PHILADELPHIA POLICE COMMISSIONER RAMSEY MAKES IMPORTANT DECISIONS ON OFFICERS' CONDUCT By Karen L. Bune

Photo courtesy of Philadelphia Police Department


Philadelphia, commonly known as the city of “Brotherly Love”, is having its share of problems. When one of the city’s own police officers, Sgt. Stephen Liczbinski, was fatally gunned down recently, the city was reeling from bullets of destruction that caused the death of another law enforcement officer. Colleagues of the slain sergeant were greatly impacted by the violence inflicted on one of their own. Their determination to locate and bring the culprits to justice was pulsing in the forefront of their thoughts and actions invigorated by the unrelenting effects of grief embracing the entire Philadelphia Police Department.

When officers thought they had located the suspects of this terrible crime during a traffic stop, the situation got out of hand. A video tape shows a number of officers and a sergeant apparently kicking and punching the three suspects. All involved were suspended, and an investigation began. Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter vociferously condemned the actions.

Philadelphia Police Commissioner, Charles H. Ramsey, is burdened with a difficult job surrounding all these circumstances, but there could be no leader more adept to handle them than Ramsey. Though he recognized that officers were on edge as a result of Sgt. Liczbinski’s murder, he also acknowledged that they still needed to maintain a high degree of conduct and in no way condoned the behavior. He was also keenly aware of the impact Sgt. Liczbinski’s death was having on the entire force.

With the multitude of circumstances and events that occurred, Ramsey has to maintain his authority and hold to the boundaries of the policies and procedures that embrace the department’s mission yet balance it all with empathy and support for those in his midst who struggle with a loss that has penetrated the core emotions of his officers. His role is, by no means, an easy one yet his four decades of experience in the law enforcement arena have proven that he can handle it appropriately within the scope of his authority.

Though the prevailing circumstances in Philadelphia are disturbing and problematic in many ways, the city is fortunate to have the former Washington D. C. Metropolitan Police Chief at the helm as police commissioner. Following receipt of the findings of the investigation, Ramsey did what he felt was necessary in light of the information received, and he fired four police officers involved in this incident. Though some applaud him for his actions and others stringently criticize him, Ramsey, as a public servant and leader of the police department, understands his role is not one that involves a popularity contest. Meanwhile, in the aftermath of the death of one of his officers, he continues to lead the department in efforts to maintain their professionalism while they struggle to regain their emotional equilibrium.

ESTEVEZ APPROACHES FINISH LINE TO MASON LAW SCHOOL GRADUATION

Bright, Engaging, and Paving Way For Successful Future
By Karen L. Bune

Juan Carlos Estevez, a notable law school student at George Mason University in Arlington, Virginia is winding down his law school days and finishing exams as graduation approaches in the days ahead. Estevez, an Ivy League graduate of Cornell University prior to attending Mason, has made a mark for himself at the law school. An extremely bright, engaging, and ambitious student, Estevez, along with his team mate, Robert May, took 1st place in the Herbert Wechsler National Criminal Law Moot Court that was held in Buffalo, New York. A proven leader already, Estevez served as the American Bar Association Student President from 2007-2008.

During Halloween season a year ago, Estevez was asked what he would like to dress up as to celebrate the festive holiday and he humorously replied, “An amateur gynecologist.” Though that might be an area of interest, Estevez has trained to be a lawyer and a great one he will be. Already working part-time in a law firm in Fairfax County, Estevez has proven himself both academically and professionally.

Along with his education, his analytical mind, and his talent of being quick thinking on his feet, his keen ability to read people and situations will carry him far. Estevez’s pleasant personality-- coupled with his ability to blend a warm sense of humor with congeniality-- adds to him being well-rounded and will, undoubtedly, pave the way for him to continue to excel. As he exits Mason, Estevez leaves behind a trail of memories and successes with well deserved pride.

BARACK OBAMA--A MAGNETIC POLITICAL FIGURE by Karen L. Bune

Senator Barak Obama (D-Illinois) swept the Washington Metropolitan region like a tidal wave in winning the Democratic primaries, and his momentum is picking up speed across the country. A fresh face, a powerful orator, and a mesmerizing figure that can motivate a crowd with his talk of change, hope, and a new vision for the future is kindling enthusiasm among voters of all ages and backgrounds. Undoubtedly, he has become an unsettling force for Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) who likely did not foresee the Obama blast rolling in with such power and force.

Though Obama’s critics may contend he lacks tenure and experience at the political helm, he is not allowing such negativism to affect him. He is a determined man and a focused politician who knows what he wants and is going after it with fervor. Obama is tenacious in his pursuit of his political dreams. People are listening and responding to him with votes and fainting spells emblematic of the Beatles era.

Obama possesses a magnetism that draws people to him combined with the charismatic delivery of a message that inspires, motivates, and charms. With Obama, the days of Rip Van Winkle are over. Communities are waking up and embracing a renewed interest in politics. They are listening, reacting, and becoming proactive early on in the political race that is unfolding with interesting twists and turns.

Though some women acknowledge they are supporting Hillary simply because she is a woman, there are others who will support Obama simply because he is not. Some women understand the potential fallout of a female in power who may fall prey to the Queen Bee Syndrome that can thwart-- if not destroy-- the healthy functioning of an organization and its hierarchy and can also impact employees in a deleterious fashion.

A man obviously secure within himself, Obama does not appear to stoop to crass political manipulation or unbecoming intimidation tactics but, instead, is able to stand tall and confident as he delivers his political message. Consequently, he commands respect and wins favorable reception. Obama has a substantial running start in the political marathon, and all eyes are upon him as he races to be the winner at the finish line.

DOMESTIC HOMICIDE HAS ENDURING IMPACT ON CHILD By Karen L. Bune

He was only 2 ½ years old when he became the likely witness of a horrific crime that involved the domestic homicide of his mother. Former Canton Ohio police officer, Bobby Cutts, who was convicted of killing the toddler’s mother and his pregnant girlfriend, Jessie Davis, has tremendously impacted this child’s live. Like a sponge, a young child absorbs what he sees, hears, and what occurs around him—both good and bad. In this case, the child was able to process enough to understand that something was very wrong. What he heard and saw was conveyed through his commentary revealing he saw his mother crying, knew she broke the table, was aware she was placed in a rug, and that his “daddy’s mad.”

Domestic violence can have a tremendous impact on children of all ages in the household. Their exposure to the recurring cycle of violence, predominant in most scenarios, provides them a dysfunctional example of a way of life that can have detrimental consequences and affect them the rest of their lives. They grow up believing that what they have observed and what they have been a part of is the way life is. It is not uncommon for them to become young victims of emotional as well as physical abuse themselves. As they grow older and mature, they may harbor deep seated feelings of resentment, anger, shame, and embarrassment leading to them feeling insecure about themselves. When these children establish their own relationships, it is not uncommon for them to emulate the abusive pattern of behavior and create a new set of victims of their own. Some mature and, they too, may eventually kill.

In this case, the toddler’s verbal expressions led police to investigate the child’s father which led to the subsequent arrest, trial, and convictions. Though the child may be too young to process the ramifications of all that has transpired, it will be vitally necessary for this child to receive immediate psychological assistance and support. As his life transitions and he has new caretakers, he will require much love and nurturing as well as close and careful supervision.

The tragic outcome of a senseless murder leaves a profound and debilitating impact on the family survivors. When jurors soon reconvene for consideration of sentencing and contemplate whether or not to recommend the death penalty, hopefully they will not lose sight of the importance of how lethal and destructive Mr. Cutts’ actions were compounded by the everlasting effects that will forever pervade this child’s life.

DETERMINATION PROVES FRUITFUL IN D. C. CASE OF MISSING WOMAN--SHAQUITA BELL By Karen L. Bune

Photo of MPD Chief Cathy Lanier, Courtesy of MPD.

Photo of Shaquita Bell, Courtesy of Jackie Winborne

It is good news that there has been an arrest in the case of Shaquita Bell who has been missing for eleven years. It has long been presumed that she was the victim of a domestic homicide, and the charged placed against her ex-boyfriend, the alleged suspect, serve to enhance that belief. Her family and, particularly her mother, Jackie Winborne, never gave up hope or lost faith during these long and agonizing years of her unexplained and suspicious absence in their lives.

Though there may finally be some resolution in this case down the pike, the loss of Shaquita Bell will endure in the lives of her family. Though her children have been embraced with support and love from Ms. Bell’s mother and her husband and other family members, they still have had to grow and mature without the loving connection of their own mother.

All the detectives who worked on this case tirelessly and continuously for all these years deserve high praise as well as Chief Cathy Lanier who demonstrated a renewed interest in pursuing this case with fervor. Chief Lanier has demonstrated a crucial understanding of the impact of criminal victimization on survivors. She could relate to the emotional suffering of Shaquita’s family and vowed she would never give up or forget this case. She proved to be a woman of her word.

In December of this past year, the graduate level victimology class that I teach at Marymount University engaged in a service project in which we honored Shaquita Bell and paid tribute to her mother. The class presented her a scrapbook they created that was comprised of meaningful items which serve as a reminder that others recognize and care about all she has been through. She was also presented a plaque with a meaningful poem that the students selected. Chief Lanier was also honored and recognized for her understanding of criminal victimization and for her steadfast commitment to this case.

The case of Shaquita Bell clearly illustrates lethality risks and the level of severe outcomes that can result in cases of domestic violence. The tragedy and horror that can occur profoundly impacts the lives of those who are left behind and leaves painful and indelible memories.