The time is winding down…

Week 16, Day 5

Well, we had a really long week and I mean LONG. It seems as our time in the academy gets shorter…the days get longer. I can remember in week one when the instructors said, “You only have 100 days to go”, and I thought that is an eternity. Now I am saying…where has the last 100 days gone? I am really…where has it gone? This last week was so jam packed with tests, practicals and more tests…that week 16 has come and gone.

We had 2 days worth of accident investigations, where we did various things. We learned how to interpret skid marks that could be seen during an accident. We learned how to take measurements of a traffic accident and then wrote an accident report, during a practical exercise. It really was interesting.

This week we also had the practical application of RAID, which means Rapid Emergency Deployment. This is where we learn how to go into a building when there maybe an active shooting. We have been practicing this type of training for the last couple of weeks, but this time we did it with simmunitions rounds. This is basically a bullet casing that is loaded with a paint ball. We did a dry run before the paint started flying, then the scenarios began.

During all of our past RAID sessions we never had anyone shooting back at us. So when we entered the building this time, it was a whole different training session. And like we say in the military…all the best laid plans go right out the window as soon as the first bullet is fired. It was interesting to see how easy it was to get tunnel vision and only focus on one thing. Adrenaline rushes can be a bad thing if you can’t control them. That is why we practice so much and try to get all the techniques into muscle memory. Without muscle memory…it would be easy to freeze up in these situations. We all did really well throughout the practicals and it was a great learning experience. Not to mention the large, red welts from the paint balls.

We also had written exam #7, the written exam for arrest control and then the practical exam for arrest control. I think I was more nervous about the practical exam then anything else. Don’t get me wrong…the other exams were just as important, but the hands-on test was the most stressful. We were tested on everything we had learned in arrest control from week 7, until week 16. That is A LOT of information to cram into this brain. I paired up with one of my classmates and we went into the test.

We both did really well, right up to the point the instructor said, “demonstrate 5 baton strikes.” Now, I heard 5, my partner heard 3. Yes, I continued with baton strikes 4 and 5, as my partner was lowering the pad and I struck him in the wrist. OOPS!!! Sorry John. Well, at least I know I did it right…because John’s wrist was really red and sore. Ever heard the phrase, “pay backs are a …?” John then had to demonstrate 5 baton strikes on me…well…I was hiding behind the pad for strikes 4 and 5. He didn’t pay me back…but I did feel really bad about that. Anyway…just a little story about arrest control.

So that’s week 16 in a nutshell. The best part of the week…well the 4 day weekend, of course. We are off for the next 4 days, due to Memorial Day. I just want to say something about Memorial Day.

I hope everyone will take the time to have a moment of silence for those that have given their lives in the line of duty. In 2003, I was sitting in Iraq on Memorial Day and it gave me a different perspective about this day. Especially when I was so far from home. Anyway, I don’t want to get on my soapbox but…we should be thankful EVERYDAY, not just one day a year. And we should be thankful for not only the military personnel, but the law enforcement officers serving here at home. They are fighting everyday, to keep this country safe and soon…that will be me and all of my classmates. Have a great weekend.

Practicing for RAID

I wouldn't want to see this end of a gun

Looking at skid marks

How to carry out the wounded

Getting ready to go into the RAID scenerio

Going after the active shooter

Working through a scenerio during arrest control

Breaking up a fight, during hands-on training

SLOW DOWN!!!!

Week 14, Day 5

Week 14….say it with me, WEEK 14!!! I can’t believe it. This training is flying and I feel like I don’t have time to catch up. I know I say this a lot, but it is so true. I just want to yell…SLOW DOWN!!! I can’t catch up with everything we are learning. Sometimes it feels like I am in slow motion and when the instructors speak…I hear “Blah,Blah,and Blah.” I will give you the recap of the week…so hang on!!!

We started our week with arrest control and building searches. I don’t think I have talked enough about arrest control in my past blogs, so I will give you a little insight. We have learned how to defend ourselves in a fist fight and we have learned handcuffing techniques. We have learned how to defend ourselves if a suspect gets us pinned to the ground…(Scary thought). But this week we learned how to defend a knife attack. Basically the common theme is…do the best you can…but you will get cut. I don’t know about any of you but, I don’t like the idea of being cut with a knife. We also covered what to do if someone is trying to choke us out. Again…I don’t know if I really like this idea either. Especially being a woman and thinking about someone coming up behind me and wrapping there hands around my neck. SCARY!!! I don’t think I will have any problems remembering these defense tactics.

So we also moved into building searches…which is really cool and very frustrating. Just when you think you have the movements down…something happens. So again…there’s not such thing as a routine call. Building searches can feel like a really intense game of hide and seek or for the new generation out there…a really intense game of “Solider of Fortune.” We enter a building with little or no lighting. We search every room (methodically), looking for someone who is just waiting for us to come around the corner. You should try this at home. Turn all the lights off in your house...have someone hide in a room (preferably someone you know) and then try to find them. I guarantee it will raise your heart rate.

So the rest of the week was centered on firearms. We had the written exam, which everyone passed. We then moved up to the range to cover the qualification course. I can say…the perfect score of 200 still eludes me. I scored a 195…not bad, but not what I was hoping for. In my firearms group, we had 8 perfect scores…congrads to the “A” Team. I will let my Blog partner talk about the “B” Team…I know they all passed…I am not sure how many perfect scores there were. The other portion of firearms training involved shotguns. I must say…I really like this weapon. I have shot a 12 gauge shotgun before and it is always an experience. If you have never done it, I highly recommend it (just please do it legally). We learned how to load the weapon, fire the weapon and how to shoot it in 3 positions. We start out at the standing, which is easy…then kneeling…even better because it’s a stable shooting platform. Then Deputy Johnson has us move to the prone shooting position. This position is basically for one reason…to feel the pain of your skin on your elbows being scraped off on the concrete. No…I am not kidding. I will prove to you in the attached pictures. We have to be able to continue shooting through any pain and I mean any pain. So this is a technique that is used to see how we will shoot and to keep our concentration as blood is running off our elbows. (Deputy Johnson loved this exercise a lot) But as we say in the Army, “It’s all good training, Sir.”

That is the weekly recap for…say it with me…WEEK 14!!! We are moving into week 15 with even more intense training. Now that firearms is done and over…arrest control will get more and more intense. We start moving into “Red Man drills.” I will talk about that more when we get to it. Oh and let’s not forget the big event we have to look forward to in week 15…OC spray in the face. I will say this again…I don’t know about you…but I don’t think I really like this concept. So until next time…be safe.

Building Searches

Is this Recruit Harris or George Lopez?

How to get out of a choke hold

Learning how to shoot an automatic rifle

Shotgun training

Prone position

The aftermath of prone position

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

CLICK TO VIEW SLIDE SHOW

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.

CLICK TO VIEW SLIDE SHOW

The serious training begins…

Week 8, Day 5

Part of Group A getting ready for the range

Well, this was a strange and intense week. We are starting to get into the actual weapons portion of our training. We are going to the gun range and starting to get the feel of our weapons and what it is like to have live ammunition. No more “Dummy” rounds. So this is not only fun and exciting…it can be a little unnerving, because of the live ammo. We have split the academy class into two separate groups, which is also strange. We have trained as a whole group for the last 8 weeks and now we are split up. It’s good because we get more one-on-one instructor training, but still a little different to have only part of the class together. My group was first up on the range this week and we as a group did well. The instructors were impressed with how we started out and we will only get better. I guess all the practice I have had with the Army has some benefits…but it also has its negatives. I have some bad habits when it comes to technique, so I not only have to concentrate on what I am shooting at…but I have to re-train my brain to Jefferson County Sheriff Dept standards. But I still love it and weapons’ training has always been my favorite part of training.

We also started getting more into the arrest control portion of our training. This is the hands-on training that teaches us how to protect ourselves. It too, can be fun, exciting and REALLY unnerving. I say this because…if we as peace officers…have gotten into a situation that requires “Hands-on” then usually something has gone wrong. The instructors are really good at making sure we get that “Muscle Memory” with each technique and that we are doing them properly. We don’t want to cause undue injuries to anyone; we just want to maintain control until the situation is under control. These techniques are relatively easy to learn and practicing on each other, makes them stick into memory.

At what point do we tap out??

The instructor shows a new technique

I think my classmate gets the new technique

So we had a great week of training…until the Blizzard of 2009. We were in arrest control training on Thursday morning when the snow hit. Due to the amount of snow that was falling per hour, the Jefferson County Sheriff Dept went on emergency alert. This means…we got a snow day. I haven’t had a snow day since…I can’t remember when. We had to cut the training day short and head home, but I wasn’t complaining and I don’t think any of my classmates were either. Like I have said in some of my other Blogs…we work very hard in this academy and when we are not in class working, we are at home preparing for the next day. So an unexpected snow day…was a pleasant surprise. I used my snow day accordingly…I caught up on some much needed rest. Thank you, Mother Nature.

It looks like the training schedule will include arrest control and firearms, from now until May when we get into driving. So the training has now started to shift from just classroom lectures, to a little of both. I can honestly say I would rather be outside in the snow…then be in the classroom all day.

24 Hours in a Day…is NOT enough!!

Week 7, Day 3

I know I haven’t posted since the middle of last week and I do apologize for that. My life is very consumed with this academy. I have NO time for anything but the academy. I know that when I was going through the hiring process, the recruiters, the Deputies and anyone else who knows anything about the Jefferson County Sheriff Department Law Enforcement Academy said…”This academy will take over your life. I hope you and your family are prepared.” Well, I am here to tell you, I don’t even remember what my life was like before the academy. Heck, I haven’t seen my immediate family for close to 5 weeks. I know that my Blog partner, Will is talking about the same thing on his Blog and he is dead on about the schedule. I don’t think I make it to sleep before 1130 or midnight (2330 or 0001, for you hardcore military/police officer types).

The reality of this academy is…A LOT of work, A LOT of preparation for the next day, A LOT of time discipline and A LOT of workouts (for the mind and body). And that is if our day goes without any hiccups. This week, we have had a lot of hiccups and with those hiccups come…re-focusing exercises, memos and one-way conversations with Deputy Johnson (and we are not the one’s talking). If you are thinking of applying for Jefferson County Sheriff Dept. and you want a challenge, then I say go for it. This is the most fun I have had since…well, Army MP (Military Police) school. This academy will test you (physically, emotionally and mentally), it will make you better, it will make you stronger (physically, emotionally and mentally), it will make you question your choice in professions, it will make you mad, it will make you excited to be a part of a great organization, but more importantly…it will really tell you, who you are as a person.

Let’s face it, anyone can do push-ups, formation runs and take written exams. But do you have the integrity it takes to get up every morning, even when your physically hurting, put on that uniform, put a smile on your face and serve the citizens of Jefferson County? That’s the question. We come into this profession with a desire to help people, who in a sense don’t always want our help. There are people out there, who don’t want to see a patrol car pull up to their house or behind them on the roadway. They don’t want to see us when they are getting booked into County Jail. And the people that we make contact with, don’t really care how long our academy was, or how many tests we took, or how many push-ups we can do. They just want to know that we have integrity, that we treat them fairly, and that we give them respect. That is what it comes down to. So I say again, if you think you have these qualities and are willing to sacrifice your life for this profession…then I say give it a shot. Be prepared to work hard and have NO time for anything but the academy.

I have included some pictures from the end of last week and the beginning of this week. Last week, we started talking about firearms and firearms safety. Safety is the #1 priority in everything we do, so that is drilled into us. The start of Week 7 brought us into more firearms and the beginning of Arrest Control (handcuffing and learning how to protect ourselves). Loads of fun…yes, we do have some fun. Enjoy the pictures and I will try to post more often to keep you all in the loop.

I would like to say one last thing…I talked about the hiccups we go through in this academy but this week we got some devastating news. One of our classmates got the news that his father died. I would like to use this Blog as a way to let him know the entire class is thinking of him. We would like to send out a prayer to him and his family and we hope that they get through this time and let the healing process begin.

A code to live by

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What NOT to do with your gun, at the range

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We like to have fun when we can

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Rhod is taking his best shot on the instructor

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The instructor is showing Rhod, that maybe he shouldn't hit an instructor

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Who is hitting Who??

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This is what happens...when you give 110%

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This is what happens...when they let twin brothers square off

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Call the UFC...I think we are ready!!