Professional Services

By Jennifer Gomori, MAP Editor

While some people are concerned about what they post, text and otherwise share online, just as many view this as their First Amendment right to freedom of speech. No matter your view on the subject, legal advisors for MAP are urging members to think twice before posting or texting anything sexual, racial or even political.

“You have a First Amendment right to say whatever you want to, but you don’t have a constitutional right to your job,” said MAP Legal Counsel Catherine Farrell.

Public Employees should understand specific restrictions detailed in their contracts. “Look to the CBA to make sure you don’t violate it,” said Farmington Hills Attorney Arthur J. Weiss, who joined Farrell in a Social Media discussion with Union members during the MAP Annual Open House in December.

Read more: Exercise caution when posting, texting & chatting online

In 1962, President John F. Kennedy proclaimed May 15th as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week in which May 15th falls, National Police Week. National Police Week pays special recognition to those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others. Listed below are the events planned at the national level in Washington D.C. as well as Michigan's Peace Officers' Candlelight Memorial Service. Many events will take place before the official dates of Police Week in 2018.

May 7 — Michigan

Monday, May 7: 25th Annual Michigan Peace Officers’ Candlelight Memorial Service — 7 p.m. east steps of Lansing State Capitol, 100 North Capitol Avenue. Contact Denise Scarbrough, Michigan Concerns of Police Survivors President at (877) 464-2677 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

• 39th Annual Washington Area Law Enforcement Memorial Service — 11:30 a.m. in front of the Memorial Fountain, 300 Indiana Ave., NW. The FOP Auxiliary will host a luncheon at DC FOP Lodge after service. Those interested in volunteering or attending the service, email Patty Sucato at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

May 13-19 — Washington D.C.

Tuesday, May 1: 24th Annual Blue Mass — 12:10 p.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 619 Tenth Street, NW (10th & G Streets). Call (202) 347-2713 or visit www.saintpatrickdc.org

Saturday, May 5: 27th Annual Corrections Officers’ Wreath Laying Ceremony & Honor Guard Competition — 10 a.m.-noon at National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. Honoring Corrections Personnel who have lost their lives in the line of duty. www.mwcog.org or contact Tim Schaible at (443) 467-2021 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Monday, May 7: 39th Annual Washington Area Law Enforcement Memorial Service — 11:30 a.m. in front of the Memorial Fountain, 300 Indiana Ave., NW. The FOP Auxiliary will host a luncheon at DC FOP Lodge, 711 4th St. NW after service. Those interested in volunteering or attending the service, email Patty Sucato at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Read more: National Police Week 2018

MAP members are encouraged to visit the Michigan Association of Police Organizations (MAPO) website to register for Members Only alerts and access to resources available only to members. MAP members are also encouraged to download the MAPO App for Iphones and Androids. The App will provide members with easy to use mobile access to the MAPO website and Members Only resources to keep registered users up to date on issues affecting them.

Click on the links below to for more information:

Register for MAPO Members Only resources and notifications.

MAPO App for iPhones.

MAPO App for Androids.

By Jennifer Gomori, MAP Editor

When over 80 Sterling Heights Police Officers grew beards in November and raised money for Wigs 4 Kids, the community noticed and supported their efforts.

“This is our first year being involved in it,” said Rich Heins, a Sterling Heights Police Officer and MAP Executive Board President.

Despite getting a late start in the Pigs 4 Wigs No Shave November campaign, Sterling Heights Police raised an impressive $4,629. “We decided we were going to do a fundraiser to raise morale and raise some money,” said Sterling Heights Sgt. Chad Finkbeiner. “Sgt. Dave Allen has a friend on the Milford Police Department. They suggested that fundraiser and we looked into it.”

“We jumped on board a week late,” Finkbeiner said, adding 25 Command Officers and 59 Patrol Officers joined the effort. “We had 84 officers participate with most of them contributing $50 … and a couple $100.”

“That’s amazing,” said Maggie Varney, Founder & CEO of Wigs 4 Kids Wellness Center and Salon, of the large donation for their first fundraiser. The program, based in St. Clair Shores, assists children and young adults, ages 3-18, experiencing hair loss due to cancer, alopecia, trichotillomania, burns and other disorders. Varney is a cosmetologist who has worked with adult patients through the American Cancer Society’s “Look Good, Feel Better” program for 28 years. Since Wigs 4 Kids' inception 14 years ago, over 4,000 children have received program services.

“We provide wigs and all the support services for families - grief and loss counseling, field trips with other kids like them, individual, group therapy, painting and music therapy,” Varney said. The services extend to siblings and continue while the families need them. “Even after, when they lose their child, they’re picking up the pieces of their life and still putting it back together and we charge nothing for any of the services we provide for our children,” Varney said. “All the therapy, that’s what this money is raised for.”

Read more: Sterling Heights PD makes impression in Pigs 4 Wigs fundraiser