Weeks 5 and 6—Recruit Magor

Weeks Five and Six flew by! It’s hard to believe we are about to start Week Seven. Both weeks’ tests proved to be difficult, but I think our motivational runs right before we take the tests are helping. It calms the nerves a little. During Week Five we were issued our duty belts and our Sheriff’s uniforms. 

The class had three PT sessions and they all proved to be exhausting. Many instructors talk to recruits about how law enforcement is drastically changing right now.

One instructor put it perfectly, “It is a hard time to become a cop right now, but it’s the right time”. I couldn’t agree more; law enforcement needs officers who are trained properly and hold a high level of integrity.

On Friday of Week Five we had a drug and narcotics class. We were able to see and even smell many different drugs. They were all very different from what I had imagined. Heroin had to be the worst of them all. The best way for me to describe the smell is like a sour gym sock. 

During Week Six, we brought our pistols and they were inspected by the firearms instructors. On Thursday we were able to use “dummy rounds” and practice different firearms tactics. I have experience hunting with shotguns and rifles; however I have never shot a handgun. This was a new and exciting experience for me. I was not satisfied with my reloading skills. It is going to take some practice. So that is what I did. I went home and practiced until my wife got mad at me for dropping the magazines on our hardwood floor. 

We also started arrest control. Agent Beers is the lead instructor for this class. His passion for teaching makes the class that much more exciting. We started off with the basics of handcuffing and the Koga twist lock. I can see why people told me my wrists would hurt after this class. 

All the recruits are doing very well and we continue to be one strong unit. All we are missing on our uniforms is the badge and name plate. Sixteen weeks to go and we will have that badge! 

Week 4--Recruit Magor

Week four started off bright and early with our test. The entire class passed and it is a great feeling knowing all of us are starting to get the hang of things. The classes are starting to dive deeper into material. Line inspections are getting more thorough. 

Meticulous instructors are questioning and finding any imperfection possible with our uniforms. This week we had a couple motivational runs and 20 motivational push-ups. Twenty push-ups with a vest and tactical boots weren’t as easy as I expected. 

We had our first gun scenario during officer survival. Sergeant Maestas and Agent Ruybal showed us how a little multitasking can make a situation much more difficult. During this exercise, eight recruits stood side by side, passed a pen back and force to each other using our shooting hand and said the ABCs at the same time.

The instructors did their best to distract us and then suddenly told us to turn around. Each group got a different scenario and each proved to be an eye opener. When I turned around and scanned for the threat I initially couldn’t find it. Suddenly the recruit next to me yelled “gun!” I quickly saw where this recruit was pointing her gun, pulled out my gun and pointed it at the threat. The agent that was playing the suspect was straight in front of me hiding in the crowd of recruits, pointing a gun right at me.

Our PT sessions this week proved that we continue to work as a team. Every single recruit has been giving their all to study, work out and we each take away as much from this academy as possible. Recruit Frink did a great job the last two weeks as our class leader keeping everything in order. 

On Friday, Recruit Grahn brought in his grill and we got to tailgate during lunch. The past four weeks have flown by! They have been eye opening, fun, taxing and have created a bond between 44 different people. Only 18 weeks left and I’m looking forward to every single one of them, with the minor exception of taser day. 

Week 3 -- Recruit Magor

Week three we started wearing our official Academy Uniform, they are very comfortable compared to suits and ties. The class now looks uniform. Most of the recruits started wearing ballistic vests as well. The itching and sweating will take some getting used to. The black on black uniforms show everything, dog hair, lint, wrinkles and any other imperfection that the instructors inevitably find. The class has done a great job looking out for one another. 

I’m really enjoying the workouts and classes.  As typical, sitting in a class all day can be a bit enduring. Recruit Gao learned this the hard way, his eyes got a little heavy during one of the classes. He now gets the 'honor' of carrying a stuffed dinosaur. It must be on him in line inspection and visible in class so instructors can ask him about it. Dr. Brower, a psychologist, was teaching a class and asked Recruit Gao why he had the dinosaur. He quickly responded that he has a phobia of dinosaurs and this was part of his exposure therapy. The quick-witted response had the entire class laughing. 

The test on Monday morning went much better than our first test. I would like to give a shout out to Recruit Poellot for creating a wonderful study guide and also scoring 100 percent on test two. The preparation of this academy is proving to grow a team of excellent recruits.