Week 16—Recruit Steinmetz

Week 16 was a very entertaining week as we wrapped up our time at the gun range and went through our most intense scenarios. On Tuesday morning, we gathered at the range for a full day of work with different types of guns other than our duty weapons and to take our written test on gun safety and nomenclature required by POST. 

While it was very fun to shoot different types of guns that we would not normally have access to, it is more important that we learned how to safely handle them. On patrol, we will come across a variety of different weapons for a variety of different reasons. The best tool we can utilize in those situations is our knowledge on how to make those weapons safe. It was incredibly useful to learn how to unload and disable each gun we handled.

After everyone passed the written portion of the POST test, we spent the second half of the day in an exciting competition to determine which recruit was the best shot. The test was simple; knock down all of the steel targets while completing different reloading skills before the person next to you did. The competition was set up much like a tournament, allowing each of us two losses before we were knocked out. 

While the best shooters moved on, the rest of us stood around cheering on our classmates.  After a couple hours of intense matches, the finals consisted of Recruit DeVito (from Lakewood Police) and Recruit Saari (from JeffCo). While they both have proven to be incredibly strong shooters, Recruit Saari just edged out Recruit DeVito for the win and title of Top Shot. 

As we walked to our cars and tried to warm up, we all had smiles on our faces. The day not only proved how far we have come since beginning at the range, but also showed just how strong our comradery has grown. On a side note, Agent Marshall showed us all that when we struggle shooting the steel targets, sometimes you can be just as successful by throwing a rock.

On Wednesday, we mixed up our usual schedule by taking one of our academy tests. After learning that everyone passed, we began class lecture on vehicle searches. Lessons on searches and seizures are some of the most important we can have. Incorrectly searching can lead to violation of 4th Amendment rights resulting in loss of evidence and possibly loss of a case. I am once again thankful to be receiving the high level of instruction that is consistent throughout the academy.

Thursday brought us a tough day as half the day was spent in high-risk scenarios. In these scenarios, we faced the possibility of weapons, hostile suspects, and dangerous situations. We were challenged physically as well as mentally to utilize everything we have learned in arrest control to safely and effectively solve each problem. 

It is easy to see that everyone has progressed and become much more confident in dealing with these types of problems. The second half of the day was spent either practicing searches on cars or using paintball rounds to compete against each other at the gun range. While shooting the fake rounds at one another created a rush of adrenaline, it was awesome to see everyone maintain their resolve and stick to the tactics and fundamentals we have learned.

For the end of the week we practiced high-risk traffic stops. First moving at a slow crawl, by the end of the lecture we were all confident in the different positions and commands needed to successfully complete a high-risk stop. As a treat, the class was able to watch as the K-9 unit showed how extraction from a car is made by using one of the dogs. The one thing I am sure about after watching the dog remove a volunteer (in a safety suit of course) from a car is that I am glad the dog is on my team. The four-legged fearless animal is a well-trained tool that makes our job safer and easier.

Sixteen weeks down, only six left!!!

 

Week 14—Recruit Steinmetz

Week 14 was by far one of the most fun weeks I have had through this point in the academy. On Monday we spent the day in the class room as we learned about Rapid and Immediate Deployment (or RAID for short) and High-Risk Traffic Stops. While it is a lot like our lessons on building searches, the strategy behind RAID tactics is simple; swiftly locate and stop a threat to society. 

The development of RAID has been brought on by several heinous acts our state and country have endured. Like many things we learn in the academy, I am grateful to have this knowledge and tool to add to my repertoire, but pray that I never have to call upon it. That being said, I am confident that every single one of my fellow recruits and current officers would not waiver when answering the call.

Tuesday brought a normal work day as we split in our groups and spent half the day either at the gun range with Deputy Hoffman and Sergeant Greer or practicing arrest control with Agent Beers. It is amazing to see the kind of progress we have made as a class in both of these incredibly important aspects of becoming an officer.

On Wednesday, we were able to utilize what we learned on Monday about traffic stops and practice pulling over cars, communicating to dispatch on the radio and contacting drivers. Turning on the lights and sirens of the squad cars was exactly as exciting as I had expected. Even though communicating on the radio at first proved to be awkward, practicing all day helped me to become much more confident in my abilities.

Thursday was new as the whole class gathered on the gun range for a full day of firearm practice and competition. While half of the class spent the morning practicing our normal skills, the other half either competed against each other on the tactical range or learned how to properly exit a vehicle and engage a threat. On the tactical range we were paired against each other to see who could knock down the most steel targets the fastest. 

Up to this point we have primarily worked on accuracy, so it great to see recruits take out targets quickly.  While I personally cannot ever beat Recruit Stiltner head to head, as a team we proved to be unstoppable. A special congratulations to Recruit Lovato who--never touching a gun before the academy--kept practicing and giving all her effort in order to pass the POST required test on her final attempt. It is this kind of diligence and focus that embodies the kind of officer we are all striving to become.

As a side note, I would like to thank Volunteer R. Okada. On our time at the range, we have had many instructors who have helped us develop our skills and confidence but none who have brought the kind of joyfulness he has to what is otherwise a very stressful environment. Thursday marked his last day helping us and I am honored to have spent time with him.

On Friday, we teamed up with Jefferson County SWAT and practiced RAID techniques in an abandoned building in Westminster. The members of SWAT have been incredibly supportive and encouraging during our time together, and this was again apparent as we ran through scenarios during the day.  As I mentioned before, the type of instruction we receive in the Combined Regional Academy is of the highest caliber and JeffCo SWAT certainly exemplifies these qualities.

Next week, we are all excited to spend the entire week learning how to drive in the squad cars!!    

Week 12—Recruit Steinmetz

 Week 12 was a great week. We started off with another exam, which went really well. Tuesday and Thursday were our normal days of arrest control and firearms training. Each time we go to the gun range we have the opportunity to run through the POST exam, and I must say, the improvements our entire class is making is easy to see. Everyone has been practicing their combat reloads and misfire manipulations and it shows. Our speed is up and our movements are becoming more and more efficient.

The week’s arrest control training offered our first lessons in fighting. For some of us, it was our first experience sparring with a punching bag. We also focused our attention on the importance of gun retention. We learned ways to keep others from grabbing our guns and how to take guns away from someone else. While I certainly understand the seriousness of what we’re learning, it felt a bit “James Bond-like” practicing these particular skills.

On Wednesday, we all reported in our Class A uniforms for the first time. While each department has different uniforms, and some need to be tailored, we all looked and felt extremely professional. After Director Baca gave us a thorough inspection, we spent the rest of the day busy in the most realistic and beneficial scenario we have had yet to date.

We started by answering an initial call--an armed robbery in progress. Then, as we worked to complete the paperwork involved in this first scenario, we had to respond to various other calls. It was clear that the day’s purpose was to practice what it was like to write an accurate report while continuing to perform our normal duties – one of which required that we drive a marked squad car. Now that was truly awesome. It was a tough exercise, but it was great to way for us to put everything we’ve learned together. It demonstrated how law enforcement definitely involves multitasking! 

We wrapped up the week with classroom lectures on traffic code, computer crimes, and fraud. While these classes are not as exciting as driving a patrol car or practicing specific arrest control techniques, they are still very important. These sessions build our overall knowledge for the law and remind us that our job will be a great deal of routine punctuated by moments of great excitement.

Week 10—Recruit Steinmetz

Week 10 is done and for me it was the most exhausting week so far. The week started a little different because we did not have an exam. Then, on Tuesday, we were back to normal schedule as we were able to review the arrest control techniques we have been learning. At the gun range we continued practicing our combat and technical reloads. We also got to run through the test we will need to complete for the POST (Peace Officer Standards and Training) exam at the end of the academy. While the test has no room for error (all 25 shots must be on target) most of the recruits passed on their first try. 

Wednesday was a great day.  After a morning of classroom lecture we faced our second round of the fit test. This was the first workout we ever did as an academy class and completing it a second time showed us how much we have improved. Congratulations to Recruit Alonso for making the biggest improvement. 

After our workout we were released so we could return later in the evening for Family Night. It was very strange leaving the academy in the middle of the day and getting home five hours sooner than normal.

Amidst the many hours of criminal code, arrest control, gun range, and all of our other lessons, one thing I have definitely learned is that law enforcement, as a whole, is one big family. From starting out as strangers in the beginning of the academy, we have all become brothers and sisters. This is why Family Night was so important to me. It gave us a chance to meet the families that make up the other recruits. I would like to thank Dr. Nicoletti for coming to speak to everyone of what it means to have law enforcement in the family and ways to handle some of the stress that comes with the job. 

On Thursday we were faced with scenarios in which we were tested with everything we have learned up to this point about contacting pedestrians, making arrests, and discussing about what charges to impose.  These days are critical because we need to fail. Saying that may sound weird, but when we fail in a controlled environment we can immediately learn from our mistakes. The biggest thing I took away from the day was that I need to be more decisive and confident in myself and my abilities.

We wrapped up the week with a good ole’ Colorado weather change as the snow storm in the morning caused delays all over the state.  As we all arrived safely and tried to warm up before class we were able to enjoy a breakfast put together by our Class Leader Recruit DeVito.  We finished the day with a lecture on serious crimes that I found incredibly interesting.

 

While most people will be huddled around their television this weekend watching March Madness, I (along with many other recruits) will be studying for the upcoming exam on Monday, practicing reloads, and shining my boots.  Week 11 marks the halfway point in the academy.  It is amazing how fast everything has gone but I am excited to continue to learn every day and keep grinding it out till the end. 

Week 8—Recruit Steinmetz

Week 8 started off great. The entire class passed the test on Monday and we went straight into learning about identity theft. Following our normal schedule, we had arrest control and gun range practice on Tuesday and Thursday. 

The thing I like most about these days is not necessarily shooting our duty weapons or rolling around on the wrestling mats (however I must admit both are outrageously fun). I appreciate each of these days as they are opportunities for me to learn key aspects of what it means to be able to do our job safely. 

Each instructor has different methods of teaching arrest techniques and firearm practice, but there is one thing that remains constant.  We are learning from the best officers each participating department has to offer.  When my best friend asked me what I thought of the academy I told him, “We are learning at the Ivy League of academies.” 

Simply put, we are receiving the highest level of education there is. I am incredibly grateful to be learning from such experienced and intuitive instructors.

On Wednesday we had another round of report writing where our scenario was to respond to a situation where a person might need to be brought in on an M-1 hold (mental health hold). These situations involve determining if a subject is a danger to themselves or others or if they can even take care of themselves.  If it is determined the person is in need of assistance, then we follow procedure to get them help. As we continue to see a rise in mental illness in our society I think the lessons we learn in class will most undoubtedly be useful in the future. I related to this class on a much deeper level due to a family member recently being diagnosed with a mental illness. Learning how to cope with people we encounter on the street will also be helpful for me and my family.

Friday I got to do something I have always wanted to do: become CPR certified. The certification process may be something of second nature and monotonous for some people. I, however, found it fascinating. I think it is so useful to be able to know how to perform a procedure that could save someone’s life. I also think it is another powerful tool we can add to our belt as we become well-rounded law enforcement officers.

As we continue to push forward every day, we become more and more confident in what we are doing. It is remarkable to see some of my classmates--who I met just a short two months ago--begin to develop into charismatic leaders. When I think about what our society needs from law enforcement, I see my fellow classmates. These are the people who will make positive impacts on those they have been entrusted to protect and serve.

I look forward to next week when we begin making pedestrian contacts, practice talking to people and develop our ability to interact with civilians.

Week 6—Recruit Steinmetz

This week was a breath of fresh air. After an amazing performance by the class on our 5^th test, we learned about liquor code on Monday. Even though this information might, on the surface, seem less important than other aspects of what we need to learn, it goes to helping us become well-rounded, intellectual law enforcement officers.

Tuesday brought our first real interactive work with our handguns. We spent the whole day learning nomenclature, safety rules, and other important gun features.  I take this learning very seriously because I know how important it is we respect and understand the tools we carry. 

Our lecture on gun safety was paired with a full day of learning on Thursday which focused on firearm safety, specifically on appropriate ways to check if a weapon is loaded.  All of the recruits have different backgrounds when it comes to gun knowledge, and this means our instructors have decided to teach as if we all come to these lessons with no firearm experience.  

I appreciate this teaching stance and way of learning for two reasons. First, it allows everyone in the class to become equally familiar with handguns regardless of earlier experience. Second, I have the opportunity to add something new, even something that is truly a nuanced take on what I think I already understand, to my own background knowledge.  There should always be an opportunity to learn more, and this especially true in law enforcement.

This week also offered us our first experience in arrest control which, simply put, is learning the ways to make encounters with the public safe for everyone concerned – law enforcement personnel and the public at large.  Some students have self-defense experience but I do not. Because of this, the lessons we learn during these portions of the academy are incredibly important for me.  

I, along with all of the other recruits, want to make sure that every situation during which I have to use force I do properly, never at the expense of my or anyone else’s safety.

 

While this week was filled with many introductory lessons, the importance of them was definitely not lost on me.  These beginnings are the foundation upon which we will build our careers.  

Week 4—Recruit Steinmetz

Week 4 ended as quickly as it arrived. The start to this week was great with our first complete pass of the Monday exam – all of the recruits had proficient scores, including a number of recruits who passed with a 100%. 

It’s a great sense of accomplishment to be able to pass a test, but it’s even better when we can accomplish it as a class, leaving no recruit behind. We’ve not only committed to our respective departments to becoming POST-Certified and succeeding in the Academy, but also to each other. Our goal is to finish as strong; 50 in, 50 out.

This week also brought us a number of unique experiences: we learned about ways to successfully interact with special populations (such as people with mental health disorders who are a risk to themselves or others ), how to write a report, the essentials of criminal code (specifically Articles 6 and 7), specifics about search and seizure, verbal communication, and interrogation techniques. Learning about crimes against children in Article 6 is incredibly hard to handle, but absolutely necessary if we want to be able to do our job.

For me, the most important lessons came from two different lectures. On Wednesday we were afforded the opportunity to hear from both a representative from Special Olympics Colorado and a Special Olympics athlete. As law enforcement, we help contribute to a majority of fundraising for the Special Olympics through the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR). Just last year the Colorado Law Enforcement Torch Run raised over $800,000. It is incredible to see how much of an impact we have on organizations like this. I am honored to know that I can be a part of something so positive.

Another important day of lecture came from the first block of officer safety. This is arguably one of the most critical sets of lessons we’ll learn in the Academy. Since we began, we’ve heard over and over again about officer safety. After the first five minutes of this lecture we all understood exactly why it is so important.

The bottom line is if we don’t protect ourselves, we’ll be unable to protect others. We learned how important it is to be alert and aware of our surroundings, and how if we fail to do so, it can lead to disastrous consequences.

We ended the week on an extremely high note enjoying a potluck put together by our Class Leader, Recruit Nguyen. Sharing lunch as a class helps create lasting bonds and comradery, something for which I’m incredibly grateful. After lunch we had verbal communication practice during which recruits were chosen at random and given three minutes to tell three stories from their lives: two truthful and one fictional. 

The goal was to examine the body language and mannerisms of the presenting recruit and decipher which story was untrue. This practice was designed to help us determine truth but it also had a rather amusing effect as most of the stories had our stomachs sore with laughter. One thing is for sure: this class of recruits seems incredibly comfortable speaking in front of people, which is something we will use throughout our careers.

As mentioned before in an earlier blog, many of the recruits have families. This week Recruit Castillo and his wife welcomed into the world a baby boy! Celebrating special joys like this is another way we cement our commitment to each other as future law enforcement officers.