This week was a breath of fresh air. After an amazing
performance by the class on our 5th 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.
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