The Honolulu Star-Bulletin on the Web.
RICHARD WALKER / RWALKER@STARBULLETIN.COM
Paul Putzulu has been with the department for more than 30 years, becoming assistant chief in April. He has worked as a detective in the burglary/theft, sex crimes and homicide details. He was born in Aiea, raised in Wahiawa and is a 1971 graduate of Leilehua High School.
WAR. TERRORISM. HOMELAND SECURITY. ANTHRAX. WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION. These are the words that law enforcement personnel throughout the country now use to prioritize many budgetary, personnel and equipment decisions. The Police Officer
"The years of peaceful accord at home have been shattered and citizens now feel a direct sense of threat, trepidation and vulnerability. Police departments nationwide are responding to this new era of uncertainty."
By Paul Putzulu
Assistant chief, Honolulu Police Department
The years of peaceful accord at home have been shattered, and citizens now feel a direct sense of threat, trepidation and vulnerability. Police departments nationwide are responding to this new era of uncertainty.
[ WE REMEMBER ]
Police agencies have always operated as paramilitary organizations. Unfortunately, the "military" portion of the term is now receiving greater importance. We are learning the difference between "protecting" property, life or civil liberties and "defending" them.
We are working with the military to identify valuable assets and devising strategies to defend them against attack or destruction. We can speak the language of acronyms such as GRACE (Joint Rear Area Command), JOCK (Joint Operations Command) and JIG (Joint Interagency Planning Group). We are also becoming part of more multiagency task forces such as HEPEC (Hawaii Emergency Preparedness Executive Committee), JTTF (Joint Terrorism Task Force) and the ATTF (Anti-Terrorism Task Force). These partnerships are meant to assist every agency in working together and sharing information so that we may thwart any future terrorist attack or effectively respond should there be another attack.
Special emergency command units are being set up to develop operational plans to respond to the new threats of chemical and biological weapons. Individual personal protective equipment needs are changing.
Bulletproof vests are now being protected with Level A, fully encapsulated Bio-Chemical suits so officers can enter areas possibly containing a hazardous gas or chemical to search for and negate a terrorist.
Sept. 11's attacks have also caused all citizens to re-evaluate priorities in their personal lives. I lost a wonderful brother-in-law, Michael Collins, in the World Trade Center attack. He loved coming to Hawaii. Although diabetic since childhood, he was very physically active, and we went on several mountain bike rides in the North Shore area.
Through him I could understand why so many people think just lying on the beach in the sun and taking a quick dip in clear ocean water is what life is all about. I think how much he would love our beautiful days every time I go to the beach.
I worry about his widow, my wife's sister, who remains on the mainland, working in Manhattan. I see the strength in my in-laws, who have rallied around her and have traveled to New Jersey to support her several times in these past months. They are with her on this anniversary of the attack.
Mostly, what I see is how you need to be happy where you are, helpful and respectful to others, and supporting peace and understanding everywhere in the world.
