DECEMBER 2003

IN MEMORIAM

Senior Constable John Paul Flagg, Ontario Provincial Police

Cpl. Stephen Gibson, Millitary Police, Medicine Hat, AB

VOS REPRESENTANTS - EXECUTIF / EXECUTIVE

Président , 657 Reaume Road, LaSalle, ON, N9J 1B5
President' 519-734-1744

1er Vice-président , 7 Brookhouse Road, Dartmouth, NS, B2W 1W5
1st Vice-president 902-462-1220

2ieme Vice-président , 2161 Winnipeg St., Regina, SK, S4P 1G9
2nd Vice-president 306-522-9088

Secretary/Treasurer , 4653 63rd St., Delta, BC, V5Z 3B2
Secrétaire/Trésorier 604-940-0954

Membership , 1732 10th St. East, Courtenay, BC, V9N 7H7
Societariat 250-338-2267

Past President , 666 Glenhurst Cres., Gloucester, ON, K1J 7B7
Passé Président 613-742-0767

As I pulled into the retreat centre in Surrey, BC, that Monday afternoon, I was anxious to know what I would be involved in during the next five days. I was the new Oceanside RCMP Chaplain, still a “probie” as I had just started as a chaplain six short weeks before. I had been on a few ride-alongs and had dropped by the detachment a few times, but really didn’t have a clue as to what I had gotten involved in. This week was going to be very helpful.

MEET AND GREET
Monday night was a time for meeting my fellow police chaplains, about fifty in all, most from Canada, a couple had come from the States, everyone representing different police departments and different faiths. The meals were great and continued to get better as the week progressed. I was warmly welcomed by fellow chaplains and by the Canadian Police Chaplains Association staff. The one thing that really stood out to me was the encouragement and support that came to us as chaplains from the leadership of the RCMP who began Monday night with a member of the RCMP sharing how a chaplain had been there for him and his family after the tragic loss of his teenage daughter and the difference that this chaplain had made in their lives.

TUESDAY
This was the first real day of learning and as we settled into the lecture hall, we were greeted by Deputy Commissioner- Pacific Region and Commanding Officer of “E” Division, Beverly A. Busson. Her words of appreciation and support echoed the greeting from the night before and I was beginning to think that this was a very well accepted program within the policing community. The day unfolded with workshops on peer counselling and referral, substance abuse. The evening was either free time or the option of a ride along. Interspersed with this excellent teaching we would journey to the dining room for wonderful meals.

WEDNESDAY
Worship found us together at 0900 and the days teaching included victim precipitated suicide or commonly known as, “death by cop,” Chaplain Jim Turner talked to us about the ride along and how to be effective when given that privilege to ride with the members. We learned about liability and confidentiality, personal safety and then it was time to eat again. Following supper this night I was scheduled to for a ride along with the Delta Police. I was introduced in the briefing room to the three officers and the staff sergeant. My first thought was these guys are so young and they have guns. I jumped in the car with Phil Dibattista. It didn’t take long to start talking; a Caruso and a Dibattista, (two Italians), guns, and God. It turns out that Phil went to a church in our denomination and I knew his pastor and many other people that he knew. I actually found out that when I was a paramedic years ago, I had worked with Phil’s wife’s grandfather. Maybe that’s why I was wondering why these rookie cops looked so young. The ride along went well and I was blessed and hope that I was a blessing to Phil as well.

THURSDAY
Worship at 0900 and then a young RCMP Constable shared about what makes a cop tick. Chaplain Charlie Massey talked about understanding police families and after lunch Sgt. Matt Logan, RCMP Psychologist, talked about care for the special units in police work. Cpl. Tom Adair talked to us about harassment. We then gathered for a superbly catered banquet. The head table was a mixture of police departments, including Sgt. Garry Sexsmith, who received a standing ovation for his work in bringing this type of care to the members and their families in the very beginning of the program. The speaker for the evening was Deputy Chief Constable Bob Rich from the Vancouver Police Department and spoke on leadership and being a positive presence in a negative world. This is really what we do as chaplains.

FRIDAY
A short business meeting of the CPCA and then Chaplain Charlie Massey conducted a beautiful memorial service for the fallen officers in our nation in the past year. The service was well attended and very meaningful.

CONCLUSION
I must say that when I drove out of the retreat center, heading for my home community, it was thinking about all the information that I had received and how that I could hardly wait until I was able to meet with the Detachment Commander and share with him my vision for this calling of chaplain to the Oceanside RCMP. I went away with many new friends, new contacts for the future and a better understanding of the community of police and their families. This was time well spent; make plans to attend next year.

Chaplain Jim Caruso Parksville, BC, Canada ejcaruso@shaw.ca

Le regard d’un nouvel aumônier sur le Séminaire de formation annuel.

Alors que j’arrivais au centre de retraite à Surrey en Colombie-Britannique lundi en après-midi, j’avais hâte de savoir dans quel genre d’activités je serais engagé pour les cinq prochains jours. J’étais le nouvel aumônier de la section Oceanside de la GRC, encore en probation, puisque j’avais commencé dans ces fonctions il n’y avait que six semaines. J’avais participé à quelques sorties en voiture-patrouille et j’étais arrêté au détachement à quelques occasions, mais je n’avais toujours pas bien compris ce dans quoi je m’étais engagé. Cette semaine de formation s’avérerait très utile pour moi.

Accueil et bienvenue
Lundi soir a été l’occasion de rencontrer mes consœurs et confrères aumôniers de police, environ une cinquantaine, venus surtout du Canada, quelques-uns des États-Unis, et représentant différents services de forces policières et différentes confessions religieuses. Les repas étaient excellents et ont continué à se surpasser au fur et à mesure que la semaine se déroulait. J’ai reçu un accueil chaleureux de leur part et de celle du personnel de l’Association Canadienne des Aumôniers de Police. La chose qui m’est apparue particulièrement importante a été l’encouragement et le soutien apportés aux aumôniers de la part de la GRC, en commençant lundi soir par le témoignage d’un de ses membres sur l’importance qu’avait eu, dans sa vie et dans celle de sa famille, la présence de l’aumônier de la GRC lors du décès tragique de sa fille adolescente et comment cet aumônier avait manifestement fait une différence dans leur vie.

Mardi
Première journée d’apprentissage véritable. Alors que nous nous installions dans la salle de conférence, la députée-commissaire de la région du Pacifique et commandant de la division « E », Beverly A. Busson nous a accueillis. Ses mots d’appréciation et de soutien faisaient écho à ce que nous avions entendu la veille au soir et je commençais à me dire que le programme d’aumônerie était bien accepté de la communauté policière. La journée s’est poursuivie par des ateliers sur l’assistance psychosociologique des pairs et la référence professionnelle et sur la toxicomanie. La soirée offrait un temps libre ou une sortie en voiture-patrouille. Nous intercalions d’excellents repas à la salle à manger, à ces sessions de formation.

Mercredi
Après un service de prière à 09,00 h, nous avons profité d’instructions sur le suicide provoqué par une intervention policière. L’aumônier Jim Turner nous a parlé des sorties en voiture-patrouille et comment y être efficaces. Nous avons eu des informations sur les responsabilités et la confidentialité, la sécurité personnelle et nous avons à nouveau partagé des agapes. Après le souper, j’étais affecté à une sortie en voiture-patrouille avec un policier de Delta. On m’a présenté à trois officiers et le sergent-chef. Ma première impression a été « ces gars sont si jeunes pour avoir des armes à feu ». J’ai sauté dans l’auto de Phil Dibattista. La conversation n’a pas tardé – un Caruso et un Dibattista – deux italiens, des armes à feu et Dieu. Phil était membre de la même confession religieuse que moi, et je connaissais son ministre du culte et quelques personnes qu’il connaissait également. J’ai même découvert que travaillant comme personnel de soutien médical il y a plusieurs années, j’avais travaillé avec le grand-père de sa femme. C’est sans doute pourquoi je leur trouvais un air si « jeune ». La sortie s’est déroulée très bien, cet échange avait été une grâce pour moi, tout comme j’espère qu’il l’avait été pour Phil.

Jeudi
À la suite de la prière de 09,00 h, un jeune agent de la GRC nous a partagé son opinion sur ce qui motive un policier. L’aumônier Charlie Massey nous a parlé de la compréhension des familles de policiers et, après le dîner, le Sergent Matt Logan, psychologue de la GRC, nous a parlé des soins à apporter aux unités spéciales des forces policières. Le Caporal Tom Adair nous a parlé de la question du harassement. Nous avons ensuite eu la chance de participer à un succulent banquet. La table d’honneur comprenait des membres de divers départements de forces policières, dont le Sergent Garry Sexsmith, qui a reçu une ovation debout pour son travail qui a permis d’instaurer ce genre de soutien aux membres et à leurs familles tout au début de la création du programme d’aumônerie. Le conférencier invité de la soirée était le Député Chef Constable Bob Rich des forces policières de Vancouver qui nous a parlé du tempérament de chef et de la façon d’être une présence positive dans un monde négatif. C’est vraiment ce que nous faisons comme aumôniers.

Vendredi
Une brève rencontre officielle de l’ACAP fut suivie d’un magnifique service commémoratif pour les officiers morts chez nous durant l’année qui se termine, sous la présidence de l’aumônier Charlie Massey. Plusieurs membres y ont participé et en sont sortis inspirés.

Conclusion
Je dois avouer que lorsque j’ai quitté le centre de retraite, en direction de ma communauté locale, je réfléchissais à tout ce que j’avais reçu comme information, et comment j’avais hâte de rencontrer le Commandant du détachement pour partager avec lui ma vision de mon engagement comme aumônier du Détachement Oceanside. J’ai quitté plusieurs nouveaux amis et nouvelles connaissances et surtout une meilleure compréhension des forces policières communautaires et de leurs familles. Ce fut du temps bien rempli. Assurez-vous de participer l’an prochain.

Aumônier Jim Caruso, Parksville, Colombie-Britannique ejcaruso@shaw.ca

The Candle

Diane, a young university student, was home for the summer. She had gone to visit some friends one evening and time passed quickly as each shared their various experiences of the past year.
She ended up staying longer than planned, and had to walk home alone. She wasn't afraid because it was a small town and she lived only a few blocks away. As she walked along under the tall elm trees, Diane asked "God" to keep her safe from harm and danger.

When she reached the alley, which was a short cut to her house, she decided to take it. However, halfway down the alley she noticed a man standing at the end as though he were waiting for her.
She became uneasy and began to pray, asking for "God's" protection. Instantly a comforting feeling of quietness and security wrapped around her, she felt as though someone was walking with her. When she reached the end of the alley, she walked right past the man and arrived home safely.

The following day, she read in the newspaper that a young girl had been raped in the same alley just twenty minutes after she had been there.

Feeling overwhelmed by this tragedy and the fact that it could have been her, she began to weep. Thanking the Lord for her safety and to help this young woman, she decided to go to the police station. She felt she could recognize the man, so she told them her story.

The police asked her if she would be willing to look at a lineup to see if she could identify him. She agreed and immediately pointed out the man she had seen in the alley the night before. When the
man was told he had been identified, he immediately broke down and confessed.

The officer thanked Diane for her bravery and asked if there was anything they could do for her.
She asked if they would ask the man one question. Diane was curious as to why he had not attacked her.

When the policeman asked him, he answered, "Because she wasn't alone. She had two tall men walking on either side of her."

Moral of the story.. Don't underestimate the power of Prayer!

A Koran installed in the lobby of police headquarters has raised concerns about a breach in the constitutional wall separating church and state, and underscores the influential role religion plays in the culture of the department.

The department's installation of a religious text in a public space comes on the heels of a chief justice in Alabama who over the summer refused to comply with a court order to remove a monument to the Ten Commandments in a state building in Montgomery.

Although that controversy was blanketed with coverage, there are hundreds of less publicized incidents, like this one, that morph the division of church and state.

The Koran is displayed atop a brass pedestal and ensconced in a glass cube in front of the official police seal near the Hall of Heroes.

Traditionally, the department, staffed by a majority of Irish and Italian police officers, was considered a de facto Catholic organization. But the installation of the Koran speaks to a more recent development and equally powerful force ? the push for diversity and an attempt to be sensitive at a time when global events have caused Muslims and Arabs to be cast under suspicion.

As the city changed in recent years, the department was pressured to change. The commitment to religion spread from Catholic or Protestant sects to other religions like Islam and Judaism.

Donna Lieberman, the New York Civil Liberties Union executive director, said no matter what its intentions are, the city can not violate the separation of church and state. "I think that the government, including the Police Department, cannot engage in religious promotion," she said. "There's a vast difference between promoting religion and in educating police officers about religions so that they understand and are sensitive to various values and beliefs."

There are eight different chaplains at the department. Routinely, there are invocations and prayers before ceremonies and "spiritual breakfasts."

"This relationship is probably related to the nature of policing, which has elements of risk to it," said Robert McCrie, a professor at John Jay's School of Criminal Justice.

Imam Izak-El Mu'eed Pasha, a police chaplain, spearheaded the installation. He said police work make religion a central part of police life. "By the nature of the job they have to have some faith," he said. "There's no way to do it without having faith."

Pasha said it would be "wrong" for the department to more rigidly enforce the separation between church and state. "Without them having faith I think you would have a different Police Department that probably would not be able to serve all its people in the best way," he said.

Even as recent cases redefine the line, Lieberman said the department's installation is a violation of the constitution officers are sworn to protect. "It is not always clear where the line is drawn," she said. "But when the government engages in promoting religion that crosses the line."

The debate over where the line is drawn continues to play out from the controversy over the Pledge of the Allegiance to President George Bush's faith-based initiatives.

As for the Police Department and its entrenched relationship with religion there has yet to be a case challenging it.

"To my knowledge its never been tested," McCrie said. "There is no precedents for clergyman to effect police policy or procedures in any way. If that were to happen than the issue could be a sore one for the public.
We believe as a nation in the separation between church and state."

Police Chaplain Association Annual Meeting 21 November 2003

1. The President called the meeting to order at 9:00 am. Past President Rob Heard opened the meeting with prayer.

2. It was M/S by Ian McLean and Mike Windsor to accept the agenda. Carried.

3. Regrets were received from Fr. Bernie White. He did not seek a refund. It was M/S by Rob Heard and Ben Yablonski that these monies be put towards his future dues. Carried.

4. It was M/S by Charlie Massey and Brian Hunter that the minutes be accepted as published. Carried.

5. Charlie Massey spoke about the certificates of Certification and the new membership card. He indicated that our certification is reciprocal with ICPC.

6. The proposal for Provincial Representation was presented. After a discussion it was decided on a motion by Rob Heard and Blair Dixon that we accept the idea in principal and that the executive bring it back next year with the process of choosing the representatives in place. The proposal is as follows:
Whereas the Canadian Police Chaplains Association continues to grow and expand in its mandate, and
Whereas there is a need to maintain greater contact with our membership, it is proposed:
The Canadian Police Chaplains Association organizes on a Provincial/ Territory basis.

1. Each province/territory would have a representative.
2. The representative would be responsible as a liaison to the President and Executive of the CPCA.
3. The following would be the responsibilities of the representatives.

a) Mentor chaplains in their province or territory.
b) Act as a resource person for other chaplains
c) Encourage the development of new chaplaincies
d) Provide a link between the Executive and the members
e) Encourage provincial meetings and training.

7. The President expressed the thanks of the group to the Organizing committee for the excellent ATS. The Chair, Jim Turner introduced the members of the committee.

8. The Treasurer presented his report. It was M/S by Jim turner and Rob Heard to accept the report. Carried.

9. In the membership report Charlie Massey indicated that we have about 140 members and there are still about 110 out there that we should work to make part of the CPCA. It was M/S by Charlie Massey and Roy Langer the report be accepted. Carried.

10. Charlie Massey spoke briefly on the Newsletter. It is only as good as the articles members can submit. He encouraged all to send items about their chaplaincy. It was M/S by Charlie Massey and Bill Evans to accept the report. Carried.

11. Website: our website is maintained by Patrick Heard. Any suggestions for this go to Rob Heard. Our website is www.cndpolicechaplains.org.

12. A discussion was held about our relationship with ICPC. It was agreed that the President continue to talk with them about a partnership as we are not a region of ICPC. This will be reported at the next meeting.

13. Future ATS’s: 2004 - Jackson’s Point (Ont.) mid October

2005 - New Brunswick?
2006 - Ottawa?
2007 – Edmonton

14. Rob Heard reported on the suggestion we received about a government grant. We do not qualify.

15. It was suggested that a Planning Committee be organized to work on continuity of our training.

16. The President recognized Michael Dunnell and outlined the honours bestowed upon him: The Order of Merit from ICPC and the naming of the briefing room at his headquarters in his honour.

17. The idea of a Chaplains’ Handbook was brought forward. It was passed to the Executive for discussion and action. These would probably involve a cost to members.

18. Comments about this ATS can be sent to Jim Turner through the website. It was suggested a local tour might be considered.

19. On a motion by Rob Heard the meeting adjourned at 10:22 am. The meeting closed with prayer.

L’Association Canadienne des Aumôniers de Police.Assemblée annuelle. 21 novembre 2003

1. Le président a ouvert l’assemblée à 09,00 h. L’ex-président Robert Heard a débuté par une prière.

2. L’acceptation de l’ordre du jour a été proposée par Ian McLean, la motion a été appuyée par Mike Windsor et acceptée à l’unanimité.

3. L’aumônier Bernie White avait dû annuler sa présence, mais n’a pas demandé de remboursement. Robert Heard a proposé que la somme reçue soit allouée à payer ses frais d’appartenance lorsqu’ils seront dus. La motion a été appuyée par Ben Yablonski et acceptée à l’unanimité.

4. Charlie Massey propose l’acceptation des minutes de la dernière assemblée annuelle. La motion est appuyée par Brian Hunter et acceptée à l’unanimité.

5. Charlie Massey a parlé à propos de nouveaux certificats d’accréditation et de nouvelles cartes de membre. Il a indiqué que notre accréditation fait réciprocité avec celle de l’ICPC.

6. La proposition d’une représentation provinciale a été soulevée. Après une période de discussion Robert Heard et Blair Dixon ont proposé que nous acceptions l’idée, en principe, et que le comité exécutif présente à nouveau la proposition l’an prochain avec plus de détails sur le processus de choix des représentants. La proposition se formule comme suit :
Attendu que l’Association Canadienne des Aumôniers de Police continue de s’agrandir et d’étendre son mandat et attendu qu’un meilleur contact avec les membres s’avère nécessaire,

Il est proposé que :

L’Association Canadienne des Aumôniers de Police s’organise sur une base provinciale/territoriale
1. Chaque province/territoire aurait un (e) représentant (e)
2. Le (la) représentant (e) serait la personne contact assurant le lien entre les membres représentés et le président et le comité exécutif de l’ACAP
3. Les fonctions du (de la ) représentant (e) seraient les suivantes :
Assurer le tutorat des aumôniers dans sa province ou son territoire
Tenir le rôle de personne-ressource pour les autres aumôniers
Encourager l’élaboration de nouveaux programmes d’aumônerie
Assurer un contact entre les membres et le comité exécutif
Stimuler la tenue d’assemblées et de formation provinciales.

7. Le président a remercié le comité organisateur de cet excellent séminaire,au nom du groupe. Le responsable du comité, Jim Turner, en a présenté les membres.

8. Le trésorier a présenté son rapport. Jim Turner a proposé l’acceptation du rapport. La motion est appuyée par Robert Heard et acceptée à l’unanimité.

9. Dans son rapport sur l’état des membres, Charlie Massey a indiqué que l’Association compte environ 140 membres et que quelque 110 autres aumôniers pourraient être approchés pour se joindre. Charlie Massey propose l’acceptation du rapport. La motion est appuyée par Roy Langer et acceptée à l’unanimité.

10. Charlie Massey aborde brièvement la question de la lettre circulaire. Elle contient sa valeur dans la qualité des articles soumis par les membres. Il a encouragé les membres à faire parvenir des textes d’intérêt sur leur aumônerie. Charlie Massey propose l’acceptation du rapport. La motion est appuyée par Bill Evans et acceptée à l’unanimité.

11. Le Site Internet est maintenu actif grâce à Patrick Heard. Toutes suggestions seront adressées à Robert Heard. Notre URL est http://www.cndpolicechaplains.org

12. Un échange a suivi concernant la relation entre l’ACAP et l’ICPC. Il a été accepté que le président continue son dialogue avec leurs représentants concernant un partenariat avec eux, comme l’ACAP n’est pas une « région » de l’ICPC. On aura un suivi à la prochaine assemblée.

13. Les dates et suggestions de lieux des prochains séminaires de formation :

2004 – Jackson’s Point (Ontario) mi-octobre
2005 – Nouveau Brunswick ?
2006 – Ottawa ?
2007 – Edmonton.

14. Robert Heard fait rapport que nous ne sommes pas éligibles pour une subvention gouvernementale. Quelqu’un avait suggéré que l’on s’informe à ce sujet.

15. Une suggestion est offerte qu’il y ait un Comité de planification de mis sur pied pour assurer la continuité dans les séminaires de formation.

16. Le président a souligné l’excellence de Michael Dunnell et a expliqué les honneurs dont il a été récipiendaire. L’Ordre du mérite de l’ICPC et le nom donné à la salle de breffage de son quartier général en son honneur.

17. L’idée d’avoir un « guide de l’aumônier » a été proposée. On a suggéré que le Comité Exécutif se penche sur le sujet et présente des recommandations. On suppose qu’il y aurait un montant à défrayer par les aumôniers pour réaliser cette suggestion.

18. Les commentaires concernant le présent séminaire (2003) peuvent être envoyés à Jim Turner par l’intermédiaire du Site Internet. Il a été suggéré qu’une visite des environs pourrait être envisagée.

19. Robert Heard suggère l’ajournement de l’assemblée à 10,22 h. Celle-ci se termine par une prière.

A Prayer

O God, we remember this morning those whose pain will not go away:
Pain of body, pain of mind,
Pain of happiness snatched from them,
Pain of potential unrealized,
Pain of recollections that still torment.
God, let us look to your kingdom
Where there is no more pain.

We remember those whose guilt will not go
away:
Guilt because of things they have done,
Or things they didn’t do,
Of things the wished they’d done,
Or wished they’d never said,
Real quilt or guilt imagined.
God, we look to your kingdom,
Where the past is forgiven.

We remember those who are filled with fear;
Fear of what the future holds,
Fear for themselves or fear for others,
Fear of the imagined threat,
Fear of sudden memory.
God, let us look to your kingdom
Where all fear will be banished.

Let us remember that here
In the midst of pain and guilt and fear,
There are those struggling
To ease pain, and ease guilt, and eradicate fear.

Let us give thanks for all those
Who are neighbours to us in our need
And care for others in their distress,
And let us look forward to your kingdom
Where there shall be an end
To death and to mourning
To crying and to pain,
Where the old order is passed away.

AMEN

What the Rules Really Are:

1. Never give yourself a haircut after three margaritas.

2. You need only two tools. WD-40 and duct tape. If it doesn't move and it should, use WD-40. If it moves and it shouldn't, use tape.

3. The five most essential words for a healthy, vital relationship "I apologize" and "You are right."

4. Everyone seems normal until you get to know them.

5. When you make a mistake, make amends immediately. It's easier to eat crow while it's still warm.

6. The only really good advice that your mother gave you was, "Go! You might meet somebody!"

7. If he/she says that you are too good for him/her-believe them.

8. Learn to pick your battles; ask yourself, 'Will this matter one year from now? How about one month? One week? One day?'

9. Never pass up an opportunity to pee.

10. If you woke up breathing, congratulations! You have another chance!

11. Living well really is the best revenge. Being miserable because of a bad or former relationship just might mean that the other person was right about you.

12. Work is good, but it's not that important.

13. And finally... Be really nice to your friends. You never know when you are going to need them to empty your bedpan.

The work my friend is peace. More than an end to this war -- an end to the beginning of all wars. An end forever to this impractical, unrealistic settlement of the differences between governments by the mass killings of people.
Franklin D. Roosevelt

Speaking of hospitals:
A woman, calling a local hospital, said, "Hello, I'd like to talk with the person who gives the information regarding your patients. I'd like to find out the condition of a patient."

The voice on the other end of the line said, "What is the patient's name and room number?"

She said, "Sarah Finkel, in Room 302..."

"I will connect you with the nursing station."

"3-A Nursing Station. How can I help you?"

"I would like to know the condition of Sarah Finkel in Room 302."

"Just a moment. Let me look at her records. Oh, yes. Mrs. Finkel is doing very well. In fact, she's had two full meals, her blood pressure is fine, her blood work just came back as normal, she's going to be taken off the heart monitor in a couple of hours and if she continues this improvement, Dr. Cohen is going to send her home Tuesday at twelve o' clock."

The woman said, "That's wonderful! Oh! that's fantastic, that's wonderful news!"

The nurse said, "From your enthusiasm, I take it you must be a close family member or a very close friend!"

"Not exactly, I'm Sarah Finkel in 302! Nobody here tells me jack s_ _ _!"

Has a Crime Really Occurred?

A man walks into a Circle K Variety Store in Louisiana, plops a $20 bill on the counter and asks to clerk for change. When the clerk opens the till, the man pulls a gun and demands all the money. He flees the scene leaving his $20 behind. The officers ask the clerk how much he got away with and the clerk replies $15.
If a robber pulls a gun and gives you money, has a crime been committed?
If they were smart they'd be the police not robbers!