Good day to our members and friends. I’d like to share some
headlines with you. Some may be short on details but I am
hopeful you will use our communications system (either
e-mail or phone) to acquire details as you see necessary.
Welcome to our new members from Lapeer County. Both the cor-
rections and road patrol units joined recently and we are thrilled to have
them on board. Early meetings have produced positive results and we
look forward to serving them.
We recently welcomed new board representatives from the Ann Ar-
bor POA and Saginaw County Corrections units to our office for a day
of training. We had prepared work manuals for them and spent sev-
eral hours with representatives from our legal department, our research
and negotiations specialists, and office staff. I truly believe that seeing
the place, and the resources that are available to you helps dramatically
when you are in need of service. If you haven’t visited us recently,
please contact your business agent and make a date to stop in. There is
no substitute for good local leaders. Please take advantage of us!
Our website has become a very valuable tool to our members state-
wide. It is reviewed almost daily and I welcome your input. It is service
driven/member driven. Let me know what you think of it. Is it easy to
traverse? Can you find what you need? Are there things you need that
we have neglected to cover? Email Ed Jacques at ejacques@poam.net
as we encourage your comments whether critical or complimentary.
While on the topic of the website, we have recently initiated a “pod-
cast” that we are very proud of. New ones will be posted approximately
twice a month and will cover a variety of topics. As usual, I encourage
you to let us know what topics would be helpful to you. We will put it to
good use at this year’s convention and am looking forward to producing
some from Police Week in Washington, DC as well. Thanks to our
friends at Trademark Productions for getting this “on the air.” Be sure
to check the POAM.net often for updates and registration information
on this year’s convention and seminar.
Can’t mention “Police Week” without reminding you that POAM
will have a presence there the 13th and 14th of May. We are planning
a political reception that will be something to be proud of. Generally,
we find all or most all of the Michigan delegation present as well as
members of the “Law Enforcement Caucus” from the Congress. These
are legislators that have served in law enforcement at some level that
are always interested in what POAM members have to say. I expect
the Metro Detroit Police and Fire Pipe and Drum Corp to put on their
usual show as well as honor guards from throughout Michigan. We
enjoy showing off our professionals. Please join us. Watch the website
for details or call Ed Jacques at the POAM office. It will take place on
Thursday the 13th. We will have it in the afternoon
While still in Washington, on May 14th, we will be hosting our
friends at the Tune Inn. This has become an annual tradition. It started
about seven years ago when we realized that many of our uniformed
friends needed a place to relax with some food and a beverage. Often
they are expected to stand vigil at the Memorial or attend other events
in the capital. Often there is some discomfort in doing so while in uni-
form. All of our law enforcement friends (POAM or soon to be POAM
members!) are encouraged to join us at the Tune Inn, 331 ½ Pennsyl-
vania Avenue, S.E. We will have a van (marked with POAM) moving
people from the fire station near the Memorial to the Tune Inn continu-
ously from about noon on the 14th until midnight. Please join us.
