CONNECTION NEWSLETTER * May/June 2017

Posted on July 4, 2017 by Wes in Newsletter

Happy Birthday, America!

This weekend, as we celebrate our Nations independence by getting together with loved ones, eating some hot dogs, hamburgers, ribs, and corn on the cob, let’s remember that the freedom we so freely experience is never free. Our freedom was bought and purchased by the sacrifice of others and continues to be realized by the current sacrifices of our military and law enforcement. As you pray for your food this weekend, remember to give thanks for all who are serving and helping keep us free. Happy Birthday. America!

Summer Water Sponsors

Thank you to all of you who have been sponsoring the water project. You are helping put cups (bottles) of cold water into the hands of our police officers every day. I am often told, “Thank you, Chaplain” by the officers. I respond, “It’s not me, it’s the citizens, businesses, and churches in the community that are reminding you they care.” Summer is here so if you would like to participate in this project, follow the donate link to our website to give monthly or one time.

Crisis Response

It has been a busy season in our city when it comes to crisis. There was a period recently when I responded to four death call-outs in a two-week time span. I wish I didn’t have to meet families in this way, but I’m glad to be a part of CAST and the team that provides this incredible caring service to our community on the worst days of their lives.

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Officer Hit By Pick-up Truck

A Chula Vista Police officer was struck by a pick-up truck while directing traffic at a fire a few weeks ago. He was knocked down and his foot was run over.

I responded to the hospital and was able to greet his wife and other concerned officers. The situation could have been terribly worse, and we are thankful the only serious injury was to his foot and ankle. Please keep officer Jason in your prayers as he recovers.

Wedding Bells are Ringing

I was privileged to officiate my daughter’s wedding ceremony June 3, 2017. It was an extraordinary day for sure. Something I will cherish forever. Walking her down the isle, quoting a few lines from the movie The Princess Bride about “mauwage” and “twu wuv” will forever by remembered.

The following day I conducted a wedding for a pair of police officers. Fun times! The resonance of the bells continues in my head.

Washington DC Trips

I traveled to Washington DC on two occasions within the past 60 days. Both trips were unique and amazing in their focus. The first was an invite from Church United to a group of 150 California pastors. It was a sponsored trip to show us the spiritual awakening in our nation’s Capitol.

Did you know there are church services being held in the US Capitol? They started three years ago after a period of 144 years of absence. Now there is a weekly worship service and prayer meeting, which I was able to attend on both trips.

The second trip was with the San Diego FBI Citizens’ Academy Alumni, which was a real treat. We toured the Quantico, VA, FBI Academy, FBI headquarters, DEA Museum, all around the Capitol city including the memorials and points of interest (including the Star Spangled Banner flag in the Smithsonian).

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial

I visited the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington DC. It was a rather somber walk looking at all the officers that have died in the line of duty across our nation.

I made a point to stop and find Chula Vista resident and SDPD officer Jonathan (JD) DeGuzman’s name freshly etched in the wall.

As I sat on the wall, I offered prayers for JD’s family and our nation’s law enforcement as they continue the mission of safety from coast to coast.

Breaching and Tactical Entry

Finger pistols out, we were stacked up at the door. At the direction of our Team Leader, we breached the door, entered the house, arrested the bad guys, and rescued the hostages. It was a successful mission with no injuries.

Simulating the breaching entry and clearing of a house was part of the San Diego County Chaplain Association training this quarter. SDPD SWAT instructors gave us the rudimentary steps and outlined the process, risks, and tactical considerations of entering an unknown space and encountering danger.

The training was aimed at providing us with a better understanding of what officers encounter and related the high stress. Our outcome was positive, but that is not always the case. With this training and information, we will be better equipped to help counsel officers in critical incidents.

Oh, and don’t forget to check the doorknob before you kick it in, it may be unlocked.

In Conclusion

God places all authorities, and our police play a significant role keeping peace in our society.

I’m thankful that God has a handle on things because sometimes it doesn’t look good.

With your help we are able to continue providing excellent care and services in support of our police. Thank you and God bless you for your partnership.

Blessings,

Wes Anderson

Founder/Chaplain Code 7

“Though our feelings come and go, God’s love for us does not.”

C.S. Lewis

CONNECTION NEWSLETTER * March/April 2017

Posted on April 20, 2017 by Wes in Newsletter

Welcome springtime, welcome new CAST graduates, welcome wild daisies, and unwelcome weeds in my back yard.

Citizens’ Adversity Support Team (CAST)

I’m so proud of the accomplishments of my new CAST friends! They are now part of the team sharing care, compassion, and comfort with others who are often suffering the worst day of their lives.

The new team members have completed 76 classroom hours, Fire and Police ride-alongs, an ER observation, simulations, and mentor callouts, earning their volunteer badge and crisis response position with CAST.

Welcome to the team friends! We are grateful for your willingness to support and serve others. God Bless you!

Ankle Fools Day – No!

If you heard a story on April 1^st (April Fool’s Day) that I had broken my ankle, well, it’s true. There is no heroic or adventurous story to go with the break, just a simple fall after missing a step.

The doctor prescribed rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE), so my biking, hiking, and running have been traded in for a few good books that have been waiting patiently on my desk for quite some time.

Get Well Soon

I received texts from multiple police officers reminding me to REST | REFELCT | RENEW. This is the message I preach for their wellness, so I guess it is only fair they serve it back to me.

I was also informed that now I can better relate to officers who go out with injury and have to slow down due to this physical “time out” status. Nothing easy about this.

Crazy Cool – San Diego FBI Citizens Academy

I am a proud participant in the 2017 San Diego FBI Citizens Academy. It’s a special honor to be included in an orientation of the investigative specialties of this Federal Law Enforcement Agency.

Each week we are introduced to Special Agents who oversee sections of security employed by our nation to combat terrorism, human trafficking, foreign intelligence, espionage, cyber-based attacks, public corruption, civil rights, and criminal enterprises.

The entire experience has been eye opening and has stretched my mind to know how far people go to cheat, lie, and steal and do injury to others, as well as how much effort and energy is expended to bring those people to justice.

We played with the collection of fingerprints (mine) and alternative light sources utilized in revealing substances not visible to the naked eye. I can’t tell you everything they do because, well, I’m sure it’s classified.

For extra excitement, our class was invited to spend a week exploring Washington D.C. and we have been approved for a tour of the Quantico, VA, training facility. I can’t wait! Thank God for the FBI helping keep things in balance.

Room 525

Please pray for my LE friend “Mike” in room 525. He has been in and out of the hospital with an infection in his leg for a number of months now.

I visited him one day last week, and he was in good spirits awaiting yet another procedure. He had a good laugh when I shared the story of a little crash I had on the steerable knee walker (scooter).

We both agreed that being held down with physical limitations is difficult, but we are thankful to be alive, and we are willing to receive the difficult days along with the good. Get well soon.

The Silver Lining

The gun pictured here is fairly small and just as lethal as any other handgun in the possession of a criminal with ill intent. A suspect was carrying this little .25 pistol as he fled from police.

He had brandished it at another citizen minutes earlier after a traffic altercation but abruptly decided to drop it at the last second after a short foot pursuit once he saw the police officer round the corner with his police service weapon drawn.

The suspect’s decision to drop his silver treasure was quite possibly the wisest decision he had made all day.

Confrontations with guns will happen if you serve in law enforcement. Our officers are well trained and are required to make split second decisions to shoot or not shoot based on what they see and the overall lethality of the situation.

Scenarios like this one sometimes have fatal consequences. The silver lining here is that all parties involved went away uninjured and that the officer used restraint in this highly volatile situation. Much respect.

Police Department Lunch

The newly formed National City Clergy Association, along with a generous donation from Chick-fil-A, Eastlake Terraces, provided lunch for the entire National City Police Department in March.

I know, food pictures are taboo, but I just had to drop in a picture of this spread for your visual pleasure. The Command staff aren’t so bad looking either.

Chaos is contagious – but so is kindness!

Chaos keeps our police departments in business. General disturbances and complaints fill screens every day with calls for service. What I am impressed with is the ability of our law enforcement to resolve a myriad of issues with kindness.

Some of the calls for service are so crazy that there’s a saying repeated often, “You just can’t make this stuff up.” Staying professional and kind is sometimes very difficult, especially if the clients they are working with are not going with the program.

Cops constantly deal with the mayhem since they are committed to helping make our communities safer and better places to live. If you see a cop today, be nice and thank them for their work. They deserve a little kindness and support for all the chaos they endure.

10-4

Our police officers go through many mental, emotional, and spiritual changes during the course of their career. Their job can easily change their worldview. Spending 40 hours weekly problem solving 80% of the problems by managing 20% of the population has its stresses.

There is absolutely nothing enticing about a job where the majority of your contact with the public involves your being cursed at, constantly criticized, avoided, and lied to.

If you have a loved one serving in law enforcement, I thank you for the time and energy you expend caring for them. Your healthy relationships are part of what helps them stay sane, secure, and knowing their service is valuable.

Your support helps them maintain and regain balance and value of faith and family. Together with others that love cops, we are infusing healthy care and giving opportunities for them to maintain a centered and balanced view of life.

In Conclusion

Code 7 is honored to be part of the solution and backing the men and women keeping the thin blue line.

Thank you for your interest and support of Code 7.

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Matthew 5:9

Blessings,

Wes Anderson

Founder/Chaplain Code 7

“Though our feelings come and go, God’s love for us does not.”

C.S. Lewis

CONNECTION NEWSLETTER * Jan/Feb 2017

Posted on February 20, 2017 by Wes in Newsletter

The first few weeks of the New Year have come and gone. Hopefully everyone has finally made the transition of labeling things with the correct date.

We finished the year 2016 with a new and special giveaway. Seven police department employees received tactical Christmas stocking overflowing with booty. Celebrating the gift of Jesus by giving generously was fantastic fun. Here are a couple of the winners:

NEW CHIEF at CVPD

Retirement of Chula Vista Police Chief Bejarano initiated a new season with Chief Roxana Kennedy. I was invited by the Chief to present the invocation at her swearing in. I was able to make more personal to her rather than for the audience, and in doing so, was able to affirm her in her faith and recognize her love or God. Since she is a woman of faith, she welcomed my invitation to meet weekly and share prayer and some encouragement from the scriptures. I am excited to work under her leadership.

MENTORING

2 Timothy 2:2 says: The things you have heard and seen in me, these entrust to faithful men who will teach others also.

The application of this verse is being played out in healthy doses around the departments where I serve. There are new officers wandering the halls and getting accustomed to the challenges of their new career. They are mentored by seasoned Field Training Officers (FTO) who pour into these new officers a life-giving enthusiasm that will be needed as they embark on their career. This mentoring is a healthy state for both officers. I can feel the new surge of new energy as the fresh officers become empowered.

WELCOME #100

In 2017 we anticipate presenting our 100^th Code 7 new officer welcome pack. The welcome packs include a Certificate of Congratulations and a small cooler full of useful and fun items affirming our appreciation for their service, and our commitment to support and encourage them as they serve in this honorable profession.

They received the gifts and a special pair of engraved handcuffs at a presentation during the officer line up in front of their peers. The presentation and recognition has become a terrific unifying moment when new officers become a formal and official member of the squad. I am always excited to be able to stand and lead the time of celebration and inclusion for each new officer.

TRAINING DAY

Regional Chaplain Training in January was a success as we were instructed in Active Listening Skills by the former SDPD Crisis Negotiations Team leader. Our objectives were to grow in our communication skills, understanding high emotions, recognizing aggression and hostility, gaining negotiation skills to influence, and de-escalation strategies.

We also learned the value of using these skills in our everyday lives and relationship; we will become better listeners and enjoy clearer communication.

GOD’S GRIP

I was in line up for the graveyard shift just a day ago and as we started, the training Sergeant came up to instruct the squad on the new version of body camera being issued. The new camera update included a new magnetic mounting apparatus for the officers’ uniform. As the training Sergeant described the device, he emphasized the strength of the magnet by dubbing it, “God’s grip” magnet.

When he said it again, he looked in my direction and I gave him an authorizing smile, nod and affirming thumbs up. He quickly continued, “This specific magnet system is Chaplain approved, isn’t that right Wes?” I said, “Yes, definitely, we all need God’s grip in our lives because He never lets go.” “There you have it, he continued, the Chaplain recommends we all recognize the power of God’s grip.”

That was such a fun banter of interaction with the Sergeant! Thanks, God for these spontaneous opportunities to proclaim the simple, yet profound truths of your love and grace to the officers. If you are curious as to what God’s grip looks like, it’s pictured below for you.

CODE 7 GEAR

I invite you to view theses two pictures and join me in celebrating the successful branding of Code 7. The phrase, “one picture is worth ten thousand words” comes to mind as I viewed texts attached pictures shown below. I immediately knew the significance of the photos based on my past interaction with separate cops.

Thank you, God for providing me with opportunities to share your generous love with others. As you look at the pictures they sent, please pause and give thanks for God’s unending love and the relationships He has established. It would take 20,000 words to adequately describe value of these pictures to me. Thanks, God for what you are doing through Code 7 and for letting me tag along for the ride.

IN CONCLUSION

Jesus said, “I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you’re joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant.” John 15:5

Thanks to you, my faithful supporters, the number of impacted lives continues to grow. With God, all things are possible. Although in some cases many miles apart, with you, we journey together in our mission of bringing hope into the lives and workplaces of our law enforcement. From the top of my heart – thank you!

Blessings,

Founder/Chaplain Code 7

“Though our feelings come and go, God’s love for us does not.”

C.S. Lewis