DCI Alumni Newsletter
June 2003, Number 11
Newsletter written and prepared by Dan Kuhn and James Woodward
The Director's Dictum
Message from the DCIAA President
Message from the Program Manager
DCI Classes and Seminars
DCI Alumni Doings from Dan's Desk
Contact
DCI 115th Class
DCI 116th Class
This graduation ceremony also witnessed Dan Kuhn's receipt of his 5' Crystal Trophy (OK. . .it was a 1' glass, but still very handsome!) . . . in recognition of his 10 years with DCI as Program Manager! As we all know, there wouldn't be a program if we didn't have Dan!
As to new news, USC's Center for the Administration of Justice (i.e. DCI) has been selected as one of ten institutions nation–wide to chaperone a U.S. Department of Justice Grant awarded to Excelsior College . . . to design and implement an accreditation program for criminal justice training-education activities that might merit unit credit. On our behalf in this regard, I'll be meeting periodically in Albany, New York with the other agency representatives. To acknowledge, Academic Honor Graduate from Class 105 Timothy Birch was our facilitator for this opportunity!
As to "renewing news", we will be continuing with our involvement with UCLA as co-hosts for the Leadership 21st Century Speaker series . . . a special POST–blessed training experience for LAPD's command staff. This will be the program's fourth annual set of presentations.
To close . . . on a negative note (sorry), the State's big budget crisis will hurt us directly and indirectly. If your Department/Agency can assist in covering costs we will — needless to say — be most appreciative (think of it as a "return favor" for all those Scholarships!)
P.S….I'll be attending the annual (54th!) conference of the California Juvenile Officers Association in Laughlin, Nevada this coming week . . . look forward to seeing some of you !?! (Will be presenting the Dan Pursuit Award . . . to you?!?)
—Dr. W. Garrett Capune
P.S. As some of you may have heard, DCI is being re–located to an on-campus building . . the good news is on–campus is cool, the regret is the loss of our old digs (though Tyler is in fact looking a little beat!).
The move involves some remodeling, so our Fall Class (#117) will be rescheduled for Jan. — Feb. '04.
This — it turns out — is just as well since POST has a freeze for now on funds, due to the State's budget crisis.
In sum, all's well that ends well!
(We'll share our new address, etc. via next Newsletter).
Message from the DCIAA President
Linda Spreine — Chief — Laguna Niguel — Orange County Sheriff's Dept.
I attend almost every class graduation of the Delinquency Control Institute. At each graduation there are more police chiefs and law enforcement "Top Brass" than there are graduates and families. I used to wonder why DCI attracted so much support and dedication from these professionals. As I learned more about DCI and progressed in my career, the answer became obvious. DCI successfully educates individuals and encourages them to continue down the road to becoming the leaders in our profession. After graduating from DCI, these individuals return to their agencies with a wide range of new knowledge and the positive "DCI attitude." Many of the police chiefs and "Top Brass" attending the graduations are former graduates of DCI. They know what DCI did for them and they know that each member of their organization that graduates from DCI will come back with new tools to help strengthen their agency.
I recently obtained a list of Orange County Sheriff's Department personnel who have graduated from DCI in the last twenty years. Of the 35 names on the list, 4 have retired, but the remaining 31 are still with our department. Of the 31, there are 2 Assistant Sheriffs, 2 Captains, 5 Lieutenants, 9 Sergeants and 13 in investigative or specialized positions within the department. Of course, DCI can't take total credit for the success of all these people, but I have talked with almost all of them and they have agreed that DCI was an extremely positive experience and it gave them new knowledge and skills that strengthened their careers.
There is a very good chance that those of you who are reading this article are DCI graduates who are now the "movers and shakers" in your departments. Don't forget the gifts you received from DCI. Continue to be an advocate for this type of training. Through your budgeting, planning, training, and mentoring, encourage the future leaders within your agencies to attend DCI. It will be a great legacy to the profession we all love!
Message from the Program Manager
Dan Kuhn
Well, here we are in April of 2003 and we have both the 115th and the 116th Class behind us already; and believe it or not, the 117th is right around the corner. I'm pleased to announce that Michael Duncan from Copenhagen Police Department will be attending the September class. He will be staying at Oakwood with the other visiting officers from outside the area – and by the way, just a word about the Oakwood facility. Under the outstanding direction of Nena Suwara, the Oakwood Apartments in Marina Del Rey have been completely redone. A new pool has been installed along with a much larger jacuzzi (a very popular place). Along with that, the apartments have all been completely renovated. Those of you alums who have stayed there probably have fond memories of Oakwood. Well, now they are even better.
Keep in mind that I'm now accepting applications for both the 117th and 118th class so please keep in touch.
-Dan Kuhn
DCI 118th Class — January 5 — February 13, 2004
DCI 119th Class — September 13 — October 22, 2004
DCI 120th Class — January 10 — February 18, 2005
DCI One Week Seminars
Child Abuse
November 17 — 21, 2003 — Palm Desert
March 15 — 19, 2004 — Lake Arrowhead
Interviewing Child Victims and Suspects
December 8 — 12, 2003 — Lake Arrowhead
June 7 — 11, 2004 — Palm Desert
Juvenile Justice Update
April 19 — 23, 2004
Location To Be Announced
Please keep sending us information on your whereabouts, promotions, new careers, etc. As you know, everyone looks forward to the newsworthy items section to keep track of their classmates. If you don't have time to write, just give me a call at (213) 743–2497.
DCI Alumni Doings from Dan's Desk
- We start out with some outstanding news of promotions. Mark O'Connor (113th) has been promoted to the rank of Captain effective 3/10/03. He’s busy heading up the Administrative Services Division. Mark, see what happens when you volunteer to be bartender up at Lake Arrowhead?
- My apologies to Mike Crebs from the 114th Class. We told you in the last edition that he had been promoted to Captain (which was true). We also told you that he was from Sacramento Police Department (which wasn't true). Mike is with the Portland, Oregon police Department which is headed by former L.A.P.D. Deputy Chief Mark Kroeker (who I'm still trying to convince into returning to the D.C.I. Faculty (what great evaluations he got)). Mike, see if you can use your influence with your chief. We really miss him. Sorry about the mistake Mike.
- Joann Galisky (108th) came through DCI as a sergeant with Orange County Sheriff's Department and just recently has been promoted to Assistant Sheriff. We're really proud of you Joann.
- Sgt. Jim Acquarelli from Redondo Beach P.D. (Honor Graduate of the 98th Class and Faculty member that never gets a bad evaluation) is heading a 5–man honor guard for the South Bay Medal of Valor Awards on May 7th at the Torrance Marriot. By the way, Kent McCord from "Adam 12" will be guest speaker.
- We're very proud to announce that Paul Nowatka, retired Lt. From Torrance P.D., longtime member of the D.C.I. A.A. and current city councilman from Torrance was awarded the Salvation Army's Highest Award after his outstanding volunteer work at ground zero after 9/11 — way to go Paul.
- Kenn Barrett from Culver City P.D. and a member of the 95th class retired March 20th, after an outstanding career. Congratulations Kenn, this will give you a lot more time for your motorcycle, but we hope you'll keep coming to the D.C.I.A.A. board meetings.
- Alex Bastreri, the outstanding Sgt. At Arms from the 106th Class was promoted to Sergeant by the Fullerton Police Department.
- Perry Brooks from the C.Y.A. and President of the 102nd Class and still one of the sharpest individuals to ever go through D.C.I. has been promoted to Superintendent of the Southern Correctional Reception Center and Clinic in Norwalk. Couldn't happen to a nicer guy Perry.
- Chris McCauley, who went through the 108th Class as a student from U.S.C. recently graduated Law School at Syracuse University and was hired by the secret service as a special agent, out of the Buffalo, N.Y. Field Office. Nice going Chris.
- Bill Thompson, president of the 101st, was promoted to Lieutenant for the Inglewood P.D. — Way to go Bill.
- We're really proud of this one; during the 115th Class, Nancy Cook, class secretary, from Hermosa Beach, was called out of class to serve as Hostage Negotiator for a barricaded suspect with a gun holding children hostage. Nancy arrived, took charge, and talked the suspect into releasing the hostages and surrendering within an hour. What a great job Nancy.
- Here's a great success story. Tim Birch, Honor Graduate of the 106th Class from the Daly City P.D. has taken on the position of training assessment coordinator with the criminal justice training assessment unit at Excelsior College in Albany, New York. He was hired under a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice to access Criminal justice training for meaningful college credit. During the next 20 months, he will be traveling all over the country and working with criminal justice faculty members to perform assessments. Couldn't happen to a greater guy. Good luck, Tim.
- Alan Lund (110th Class) from the Copenhagen, Denmark P.D. was promoted to Detective Commander (the highest rank in the department) by the Queen of Denmark — What an Honor! Congratulations Alan.
- Great news for one of our absolute favorite people. Jim Brown — L.A.P.D. — our outstanding instructor who does an eight hour block on interviewing and physical abuse for our 6 week classes and also does all our road shows has been promoted and is now the officer in charge of L.A.P.D.'s sexually exploited child unit. I'm sure I speak for us all when I say that the promotion couldn't happen to a better guy. Way to go Jim.
- Brian Astraghan (97th Class) continues teaching for P.O.S.T. now conducting school security training at Hacienda La Puente Unified School District adult education and at the Los Angeles Count office of Education "Safe Schools" Center. Nice going Brian.
- And we end with this note on our own Dr. Garrett Capune. As most of you know, Garrett is a triathlon competitor just completed his second "Escape from Alcatraz" swimming from the island to the city of San Francisco finishing 6th in his age group and beating his previous time by 10 minutes. You may remember that 3 inmates tried that swim several years back and apparently failed. We like to say that maybe the criminals couldn't do it, but a criminologist can.
- That's all for now gang. Please keep those cards and letters coming.
Please remember that D.C.I. is always looking for donors to keep us going. If you have any leads, please call us and we'll be sure to contact them and send them a Donor's Package.
Support your Delinquency Control Institute Alumni Association
Delinquency Control InsituteUniversity of Southern California
3601 South Flower Street
Los Angeles, CA 90007
e–mail