I still have so much to learn…

Week 12, Day 3

Well, this week has been extremely busy. We have been doing A LOT of hands-on practical exercises, which is a great way to learn. These exercises actually started last Friday (during that lovely blizzard), when we were taught how to conduct vehicle searches. We spent the morning doing the classroom portion and in the afternoon we moved over to the patrol garage to do the actual work. We took turns hiding items in a car (like fake drugs and weapons), then we worked in pairs to find those items. It’s amazing how many places there are in a vehicle to hide items. I have done searches before, but I still learned a lot from this exercise.

So starting this week, we moved into crime scene exercises. We worked on how to properly secure a crime scene, how preserve evidence and sketch the crime scene. We also learned how to take fingerprints and lift fingerprints from various items, so they could be submitted for evidence. The staff from the crime lab came in to teach these classes and they did such a great job, I think every one of my classmates had fun. These are just more skills for us to put into our tool boxes for a later time.

We also had a report writing exercise that was due this week. We are learning how to fill out the forms that Jefferson County Sheriff Department uses with a crime or incident is reported. We had to interview one of our classmates and then fill out all the appropriate forms and type up a report. We turned them into one of our instructors for grading (go easy on us Capt. Woodin). I think most of us are anxious to see what kind of feedback we will get about the reports.

Today, we got to go back out to the firing range. We did several qualifying rounds, which are going to be used towards our final grade. It’s exciting to see how well everyone is shooting and how much we are all improving, but a little unnerving with all the drills. We have to shoot a certain amount of shoots, at a specific part of the target and it’s all timed. NO PRESSURE!!! We also do drills where we are required to run (uphill) and then we are expected to put our shoots on target, with accuracy. It is harder then it sounds.

After the firing range we switched with the other group and moved onto arrest control. Now this was a true hands-on class. We were taught how to fall, yes…fall. We are taught how to fall properly so we don’t hurt ourselves. (Just a little side note, I learned these techniques years ago when I went through some martial arts training. Well, I still fell in my garage and broke my wrist…I guess it wasn’t in my muscle memory) okay, back to training. Some of these techniques we learned today were about how to bounce back if we ever find ourselves lying on the ground. My partner for this was one of my male classmates, who is over 6 feet tall and just under 200 lbs. I wanted to see if I could hold my own in these techniques and be able to get out of these situations against a bigger opponent. Well, I did hold my own…but not without working hard to get there. I was physically exhausted at the end of this class. It really does take a lot out of you.

So that’s basically a recap of this week and a little more. We are really flying through this training and sometimes it’s hard to wrap my brain around it. I get so focused on this academy in all aspects, that I forget what it’s like to interact with other people outside this little world. I forget that there are other people out there, that need my attention or that our thinking about me and my welfare. This academy will do that to you. I get so focused and side tracked, that it seems like little things to me…but very LARGE things to other people.

Where am I going with this…well I have a cute story about a young lady that has taken time out of her life to care about us. Deputy Johnson’s daughter (I won’t mention her name…I don’t want to embarrass her), she has claimed this academy class as her own. She sends messages through her dad…to let us know she is thinking of us and she says, “HI.” She adopted us from day one and according to Deputy Johnson asks about how we are and what we are doing. The other day we had another written test. While we were all focused on this test…Deputy Johnson told us he had a present for each and every one of us, from our biggest fan. She had made us all surfboards. Not just any surfboard. They were cut from pieces of paper and they were all individually colored. My surfboard is purple with hearts on it. Some had sayings on them, some had designs…but they were all very unique.

So we as a class wrote her a note to tell her how much we appreciated the surfboards and that we really appreciated the thought that went into it. I was able to print a couple of pictures of our academy class and we gave our gift to Deputy Johnson to give to his daughter. So just for a moment, we were distracted from this rigorous schedule and able to appreciate just what we (as individuals and as a team) actually mean to someone. It was a nice gesture and a much needed break. I have included in my pictures this week, a picture of some of the surfboards that were given to us.

Future JEFFCO Deputies conducting a vehicle search

Crime Scene sketches

Getting fingerprints

I think he is having Way Too Much Fun!!

I am providing "Cover Fire" for my partner as he moves behind the barricade

Our Surfboards

I don’t know where to begin…

Formation run, still love doing PT

Learning to shoot from behind cover

Clearing Rooms

Week 11, Day 3

Okay, so I stated in my last couple of Blogs that I will keep you all informed and post more frequently. Well…as you can see that is not happening. I am at fault; I have learned to accept that it’s usually my fault. That is definitely one thing you learn here in the academy, take responsibility even if it’s not ultimately your fault. Because by default…we are a team and somewhere I have probably contributed to the problem. Okay, so now that I have accepted the blame, let’s move on.

I still can’t believe we are halfway through week 11. I was sitting in class yesterday and was looking around the room thinking about the first couple of weeks in the academy. I was remembering how we all looked somewhat scared and excited and nervous. Fast-forward to today and we are all in our uniforms, wearing body armor (bulletproof vests) reciting traffic codes and state laws from the Colorado Statute book (the Blue Book). What a difference. This academy is molding, training and transforming us into Police Officers. I can say the academy instructors have a hard job, because this academy class has really challenged them. We have not transformed easily and we try to hold back, so we don’t completely give in and we will not be completely changed!!! But it doesn’t work. The academy staff and especially Deputy Johnson are winning the fight. Every day I get up and as I don my body armor and put on that uniform I think about several things:

First…coffee, I am not going to lie I live on caffeine. Most of my classmates will tell you, that energy drinks like Monster and Red Bull are a vital part of how we function in this academy.

Second…I think about what an honor it is to be able to have a job. The way this economy is, I am grateful everyday that I get to go to work.

Third…what it an honor it is to work for Jefferson County Sheriff Department. No, I am not just saying that because I know who reads these Blogs. It is true. Most of the instructors that teach at this academy, that are employed by Jeffco have been here for years. And I mean 12, 14, 18 and 20+ years. This is truly a great organization to work for and it shows by how many employees stay for their entire career.

More coffee….and don’t forget anything for class today. I don’t want to write memos and I don’t want to be the “one” that causes the class to do push-ups.

Fourth…what will I learn today? It’s not just about the textbook material, it’s what we learn from the instructors and from each other and from the mistakes we make. Unfortunately, my parents were right (I will never let them know that) I learn the best lessons, from my mistakes. Believe me, I have learned to swallow my pride and my ego and have learned some tough lessons. I always think I know best…NOT!!!

And the last thing I think about before I walk out the door before I head to class…did I feed the dogs? Really…I have all this other stuff to learn and get my books together, make sure I cleaned my gun, boots shined, Blog written. I have a house to worry about as well. My family got to see me for 2 hours on Easter Sunday. It’s like a gift when I show up, because the academy has the rest of me.

So, last week in arrest control we covered how to properly handcuff someone. Now I know what it feels like to be proned out (face down and handcuffed). Not a good feeling. So I will definitely be aware of that when I have to do that to someone else. We did a scenario in arrest control that showed us what it’s like to be completely exhausted physically and then have to chase someone. We chased a “suspect” and then had to slow our breathing down to think through the handcuffing process. That was an eye-opener.

We also covered more firearms training last week. We went through our first qualifying round, which will count towards our final firearms grade. I scored 190 out of 200. Not too bad, but still looking for that perfect 200. I looked around at everyone else’s scores and we are all doing well. It is a big improvement from the first couple of times we were on the range. We also learned how to go into buildings and do room searches. That too was an eye-opener.

Every time we learn a new skill or build upon some other skill, I am always amazed at how much muscle memory I have. I get butterflies in my stomach because I don’t know if I will remember how to do something or if I will do it correctly. The instructors just keep saying, it will come with time, just go with it and listen to what they say. So far it is working. The biggest thing for all these skills…is safety. We have to be safe with everything we do. We have had some injuries in arrest control, which have put people on physical restriction and at the doctor’s office. Thankfully we have had no incidents at the firearms range. (Knock on Wood) Tonight we are going to the firearms range to do some night shooting. This will be an experience. I will take more pictures and let you know how it goes.

WOW!!! Is all that I can say…?

Week 9, Day 4

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Well, we have completed another packed week and starting next Monday…we are officially halfway through this academy. WOW!!!

I have said in previous blogs, how busy we are…but really…we are busy. We usually have classroom lectures on Monday, Wednesday and Friday; and arrest control and firearms training on Tuesday and Thursday.

Arrest control and firearms are always fun classes. We are learning techniques in arrest control that could potential save our life one day. Not to mention…it’s fun to go home and practice “wrist locks” on my family. I like the practice, but they are not really fond of it. Firearms is another part of the week that I have really come to love. I have always enjoyed shooting but what is great about this type of training…I am learning so many new techniques. Things I never thought I would be able to do with a gun and I am so comfortable with it that I don’t get as nervous anymore. Today we did a small qualifying round, where we had to shoot at certain distances, a certain number of rounds (bullets); at a particular part of the target and to top it all off…it was all timed. No pressure!!! Well, for my group we all did great and we even had a couple of people that did really well. The total number of points for this qualifying round was 180 and there were a couple of us that scored 171 and higher. (Yes, for whatever reason…I was a part of this group) I guess all the stars were aligned and no I am not complaining.

So now that we are moving through this academy at lightening speed the lectures that we are receiving now, are geared more towards procedures. What I mean by procedures is; report writing, how and what to look for when we pull a vehicle over, etc. Procedure classes are less about text books and more on techniques. Before when we had the law classes, we had our trusty “Blue Book,” to look things up and reference. But procedures is where we begin to develop our skills and for a lack of a better term, our Police Officer Personalities. This is where we start looking at how and what to say, when we pull a vehicle over. This is how and what to say, when we are talking with a suspect we are about to arrest. This is what to look for when we are called out to a domestic violence call and what we are going to say to de-escalate the situation.

We go through the motions here in classroom to practice and get that “muscle memory.” We come up with different things and my partners in class throw some crazy scenarios at me. But really…how and what will I say to that young child, as I am arresting their father or mother on a domestic violence call. Will I remember to cover everything and do a good job? Only time will tell, but I can’t help but think as I am running through scenarios in class, what it will feel like to actually do this job. What will it feel like to handcuff someone for the first time? What happens if a situation gets out of hand and I have to defend myself? Will I remember what to do and how to do it? I know that is why we practice so much, but I still have the “What if’s” in the back of my mind.

So I want to touch on something that has been happening lately here in this country. There have been so many shootings and so many police officers killed in the line of duty, I can’t help but think about this scary reality. This is the profession I have chosen and the reality is…I could be killed. At the end of this academy, I will take an oath to support and defend the citizens of Jefferson County. In other words, I will help and assist them any way I can and even give my life for a stranger. Scary...Yes, it is. But something I have been asked to do and I am willing to do. I know I have talked in previous Blogs about this profession and if you think you have what it takes to be a Sheriff’s Deputy…then you should apply and give it a shot. But you really need to take a look at what this profession is all about. Look at the world we live in and look at what is happening in this country. It is slowly getting worse on our streets. The front page of any given newspaper used to be covered with articles on the death toll in Iraq and Afghanistan, now it’s Pittsburgh, Oakland and New York.

Who is going to protect those streets? Who is going to make sure it’s safe to go to the bank or the immigration office? The answer is…the Police Officers and Sheriff’s Deputies serving the communities across the nation and soon…that will include me and my partners in this academy. Just to let you all know…we are all training hard and looking forward to pinning that badge on and going to work. We are preparing to do this job to best of our abilities and hopefully one day…we will be able to help someone or even save a life. Until next time…stay safe and enjoy the photographs.

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