Fort Carson honors police chief with 'Good Neighbor' award

By Anthony R. Mayne (Fort Carson)September 18, 2014

Fort Carson honors police chief with 'Good Neighbor' award
FORT CARSON, Colo. -- Commanding General Maj. Gen. Paul J. LaCamera, right, 4th Infantry Division and Joint Task Force Carson, presents the 2013 Good Neighbor pin to Colorado Springs Police Chief Peter Carey, Sept. 16, 2014, at the Elkhorn Conference... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT CARSON, Colo. -- Distinguished guests and visitors gathered at Fort Carson, Sept. 16, 2014, to induct the 2013 Fort Carson Good Neighbor.

Commanding General Maj. Gen. Paul J. LaCamera, 4th Infantry Division and Joint Task Force Carson, hosted a luncheon inducting Colorado Springs Police Chief Peter Carey as the 36th Fort Carson Good Neighbor.

"Good Neighbors are designated by the fabric of their green jackets; they are part of the fabric of JTF Carson," said LaCamera. "This year's inductee has been part of the El Paso County, Colorado, fabric for a long time."

Carey began his law enforcement career with the El Paso County Sheriff's Office in 1982. After 30 years in law enforcement, he was promoted to police chief of Colorado Springs, a position he has held since January 2012.

"It is a really good feeling being here today," said Carey. "I can't say how happy I am about our relationship with Fort Carson."

Carey has been an integral part of the Colorado Springs community, helping to foster the relationship between the local and military communities. This relationship has achieved success with many programs including the Military Family Liaison Officer pilot program and the Fort Carson Courtesy Patrol.

"Not having to look back and worry about our Families in the post is extremely comforting, and I know you know that," LaCamera said of Carey. "We are the only installation (in the continental United States) that has a memorandum of agreement with the local law enforcement. (Former Commanding General Maj. Gen.) Joe Anderson started it before me, and I am fortunate enough to fall in on it."

"We have a military and police collaboration that has actually won international awards as far as the collaboration between Fort Carson and the other military bases in this area," Carey said. "We get together once a month and talk about what we can do to keep everyone safe. The police department also provides escorts for returning Soldiers; that is our way to honor their service and sacrifice."

Along with the courtesy patrols, Carey pushed for "ride-alongs" to allow Fort Carson leaders, including LaCamera, to see the interaction between military members and Colorado Springs Police Department officers in various settings.

"I was doing a walk around downtown a year or so ago with (Maj.) Gen. LaCamera and a couple of his guys walked up and did not realize what they were walking into," said Carey. "They saw him on the street corner with me, and that was priceless."

The first Good Neighbor induction was held in 1978. Prior to that, Maj. Gen. Louis Menetrey, with the help of local citizens, established a "benchmark" for the Fort Carson Good Neighbor program. It was an initiative to create strong relationships, increase cooperation and open lines of communication with neighboring communities.

Good Neighbors receive a sport coat with their name embroidered on the patch, a lapel pin, a certificate and a photo on permanent display with all of the Good Neighbors at the 4th Inf. Div. Headquarters building. Good Neighbors are invited to events and ceremonies held on Fort Carson.

Good Neighbor contributions can be loud and public such as sponsoring concerts and events, or quiet and private as a gesture to a young Soldier needing new rank sewn onto a uniform. All those contri?butions are meaningful and build strong relationships, LaCamera added.

"About a year ago, a few of us were given a once-in-a-lifetime trip to go over (to Afghanistan); it took months of training," Carey said. "I always had a deep level of respect about the commitment of our deployed troops, but once we got over there we all had a renewed respect for their commitment and what we can do to keep them safe when they come back here. It was an amazing trip, and our interactions with military advisers and the Afghan National Police changed how I feel about Soldiers as they return and where we are at policing in the United States. I am very honored to go do that. I learned a thing or two about leadership there also."

This year's Good Neighbor luncheon was delayed until September to allow LaCamera to attend following his deployment to Afghanistan.

"We have been doing this (event) since 1978, and it is my privilege to continue to do this," said LaCamera. "(Good Neighbors) are our biggest champion in the community. You may not understand what goes on here, but you help us translate our actions into words and you join us in times of trouble as you wrap your arms around the Soldiers, their Families and the Airmen that are stationed here at Fort Carson. I appreciate that."

"Neighbor is defined as a fellow human being or places next door. I couldn't ask for better neighbors than Fort Carson, (the) Mountain Post," said Carey. "Your rich heritage brings so much to our community. Thank you very much for this honor and I really appreciate it. Thank you, sir."

Good Neighbors attending the induction included Don Addy, Jay Cimino, Tsai Freidberg, Ryer Hitchcock, Lou Mellini, Harlan Ochs, Mike Pfalmer and Marvin Stein.