President’s Message

By David Mahoney

As the spring issue of the Wisconsin Police Journal reaches each of our members, we find ourselves once again approximately one month from our Annual Convention. I hope everyone has made their reservations as the rooms are filling quickly. As a reminder, we have scheduled the Convention over the weekend in hopes of attracting more family participation.

The 2006 Convention is scheduled for May 20-22 at the Kalahari Family Resort in Wisconsin Dells. Again, the WPPA convention committee has put together an outstanding agenda, building on many of the topics presented in 2005. We will be highlighting the need for our locals and departments to prepare for how each should respond to the investigation of critical incidents and, as a result, assist those involved to survive, not only the initial incident, but the weeks, months, and years that follow as well. The WPPA is honored to be able to provide our attendees the chance to meet and learn from our keynote speaker, Alexis Artwohl, Ph.D., an expert and renowned consultant and author on critical incident response issues.

During the Awards Banquet on Sunday evening, the Dane County Deputy Sheriffs’ Association will again provide child care so that our members can share in recognizing those men and women of law enforcement who have been chosen by the Awards Committee for special recognition for their service during 2005.

As well as a prelude to the Annual Convention, this edition of the Wisconsin Police Journal will arrive as our law enforcement community prepares to enter an important week of recognition throughout the country. National Police Week is May 14-20, 2006. The “Annual Candlelight Vigil” is scheduled for May 13 at the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington, D.C., and the “Top Cops Awards Ceremony” will be May 12. Wisconsin’s own Memorial Ceremony will be held at the State Capitol on May 19. Arrangements are being made for the WPPA, with the assistance of our retirees, to provide a pancake breakfast at Olin Park the morning of May 19, before the vehicle procession to the State Capitol. Check the WPPA website for details and updates.

The WPPA Board of Directors and Political Action Committee continue to prepare and look forward to the “town hall” style meetings scheduled May 21 at the Annual Convention, during which “you,” as WPPA members, will have the chance to meet your candidates for governor and attorney general, and to participate in the political process. I encourage each of you to study the issues and educate yourselves on the candidates. We as an organization should support those who support us.

In closing, hope for an early spring and consistent warm weather. I look forward to seeing all of our members and your families at the Annual Convention next month. For those of you looking for a motorcycle destination this summer, consider the “Upper Peninsula Law Enforcement Motorcycle Benefit Ride” August 19, 2006, to benefit the “Thin Blue Line” and our members in Upper Michigan. (See page 42 in the April issue of the Wisconsin Police Journal.)

Until we meet again, take care of those who take care of you. Be safe!