So a few weeks ago, I was looking at our 'neighborhood watch' page. It's a new thing the police department started last year. Someone 'recommended' me to join. Interesting. So I joined just to keep up on 'things' happening around our area. It's supposed to help us keep in touch with nearby areas and alert people to crimes. It also is a 'lost and found', community happenings, etc.

So I saw an Invitation to this year's Citizen's Police Academy. Hummmmm. The site is monitored and sponsored by the Community Relations Officer so she announced the 'sign-up' opportunity for the first 30-35 applicants. The forms were simple (and terribly inaccurate, but I filled out one and got my tenant/friend to fill out his. We waited and waited and finally got emails saying, 'several applicants have already been notified of their acceptance and we are awaiting the background checks on several more'. 'Other acceptance letters will be sent next week'. I figured that was a nice way to say we didn't make the cut.

BUT sure enough the next week, we both got acceptance letters and orders to report at the end of this month, to the Police Department for the first night of 'training'.

This is an 11 week course for private citizens, age 18 and above to get to know the police department, it's functions and all the people that protect and serve. (no comment on that). But my idea is to get to know as many of our local law enforcement guys/gals, from the Police Chief down and for them to get to know US. I think this might help in our long on-going quests in our neighborhood.

We will get to meet everyone, tour the Police department offices, the labs, get training in fingerprinting, defensive driving, handling criminals, self-defense, attack dog training, etc. All the stuff regular police go through. This should be fun. I'm assuming it's very comprehensive as it will be 33 hours of 'training'. At the end, if we qualify, we will get some sort of certificate. Wheeee.

I'm hoping this will be fun and informative and if there are tests involved (I suppose there will be some) that I can do well on them. I am also hoping they don't pick ME for the attack dog part! Arrraaghhh! We will be in the classroom and out in the field. Maybe a ride-along somewhere in there too.

Looking forward to this. 11 weeks, 3 hours one night each week. Probably be near Thanksgiving before it's all over. Long time. I suspect several will drop out during the class, but I will stick it out. Can't hurt to KNOW the police and for them to KNOW you.

Then, if I figure it's worth it, I'll apply for the Senior Patrol. We have an actual patrol of senior age people who assist the police in checking vacation homes, doing 'safety' checks of people that the relatives can't get in touch with, etc. They also do traffic control for local functions, or at accident scenes, take reports of thefts, etc. Lots of stuff to assist the police. I think the obligation is about 10 hours a week mandatory, but you get a police 'senior patrol' car, a partner, uniform, badge and all that. It also involved a training academy which you have to pass. I'm reserving that option for later.

Wish me luck!

How fun and exciting Sorta! You are a great candidate!

Ana

This sounds like a great idea! I have a feeling you're going to be a natural.

Officer Sorta Blonde reporting for duty.

Oh I'm going to enjoy this. My Mom was a cop way back in the 1950's. She went through the entire police training and they made her a school crossing guard, but she had the full uniform and gun and everything. Was fun seeing her directing traffic as we crossed the street.

First hubby was a sheriff deputy. I took some of the training courses with him (arrest, firearms, juvenile law). I've got the 'report cards' somewhere with my school records. They were given at the local jr college for credit so they were useful for me as a teacher. I qualified on the gun range with a .357 magnum handgun. Fun fun fun.

I'm hoping this little adventure will be loads of fun action and have people there that are 'interesting'. I will probably be the OLDEST one attending. When I asked about requirements, the facilitator told me you must be able to climb stairs. Ha. I guess I can if I take them one at a time. I think they just wanted to rule out major problems with walking and moving around. I'll just take some extra pain pills on those nights. OH, what if they do a DRUG TEST? The little applications didn't ask anything except the usual name, age, address, driver license. And you had to sign to agree to that 'background check'. If they looked, they will find my fingerprints already on file with them due to an 'identity theft'. They needed proof at the department store to open an investigation. Was fun. Me and all the guys in the cells (the print area was right next to the cells) and me getting printed. Some interesting comments were made.

I'll do an 'update' on my progress each week. Stay tuned.

Sorta.

Bated breath and all that for the updates!

Sorta, look forward to reading your updates!