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.    

Week 2—Recruit Steinmetz

My name is Recruit Nathanael Steinmetz and as Recruit Bellio mentioned last week I will be writing the other half of the recruit blog documenting our experiences for the 2016-1 Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and Lakewood Police Department Combined Regional Police Academy. 

First, a little information about myself.  I was born in Littleton and grew up in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. After graduating from Highlands Ranch High School, I was recruited to play Division One baseball at the University of Northern Colorado.  While attending UNC, I earned my Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice with a Minor in Business Administration. 

After graduating in 2013, I took to the oil fields in the DJ Basin (greater northern Colorado/ southern Wyoming area) where I worked for company specializing in the hydro-excavation of existing utility lines so new oil, natural gas or water pipes could be installed.  Then, in the first week of December 2015, recruiting Deputy Mark Barrick contacted me and offered me a job with Jefferson County which I humbly accepted. 

I originally applied to JCSO because, during my last semester at the University Northern Colorado, when one of my professors approached me about a recruiting coordinator looking for former student-athletes.  Once I got in contact with Deputy Barrick, I scheduled a time to come to come in and discuss the career possibilities with JCSO. 

This talk really just opened my eyes and showed me that Jefferson County is the place where I belong. JCSO is the only agency to which I applied and I am extremely thankful and honored to be where I am now!!

This second week brought a number of different challenges for the recruits. On Monday, we had our first test on the material we learned during lectures in week one.  For some of us, the exam was a great way to show how much effort we’d put into studying.  For others, it was a wake-up call to take class--and the accompanying at-home studying--a bit more seriously. 

It’s a bit unnerving to take a test that might impact the future of your career. Even with a high number of passing scores, we all have room to grow in knowledge and preparation.  Props to Recruits Monell, Adams, and Diehl for scoring the highest on the exam, each scoring 96%.  While those who failed (scoring less than 80%) quickly understood exactly why they missed specific questions, they were afforded the opportunity to study with Director Baca in early-morning review sessions.

This week also presented the class with our first “motivational moments” as lack of respect while addressing academy staff led us to morning push-ups and an afternoon run in our business attire to make sure “the light pole down the street was still firmly attached to the ground.”  Those recruits with military experience are looking out for and teaching the rest of the class about appropriate ways to address academy staff (i.e., “sir or ma’am”, Deputy, Agent, Sergeant, Director, and so on).

Week two also brought us our first scenarios involving the questioning of subjects and problem-oriented policing. On Monday, our scenario was responding to a domestic violence complaint where, along with a partner, we needed to interview, question, and ascertain facts from different members of role-playing academy staff.  It was a good thing I was paired with Recruit McKeon, who had formal medical questioning experience, because I was completely caught off-guard.  This lesson reminded me we need to be ready for any situation at any time. 

 

Our second scenario entailed going out into the public in our squads to examine an area needing a fix-up to improve security and/or safety, and to then provide specific suggestions for these improvements. This problem-oriented policing showed us that our job in law Enforcement will always be changing and evolving.

As we continue to dive into the academic portion of our academy experience, we are constantly reminded of one thing: we are together and we will eventually represent the law enforcement community as a whole.  Our brothers and sisters in class will become part of our professional, nationwide family. 

Week 22—Deputy Magor

There are now 42 new Peace Officers spread out through the metro area. We finished strong!

I don’t know where to begin. The Academy was a time I will never forget. I made numerous brothers and sisters that I will always consider to be part of a family. We laughed together, got in trouble together, stressed together, ate together, got hurt together and grew together.

The last week was long, and full of anticipation. On the drive in on Tuesday I started to get a little nervous about the P.O.S.T. test. When I arrived at the Academy I soon realized that there were lots of us with test anxiety. About half the class elected to go on one last “motivational run” to the light pole and back, just before the test.  The test was challenging, however from what I was told our class achieved the highest average in the state.

The day after we completed our state test we had one last PT challenge. We ran up Lookout Mountain. The run was actually very fun, the view was great and it was one last outing with all 42 recruits.

Graduation came too soon; time flew throughout those 22 weeks. We all marched in without badges and marched out together with badges. My Dad, a retired Jefferson County Sheriff’s Deputy, pinned my badge. It was an honor to have the badge passed on from him. I had family all around to support me. I wish I could have taken it all in but it was tunnel vision.

I would like to thank each and every person that had any part of this Academy! If I wrote what I wanted to this blog would turn into a book.

I asked a few of my classmates for their input and perspective on the Academy and this is what they wrote:

*Over the last 22 weeks I learned that no matter the challenge ahead, always do your best and never give up.

*A lesson I have learned is that no matter how bad the outcome looks or how hard the road looks to get there just keep on pushing through and that most of the time it is mind over body. Your body might say it can't do it but you can choose to do it and complete it.

*Over the last 22 weeks, the most important thing I've learned is to never give up. Things may not always go the way you planned, expected or wanted them to, but at the end of the day the most important thing is to go home to your family.

*Working hard is important; however, having fun is essential. This simply means that during the Academy you will be required to work hard to succeed, but remember to have fun too. Maybe you will not have fun 100% of the time. But, you should at least enjoy some of it.

*FOE--FAMILY OVER EVERYTHING. Blood family and blue family.

*Hard work paid off. I gave up a lot of weekends to study. It was stressful but it was worth it.

*Being an officer isn’t something you do, it’s something you are.

*My favorite motto throughout the Academy is "Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal.” Always keep your eyes on the goal.

*A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at him.

*The concept that has been most instrumental to me is the importance of confidence in myself and my abilities. Confidence is integral to command presence.

*Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!"  Isaiah 6:8. I use this because I have spent my entire life serving others.  Through the Boy Scouts, the military and now as a Deputy Sheriff.  It is my belief that this is what God has intended for me to do.

I will finish with stay safe out there and remain United in Blue. It has been one of the greatest journeys of my life.