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Police Academy: After Thoughts
10 years ago
General
Its been 3 weeks since I graduated from the police academy and I think it time for some reflections on the experience. For those who are about to join the academy or curious about the whole experience, this might help.
The first day of any job is always the hardest and the first day was no different. Surrounded by strangers by we were all on the same boat named uncertainty. The clock struck 8:05 and the silence was broken with yelling and the sounds of everyone springing to their feet. I was so scared that I nearly jumped out of my fur. 8:06 and I was staring at the hallway floor with my fellow compatriots. PUSH UPS GO! 1-2-3- 1! 1-2-3- 2! and so on. That was most of the day. Going from classroom to hallway to meet the floor. What had I gotten myself into? I may not remember all the lessons I learned, but I will never forget what that floor looks like.
The rest of the weeks progressed pretty well. After the first couple weeks our trips to the hallways became less and less. Instructors from various police agencies would teach us topics ranging from community policing to report writing to baton training. We grew closer as a class and began to develop close bonds. Every trial and tribulation made us stronger and more focused on graduating.
The hardest week of all was defensive tactics training, 8 days of being learning take downs and escapes, while also being slammed around by teachers and students. The week ended with two tests. In both of them you had to fight an instructors and show good form with the take downs. Thankfully I passed both tests on the first try and I walked away bloody, beaten and bruised; but I was one step closer to the end.
Two of the best weeks were toward the end, driving and shooting week. The weather during shooting week was pretty bad though. It was cold rain for most of the week and even my double lined coat got soaked through. By the end of these two weeks we were near the end of our journey.
The rest of the academy was pretty boring compared to the previous 2 weeks. Just the final tests and paper work. We had all entered as strangers, but we left as brothers and sisters. The bond was formed through ice and fire and we all left knowing that we had accomplished a great task.
When I walked out of graduation I knew that my journey was no over, but it was the start of a life long adventure.
If you have any questions, want to hear more stories from the academy, or just want to talk don't be afraid to PM me.
The first day of any job is always the hardest and the first day was no different. Surrounded by strangers by we were all on the same boat named uncertainty. The clock struck 8:05 and the silence was broken with yelling and the sounds of everyone springing to their feet. I was so scared that I nearly jumped out of my fur. 8:06 and I was staring at the hallway floor with my fellow compatriots. PUSH UPS GO! 1-2-3- 1! 1-2-3- 2! and so on. That was most of the day. Going from classroom to hallway to meet the floor. What had I gotten myself into? I may not remember all the lessons I learned, but I will never forget what that floor looks like.
The rest of the weeks progressed pretty well. After the first couple weeks our trips to the hallways became less and less. Instructors from various police agencies would teach us topics ranging from community policing to report writing to baton training. We grew closer as a class and began to develop close bonds. Every trial and tribulation made us stronger and more focused on graduating.
The hardest week of all was defensive tactics training, 8 days of being learning take downs and escapes, while also being slammed around by teachers and students. The week ended with two tests. In both of them you had to fight an instructors and show good form with the take downs. Thankfully I passed both tests on the first try and I walked away bloody, beaten and bruised; but I was one step closer to the end.
Two of the best weeks were toward the end, driving and shooting week. The weather during shooting week was pretty bad though. It was cold rain for most of the week and even my double lined coat got soaked through. By the end of these two weeks we were near the end of our journey.
The rest of the academy was pretty boring compared to the previous 2 weeks. Just the final tests and paper work. We had all entered as strangers, but we left as brothers and sisters. The bond was formed through ice and fire and we all left knowing that we had accomplished a great task.
When I walked out of graduation I knew that my journey was no over, but it was the start of a life long adventure.
If you have any questions, want to hear more stories from the academy, or just want to talk don't be afraid to PM me.
My favorite thing about this career is the brotherhood. Even when meeting officers I'll probably never see again, there's just something in the air between us like we're connected. After 3 years, I've learned its really more of a lifestyle...
I personally carry 3 flashlights (big one I can hold in the crook of my arm and 2 small ones in case the other one does it for backup), several extra handcuffs (been to a few big brawls), hand sanitizer, and a metal ticket book and accordion folder for all my forms.