A (mostly) Non-Dog Adventure

Hello Friends,

Once again, there has been a too-long lag since my last post.  A lot has happened since then, much of it (of course) dog related. But I wanted to share about a 12-week adventure that came to a conclusion this past week.

For as long as I can remember, I have been fascinated with anything mystery, crime, or law-enforcement related, and I always wanted to be a police officer or a private detective.  Other interests intervened, and I traveled different paths for a few years after high school and college.  

A family friend learned of my interest and encouraged me to apply with the Highway Patrol.  I passed the first round of testing, and then came the eye exam...  They told me I would need to see an eye doctor and have him fill out a form to return to them. Sometime later, I received the news I had dreaded:  my eyesight was not correctable to their standard.

After that devastating blow, I tried to explore a couple other avenues of law enforcement, but at the time, no one seemed interested in answering a young woman's questions, so I stopped asking and moved on, allowing that dream to die.

Several years ago, I learned of the Citizens Police Academy program, conducted by our police department.  My best friend and I attended.  It was an educational and enlightening look into the workings of local law enforcement.  Afterward, we both joined the alumni association, which allowed us to assist the department with tasks such as traffic control at special events, patrolling local parks, and other duties that, while not acting as official law enforcement, provided officers with extra sets of eyes and freed them to do more urgent and important police work.

After I moved away from my hometown, there were honestly only a few things I missed -- my best friend and the CPA topped the list!  About a year after I came to this area, I checked for a CPA opportunity here, but there was none.  

Recently, though, I learned about "scenario-based training" conducted by the local PD. Here is a partial description: "During the traffic stops and match house scenarios you will be playing the role of a police officer, armed with a gun that shoots secure blanks.  You will conduct a traffic stop with members from DPD as role players and you will complete a building search for an active shooter in our match house - which resembles a ranch style home."

This sounded interesting and intriguing!  But every time it was offered, I had a conflict.  I plan to do this in the future, though, so I signed up for their e-mail list.

Then, two days after Justice died, I received a message from the e-mail list:  "Citizens Police Academy - Enroll Now."  Given my decision to start serious Rally competition with Aslan [blog post with more info coming soon], the timing was terrible!

I told myself I should wait until the spring session was offered, but I needed anything and everything to take my focus off of all the losses and stresses of the prior few months, so I signed up.

The Citizen's Police Academy is a 12-week program, meeting one night a week for a 2-hour class each week.  We learned many aspects about the operation of the PD, from the K-9 Unit to the Bomb Squad, from SWAT to Traffic.  Most of the presenters did not sugarcoat the information they shared, and I think many of the students had an eye-opening experience.

Sadly, during our session, the PD lost one of its own in the line of duty.  Detective Del Rio's memorial service was one of the saddest, yet most amazing, events I have ever attended.  His murder was a great loss, not only to his family, but also to the entire country.  The presence of the great number of officers who came from all over told a story all its own of the law enforcement family.

During our CPA session, we are encouraged to go on a "Ride Along" with an officer.  It was also an opportunity back home, but I never took advantage.  I was determined to do it this time, but my schedule was so full that I couldn't fit it in during the session, which ended last week.  Knowing that I would be on vacation during the week of Thanksgiving, I decided to start my time off with my Ride Along, which I scheduled for last night/this morning (5:00 p.m. - 3:00 a.m. shift).  

CPA, Scenario-Based Training, and Ride Alongs are all opportunities open to members of the public (must pass basic criminal background check). I believe many communities offer similar options.  There are certain rules that must be followed on the Ride Along, but I was surprised by the access we are allowed.  The Community Engagement Officer who runs the CPA program told us that people would think we were detectives, and that actually happened on one of the calls last night.

I was able to schedule my Ride Along with a K-9 Unit, and I had hoped to be able to see the dog in action, but the nasty weather apparently kept the bad guys inside, and it was a fairly quiet shift.  The officer did get a little training time in with his K-9, which I was able to watch.

One call was a domestic disturbance.  These are the most dangerous calls an officer can answer, so two cars are required to respond.  While another officer spoke to one party, the officer I was with spoke to the other party.  Even though I was not the one asking questions, that person directed most of their responses to me, and while the two officers were speaking to each other, the person asked me if I was a detective.  LOL.  

Another incident would have been amusing if it hadn't been so serious.  We were waiting at a red traffic light, when a car came through the green light in the direction of the gas station across from the intersection.  It took us both a second to realize that the driver didn't use the driveway; instead, the car had went up the curb, across the sidewalk, and stopped partway into the parking lot.  I said, "I don't think that's the entrance..."  The officer appeared as confused as I felt and said as he changed lanes, "We'd better check this out." 

He approached the car and discovered the driver unconscious from an apparent drug overdose.  Medics had to break the car window as the driver was unresponsive.  Later at the hospital, the driver admitted to relapsing after being clean for many years.  They shared some other history, which left me wondering that perpetual question, "Why?  Why would someone like that waste their life on drugs?"  So sad.

It was certainly true in this case that "timing is everything."  Because the officer was in the right place at the right time, that driver is alive today.

When our 10 hours was over, the officer laughingly apologized for the uneventful evening.  I laughed as well, but then told him wholeheartedly, "That's okay, because it means you and your K-9 partner are safe tonight."

After all these years, the dream still lives inside me.  Despite the hard work and the danger, if I had the chance, I would gladly take on this job.

Everyone be safe out there.

MDW