Meeting Minutes 2024
RETIRED SEATTLE POLICE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION
Minutes of Monthly Meeting
January 11, 2024
President Taylor called the meeting to order in the Red Room of the Nile Country Club at 1145 hours January 11, 2024. Rich O’Neill led the Pledge of Allegiance and following that Taylor asked all to remain standing for a moment of remembrance for Arvid Jensen #2359 passing Monday December 25th at 83 years of age.
Roll call of Board members showed Taylor, John Nordlund, Nick Bulpin, Rich O’Neill, Terri MacMillan, Joe Bouffiou, Dan Melton as present with Dan Oliver, Kevin O’Neill excused.
Taylor directed attention to the minutes of the December 10 meeting and asked for any corrections, additions, or deletions. There being none Frank Kampsen moved the minutes be accepted as written, second by Joe Bouffiou and passed.
Myrle Carner reported he will try to have a speaker for the February RSPOA meeting to be the head of the city council’s public safety committee for a presentation.
Roy Skagen took a moment to relay recent contacts with former Chief of Police, George Tielsch who is now in his nineties living in Ranch Mirage following his retirement from Santa Barbara PD. Roy recalled how Chief Tielsch was not favored by local media with his no-nonsense approach when referring or defending the police department activities.
Frank Kampsen reported the national police officer’s Line of Duty Deaths for 2023 were 124 with countless additional injuries from assaults, accidents, etc. as results of official on duty contact with citizens. He mentioned recent suicide deaths are being investigated as whether these incidents are duty related. He concluded by understanding the nationwide difficulty recruiting and retaining officers.
Rich O’Neill reported the 80th Annual retired Officers Banquet has been scheduled for Saturday September 14th at the SPAA Range pavilion. He noted the change to Saturday may make attendance less traffic impacted. He asked for suggestions of improvements to make next year’s event even better than 2023. Several comments were voiced regarding minor improvements. The banquet cost is $20,000.00 and RSPOA members are free with guest dinners kept at a minimum when compared with an evening out. Donations would be welcome along with possible sponsorships on ads or in programs/ads. RAP President, Pepper Prahmus started the 2024 banquet fund with a generous donation of $1000.00.
There being no further business John Guich and Joe Sanford conducted a door prize raffle. The meeting adjourned at 1245 hours and 44 folks enjoyed a nice lunch.
Nick Bulpin, Secretary
RETIRED SEATTLE POLICE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION
Minutes of Monthly Meeting
February 8, 2024
President Taylor called the meeting to order in the Red Room of the Nile Country Club at 1150AM February 8, 2024. Joe Bouffiou led the Pledge of Allegiance. Taylor asked all to remain standing for a moment of remembrance for Gerald Sampont #3193 passing away January 17th at 79 years of age. Taylor went on to recognize four widows who have recently passed on.
Roll call of Board members showed Taylor, John Nordlund, Nick Bulpin, Rich O’Neill, Joe Bouffiou and Dan Oliver present with Terri MacMillan, Dan Melton, Kevin O’Neill, and John Sullivan excused.
Taylor directed attention to the January 11th minutes that have been distributed and asked for any corrections or omissions. Joe Bouffiou moved the minutes be accepted as written, second by Ron Haviland and passed.
Myrle Carner addressed the meeting with an update on the scheduled fund-raiser for gubernatorial candidate, Dave Reichert here in the ball room at the Nile, April 9th. from 10 to noon. He was asking for table captains for 8 person tables in hopes of reaching the goal of 300 attendees. Information pamphlets were passed out.
Jim Yoshita announced there will be a celebration of life for Gary Veatch here at the Nile scheduled for March 2nd. More details are being worked out.
President Taylor reported the current legislative session is coming to closure with several bills being discussed. He noted the law restricting police chases is being reviewed and currently is the only law enforcement item on the agenda.
President Taylor was pleased with the turn-out for today’s meeting and attempted to acknowledge the many folks who haven’t been seen for a while. He apologized to anyone not recognized but stressed the importance of socializing with one another at these various RSPOA gatherings.
The door prize team of Joe Sanford and John Guich held the drawing for the lucky ticket holders and following that, the meeting adjourned with 52 folks enjoying lunch. The catering staff was overwhelmed by the attendance and did the best possible to provide enough food.
Nick Bulpin, Secretary
RETIRED SEATTLE POLICE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION
Minutes of Monthly Meeting
March 14, 2024
President Taylor called the meeting to order in the Red Room of the Nile Country Club at 1145 hours, March 14, 2024. Rudy Sutlovich led the Pledge of Allegiance and Taylor asked all to remain standing for a moment of remembrance for:
Joseph Sanford #1896 retired Seattle Police Sergeant passing March 22nd at 88 years of age.
Joseph Higgens Jr. #3981 retired Parol officer passing March 9th at 72 years of age.
Paul Jellen #3564 retired Patrol officer passing February 27 at 77 years of age.
Roll call of board members showed Taylor, John Nordlund, Nick Bulpin, Rich O’Neill, Kevin O’Neill, Terri MacMillan, Dan Melton, and Dan Oliver present with John Sullivan and Joe Bouffiou excused.
Taylor directed attention to the minutes of the February 8th meeting and asked for corrections, additions, omissions. There being none, Frank Kampsen moved minutes be accepted as written with motion seconded, by Dan Melton, and passed.
Myrle Carner announced the Dave Reichert for Governor Fundraiser is scheduled to be held in the Nile Ball Room April 9th beginning at 1000 hours until noon. It is hoped the room will be filled with 300 folks at eight top tables with coffee and pastries available. The tables will be assigned captains to ensure supporters willing to help with campaign donations. Campaign manager, Patti Mann reported Dave is anxious to be with the law enforcement community as well as business leaders to assist in his gubernatorial efforts. The cost is free to attend with hopes of generating support.
President Taylor announced today he will be stepping down as RSPOA president. A position he has held for 20 years. Vice-president John Nordlund will assume the duties effective immediately.
Taylor notified the RSPOA Board of his intentions March 12th via email and hoped it will be officially announced to the membership at today’s RSPOA regular monthly meeting. As Taylor passed the gavel to John Nordlund, both received a standing ovation from those present.
Please see the retirement message provide by President Taylor to the entire RSPOA Board of directors March 12th via email.
Greetings Board Members,
I have been honored to serve as the RSPOA President for twenty years. It is time for me to step down. I am now almost 86 years old and find that I no longer have the necessary drive to do the job. I tend to procrastinate too much, miss deadlines and am often too tired. It has been a great time and we have made important progress in seeing to the effectiveness and long-term stability of the RSPOA. I am proud that this board and I have been able to make the changes to carry us forward.
When I started this adventure we had John Sullivan, Mike Slessman, Dick Rovig, Pat Munter, John Nordlund and Nick Bulpin all active with RSPOA. John and I served on the Coalition Board of Directors as well. Ed Caalim was the President, and I filled the vacancy when he left. I know I am leaving folks out, but it has been twenty years, and I am old—my apologies.
I recently met with Nick and John and discussed my desire to resign. John agreed to assume the role of president so future action will now rest with him and the board. Everybody knows John’s work both on the RSPOA Board and with other groups. He will do a great job going forward. I will remain available to assist as needed. The next session of the legislature will need a strong push from us to secure another distribution of the surplus and I will lend whatever help I can in that endeavor.
I plan to make a formal announcement at the March 14th meeting.
I want to thank each of you for your help and support over these many years.
Cheers,
Jerry
President Nordlund asked Myrle Carner to introduce the scheduled guest speaker, Edmonds Police Department Commander David Machado. Commander Machado gave recap of his 34-year career with Edmonds PD outlining his various assignments including TAC officer at the basic Law Enforcement academy where he was recognized as Master Control & Defensive Tactics Instructor by both Federal and State courts. He is currently in charge of all Patrol Operations. His career consisted of Bike Patrol, FTO, and Alert Commander. He’s married to wife, Cami for 36 years and they have 3 grown sons. Nordlund presented Dave with an RSPOA badge with thanks and applause.
The Guich drawing was conducted for door prizes.
There being no further business, President Nordlund adjourned the meeting at 1230 hours.
The Nile Staff was overwhelmed with the participation but were successful presenting the promised Corned Beef Cabbage lunch for the overflow crowd of 61 folks.
Nick Bulpin, Secretary