The element on the extreme right or The sudden blare of the dispatch radio jolted the silent crowd inside the packed auditorium. Department approved/sponsored funeral/memorial services for current or former employees. I grew up in the military my father was in the military and he was a Vietnam vet, says Oleary. Honor Guard. Updated: Mar 3, 2023 / 06:45 PM EST. Correctional Officer Gear Funny Gifts Corrections Flag Mask T-Shirt. Surviving family members are invited as honored guests, and Honor Guards from correctional departments across the nation participate in the ceremony. The Illinois Department of Corrections is a multicultural agency deeply committed to ensuring . the Honor Guard currently assigned to Correctional Security on the 3-11 All Honor Guard teams must provide proof of travel approval. To assist in the rehabilitative efforts for those incarcerated individuals returning to the community. Shannon said she did receive an email from ADC Acting Director Joe Profiri after her husbands passing, KPHO reported. The CPO Foundation is registered with the Internal Revenue Service under IRC 501(c)(3), 509(a)(1) and 170(b)(1)(a)(vi), 2023 Correctional Peace Officers Foundation, Inc. | Terms and Conditions | Privacy Policy. This year, the event was hosted in June in Columbus, Ohio, at the National Veterans Museum. Responsibilities The New Jersey State Correctional Police Officer is responsible for ensuring the custody, safety, and care of incarcerated individuals confined in State correctional facilities. Thats when she learned that the ADC has a written policy refusing to provide an honor guard for corrections officers who commit suicide. xb```b``g`c``db@ !V(w :$eySX)ohf^_ep5Ee,xv*8uAZVs-aNiiHdilMd+( 0304P, f`J02. Her cry was a split-second sound that pierced the heart of every law enforcement officer in the room who had come to honor a comrade and brother who lost his life in the line of duty. Below are Department of Corrections (DOC) publications that apply to Honor Guard. TOKYO A U.S. senator's claim that the Japanese reneged on a promise to transfer a Navy officer imprisoned in Japan was false and inappropriate, Japan's Ministry of Foreign affairs said . FREE delivery Wed, . A 6 year member of the Honor Guard, Print Shop on the 8-4 shift as his primary duty. 0000091407 00000 n As the shock of her husbands sudden death sank in, Shannon immediately contacted the ADC to request the presence of an honor guard for his memorial service, she told KPHO. 0000008110 00000 n Correctional Officer/Deputy Sheriff Matthew Coppenrath The Service Ribbons (Attachment 3) contains information about the types of ribbons that may be attached to the Dress Uniform. Among those honored were HDSP Correctional Officer Richard Bianchi, who was killed in a crash on his way to provide security coverage at a hospital. A veteran who has completed at least two years active military service and been discharged under honorable conditions, or an applicant who has earned an associate's or bachelor's degree from an accredited college will start as a Correctional Officer IV, pay level 4, $3,776.91 per month. Candidates for this position must be eligible to possess a firearm in accordance with State and Federal laws; Background: Investigation of candidates employment history, driving history, domestic violence history, and criminal history are conducted; and. Prisons in Germany differ from those of many other countries . 0000154826 00000 n I would like the policy changed, she told KPHO. What started out in the 1970s as a small group of deputies taking extra care and diligence in the care of their uniforms has . Its one way that I knew where I could assist those who are having a hard time, especially with the memorials. The MCSP Honor Guard, with the assistance of the Employee Association, organized a fundraiser in June to raise money for the flights of the five members to attend the CPOF Project. For me, the bottom line is honoring the family and paying my respects. 2. Back to Top. Do Not Sell My Personal Information, If you need further help setting your homepage, check your browsers Help menu, First Circuit: Surgery performed on inmate to locate alleged contraband a violation of the Fourth Amendment, Ala. police: Man gets ride home from jail, then kills 3 relatives and friend, Charges dropped against detainee after video showed beating by deputies inside Ga. jail, Inmate accused of slashing N.Y. corrections officer indicted, Pierce County Sheriffs Deputy Daniel McCartney, Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention, Open the tools menu in your browser. The New Mexico Corrections Training Academy (NMCTA) is responsible for conducting basic and advanced training for custody, non-custody, and civilian staff. $44.99. Search and Rescue Unit. 6. To assist in the rehabilitative efforts for those incarcerated individuals returning to the community. 0000091163 00000 n Whether a seasoned professional or a newcomer to the field of corrections, the Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) is looking for career-oriented candidates in both operational and administrative areas. I was delighted to see how much attention was paid to the children of our fallen officers, not only at the welcoming event but throughout the entire four days, Secretary Allison said. 0000154236 00000 n 3400 North Martin Luther King Avenue. One of the nations only all-volunteer honor guards, the team represents Oklahoma during corrections and law enforcement national memorial weeks. Its members come from all corners of the agency and proudly serve their communities, Oklahoma and the country, paying tribute to law enforcement and those fallen in the line of duty. But we all know what we have to do, and we all know why were there, and were all there for the right reasons. View current and past issues of the CPO Family Magazine and see the work were doing to support our members and their families. 0000233200 00000 n And some are using force even with so little training. Salary and Benefits: Salary and Compensation. I think its the exposure to the trauma that is just in the job, Arizona State University Center for Behavioral Health Policy Manager Denise Baegley told the news outlet. If they didnt have that touch, I would question whether they should be on the Honor Guard.. In 2020, CPOF assisted 169 California correctional families. Correctional Personnel. I'm Officer Brian Sealy, and I have been working as a Corrections Officer at MCF-Rush City for 4 years. At first blush, one might think being an honor guard member requires little more than an eye for detail, smart fashion sense and a knack for precision movement. Copyright 2023 . 3 min read. Shannon said that her husband was an outstanding, devoted corrections officer who loved his job, and that he deserved better treatment from the ADC. Note: first 19 weeks in training academy at $34,000.00. (908) 558-2600. Pedophile texts found in a police commandos' smart phone led to the identification of 19 other Hesse state police allegedly involved in far-right chat groups, say prosecutors . The examination is designed, prepared, and scored by an independent, professional research company. Additional items not specified in the Ordering Guide & Requirements for Dress Uniforms (Attachment 2) may be worn with or attached to the Dress Uniform. Family members and hundreds of law enforcement officers, including Honor Guard Team Members from the California State Prison, Los Angeles County (LAC), honored Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputy Joseph Gilbert Solano at a memorial service on June 24, 2019, at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in downtown Los Angeles. Allison spoke at the Memorial Luncheon, discussing CPOF's Catastrophic Assistance Program. His own Warden never called me.. Sergeant for the Vermont Air Guard. We support surviving families of those who lost their lives in the line of duty. 0 All rights reserved. identifies important training information, interacts with each other and Join the ranks of the largest law enforcement agency in New Jersey, working to improve safety in our communities. And you could be disqualified for the job of correctional officer because of your poor credit history. My other duties . 3106.4[C], this agency is making known that it stores name, birth date, place of birth, mother's maiden name, biometric records, Social Security number, official state or government issued driver license or identification number, alien registration number, government passport number, and employer or taxpayer identification numbers. %PDF-1.6 % Like law enforcement officers and military veterans, former and active corrections officers are at much higher risk for suicide than the general population, KPHO reported. Copyright 2023 Corrections1. (National Color Bearer) - 7 years with the department, 4 year member of It took a number of years to piece together a handful of budget dollars here and there to outfit the unit properly, but now the DAJD Honor Guard is admired, and even imitated, throughout the law enforcement community. An inmate murdered a prison guard and received no added punishment - a new bill could change that The bill is named after a federal correctional officer who was brutally murdered by an inmate in . 0000010022 00000 n A state Appellate Court has rejected the New Jersey Department of Corrections' argument that a corrections officer at Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women be fired, instead of receiving a six-month suspension for inappropriate behavior with an inmate. The Sheriff's Honor Guard is a team of hard-working, dedicated Deputies and Correctional Officers that have given, and will continue to give, their greatest effort to ensure that the Sheriff's Office is represented with pride, dignity, and professionalism. 612 people follow this. At the time the officers and even command staff did not have full dress uniforms, we did not have proper covers that is, proper hats for rendering that kind of stuff. assigned to Correctional Security on the 3-11 shift as his primary The Honor Guard was helped with flight costs and travel expenses by the: California Correctional Peace Officers Association; California Correctional Supervisors Organization. If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, call Onelife at 800-559-9544 or the National Suicide Prevention lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). I received absolutely no support or even minimal contact from ADC following Jonathans death, Shannon wrote in a Facebook post on Tuesday. 4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars (9) $18.99 $ 18. There are hardships, to be sure, but the honor and privilege of serving on Honor Guard far outweigh them. Sign up to our daily newsletter so you don't miss out on the latest events surrounding law enforcement! The IDOC Honor Guard shall consist of: 1. 0000007391 00000 n K. Flank: The right or left extremity of a unit, either in line or in column. Two Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC) Correctional Officers were selected to receive national awards, the department recently announced in a press release.. Corporal Leon Odom and Corporal Anthony Gaudet have been selected by One Voice United to receive the National Corrections Medal of Honor Award. Corrections1 is revolutionizing the way in which the corrections community finds relevant news, Capt. If anything, its a deep sense of duty and commitment that compels them to serve and gives them the strength to endure the difficult times. As the final radio call for Pierce County Sheriffs Deputy Daniel McCartney still echoed, an audible gasp rose up from the family section of the crowd a loved one was just hit by the terrible truth that Daniel was never coming home. Full-time. It is also possible that older officers may be more likely to "let their guard down" as they get older. Since its founding in 2007, the CPOF National Honor Guard has participated in memorial ceremonies all across the country honoring corrections professionals who have lost their lives. Karlsson and Officer Pagulayan witnessed the events as they unfolded. The duty of those who have the high honor of casket watch is to stand vigil during the wake or viewing. This will include enforcing rules, assisting in contraband searches, and . But I wrestle sometimes when someone says that they sacrificed their life for their duty. Security on the 7-3 shift as his primary duty. One of the inmates was hospitalized with injuries after the altercation and . We had officers and staff inside the building who took great offense to that flag being lowered. After completion of the probationary period, Sauk County jailors can apply to become members of Sheriff's Office special teams to include Critical Incident Negotiations, Dive/Rescue Team, Honor Guard, and Project Lifesaver. Phoenix, AZ The Arizona Department of Corrections (ADC) has a policy that denies honor guards for corrections officers who commit suicide. At this time we are not accepting any new applications for the CPOF Honor Guard. Captain Dwayne Fortes A. Functional Unit Manager: Any person within the Department of Corrections who (DOC) reports to the Director, Deputy Director, an Assistant Director, or an Administrator and has responsibility for the delivery of program services or the coordinator of the program operations. The KDOC employs more than 3,600 Kansans at eight adult correctional facilities, one juvenile correctional facility and . 0000233439 00000 n Margaret Mick (1 June 1860 - 25 May 1925) was Canada's first female peace officer to be killed in the line of duty. A Dauphin County correctional officer was placed on leave after a Feb. 26 altercation with two inmates, officials said. The tiled courtyard out in front of the [KCCF] building became the focus of a lot of protestors, said Karlsson. Public safety officers need to look professional and presentable on duty no matter where they're working or who they're seen by in a given day. Glock Armorer's Course - April 11, 2023 - $250 Registration Fee - Registration Link You have an obligation to conduct yourself in a certain way, says Karlsson. The sudden, tragic loss of a coworker is a terrible and traumatic event that the department and our employees mourn. Updated: 11:29 PM EDT October 19, 2022. Correctional officers are an integral part of our criminal justice system. Defensive tactics Instructor for PCSD Training Department as his See the agency's Facebook page for more DOC Honor Guard news . The Michigan Department of Corrections is one of the principal state departments. Sort By. It is the outward expression of the officers professionalism, pride, integrity, and honor. 0000009800 00000 n (1999 to present) and is currently assigned to Correctional shift as his primary duty. Correctional officers and bailiffs must use both their training and common sense to quickly determine the best course of action and to take the necessary steps to achieve a desired outcome. 0000010675 00000 n Karlsson spent time in the Marines prior to his time at DAJD, and its that common bond that many of the departments officers and staff members share with the military that played a part in spurring the creation of DAJDs own in-house Honor Guard nearly 20 years ago. But I think thats why the Honor Guard does what it does. Please submit to rachel@cpof.org. Its a good way of showing respect and showing honor and your emotions.. Division of Training, Recruitment, and Professional Development. (State Color Bearer) - 6 years with the department, 2 year member of Criminal Investigations on the 8-4 shift. Governor Sheila Oliver, Notice of Proposed Class Action Settlement, NJ County Victim Witness Advocacy Offices, Associate Chaplain, Islamic (Part-time) (EMCF), Identification Officer or Senior Identification Officer (EMCF), Institutional Trade Instructor 2, Welding (EMCF), Institutional Trade Instructor 1, Cooking (GSYCF), Institutional Trade Instructor 1, Cooking (NJSP), Legal Specialist (Managing Attorney) (COHQ), Operating Engineer Heating and Air Conditioning (SWSP), Secretarial Assistant 1, Non-Stenographic (MSCF), Associate/Assistant Superintendent Liaison (ASL), Policy Prohibiting Discrimination in the Workplace, www.njoag.gov/about/division-on-civil-rights. And there were even people in the protest group who took offense to the way it was being done.. Per DOC Policy 870.440 Dress Uniform & Honor Guard, when representing the Department in public view, employees will keep in mind that their personal bearing, appearance, and actions reflect the entire Department. I would offer that they represent not just everybody in the department, they represent all of King County, says Cmdr. Today, those brave correctional officers were honored at the 20th Annual Corrections Officers Wreath Laying Ceremony and Honor Guard Competition, hosted by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund on the final day of National Correctional Employees Week. According to the group, 219 officers and 41 staff died of COVID-19, since March 2020. Deputy Sheriff Jason Tibbetts FREE delivery Wed, Mar 8 on $25 of items shipped by Amazon. Camden County Department of Corrections. See DOC Policy 870.440 Dress Uniform & Honor Guard for more information. (State Color Bearer) - 3 year with the department, 2 year member of the In a 2014 survey of correctional officers with 592 respondents from 44 states the nonprofit Desert Waters Correctional Outreach found that 20 percent of them had high levels of . CRCC Honor Guard Attends Memorial Service for Fallen Pennsylvania Department of Corrections Officer, Behind the Badge Regional Honor Guard training, Monroe Honor Guard Attends Texas Correctional Officers Funeral, Delaware Corrections Sergeant Memorial Attended by Washington Corrections Honor Guard, WCCW Honor Guard Attending Training Academy, CRCC Honor Guard Attends Memorial Service for Alabama Department of Corrections Officer, MCC and Correctional Peace Officer Foundation Honor Fallen Staff Through Walk of Remembrance, CRCC's Honor Guard Participates in Flag Raising Ceremony at Rosalind Franklin Stem Elementary, DOC Honor Guard Participates as Color Guard for Tacoma Rainiers Game, DOC Honor Guard Attends Private Memorial Service at MCC for Correctional Officer Jayme Biendl, Fallen Corrections Officer Medals Presented at Washington State Penitentiary, Airway Heights Corrections Center Honor Guard Opens Western National Correctional Industries Association conference, Monroe Honor Guard Opens Evergreen State Fair, DOC Policy 870.440 Dress Uniform & Honor Guard, Ordering Guide & Requirements for Dress Uniforms (Attachment 2), Dress Uniform Specifications (Attachment 1), Washington Corrections Center for Women (WCCW), Secretary or appropriate Assistant Secretary, Infographic: Paying Tribute, an Honor Guard Glossary, Behind the Badge Foundation Regional Honor Guard Training, Correctional Peace Officers Foundation Honor Guard, Copyright 2023 Washington State Department of Corrections. Organizational Structure. For the members of DAJDs Honor Guard, the reasons for serving go far beyond the superficial trappings of the position. The Washington State Department of Corrections acknowledges that its facilities, offices and operations are on the ancestral lands and customary territories of Indigenous Peoples, Tribes and Nations. Dont get me wrong, when you sign up for Honor Guard, we dont expect you to be devoid of any kind of emotion; its despite that emotion, you still have an obligation to perform, in a sense. Aid in rehabilitation and counselling of offenders. Candidates must read and write English sufficiently to perform the duties of the position; Citizenship: Must be a citizen of the United States; License: Candidates will be required to possess a valid New Jersey drivers license. I think these lives are regrettably taken. "The Honor Guard has meaning and represents the core values of the Department of Corrections," explains Mr. Lesperance, "It is about integrity, respect and honor. 0000260113 00000 n J. 0000005871 00000 n V. HONOR GUARD STRUCTURE: The IDOC Honor Guard shall be organized into two (2) regional squads. You must be a U.S. citizen or an immigrant with lawful status, who is authorized to work in the U.S. You must be at least 18 years old. Kenneth Lollie, DAJDs Honor Guard commander, didnt have previous experience as an Honor Guard member, but hes keenly aware of how important the units role is to the organization. Its the symbolism that gives it all a deep significance the uniform, the flags, the salutes, everything. Oklahoma City, OK 73111-4298. An example of how deep our commitment is and what it means to be part of Honor Guard is the Lakewood Four, says Pagulayan, recalling the memorial service for the four Lakewood, Washington police officers killed in November 2009. Correctional Officer/Deputy Sheriff Brian Lussier (National Color Bearer) - 7 years . State Assistant Sergeant of Arms (Post 5737) -15 years with the Dedication, Honor, Integrity. We are looking for qualified, motivated people to join the WDOC ranks as correctional officers who will attend training, model appropriate behavior, respond to assigned orders, process, become familiar with, count, transport, restrain (if necessary), and supervise inmates. Education: High school diploma or its equivalent. 0000008820 00000 n CDCR Secretary Kathleen Allison was in attendance, along with members of the CDCR Honor Guards from: The ceremony honors and supports families of individuals who lost their lives in the line of duty. They face extreme challenges maintaining order in our prisons and jails, so they need tough, reliable equipment on the job. Officer Bianchis mother, Carolyn, who is retired from CDCR, was unable to attend. When I was active duty Army, I was in Honor Guard, says Officer Lance Mcintosh. of Adult & Juvenile Detention in King County, Washington. Physical Fitness Test - refer to the Correctional Officer Applicant Success Guide for further . primary duty. Just like the military, what we are doing is serving our country, I think. It was 18 degrees outside, and we were out there for three and a half hours, standing, waiting for the family; 18 degrees in our tunics and out of 1,400 honor guard personnel, not one of them complained.. . I have no experience as an Honor Guard member, but, as has been mentioned, the support of the families, and to honor the familys wishes thats the most important thing.. To provide public safety and security through the custody and management of those individuals incarcerated within the criminal justice system. These symbols matter. The honor system was a key feature of industrial enterprises within Caon City's prisons for many decades. When I was asked if I would consider the position, I took it as an honor, says Lollie. Oklahoma Department of Corrections. Lexipol. Join the ranks of the largest law enforcement agency in New Jersey, working to improve safety in our communities. Facilities are not required to maintain an active Honor Guard. For Officer Michael Oleary, the military tradition is intertwined with family tradition as well. In Compliance with the reporting requirements of 74 O.S. Today there are seven prison facilities that maintain an active Honor Guard. Correctional officers and bailiffs follow and enforce strict procedures in correctional facilities and courts to ensure everyone's safety. Jessica Rozzi-Ochs called a group of five first-class cadets up to the stage in Leamy Hall at the Coast Guard Academy and began, "Around the nation, these officers take part . Responsibilities of correctional officers: Enforce rules and keep order within jails or prisons. 0000009331 00000 n Posted 2:12:33 PM. California Medical Facility Correctional Officer Steven Ware was remembered Oct. 21 with full honors thanks to the combined Honor Guard team from CMF, CSP-Solano and California Health Care Facility. (Commander) - United States Marine Veteran- Former Marine Corps Silent A 55-year-old man, who was working as a correctional officer at the Edmonton Institute for Women, has been charged after a sexual assault at the facility. 0000009153 00000 n 13 year member of the Honor Guard currently assigned to Bureau of One working day of vacation for each month of employment during the first calendar year of employment, 12 working days of vacation, 1-5 years of service, 15 working days of vacation, 6-12 years of service, 20 working days of vacation, 13-20 years of service, 25 working days of vacation after 20th year of service. In a correctional setting, the unctional unit manager, or designee . Officers must have the strength and character of forged steel to withstand the overwhelming force of emotion and symbolism when theyre called upon to serve in times of tragedy. Sanchez, a guard at the time and a state prison administrator until last year, is haunted by what can happen when a prison is overcrowded and understaffed. Each year the Correctional Peace Officers Foundation (CPOF) holds the Project 2000 event, a national ceremony recognizing corrections staff who lost their lives in the line of duty the previous year. The estimated base pay is $49,353 per year. Division of Training, Recruitment, and Professional Development. Honor Guard , U.S Army Reserve Veteran (1984-1992) and is currently <]>> Being older than 37 when you first apply for a federal job will disqualify you as well, according to CorrectionalOfficer.org. 0000003779 00000 n California Correctional Supervisors Organization. Oklahoma City, OK 73111-4298. The . The Department of Corrections (DOC) recognizes the need for employees to represent the Department at recognition ceremonies, memorial services, and other public events. Kenneth Lollie, DAJD's Honor Guard commander, didn't have previous . Our Honor Guard has been selected to perform in national competition. OPEN TO RESIDENTS OF:* The State of New Jersey. The Union County Corrections Honorguard Ceremonial Unit, is the escort for the county Corrections Department, to include the County of Union. Detail oriented. DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS May 11, 2015 POLICY AND EFFECTIVE DATE: December 19, 2016 Page 1 of 6 SUPERSEDES: 1012.6F OPI: DIRECTOR REVIEW DATE . You can imagine knowing the fallen officer, and then representing the department and caring for the family, caring for the kids that kind of stuff can wreck you, says Cmdr. researches product purchases and suppliers. xref County Correctional Police Officer Recruit. But I was glad at the time that the department gave us the latitude and gave us the freedom to do what we thought was right according to military custom and proper protocol for the American flag., And thats when it was decided that we needed to form an Honor Guard and formalize it, said Pagulayan, that was the spark.. Furthermore, some inmates believe the change in terminology from "prison guard" to "corrections officer" does not actually reflect change in the goals of prison staff. the Honor Guard as well as a member of the PCSD Lo-Jack Safety Net One working day of vacation for each month of employment during the first calendar year of employment, 12 working days of vacation, 1-5 years of service, 15 working days of vacation, 6-12 years of service, 20 working days of vacation, 13-20 years of service, 25 working days of vacation after 20th year of service. Linda Robson is a communications specialist with the King County Dept. Correctional Officer/Deputy Sheriff Richard Nawazelski Lexipol. 0000153580 00000 n Karlsson muses. We stock a wide range of correctional officer uniform components and gear, including authorized restraints, protective eyewear, tactical gloves and . 0000009629 00000 n Secretary Kathleen Allison with representatives from the Correctional Peace Officers Foundation and Honor Guards from Mule Creek State Prison, California Rehabilitation Center, Pelican Bay State Prison and San Quentin State Prison. The current Team Leader of the 2009 Honor Guard is Workforce Development Director, Dana Lesperance, who also serves as an E-6, Tech. Candidates currently employed as Jail or Prison correctional officers are encouraged to apply. The Dress Uniform Specifications (Attachment 1) contains detailed information about stars, leaves, bars and chevrons that may be attached to the Dress Uniform. For the members of DAJD's Honor Guard, the reasons for serving go far beyond the superficial trappings of the position. Select the option or tab named Internet Options (Internet Explorer), Options (Firefox), Preferences (Safari) or Settings (Chrome). Honor Block perks include . 0000007080 00000 n The inception of the Placer County Sheriff's Honor Guard can be traced to a handful of deputies who felt a desire to attend the funerals and show respect for peace officers who had died in the line of duty. Muslim men who were praying together in their housing unit at a Missouri prison were doused with pepper spray, physically assaulted by corrections officers and . Texas Department of Criminal Justice | PO Box 99 | Huntsville, Texas 77342-0099 | (936) 295-6371 Full military-style honors should be available to those heroes who die in the line of duty, starting with a casket watch. 0000006670 00000 n Correction Officer Thomas Perry Massachusetts Department of Correction. All rights reserved. I think everyone who gets into public service, police work, law enforcement and public safety, they recognize that there is always that inherent risk, Cmdr. Learn more about CPOF and the programs they offer. MASSILLON, Ohio A Summit County family is searching for answers after a corrections officer was assaulted on the job at the Indian River Juvenile . Our employees are the most important resource we have, and their safety and well-being is always a top priority, Lamoreaux told the news outlet.