!

I’m a police officer too and I invite you to discover more about financial planning at http://www.cjrylantwealthmanagement.com and get the FREE workbook “The 7 Secrets to Financial Independence.”

Chuck J. Rylant, MBA, CFP©
C.J. Rylant Wealth Management
See Chuck’s Bio HERE