“QUOTE OF THE QUARTER”

“Well, good morning chief, nice to see you here.” – an enthusiastic and enamored conference attendee greets me as I stand in full uniform preparing my final thoughts for a public invocation.

Apparently, the shape and position of the gold cross on my lapels are analogous to the stars of a Chief. I had to conceal my chuckles as I initiated the prayer.

December 15, 2019

I was lying in bed awake in the early morning hours as I have many other days. At this point it feels natural – it’s something I’ve grown accustomed to. Awoken with faces and situations circulating through my mind. I blanketed each image with prayer.

I made a note of the date today, because seven years ago ​today,​ I sent out an email to my family and friends informing them of what I believed my next step in life was – Code 7. It was my opportunity to initiate a support system allowing me to stand in the gap for those experiencing crisis and trauma as well as consistently serve our law enforcement.

Is it me or has the past seven years really gone by fast?

A SPECIAL NOTE:

To the handful of you who captured the vision and helped jumpstart Code 7 on December 15, 2012 – THANK YOU! For all who began supporting and never stopped – THANK YOU! For those who heard about us along the journey and joined for a season and those who share when you are able THANK YOU! For everyone across the board who pray for this ministry and for our law enforcement across the nation – THANK YOU! I am inspired to continue by your faithfulness – THANK YOU!

899,360 Bottles of Water

I lost count of the exact number of water bottles we have provided to the police departments after the second year, but averaging the weekly consumption rate and utilizing some simple math, I came up with a fairly accurate estimate of bottles we, together, have provided for our cops since inception. (40x44x73x7) = 899,360

THE WHY?

Why do we provide water for the police officers anyway? Well, studies reveal there are a couple ways to process the storm of stress hormones and neuro-chemicals activated by the occupation-specific traumatic-stress exposure cops endure. The two main remedies are 40 minutes of cardio exercise (which I can’t really influence), and flushing the chemicals through constant hydration. It’s a bit more complex than that, but I realized, water I can do – So I did. We do.

Tis the Season:

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If you work as a cop, this is the time of year for extra sacrifice. Tis the season to miss Thanksgiving, Christmas morning, and the New Year’s Eve get-together. These are the months when you will probably miss the family gatherings, celebrations and, well, the in-laws because of your work schedule. While our families are roasting chestnuts on an open fire, our public servants are festively arresting shoplifters and ushering urine stenched Santa capped panhandlers out of the roadway so they don’t get smoked by a last minute Christmas shopper. It’s all just part of their sacrifice.

REST | REFLECT | RENEW

Sometimes we all need a minute to rest, reflect on the great things around us and focus on renewal. I took time the other day to get to the beach and accidentally came landed on this terrific sunset in Imperial Beach. Enjoy!

K-9 GRILL

Last week I noticed a nice homegrown addition to the grill of the CVPD K-9 vehicles.

Formula C​10H​15N

It’s not a lump of coal and it’s not a lump of sugar called rock candy. C10H15N is today’s 15 letter spelling word – Methamphetamine. Here is a chunk of ice I saw the other day that will landed its possessor in a heap of trouble. There is so much meth on the streets nowadays, it’s easy to understand how easily people get trapped in the circle of drugs. I pray at calls like this for deliverance from the grip of the enemy and his schemes.

In Conclusion

Code 7 plans to continue promoting the physical, spiritual, mental, and emotional health of law enforcement personnel. It’s what we were formed to do. We are able to do this because citizens, businesses and churches participate in financially supporting our cause.

The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed​. (NLT) Proverbs 11:25

Blessings,

Wes Anderson

Executive Director Code 7

“QUOTE OF THE QUARTER”

“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including YOU.” Anne Lamott

How is your mental, emotional, and spiritual health? Are you taking time on a daily/weekly/monthly basis to recharge your system and replenish your tank? Our resources can become depleted each time we encounter another human whose view or energy is contrary to ours. If you are in law enforcement, having your resources depleted is a daily occurrence. 

Here is a short list of activities to help replenish your system:

1. Breathe – intentionally pausing to take in a few slow, deep breaths (4 seconds in, hold 4 seconds, 4 seconds out) can help not only re-oxygenate your blood, but it can also be the pause you need to reset your thinking. 

2.  Be thankful – briefly taking inventory of 5 blessings in your life will help re-focus your mind onto your most valuable treasures.  

3. Pause for prayer – contemplating our dependence on our Creator for all things can recalibrate and remind us to lean on Him for wisdom.  

4. Reflect on your relationships – taking a quick review of the people closest to you will reveal where you get a large majority of your influence and strength. Choose your friends wisely, your resilience and fortitude counts on it.

LE Annual Memorial Service SD

Each year at the San Diego County Law Enforcement Memorial wall there is a service remembering those from our county who have died in the line of duty. I was able to attend this year with a few hundred peace officers and family members of the fallen officers. There are similar events that are held in our state capital in Sacramento and in Washington DC during police week yearly.

Pictured here is my friend and chaplain Chuck Price saluting the commemoration of the officers.

½ Marathon Sponsorship and Code 7 exposure

Code 7 was invited to host a hydration station at the San Diego Beach & Bay Half Marathon. It was our first venture into serving cups of cool water to runners along the race course. We had a dozen Code 7 volunteers who were able to provide water and generate funds for our nonprofit. Here are a couple of my favorite volunteers!

Grief is Messy!

Part of Code 7’s overall vision and a passion of mine is to help hurting people going through the dramatic stresses of life and grief. Death of a loved one, the break-up a relationship, traumatic incident, and even perceived losses can be life distressing issues. I have experienced my own handful of challenges, and they were, at times, debilitating.

I snickered when I saw this graphic and thought I would share it with you. Reminder – there is hope along your journey, and people who care about you will help you along the way. Keep walking, keep your eyes open, keep pressing forward. You are worth it.

Challenges of LE

I was out on a ride along with a couple of officers a few weeks ago and observed these two officers going the extra mile – doing something that is certainly not in the recruitment brochure. Putting on full body X-ray blocking gown, they helped a marginally compliant suspect stand in the correct position so an x-ray could be taken and his status evaluated.Also, here is a display how our cops can adapt in the field and work on the reports while guarding their (now sleeping) in custody assignment. Thanks, guys, for not complaining and just getting the job done.

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California Chaplain Corps

I was called upon unexpectedly to serve with the California Chaplain Corps and went into the Donovan Correctional Facility to serve as a chaplain. My role was to support the prison guards in the aftermath of one of their co-worker’s suicide. The California Chaplain Corps is new for the State of California, and a business colleague of mine is running it out of Sacramento. A few local chaplains are being utilized to serve the law enforcement inside our state detention facilities behind the fences and razor wire.

My first full day of service there reminded me that whether inside or outside the prison walls, everyone takes the loss of a loved one in similar fashion. Some were shocked, some in disbelief, and some of the prisoners rudely suggested other guards copy the behavior.

San Diego County Women Leaders of Law Enforcement

I had the opportunity to join my friend David as he spoke to the San Diego County Women Leaders of Law Enforcement.  He retold the details of the dramatic and tragic experience of nearly two years ago when he was attacked by a suspect with a knife. Listening to him share the experience, and being invited to add my perspective, continually reminds me of the value of life, friendship, and camaraderie we share. It’s an honor to serve these brave individuals. I can’t say enough about them. Much honor and respect is due for every person wearing the badge.

RUN, WES, RUN!

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I did run. I ran a 5.3 mile leg of the Annual Law Enforcement / Special Olympics Torch Run through our city with a good posse of folks.  Many law enforcement agencies from around the county participated in this unified event. I love that our community supports the Special Olympics.

Only 5.3….?

Continuing my fun running –  on a personal note, I ran with my daughter and a friend through the streets of San Diego and completed the Rock’ n Roll half-marathon -13.1 miles.  It was a bucket list item for my daughter and an extreme adventure. We, of course, had to pause at mile marker 7 for a photo in commemoration of Code 7.  Fun times always with this girl!

In Conclusion:

Serving our police officers and their families as they trek through this life is an honor to me. Knowing they are comfortable talking to me and being able to be an influence is honestly a privilege.  Thank you for encouraging them and me through Code 7.

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valleyI will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23 1-4

Blessings,

Wes