To Serve and Protect

If you've ever wanted to see what it's like to be a cop, you might get your chance if your local police department offers a Citizens Academy program, where you can take classes, participate in simulation exercises, and maybe even go on a ride along! (Oh, I would SO love to do this...)

I recently learned about these types of programs and have found ones for my neighbouring Santa Clara Police Department and Fremont Police Department, but none for San Jose itself. :(

If any of you have participated in one of these programs, we'd love to hear about your experiences. Feel free to add a comment below or send me an e-mail with your story, and I'll be thrilled to post it.

The two programs I've mentioned are free, but if you happen to have an extra $3,700 lying around, you might want to sign up for this Urban Ops: Hostage Rescue Team adventure. When else will you ever have a chance to shoot an AK47? (And despite my unwavering support of strong gun control laws, I would SO love to do this too... Must be my inner Rambo...)

NOTE: I have no first-hand knowledge about the company that offers the above trip, so please do not take this as a recommendation on my part.

Blog of the Day

As a proud Canadian, I'm also a proud fan of the great game of ice hockey (especially when we kick certain southern neighbours' butts in the Olympics, ha!...) But I must say I'm sadly ignorant about our other official sport—lacrosse. If you're a fan, though, check out The Lacrosse Blog, published by Barbara K. Adamski in Vancouver.

Barb is one of my Freelance Success buddies. She also lived in Japan for several years, so we have that in common, and she's my go-to grammar guru whenever I get stumped by the intricacies and nuances of cases, clauses, or commas, (which fortunately isn't often... :)

Comments

[Kerry Dexter]

Elizabeth,
I particpated in a citizen's police academy some years back. the ride along was fascinating, went places I'd never have gone on my own in the town and got the officer's perspective on the neighborhoods -- never quite saw some places the same way again. we also learned first hand what and how officers are taught about use of force and how they out it into practice, did a shoot/don't shoot exercise and a swat team scenario, and spent several evenings learning about investigations from the people who do them. and lots of other stuff

now, in my area, both the sherriff's department and the fire department have started citizen's academies because the city police one has gone so well.

thanks for bringing that up -- haven't thought (or written) about that experience in a while.

coming to you from the flx blogathon list -- not doing the daily posting myself but making a point to look in and comment now and then on those of you who are. all the best with it.

and -- I've got Cape Breton, Newfoundland, and New Brunswick grandparents, speaking of Canada

[Elizabeth]

Thanks for sharing your experience with us Kerry! Sounds really fascinating. I'll have to see if San Jose has a program for their fire department since they don't have the police one.

And cool about your Canadian ties. I haven't been to Newfoundland or Cape Breton, but they're both places I'd love to visit myself.