Week 15, Day 5
Well, this academy really knows how to conduct training. I know I have talked about this before, but we are learning and training at lighting speed. There is so much to do during a day and during the week, it is mind numbing. We have progressed through the following areas (in no particular order):
- law classes
- arrest control
- firearms
- report writing
- SWAT
- explosives
- more firearms and arrest control
- first aid
- pedestrian contacts
- vehicle stops
- traffic codes
- firearms qualifications
- building searches
- hostage negotiations
- gangs, to include motorcycle gangs
- terrorist threats
- identity theft
- crowd control
- traffic direction
- crime scene investigations (CSI…look out)
- vehicle searches
Let’s not forget the uniform inspections, the memorial formations for all the fallen Colorado Police Officers and the PT sessions (including Red Rocks). Most of these training classes include hands-on practicals, where we are expected to take what we have learned in the classroom and apply it to real life scenarios. We are really learning to adapt and work as a team. People you never thought you would work with; you now have to count on. You have to be able to trust that they will be right by your side if something happens. These last couple of weeks, the instructors really turned the heat up and I mean that literally.
The last real life scenario we did was on Friday, when we underwent OC spray training. Those of you who do not know what OC spray is…well…it’s like taking the oil from a Habanero pepper and rubbing it in your eyes and all over your skin. It’s on a volunteer basis…but who doesn’t want to be a team player and go through this training? Not me. Some of my classmates couldn’t go through the training for medical reasons, but for the rest of us…we were not going to back out. We got sprayed in the face (including one eye) and then had to fight our way through 3 different scenarios. We did it…and we did it as a team. We were all together, suffering, coughing, gagging and the most important part…cheering each other on. I can tell you…I am glad I went through the training to know what it feels like. I can also tell you, I am glad it’s over. One last note…you should make sure NOT to hit the hot water in the shower accidentally…because it reactivates the oils. WOW!!!
Another training session I want to talk about is…a particular PT session we had with one of the class’s favorite Sergeants. (Trying to get my brownie points in) He really likes to PT and he took us all with him. And when I say he really likes PT, I mean he really likes to PT. We were given a taste of what some of the SWAT officers like to call a “Normal” PT session. If running up and down a steep dirt hill (8-9 times), approximately 300 push-ups, lunges, flutter kicks, pull-ups and a 2 mile run…is what you call “Normal”…then you would fit right in. Most of us didn’t see it as very normal. But again…we hung in there and pushed through together. It really was a lot of fun and the Sergeant and the academy staff made sure we all finished. (Even the few people that threw up breakfast)
So the common thread for these last couple of weeks has been…teamwork. I know I haven’t talked much about it lately, but it really is so important in this profession. We have learned to count on each other. When something goes wrong…we stand by each other and learn together. We push each other, we learn from each other and we learn from each other’s mistakes. That alone is some really good training. So far…I am really enjoying this training and I think I am really going to enjoy being part of this “Brotherhood”.
Cold water feels so good after OC
Class 2009-1 after OC Spray
