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:
- Congratulations to Recruit Salentine for
shattering a 28-academy driving record!
- “J” turns are unacceptable.
- The interceptors push in the corners, Recruit
Bartlett.
- Recruit Brennan – You can’t stop a car moving at
100 mph in 50 feet.
- Shuffle
steering in not my cup of tea, but you have to do it.
- Recruit Mortensen, you have to take the corner,
and not take out the ENTIRE row of cones.
- Recruit French, we are going to be cops, and you
look like a limousine driver- and the cars do go faster than 20 mph
- 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.
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. 
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. 
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. 
