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

This is No Joke

Week 3, Day 1

In formation getting briefed about the PT test

Well, we are starting week 3 and it finally feels as though, I am starting to get a rhythm down. For example: when to get up in the mornings (minus the snow storms) and when to get to school (without speeding). What to eat for breakfast (to get me through to lunch) and what to eat for lunch (to get me through the afternoon PT sessions). When to study when I get home and then what time I should go to bed. This all may seem very trivial and somewhat ridiculous, but this program demands a lot out of you, and this is just to get by for 1 day. Now, let’s throw in the schedule we had on Friday of last week. Friday morning we had our first written test, that consisted of all the material we had learned from the last 2 weeks. After we were done with the written test, we had our first PT test. It was a stressful day, but the good news; we got to wear PT gear for the remainder of the day. It’s the small things that make me happy.

The written exam wasn’t as bad as I thought it was going to be. I was really worried. To tell the truth, I was more worried about the PT test. I have been working out for months now, getting ready for this academy and I didn’t want to look like…..well a female. Being a female in any male dominated profession is hard and it’s even harder when you have to prove yourself physically to the men.

Well, my reign as the Class Sergeant ended on Friday and I can say I was not too sorry to see it go. Being responsible for the actions or inactions of 40 other people can be a little tough. Okay, at times it can be pretty miserable. For example: on Thursday night before we left for the evening I put out the word for everyone to bring ALL of there gear for PT, which includes hat and gloves. On Friday morning, when we got to the track to run the PT test…well some people decided to do their own thing. That does not bring a team together, when people are doing their own thing. So, it goes without saying, we did our PT test followed by an additional 82 push-ups for individuality. I know for the most part we are coming together; it is just taking some people a little longer to get with the program. Having been in the military for the last 16 years, I have seen this phase of training and it always gets better. Right now, my arms are sore as hell from all the push-ups.

So as we start week 3, we are finally in uniforms. We are wearing black pants with black polo shirts and spit shined boots. We had a formal uniform inspection first thing this morning, which for the most part went well. And as a team, we looked GREAT!!! Finally, we are looking like academy recruits. When you have to actually put on a uniform to go to work everyday, it makes you stand tall and want to look good. I was looking around the room today, thinking “Holy Crap, I am in a police academy”. I guess the nerves have worn off and the realism of this training program has set in.

So the things like what to eat for breakfast and how much time I dedicate to studying may seem trivial…but it is my life now and will be until June 19th. For the people out there, reading these blogs and want to go through this academy I can tell you this….get in shape and be prepared to do some HARD work. This program is no joke and will definitely test you, but if you love it as much as I do and the rest of my classmates do…well then this program is for you.

Push-up test

Sit-up test

1.5 mile run