5.12.2009
A few months ago I mentioned that I didn’t want to be a blog monopolist (blog-opolist). I meant it! I asked three of my classmates if they wanted to say anything about the Academy and their progress so far. Here’s what they had to say, as well as a little bit of info on them.
A few months ago I mentioned that I didn’t want to be a blog monopolist (blog-opolist). I meant it! I asked three of my classmates if they wanted to say anything about the Academy and their progress so far. Here’s what they had to say, as well as a little bit of info on them.
LanceI grew up in northern Pennsylvania and am a graduate of Penn State University. I hold degrees in Wildlife Technology and Recreation and Parks Management. For the past 11 years I worked for a non-profit wildlife conservation organization as a regional director.
In 1996 & 1997 I was a Deputy Sheriff in Virginia. I attended a police academy in 1996 and enjoyed law enforcement but for whatever reason the timing wasn't right and I changed careers. Eleven years later I am back in law enforcement and am loving life. My former academy training was great but the caliber of training I have received at Jefferson County has far-surpassed the training I received in Virginia. The JeffCo academy training is incredibly intense and thorough. I know I've spent two, maybe three, times the hours on the shooting range and performing practicals. I can't think of a better place to train for a career in law enforcement. The emphasis put on discipline, training and perfection are key. I believe when I leave this academy I will be as prepared as I can possibly be for the career ahead. I am confident that I will know how to react in most situations I'll encounter. I also have the confidence to know that no matter what happens I will never give up and I will win. The cornerstone value of the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office is Integrity. Integrity is just as important as training...you'll get a healthy dose of both in this academy. I feel very fortunate to be a recruit here.
Dana
28 years old.
Born and raised in Wisconsin got certified a police officer there in 2001 and then left right after to join the Air Force.
Did 6 years in the Air Force as signals intelligence.
Masters degree in Criminal Justice.
Wife and mother of 3 (ages 3, 2, and 4 months).
It is intriguing how much information they can cram into 20 weeks. Now at 15 weeks into it, 20 weeks isn't nearly enough. I remember all my feelings and emotions of the unknown from the beginning of the academy like they were yesterday. They are slowly creeping back as we will soon be starting the next chapter of our careers. It has definitely been an experience of a lifetime, I am excited to apply everything that I've been taught. I know graduation is right around the corner and I am prepared and looking forward to the continuing challenges.
Jeff
Hello, my name is Jeffrey and I am currently attending the Jefferson County Police Academy for the Arvada Police Department. I moved to Colorado about 8 months ago with my wife from Boston Massachusetts. My wife and I always wanted to move to Colorado so we sold our house and traveled across the country. I managed my father’s car dealership for 8 years prior before its closing in April of 2008.
The experience of the academy has been unique and exciting for me. From day one we are taught to work and build as a team. The relationships that you build at the academy are forever lasting, which is exactly what everyone tells you from the beginning. It’s almost a given that the relationships are built because of the amount of time you spend with your fellow recruits and the whole mentality of success as a team. The other recruits are in essence your family for 20 weeks.
I don’t think that I am alone when I say that there are many tasks and skills that you perform in the academy that you have doubt on how well your proficiency will actually be. Through hard work, determination, good supervision, and fellow classmates you succeed. In most cases you don’t just succeed, you excel at these absolutely necessary skills. The skills on the surface may seem simple but when you add in some stress, they can be quite challenging but we all get through it.
In summation, the academy is all about team building, routines, challenging yourself, and winning. You must learn to work as a team because it is the backbone of successful policing. You need to build a routine so that the important issues are focused on, not the petty things. You need to challenge yourself because someone out there is challenging themselves to beat you. Most importantly, we are hired, trained, and expected to win!
