Weeks 21 and 22 (Graduation)---Recruit Fratto--

Week 21 – Not much to talk about regarding driving, other than it was awesome. I thought Firearms was great, and it is, but there is nothing like driving someone else’s car and having free reign to drive it like you stole it.

Here are a few things to take away from driving:

1. Congratulations to Recruit Salentine for shattering a 28-academy driving record!
2. “J” turns are unacceptable.
3. The interceptors push in the corners, Recruit Bartlett.
4.  Recruit Brennan – You can’t stop a car moving at 100 mph in 50 feet.
5. Shuffle steering in not my cup of tea, but you have to do it.
6. Recruit Mortensen, you have to take the corner, and not take out the ENTIRE row of cones.
7. Recruit French, we are going to be cops, and you look like a limousine driver- and the cars do go faster than 20 mph 
8. And lastly if you try to go for the record, you will screw up and hit multiple cones, not shuffle steer, and scream at yourself so loud that others hear you and think you’re crazy

Those are just a few things to take away from our week of driving. Needless to say it was the most enjoyable week of the academy, and the best week to have prior to graduation!

Now the week I really want to talk about……The FINAL week!

Monday - started off with a few classes on civil disputes, and the Law Enforcement Role in Terrorism. To be honest I am surprised that I retained a whole lot because the only thing I had on my mind was the P.O.S.T. test!

Tuesday- Today was the day most of us have be dreading/waiting for. We were all beyond prepared for this test, but still had the sick feeling in our stomachs because we knew no one in this academy has ever failed it, and we didn't want to be the first. To our relief, we kept the streak alive and everyone not only passed, but we had the highest class average ever for the Jeffco-Lakewood Academy.

After the test, we ran Lookout Mountain. Don't quote me on the numbers, but it was somewhere around 4.62 miles and went up about 2000+ feet in elevation. It is probably a harder run then it felt on this day, because all I cared about was passing that test, and getting to Thursday's graduation.

Thursday- The real day we have all been waiting for! Honestly for me it was all a blur, it happened so quickly, and I can't wait to get a copy of the video so I can really remember it. Director Baca told us prior to graduation that when your name was called for badge, you would go blank. Luckily the two things I remember were the most important things: What the sheriff told me when he handed me the badge, and when the sheriff had us sworn in. Everything else I am going to have to refer to the video when it's available.

So to make a final conclusion of the last 22 weeks:

Director Baca: You literally are the smartest man I've come across. I have learned so much in the short 22 weeks I had in the academy. I honestly don't know if I would have fully comprehended the criminal code, civil liability, or arrest search & seizure without your knowledge. Your humor in class was second to none, and after beating 2/3 of our academy class up Lookout Mountain, I now know why you're the only one alive in your academy picture!

Sergeant Greer: I want to thank you for making our class the best possible report writers, especially on account that that's what most of our peers will judge us on. I also want to apologize for my comment on alarm clocks not even being invented during your academy. You are only as old as you feel, sir! GO ORANGE!

Sergeant Beaulieu: I always thoroughly enjoyed your tips on life, and how to make it when we get to the streets. Except when I finally had the quote of the day, and then I'd forget it listening to one of your funny stories! I will miss what we as a class referred to as “Beaulieu Fridays.”

Deputy Hoffman: The only thing better than a “Beaulieu Friday” is a “Hoffman Thursday!” You are also probably the best dog training teacher I have ever met, and think I might recommend you to teach for every academy statewide! On a serious note, I want to thank you for teaching us to be the best shooters possible, and for having the best one-liners ever.

Agent Ruybal: Hmm, first off, Go Cowboys! That was totally worth the 20 burpees on the very first day. You were the instructor that ran the show, and was always the hardest on us, I appreciate all the life lessons that you taught our class. Whether you know it or not, you changed us all in a positive way. I have one regret from the academy, and that is that I didn't eat your buster bars!  P.S. I'm still pretty sure that email you sent to us was a pre-text or your wife wrote it, I know you're not that nice!

To Class 2015-1: The last 22 weeks have been the best 22 weeks of my life. I learned so much and came away with 43 new brothers and sisters that I know will all have my back when the going gets tough, and I will always have yours. I have learned and taken away a little bit of everyone in this academy, which I think will be vitally important to my career as a Deputy. We should all be proud of what we did as a class, but remember that this is only the beginning. We have to keep learning, and pushing to be the best we can throughout our careers.

Lastly I want to apologize for talking so much, and being so obvious. I recently turned 26, and think I have calmed down some! As I am writing this we are one week into the jail academy, and I am passing the reins of talking over to former recruit now DEPUTY Kilbon! I hope after the smoke clears, and training is over, I get a spot in Booking, so I can see you all again! Good luck with all of your new careers, stay safe and always watch each others backs.

Week 20--Guest Post from Recruit Brittany Allen

Hello, my name is Recruit Allen and I am filling out the blog for Week 20 of our academy. 

This week has been by far one of the most rewarding weeks in the academy. I would say that the theme of the week was heroism.

As many of you probably know, this was another tough week for the law enforcement family. We once again said goodbye to another officer: Colorado State Patrol Trooper Cadet Taylor Thyfault. I did not have the pleasure of meeting him, but from what I have seen and heard, he touched a lot of hearts. 

As a unit, we went on a memorial run from Jefferson County Sheriff's Office Headquarters to the Colorado Law Enforcement Memorial located at Colorado State Patrol. When we made it to the facility we all stood in front of the memorial, bowed our heads and took a moment of silence to honor Trooper Taylor Thyfault. 

After our salute and moment of silence we were greeted by Trooper Thyfault's classmates. This time we stood as a group while the American flag was brought down. I have never seen so many people willing to work together for a cause.

All of the recruits showed that they are selfless and want to make a difference in the law enforcement community. I looked at my partners in a new light on Tuesday and can truly say I am proud to be a part of this amazing team.

On Tuesday we learned about traffic control. The best way to learn is by getting out there and that is exactly what we did. The class was split into eight groups and we all went to our respective locations. Once at the location, we watched as city workers turned off the traffic lights. The game was on. Every recruit had the opportunity to stop and direct traffic individually as well as with a partner.

Wednesday we spent the day with Academy Director Baca reviewing the material we learned over the last 19 weeks. Director Baca was able to ask us questions and the responses from recruits showed we were comfortable with the material.

Thursday we spent the day learning CPR and First Aid techniques. After four hours in the classroom we were put to work. There were four scenarios set up giving us all a new perspective on what we may encounter on the streets. I never thought about what I would do if I was to encounter an unconscious person in a vehicle or how I would react to a pedestrian that had been hit by a vehicle and was now lying in the street. 

The scenarios we approached showed me there is no limit to what we do in this job and we should always be mentally prepared to perform at the best of our abilities.

Friday was our last academy test. Once again it showed that we have all improved so much over the past 19 weeks. Everyone passed and we were all in good graces. We finished the day with another workout called Murph. 

This workout was created by Navy Lieutenant Michael Murphy. This workout was one of Lieutenant Murphy’s favorite workouts. Lieutenant Murphy lost his life in Afghanistan in 2005. He was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor after his death. For those of you who don’t know, the Congressional Medal of Honor is the highest award for valor in action against an enemy force.

A week and a half left! Lets get‘er done!