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CONTENTS COVER STORY All Call of Duty 545 Cedar Lane, Teaneck, NJ 07666 Another law enforcement officer committing suicide, not to mention the 19 in New Jersey who took their own lives in 2015, gives pause to how every NJ State PBA member must continue to do whatever is possible to promote suicide prevention and awareness. This special report examines what needs to be done to provide proper treatment, how to spot the secondary dangers that lead down the dark path and what members must do to be their sisters’ and brothers’ keepers. The gravity of the issue also comes to light with two special contributions: • • 29 NJ State PBA Clinical Services raises suicide awareness and prevention Dr. Michael Bizzarro shares his personal story of going down the path and coming out of the dark. Cop 2 Cop Director Cherie Castellano examines prevention and awareness by trying to answer the question everybody is asking: Why? Main Number: Advertising: Editorial: Distribution: Subscriptions: Email: Website: ■ ■ Special 10-page coverage begins on page 37 He Would Walk 2,190 Miles And he would walk 2,190 more. Follow retired Readington Township Local 317 officer as he traverses the length of the Appalachian Trail to “walk off the war”....................................Page 53 Local Charm When the son of a late Plainfield officer lost the charm by which he remembers his hero father, the Plainfield and Toms River Locals went above and beyond to make things right......Page 56 6 NEW JERSEY COPS ■ APRIL 2016 DAN RAPPOPORT Sales Director [email protected] ■ JEANNE B. DAUBNER Art Director ■ GINA CROTCHFELT Graphic Artist ■ JOSHUA SIGMUND Associate Editor [email protected] ■ JOHN HULSE PBA Editor [email protected] Another State PBA Mini Convention is in the books, and it might finally be time to lay to rest the word “Mini.” After all, this year’s week-long extravaganza was bursting with guest appearances from politicians, celebrities and friends of the PBA, as well as expert information for Locals, including: • Why Retired Teaneck Local 215 Member Gary Spath came to the PBA to finally tell the story of his nationally-renowned officer-involved shooting. • How the Bergen County Conference PAC’s “Boots on the Ground” efforts changed the course of Election Day 2015. • Atlantic City Mayor Donald Guardian’s vow to stand by his law enforcement officers no matter what the cost. • A special presentation in honor of the Unity Tour’s 20th anniversary. • A taste of summer with Operation Blue Skies’ plan to send cops’ kids to camp for free. • And much, much more. President’s Message ........................................................Page 4 Executive Vice-President................................................Page 7 The 4-1-1..............................................................................Page 8 PBA Legal Corner ...........................................................Page 10 Legislative Report ......................................................... Page 12 Pension Benefits Report............................................. Page 14 Health Benefits Update ...............................................Page 17 Legal Protection Plan Update .................................. Page 21 MITCHELL KRUGEL Editor and Publisher [email protected] Convention Retention Also in this issue... 201-880-7288 201-410-1721 201-370-4082 201-410-1721 [email protected] [email protected] www.njcopsmagazine.com Local 600 Report ........................................................... Page 24 NAPO Report ..................................................................Page 26 Around the State........................................................... Page 63 LPP Case Study ...............................................................Page 74 Education......................................................................... Page 78 Test Prep ...........................................................................Page 81 Health and Wellness .................................................... Page 85 All in the Family ..............................................................Page 90 Member Benefits............................................................Page 92 Closing Arguments ...................................................... Page 94 ■ ED CARATTINI JR PBA Photographer [email protected] ■ JENNIFER TRATTLER Editorial Assistant [email protected] ■ STEPHANIE JONES Copy Editor [email protected] ■ DEANNA HUNTER Operations Manager [email protected] If you have a news tip or a press release, email information to [email protected] APRIL 2016 ■ Vol. 20 No. 4 New Jersey COPS, known also as NJ Cops Magazine, is a monthly publication dedicated to law enforcement and criminal justice professionals operating in the State of New Jersey. ©2016 KRURAPP COMMUNICATIONS, INC. Reproduction of any part of this magazine without express written permission is prohibited. Subscription rate: $25 per year. Send address subscription inquiries to [email protected]. Reader comments and editorial submissions are welcome, but neith