12 academy days left and its graduation time! We are so close I can taste it. I can’t believe we are here already. It seemed like only yesterday we were in business attire. The past 18 weeks have flown by.
We are completely finished with the skills side of our training, last Thursday was our final testing for arrest control. We do still, however, have a couple of hurdles ahead of us before we got that badge pinned on our chest. We have one more PT assessment, a five second taser ride (voluntary), and the Lookout Mountain run. Besides that it’s all downhill from here.
Crime scene investigation is the topic for this week. We have 24 hours of everything from crime scene preservation and documentation to finger printing and photography. It is really a lot of fun, and I’m learning a great deal. Investigations are something I would really enjoy doing later on in my career. The whole process fascinates me, the investigators we have here at the Sheriff’s office are very talented and I enjoy studying previous cases that they bring into our lectures for us.
Thursday and Friday is DUI class. From what I understand we have some live subjects come into class, they get drunk and we get to deal with them. I hear it is a very interesting couple of days. I will let you know all about it, and just in case you were wondering all the positions for drunks are filled so save yourself the time of filling out an application!
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Monday, November 10, 2008
Qualifying Lap
We are now wrapped up with driving. It was a great week. I feel I learned so much in the five days we were at the track. We took the POST (Peace Officer Standards of Training) exam on Friday which consisted of a written test and a driving exam.
The driving test was a timed course around the track; we had to get one lap in within 4:10 order to pass. Sounds easy right, just hang on and drive fast; well it wasn’t that straight forward. Along the track five separate courses were set up for us to drive through. We had the reverse serpentine, shuffle steer, and lane change to name but a few.
If you hit a cone at any stage you have to get out of the car and fix it, doing this will cost you about ten to fifteen seconds, if you hit more than one cone the chances are you will not qualify in time. Also, you cannot drive off of the track or roll over the center divide at anytime, any violation is an automatic disqualifier.
The good news is we got lots of practice and excellent training, I am happy to say that I completed the course in 3:36, not the fastest time but top three of my group. I was talking to one of my class mates about the training that we have received here at the Academy. From the driving to the firearms instruction and everything in between, it would cost us thousands to do this privately! It truly is an honor to go through the Academy. If you are trying to get here or have been offered a place here, then give it everything you have as there are a hundred people who want to take your place.
The driving test was a timed course around the track; we had to get one lap in within 4:10 order to pass. Sounds easy right, just hang on and drive fast; well it wasn’t that straight forward. Along the track five separate courses were set up for us to drive through. We had the reverse serpentine, shuffle steer, and lane change to name but a few.
If you hit a cone at any stage you have to get out of the car and fix it, doing this will cost you about ten to fifteen seconds, if you hit more than one cone the chances are you will not qualify in time. Also, you cannot drive off of the track or roll over the center divide at anytime, any violation is an automatic disqualifier.
The good news is we got lots of practice and excellent training, I am happy to say that I completed the course in 3:36, not the fastest time but top three of my group. I was talking to one of my class mates about the training that we have received here at the Academy. From the driving to the firearms instruction and everything in between, it would cost us thousands to do this privately! It truly is an honor to go through the Academy. If you are trying to get here or have been offered a place here, then give it everything you have as there are a hundred people who want to take your place.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Driving
Driving is awesome. I’ve heard plenty of people say that this is the most fun you have in the Academy; I’m beginning to see why. We are learning so much and we have only been driving for two days.
High speed braking at 60 mph is probably my favorite right now, that and the reverse serpentine. The reverse serpentine is either done on a straight course or on a “snake” track. Cones are set up about every thirty to forty feet and we have to reverse around them without knocking any of them over.
We start off slow and eventually have to pick up speed. The idea behind this and a lot of what we have done so far is to get us used to not only the dimensions of the car but also its limits. The reverse serpentine for example, if you get going fast and push the vehicle you will spin out, which is not only fun but very educational!
Our instructors are very laid back and really promote an atmosphere for learning. Friday we test for driving, and Thursday night we have high speed, pursuit driving. The pursuit driving we get to chase an instructor around the track at night with lights and sirens.
High speed braking at 60 mph is probably my favorite right now, that and the reverse serpentine. The reverse serpentine is either done on a straight course or on a “snake” track. Cones are set up about every thirty to forty feet and we have to reverse around them without knocking any of them over.
We start off slow and eventually have to pick up speed. The idea behind this and a lot of what we have done so far is to get us used to not only the dimensions of the car but also its limits. The reverse serpentine for example, if you get going fast and push the vehicle you will spin out, which is not only fun but very educational!
Our instructors are very laid back and really promote an atmosphere for learning. Friday we test for driving, and Thursday night we have high speed, pursuit driving. The pursuit driving we get to chase an instructor around the track at night with lights and sirens.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
RAID
We started off this week with RAID (Rapid And Immediate Deployment). An excellent class involving simulated weapons and an abandoned office building.
A simulated weapon is basically an auto pistol which operates exactly like a regular pistol. The only difference is that instead of firing a live round a paintball is ejected from the barrel causing a mark on your intended target.
RAID training is basically similar to building searches which I mentioned earlier in one of my blogs except for the fact that this is a response to an active shooter situation. We had a lot of fun, what a great way to start the week not to mention a Monday morning!
As an avid paintball player I was in my element here, which is probably why I offered to play the bad guy. I was glad I did, I got to shoot a lot, and didn’t have to wait my turn to play. Great training tool, well executed scenarios.
A simulated weapon is basically an auto pistol which operates exactly like a regular pistol. The only difference is that instead of firing a live round a paintball is ejected from the barrel causing a mark on your intended target.
RAID training is basically similar to building searches which I mentioned earlier in one of my blogs except for the fact that this is a response to an active shooter situation. We had a lot of fun, what a great way to start the week not to mention a Monday morning!
As an avid paintball player I was in my element here, which is probably why I offered to play the bad guy. I was glad I did, I got to shoot a lot, and didn’t have to wait my turn to play. Great training tool, well executed scenarios.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Building Search
On Monday some members from the JCSO Regional SWAT team came in taught us the principles of building searches. We met at a local office building that has been rented for our training purposes and our instruction began.
We started with basic tactical movement, clearing rooms, clearing rooms as a team and eventually looking for a suspect. As you can imagine our instructors are highly trained operatives and have an abundance of knowledge and skill to pass on to us.
This was a great class and a very important skill for Law Enforcements officers to possess. Especially in the first few years of our careers we will be working the graveyard shifts and will be dispatched to many burglar alarms requiring us to perform a search.
I think I understand the basic elements of clearing rooms and moving through corridors. My classmates and I take this very seriously during our training which creates a certain sense of realism. I felt my adrenaline kick up as we searched from room to room looking for a suspect (played by a recruit) and when I found him in the dark corner of one of the rooms it really spiked.
We started with basic tactical movement, clearing rooms, clearing rooms as a team and eventually looking for a suspect. As you can imagine our instructors are highly trained operatives and have an abundance of knowledge and skill to pass on to us.
This was a great class and a very important skill for Law Enforcements officers to possess. Especially in the first few years of our careers we will be working the graveyard shifts and will be dispatched to many burglar alarms requiring us to perform a search.
I think I understand the basic elements of clearing rooms and moving through corridors. My classmates and I take this very seriously during our training which creates a certain sense of realism. I felt my adrenaline kick up as we searched from room to room looking for a suspect (played by a recruit) and when I found him in the dark corner of one of the rooms it really spiked.
Training
So we had an accident in Arrest Control. During one of our ground defense drills one of my fellow recruits was hurt, and I’m sorry to say it was me that hurt him.
Please understand that all our training is done in a safe and professional manner, and that all steps are taken to avoid such injuries; however, with that said we also try and make our drills as realistic as possible so that if were attacked on the street or in the jail we are fully prepared for it and not shocked by the initial confrontation.
During this particular drill I was on top of one of my classmates, his objective was to knock me off and get to his feet. It was a ten minute drill and we were in the last minute or two of it when we both landed funny and he heard a snap. It was his collar bone. Needless to say we took him to the hospital and got him taken care of.
He will not fully heal for about four weeks or so, but the good news is he will be able to complete the academy. (I would feel terrible if he could not go on any further.)
I wanted to talk about this so that people understand what were training for here. We are going into a very dangerous field of work and our training reflects that. Unfortunately accidents happen and sometimes cannot be avoided, the question we have to ask ourselves is what if my collar bone broke, and I was on the street getting attacked, can I fight through the pain and win? The answer is clear for us, we have no choice, and we have to win regardless of what happens.
Please understand that all our training is done in a safe and professional manner, and that all steps are taken to avoid such injuries; however, with that said we also try and make our drills as realistic as possible so that if were attacked on the street or in the jail we are fully prepared for it and not shocked by the initial confrontation.
During this particular drill I was on top of one of my classmates, his objective was to knock me off and get to his feet. It was a ten minute drill and we were in the last minute or two of it when we both landed funny and he heard a snap. It was his collar bone. Needless to say we took him to the hospital and got him taken care of.
He will not fully heal for about four weeks or so, but the good news is he will be able to complete the academy. (I would feel terrible if he could not go on any further.)
I wanted to talk about this so that people understand what were training for here. We are going into a very dangerous field of work and our training reflects that. Unfortunately accidents happen and sometimes cannot be avoided, the question we have to ask ourselves is what if my collar bone broke, and I was on the street getting attacked, can I fight through the pain and win? The answer is clear for us, we have no choice, and we have to win regardless of what happens.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Firearms & Fighting
Today Team B started off with firearms in the morning and arrest control in the afternoon.
We are approaching the half way point in our firearms training and are learning some really cool stuff. We had a night shoot two nights ago which was awesome, manipulating a flashlight and shooting at the same time is a whole new experience for me but it was a lot of fun.
Today we ran through our POST course at the range. This is a timed drill taken a number of different shots from various positions and incorporating reloads and weapons malfunctions. We also got into some tactical drills shooting steel targets, suspect identity and two man shooting drills which were a blast!
After lunch we started our Arrest Control class. We reviewed our holds and takedowns along with handcuffing techniques and then moved on to the basic elements of ground defense; break falls and body weight techniques. Class was great and a lot of fun, not to mention a great work out! Rolling around on the floor trying to kick each other was probably the most interesting, not to mention tiring. One minute fighting on the floor can really take it out of you, certainly proved to me how much better in shape I need to get. It is important to learn how to defend ourselves from the ground as a lot of people anymore train in mix martial arts and the styles associated with UFC style tournaments.
We are approaching the half way point in our firearms training and are learning some really cool stuff. We had a night shoot two nights ago which was awesome, manipulating a flashlight and shooting at the same time is a whole new experience for me but it was a lot of fun.
Today we ran through our POST course at the range. This is a timed drill taken a number of different shots from various positions and incorporating reloads and weapons malfunctions. We also got into some tactical drills shooting steel targets, suspect identity and two man shooting drills which were a blast!
After lunch we started our Arrest Control class. We reviewed our holds and takedowns along with handcuffing techniques and then moved on to the basic elements of ground defense; break falls and body weight techniques. Class was great and a lot of fun, not to mention a great work out! Rolling around on the floor trying to kick each other was probably the most interesting, not to mention tiring. One minute fighting on the floor can really take it out of you, certainly proved to me how much better in shape I need to get. It is important to learn how to defend ourselves from the ground as a lot of people anymore train in mix martial arts and the styles associated with UFC style tournaments.
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