GRADUATED - BUT NOW THE BIG DILEMMA!

[chief38]

As I have mentioned in previous posts over the last few months my Wife and I took our local County's Sheriff's Citizen's Academy. It ran for twelve weeks and gave us a glance into their training, tactics, facilities and tools of the trade. I did truly enjoy the forensic labs, their fantastic shooting range, drones and robotic dogs, SWAT, the air patrol, marine division, tour of the jail, and other aspects too.

As graduates, we are now eligible to take a 12 hour ride along tour (night or day and area of our choice) with a Deputy and I will be doing that over the next few weeks. The man who ran the course was incredible, enthusiastic and went well out of his way to make the course exiting, fun and a terrific learning experience. I actually feel lucky to live in an area that I feel the local LE does an incredibly good job. We have a no nonsense Sheriff and he is harder on his Deputy's than any citizen could ever be. I would highly recommend anyone who has the opportunity take a similar course - take it!

SO....... THE DILEMMA???? Now we have to find something else to do on Tuesday evenings! LOL!! Bowling did come up -

 

[rwsmith]

It sound like.....

... becoming vigilantes is a possibility. That should keep the excitement going.

 

[CH4]

Why don't you apply your new skills and double up with a deputy on Tuesday nights?

 

[chief38]

Why don't you apply your new skills and double up with a deputy on Tuesday nights?

They only allow a single tour. That said, I can and probably will volunteer in some capacity. I was kind of interested in the Marine division, living near the water.

 

[gjgalligan]

SO....... THE DILEMMA???? Now we have to find something else to do on Tuesday evenings! LOL!! Bowling did come up -

How old are you????
Any man in his 20s or 30s, even 40s or 50s could think of something better!

 

[s&wchad]

You want excitement???

- Bridge club.
- Bingo.
- Curling (you bring the stones, the Mrs. can bring the broom).
- Square dancing (you'll need a string tie and a fancy shirt).
- Buy a couple of Nerf guns and chase each other around the house...

I'm full of good ideas!

 

[Marine Corps Air]

chief38,

I'll cast my vote for the 12-hour tours. I've been following all of your posts and you have received some outstanding training from an excellent department. I have not heard your comment on this aspect, but I would think that the department can always use an extra professional on watch.

Our oldest son is a paramedic and I completed four tours with him in Austin, TX. It was one of the best, most rewarding experiences in my life, and I have a lot of great experiences, notwithstanding my thirteen months in Vietnam.

Bill

 

[jscheck]

My former agency used civilians to do various duties that didn't require LEO training or certifications such as: checking the homes of those away on vacation for signs of break ins, assisting with community outreach displays, etc. You might see if anything like that is available. It frees up deputies who are busy handling calls and costs the county nothing.

 

[chief38]

How old are you????
Any man in his 20s or 30s, even 40s or 50s could think of something better!

I am 70 but in excellent health. Not looking for another career - retired 15 years ago and am loving every moment! If I volunteer, it will be a limited number of hours.

 

[MelvinWalker]

Well, you don't have your location listed, but count yourself lucky on the ride-a-longs, because some departments have stopped it completely because of liability.

Also, remember that the citizen's academy that most state correctional departments and county municipal LE departments are going to make everything out to be Hawaii Five-0. They are not going to give you the long boring 3rd shift tours on country roads, the lack of sleep because of rescheduled court dates, the multiple intoxicated arrestees in intake on a full moon, The screaming mentally ill inmates that have to be dealt with on back to back to back correctional housing units etc...

In other words, you are getting all of the cherries and none of the whiskey sour.

I get why this is done and it's a good thing because it allows for tax paying citizenry to see a smattering of the other side of that profession...However, if you want to really experience more of it, apply to be a reserve deputy or get your armed security license and work part time for actual pay.

No trying to rain on the experience, but I see it to be a highly successful cherry picked recruiting tool for taxpayers to see what goes on behind the scenes.

 

[gjgalligan]

I am 70 but in excellent health. Not looking for another career - retired 15 years ago and am loving every moment! If I volunteer, it will be a limited number of hours.

Guess you missed it.
I wasn't talking about a career.

 

[rwsmith]

Seriously,

What do they expect to do with that training? They take you for a tour with a deputy and say, 'That's it. No more."

 

[CH4]

They only allow a single tour. That said, I can and probably will volunteer in some capacity. I was kind of interested in the Marine division, living near the water.

That would definitely be interesting. I’d enjoy marine duty.
Be safe out there.

 

[chief38]

Guess you missed it.
I wasn't talking about a career.

Yup - missed it - got it now - LOL

 

[wuluf]

I did a ride along one evening with the PD in the sleepy suburban town where I lived in the early 90s. The officer was parked, catching up on paperwork while we chatted. His ticket or log book apparently turned his radio off and by the time he realized it, dispatch was getting frantic to raise him. He was directed to return to the shop forthwith! My ride along was over..

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