The Naked Run

To start I want to talk a little about the challenges that face me personally as I transitioned between careers. Before I got into the Academy I worked commercial construction as a carpenter. All of my work was hands on, so sitting in a class room is not something I’m used too. Also, it has been a while since I’ve studied academically, so I’m finding it hard to organize myself in that area. Luckily it’s the beginning of week two and I’ve figured this out in time to work on it.

Sgt Wygant spoke to us after class today about the academic side of this Academy. He explained to us that it can be boring, and definitely not as fun as say, being at the range, or on the driving course. I think we can all agree with him on that! However, he also explained that the Law classes were the skills we are going to be using everyday as Deputies. It’s not the shooting, or the driving, all though these are important skills to have also. The classes are very structured, and the instructors really know what there talking about, and do their best to make the classes fun.

We have had a couple of lectures on Criminal Justice. These classes can seem very long winded, but they are very interesting at the same time, not to mention the back bone of our profession.

Monday and Tuesday we had lectures on Ethics and Unbiased Policing. This was a nice change of pace. Group discussion was the focus of the class, and as we were discussing issues such as stereo types, racism, sexism, we were encouraged to be honest and open minded about our subject matter.

One thing about stepping into this profession, that is rarely found anywhere else, is the way in which you are welcomed into the family. Every one you meet wants you to succeed. They are actually interested in you, and want to know who you are. I was working out in the gym at the HQ this morning before class, and a twenty year veteran struck a conversation with me. He congratulated me many times on my success at making it into the Academy. He was genuinely interested in what I had to say, here I am, the bottom of the barrel, the new guy, and people want to talk to me!

Today we were scheduled for our second round of PT. We were told yesterday, however, that PT was cancelled because of an unforeseen clash in the schedule, and that the Jeffco guys would get an extended lunch! Nice, we thought…… how foolish of us! At around 11am. Sgt Wygant informed us that PT was back on, and that we had a few minutes to get into PT gear and fall into formation. Now in a perfect world, everyone would be prepared for a pleasant surprise such as this and have the gear they needed with them. This was not the case.

What you have to understand, is that we must look uniformed. If one guy wants to wear sun glasses on a run, we all have to. The same goes if someone forgets something, we all live with out it. Such was the case today. A recruit left his running shoes at home! “Nobody will wear running shoes today; we will run in our boots!” As you can imagine, excitement filled the class. Personally I was just grateful he remembered his shorts! I don’t think my wife would appreciate me running around Golden naked, and neither would the citizens of Golden! After all I am trying to make friends. Someone came to the rescue and lent our fellow recruit a pair of running shoes, and our boots stayed nice and polished in our lockers for one more day.