Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Week 8 Done and Gone.

The FUN has BEGUN!!! (Now If I Only Had Time to Reflect on That…)



I had dinner with my parents this weekend.



We met in Castle Rock at this little, quiet place that has the distinction for us as being the place my sister broke the news of her engagement (to a great guy who treats her very well, and who is making an exceptional addition to the Air Force’s pilot corps as the pilot jock that every little boy wanted to be when he was 8…).



But yes. 8 Weeks. As the parents grilled me on the last two months (over a pretty good beer) I suddenly realized (again) that my life has become this, and this alone. I touched on this theme a bit in a previous posting, but it’s a pretty significant topic, I think…



I’m having fun, undoubtedly, and the days have become increasingly engaging. Firearms (with live ammo, in a blizzard this week!), Arrest Control, Investigative Procedures, etc … it’s all become much more ‘real’. But the tendency has been for me to lose perspective a bit as the intensity has increased – to lose sight of the fact that this stuff that we’re doing, this knowledge we’re gaining, this fun we’re having – is inherently cool and at the same time very, very serious (see my Serious Business post from Week 1).


There’s a strong tendency to get caught up in the work, in the activity, in the excitement and the anxiety…


After my workout tonight, driving home from the gym, I made a kind of pact with myself to step back a bit from time to time during the next 3 months and breathe it in, soak it in, ‘smell it’ so to speak. A transition, a change, a pretty hefty transmutation is happening in the lives of every one of my classmates right now. I’ll still get caught up in it, but I’m going to try and be present for it, to be present fully during this change, and hopefully learn a bit more in the process.



(And have a bit more fun too…)



West Metro Swat gave a pretty wicked presentation, one of the best we’ve had the last two months. Here’s the county’s armored personnel carrier. Cool, eh?




The APC’s baby brother.





Every one of us was deeply impressed with the SWAT team members who presented the class. I know that many of us (me included) discovered a bit of hero-worship on our faces as the day ended.





The Sergeant sets off a “Flash Bang” explosive device in the Academy parking lot, which blew a few car alarms :)


And stay tuned…for possible video next posting!

Monday, March 23, 2009

Ego Trips…(down long, lonely desert highways…in reverse)

I experienced an insight of sorts this week that I wanted to share; an insight on the heals of some pretty gnarly embarrassments (these are the BEST kind!).
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So, briefly, I have this episode of the “Simpsons” in my mind right now. Chief Wiggum is holding a ‘citizen’s police academy’ I believe. Some nut screams in frustration, “But when do we get our freakin’ GUNS!?!?” and Chief Wiggum responds, “Later this afternoon…first we have to break you down, then build you up, then break you down again…and if we have time, build you back up…”
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(Here’s a link for all you nerds out there: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Springfield_Connection )
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So, we’ve all heard these ubiquitous references in pop culture to militaristic training regimes involving the ‘breaking down’ of a recruit’s ego and the subsequent ‘re-building’ of said ego. I usually took these references with a grain of salt…as in “What the heck does that really MEAN?!?”
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I think I have a hunch…(but first, a picture or two or three):
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Mid-action shots with weird, mid-action faces…it wouldn’t be an HONEST blog without them.

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Chris is our token “I wouldn’t wanna be up against HIM” classmate.

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Mike with a battle wound. I asked him to look scary, by the way. He’s really a kitten in person.

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Ok, so back to it. Egos.

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A couple of weeks ago, just when I thought I had this groove DOWN, I lost my ID badge. Not a big deal, right? Well, considering it was also an access card to the county JAIL, and considering that I thought there was a possibility that I had lost it on the premises of this JAIL, where inmates could possibly find it and USE it …

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Embarrassment.

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And then this week. We began firearms training. Major fun, by the way. But at some point I get to thinking, again, that I had the groove down and at some point I get called up in front of 60+ people to battle another classmate (Lance!) in a malfunction clearing competition*, and at some point during this 2 second BATTLE ROYALE my mind goes completely blank and for at least 5 seconds I just stand there like a dumbfounded idiot and…

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Embarrassment.

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The whole point is that you can’t approach this with an ego. It WILL be squashed, like a bug; by circumstance, and certainly by the academy coordinators, who are known to wear some pretty gruesome, heavy, (polished, of course) bug-squashing boots. The whole ‘breaking down’ of the ego thing…it’s to teach honesty, to teach humility, to teach objectivity. I have this sneaking suspicion in the back of my mind that a humble, objective deputy/officer who can enter into a chaotic, possibly life threatening situation without EGO, without SELF-consciousness, would be a pretty effective deputy indeed…

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No ego, no problem. And consequently (as an attractive thought for me right now); no ego, no embarrassment?

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(Malfunction clearing = drills/techniques to clear a weapon of jammed rounds which would prevent the weapon from firing, i.e. bad thing in a fire fight. We 'competed' for time in this case.)

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

A Pretty Tough Schedule

It's been a while since I've posted, and for that I apologize. Who knew that this would be so challenging? I was told, but didn't REALLY believe...

Between the academics, the policy and statute memorization, the daily prep work involving uniforms, equipment, study materials (and the disciplinary memos, ha) – time is a rare commodity these days.I think it's important for folks who might be interested in applying for the academy to be aware of just how much work is involved. And, if you're accepted, be fully PREPARED.My schedule has become solely centered on THIS, and this alone. A typical schedule for me is as such:

515 - 700
Preparation for class, materials organization, breakfast, shower, etc

700 - 730
Drive to the Academy

730 - 800
Class preparation, boot shining, de-linting, class evaluations

800 - 1700
Class!

1700 - 1830
PT! (Either formal, with the class, or without, on my own)

1830 - 1900
Drive home

1900 - 2000
Dinner/Rest/etc

2000 - 2200
Study! Prepare for tomorrow!

Realistically, I have about an hour of 'free' time during a typical day, and usually it's just enough to recover a bit of energy for the next gig. AND, I'm single...some of my classmates with families....well, I'll just say they have my respect.

So, the point, again: Be prepared to set aside 5 months of your life for THIS, and for THIS alone.(It will, however, be worth it of course...)

*Coming soon* - Arrest Control! Firearms Training! With Pics!

Monday, March 9, 2009

Discipline, or Disciplin(ed), Rather…

The following is a memo which I wrote (was assigned, along with the rest of the class) to our Coordinator as a disciplinary action. I decided to post it as a kind of reminder to myself and to provide an example of the ‘culture’ of the academy to those who might be thinking about applying. It’s a different world, certainly.

On Monday, March 2nd, we, as a classed, failed in our responsibilities.

In this particular case we failed to insure that the room in which we study, the room in which we learn and meditate daily on our new careers, our chosen professions, was clean and in proper order before rushing out to PT this evening. This occured after you had specifically reminded us to clean and straighten the room before leaving. We rushed. We reacted. We didn’t think.

I, personally, assumed that the cleaning crew would insure the ordering of the room before leaving. I, personally, “passed the buck”, and simply assumed that others would take care of a responsibility which was mine, as well as theirs. In the end the result was a negative one.

Beyond any moral considerations, there is a solid lesson to be learned (and I have learned it). At times, when things need to be done, when things are necessary, and when I, personally, am aware of this necessity, it is best, it is right, it is most efficient, to step up, to speak out, to get it done. In the future I will not “pass the buck” to someone else. I will focus on my own, focus on myself, focus on my responsibilities.

President Harry Truman popularized the phrase “The Buck Stops Here”. He was referring to an old poker term and the ability to pass up an opportunity to play a hand by “passing the buck” to another player. The phrase articulates the “passing on” of responsibility, the “passing on” of one’s obligations and duties, to another. As a future LEO, I cannot ever “pass the buck”. As an LEO, THE BUCK STOPS HERE.

Responsibility to me is a value of near spiritual magnitude. Responsibility implies a life without excuses, without any blame placed on another when it rests solely on my own shoulders. Other values are encompassed by the concept of responsibility. It is inherently honest. It is inherently just. It is also inherently quiet and at times unappreciated. It does not ask for recognition. It does not ask for congratulations or praise.

Responsibility, simply and quietly, calmly and confidently, asks its user to do what is right, to do what is needed, and to uncompromisingly ignore the inconvenience, the imposition that this right act may cause.

Thursday, March 5, 2009

A Month Down …

Yeah, I can’t believe it myself…over four weeks under our belts. Time is flying. I caught myself last week (the 70 degree weather helped) feeling SPRING!

With this theme in mind, I thought I’d give a few of my classmates the opportunity to say something about how the last month has gone. I think I might periodically check in with some other folks as the weeks go by to get other perspectives and opinions on things (no one likes a blog-monopolist).

My own opinions on the last four weeks…well, you should all know them by now, BUT, to re-iterate:

“They’re still PAYING us to learn? PAYING us to train? PAYING us to play around at Red Rocks?”

Life is good.


Jacy, 23

"This academy has gone above and beyond my expectations. We have only been here five weeks and already I have learned so much – whether it be from textbook or the experiences of other people. You’re constantly learning. I thought I knew what I was getting into, but there are so many things I never saw coming. It’s the small things that I find most inspiring. Hooh"




Cody, 27

"Hi, my name is Cody. I am 27 yrs old and currently attending the Jeffco’s (Jefferson County Sheriff) Academy. Before this I was a Denver Sheriff for 2yrs and loved every minute of it, I will surely bring my experiences with me to continue building my future as a Deputy with Jeffco. This Academy truly gives you the chance to succeed and become a highly trained/informed Officer of the law, to serve the public. I truly hope that I will get the chance to serve the Jeffco community and I hope to do the community proud."



Chad, 33


“Few opportunities in life allow us to be exposed to such a high quality of professionalism, from fellow recruits and instructors, to command staff. The JeffCo Academy is designed for a recruit’s success in law enforcement.”


Laura, 27


Born in NY, residing in CO for only 1 yr, BS in Criminal Justice, MS in Forensic Toxicology

“The academy has become fun. We are all getting to know one another and respecting each other more. There is still work to be done, but we are improving. It’s amazing to learn of everyone’s experiences and where they are from. To have 41 different personalities in one room is tough, but like I said, we are moving forward, and that’s a great achievement.”


Rhod, 35

"From a small mining town called Ponypridd in South Wales U.K. Had many different professions ranging from firefighting to helicopter/mountain rescue work, from mountain guiding to personal training and self employed contractor. Passions are my family, close friends and outdoor pursuits (climbing, mtn biking etc.)"

“Overall I’ve been surprised at the amount of educational material that has been thrust at us. The challenge lies in sifting through what is pertinent and what is not.”

“The one thing that has struck me the most is the great number of positive human qualities I’ve observed from all our departmental instructors. They are passionate about their work, their families and achieving longevity in their (and our) chosen professions.”