Flash Bang

In this blog I want to briefly touch on a few things that stood out for me this week. Firstly was PT at Red Rocks.

Anyone who knows Red Rocks will be familiar with the lay out, but basically at the top of the auditorium is a staging area where a number of concession stands are set up. We ordered into formation and told to march to this area. We were almost there when we told to stop and wait while Deputy Johnson went on ahead to prepare our activities for the morning.

So here we are in a two line formation, standing at attention, when a family walks by. As the father passed us he said, and I quote; "this must be the doughnut line." The few of us who were privilliaged enough to hear it could not help but laugh, his timing was perfect. This was just another example of how some members of community view us as law enforcement officers, too much Chief Wiggum from The Simpsons if you ask me!

We also had our second test this week. One hundred questions, seventy five right to pass. I found this test a little harder than the first one. My weakness I believe was the Bill of Rights questions. I know this information but I sometimes get the amendments confused with each other. I didn't do horribly in the exam but I know I could have improved; we have another eight tests before our final POST exam, so my ship hasn't sank yet. For the record I got 79%, test one I got 87%, congrats to our representative from Vail PD with a nice 95%.

This afternoon we had two members from the Jeffco SWAT team give us a lecture on their procedures and equipment. This was an awesome class! Let me say that these two guys were built like brick outhouses! Not the kind of guys you want to meet in a dark alley way.

They had a lot of interesting stories to tell from their experience, and were more than happy to share them with us. The last hour of the day they took us out and showed us some there equipment, talk about a kid in a candy shop, this was the highlight of the week for me.

They showed us there guns, ballistics shields, tactical vests, command bus. We got to handle them all (everything was safe) and get an idea of what these guys do. Their tactical vest for example, weighs in at about thirty pounds empty! Can you imagine wearing that for four to six hours at a time! Id lose weight if I just wore it in class all day.

The best thing by far, however, was the flash sound diversionary device, or 'flash bang.' If don’t know what a flash bang is I'll tell you. Basically it is a non-lethal grenade, that when detonated produces a deafening bang, and a blinding light. The idea is to temporally disable a subject by taking away vision and hearing, which buys an officer a few extra seconds to take control of hostile situation. Well, we got to experience it first hand. I was excited. I've heard a lot about flash bangs and have always wanted to be on the receiving end of one just for the experience. Let me tell you, if you had fight in you before this thing goes off, you will soon lose it. We were outside in broad daylight when we did this and it was still disorienting! I can only imagine what it would be like inside a building! Awesome, that’s one more thing scratched off my bucket list.

P.S Riles wants to say hi to his brother, an avid reader from what I understand. "Hi!"

Razor?

Formal inspection was scheduled 8/13 at 0800 hrs, this meant that the night before I was scrambling to get my uniforms in tip top shape. I ironed my pants, taking due care to get the creases just right. My shirts I pressed, my boots got another couple of layers of parade gloss, I was ready; at least I thought I was ready.

We stood in formation, four squads lining up symmetrically to each other. Sgt. Wygant walked in front of each recruit, checking for discrepancies in appearance. I thought I was gold. Turns out, not only did I not have my ID badge on me, and displayed in the right place, but I also forgot to shave! Thankfully Deputy Johnson wasn’t at this inspection or push ups and memos would have been in my future. Now I have a sticky note on my mirror with the word SHAVE written on it.

Another you need to know about inspections, is that it is not just our appearance that is under scrutiny but also our knowledge. We can be asked about literally anything. In all fairness the inspecting officer does try to keep it within what we have already been taught.

As you can imagine this can make for a stressful inspection, not to mention a very interesting inspection, as was the case for me.

Skid Marks

Last week we had a class on accident investigation. This was our first out of the classroom, hands on lecture. We of course had some time in the classroom, learning how to preserve the scene, the steps we go through if we are the first on scene, and also how to judge the speed a vehicle was going by looking at the skid marks on the road and other evidence that is left behind at the scene of a crash.

We had three instructors from the Westminster Police Department teach us, all of them had extensive knowledge on the subject, as well as a lot of experience in the field. We discussed real life accidents, looking at pictures from the scenes, and had explained to us the chain of events that caused the accident based on our instructor's personal investigation.

When we got out of the classroom, our first project was to examine skid marks, this was really cool. One of the instructors got into a patrol car at a safe location, and performed some high speed braking for us. We would then examine the skid marks, judge what mark was left by the rear tires, and what were left by the front tires. We would measure the length of the mark and calculate the speed of the vehicle at time of braking.

The next exercise that was set up was a mock accident. Two vehicles were set up on a public sidewalk, there were skid marks in the road, and we had witnesses to question. Apart from actually having an accident, this was as close to the real thing as they could make.

We were set up into groups, assigned responsibilities and sent on our way. My job, along with my partner Eric, was to take measurements from the accident, judge the point of impact, and relay our info back to the team so we could get a full picture of what happened. Once we had taken all the information, we then went back to the class room to write an accident report form, and decide who was at fault in the accident, and what charge we were going to cite them with.

Fallen Officers

First thing this morning we had inspection. Let me tell you, even at eight in the morning, especially when your uniforms are black, it is very hot. This can make standing to attention very difficult.

Inspection is fun however. At least I think so, that could just of course be because Deputy Johnson is going easy on us right now. Now please don’t get me wrong. I do work hard to get my uniform looking good. For the past three weeks I have been spit shinning my boots! I must have at least twenty to thirty layers of Kiwi parade gloss on there, with still more to go. My pants are pressed neatly, and my shirt ironed.

There is a lot of work that needs to be done. Anyone that gets into the academy, and thinks it’s a nine to five job, had better think again. There is studying and homework you have to do on your own time, uniforms need to be ready for the next day, you get one set of PT gear, and that has to be washed every time you use it, as it must be with you at all times.

That aside, what I really wanted to briefly talk about was our inspection this morning. Our class sergeant last week assigned us, under orders, a name of a Peace Officer who at some point in Colorado's history had been killed in the line of duty.

During inspection we had a moments silence in remembrance of these brave officers. With our heads bowed, standing at-ease, we then took turns starting with highest rank, and called the name, department and year the officer was killed.

Now, when your turn comes, you immediately stand to attention and in a loud clear voice and sound off, return to the original position and pay respects as you hear the name of other fallen officers.

The importance of this to me, is not just so we don’t forget the sacrifices made for us, although this is the main reason, but also a reminder to us all of the challenges we will face in our careers. To always be mind full that these dangers exist, and that we must prepare ourselves physically and mentally so that one day we will retire instead of having the next Academy class reading our names.

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.

Week 1

Thirty-six brand new Recruits converged upon the center classroom at the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office main Headquarters, Monday morning at 07:30 hrs. Surrounded by the top brass from many of our state law enforcement agencies. The Sheriff and Under Sheriff of Jefferson County, and a number of police Chiefs, Captains, Division Commanders, Sargeants and so on.

Excitement was high, as were the nerves of thirty six strangers.

We were introduced to our Academy Coordinators. Deputy Johnson. Deputy Hoffmann, and Sgt Wygant.

The first week for me was stress full. Especially the first couple of days. I had an idea of what was expected of me, yet still the fear of the unknown reared its ugly head. Here I was accomplishing my goals, living the dream if you will, yet I was on high alert.

Rules were laid down. The importance of Discipline. Our twenty week goal was high lighted for us all, and our graduation date set.

Back to the thirty six recruits I mentioned. We have a very diverse group of individuals, with a varied age group and from all walks of life. There are ex-military among us. Some have worked in Detentions for various Law Enforcement agencies. We have construction workers, real estate agents, and teachers, business owners and Bankers to name but a few. All however has one thing in common, Law Enforcement.

Deputy Johnson let us know from the start, that these thirty six individuals will mold into one team. That it will happen very quickly, and that is how we will survive the twenty weeks ahead of us.

Already in our first week, we have practiced formations, and standards of discipline. This is a Para-Military organization, Deputy Johnson seemed pleased with how we were learning these, yet at the same time disappointed that he didn’t have to make us do push ups! As much I love push ups, I’m hoping to prolong his disappointment as much as possible.

Majority of our time in this first week was spent in class room lectures. From Crime Prevention, to Stress Management, these Lectures, in my opinion, were very well structured and presented. We have a lot to learn, and only twenty weeks to do it in, but I have faith with the way the Academy is organized that we will all succeed.

Thursday was the first day we were in uniform, and also our first official uniform inspection. We were ordered to wear our Class C uniforms, which consist of black BDU pants, with black Academy polo shirt and boots. I am glad to report that our first inspection went rather well. Boots were shining and shirts were pressed. This for me was the first time we took a step from being thirty six individuals to one team. We still have a way to go yet but were on the right track.

Our Class motto was picked. “Let Valor Not Fail.” This was thought up by our Class Sergeant and voted on by the class.

Monday morning of week two, is our first PT exercise. I know Deputy Johnson is looking forward to it, and so, I guess, should I.

Let Me Introduce Myself

My name is Anthony. I am 28 years old. I was born in Dublin, Ireland. I come from a huge family, with many brothers and sisters. When I was six, my parents took us from Ireland to live in St Paul, Minnesota. After 18 months there we moved again! This time to London, England.

I went to high school at Mellow Lane Comprehensive in London. Graduatuated when I was 16 (that’s when everyone graduates in England, I'm nothing special) and then did two years in college. I took a GNVQ in Acting and Performing Arts studies at the City of Westminster College.

I have been in Denver for over 6 years now. Met my wife here five years ago and have been happily married for the past four years.

People always ask me: "why do you want to be a cop?", "it’s a thankless job," etc. This profession, in my opinion, is something you are called to do. This is why I sometimes feel I have a hard time answering these questions. For me, I have this burning desire to be here. Since I was a small boy, I always dreamt of being a cop. All the games I wanted to play where based on cop shows and movies we watched growing up.

What really got the cop fire burning for me. Were the endless conversations I had with my Father in Law. He is a retired Deputy Sheriff from the Jefferson County Sheriff's office. Let me tell you, this man loved his profession! Between him and my wife's uncle who was also a Deputy Sheriff at Jefferson County, and now currently works for a city department, I was never shy of cop stories.

The time had come. After two applications, two written tests, two physical tests, two interviews, two polygraphs, a year and a half later, I was finally here.

For those of you who want to be here at some point, or if you are just truly interested in what goes on in a real life police academy, I make this commitment to you. For the next 20 weeks, I will give you an insight into what it takes, to become a Peace Officer. From the lectures we get, to our PT and everything in between, for you it’s just a mouse click away.