Posted by: Blue
Last night, our first call was at one of the hospitals in our district. A psych patient had barricaded himself at the end of the hallway and armed himself with a chair and a pillowcase with two billiard balls inside.
He was an ex-C.O. and had gotten into coke and meth, ruining his career, his marriage, his family and his brain.
We tried for about two minutes to convince him to drop the weapon before I pulled the trigger on the X2 and gave him a 5 second ride. He tensed and the other three officers moved-in. He was brought to the ground safely, disarmed and handcuffed. He was uninjured and the nurses were able to sedate him.
I much prefer the Taser to my other intermediate weapon options when it comes to certain scenarios like this. There are fewer chances of serious injury both to the subject and to the officers.
Showing posts with label Officer Safety. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Officer Safety. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 26, 2015
Saturday, December 20, 2014
Bitten
Posted by: Blue
Today was a first for me. I was bitten while wrestling with an impaired driver arrest. She locked onto my left thigh. Fortunately my badge wallet was in my cargo pocket and she got a mouthful of cloth, leather and tin instead of skin and muscle.
She told me she would be filing a complaint against me.
I must not have tasted as good as she thought I should have.
Today was a first for me. I was bitten while wrestling with an impaired driver arrest. She locked onto my left thigh. Fortunately my badge wallet was in my cargo pocket and she got a mouthful of cloth, leather and tin instead of skin and muscle.
She told me she would be filing a complaint against me.
I must not have tasted as good as she thought I should have.
Saturday, May 31, 2014
Bar Fight
Posted by: Blue
Tonight on my way home after evening shift, I drove past a bar brawl that had spilled into the sidewalk. I pulled a u-ball and watched from the opposite side of the street in case something went south. It took about 25 seconds before the first crew arrived. 4 more followed, including a Street Supervisor.
They turned on the lights and sirens a few blocks before arrival. The drunks scattered. So did I.
Tonight on my way home after evening shift, I drove past a bar brawl that had spilled into the sidewalk. I pulled a u-ball and watched from the opposite side of the street in case something went south. It took about 25 seconds before the first crew arrived. 4 more followed, including a Street Supervisor.
They turned on the lights and sirens a few blocks before arrival. The drunks scattered. So did I.
Monday, February 17, 2014
Tango-Zulu
Posted by: Blue
If you are acting up or doing something you shouldn't when the police show up, if you hear "Tango-Zulu. Tango-Zulu." You should probably smarten up pretty damn quick. You are about to get Tazered.
If you are acting up or doing something you shouldn't when the police show up, if you hear "Tango-Zulu. Tango-Zulu." You should probably smarten up pretty damn quick. You are about to get Tazered.
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
Duty Gear: OC Spray
Posted by: Blue
We carry Sabre Red Crossfire OC Spray which dispenses in a stream, rather than a mist or a gel.
It contains 1.33% Oleoresin Capsicum. It's approximately 1.5 to 2 times stronger than the average bear spray.
We carry Sabre Red Crossfire OC Spray which dispenses in a stream, rather than a mist or a gel.
It contains 1.33% Oleoresin Capsicum. It's approximately 1.5 to 2 times stronger than the average bear spray.
Friday, January 31, 2014
Duty Gear: Cuffs
Posted by: Blue
I carry 2 pair of Smith and Wesson Model 100 Handcuffs in Nickel Finish.
Per policy, no other style of cuffs are approved for duty use.
Leg restraint options include a RIPP Hobble, or Peerless Shackles.
I carry 2 pair of Smith and Wesson Model 100 Handcuffs in Nickel Finish.
Per policy, no other style of cuffs are approved for duty use.
Leg restraint options include a RIPP Hobble, or Peerless Shackles.
Friday, January 10, 2014
Squeeze Up
Posted by: Blue
Per Officer Safety Unit, Tac has advised them to start teaching the squeeze-up.
While using lethal force cover on a suspect, you tighten up your stance, getting closer to the other officer and use your off-hand to squeeze their leg when you approach them at their blind spot. This is also useful in the case of tunnel-vision. One of you is then able to switch to a less lethal option such as a Taser while the other provides lethal cover for both officers.
Squeezing below the waist means that any sympathetic reaction should occur below their waist as well, thus lessening the chance of a sympathetic reaction above the waist like an accidental trigger pull.
This technique differs from what used to be taught, which is standing approximately 10 feet from your partner during lethal force coercion. Studies showed that if the suspect rushed one officer with a knife while the officer transitioned from a firearm to a Taser, by the time the officer with firearm coverage began shooting, he would be approximately three feet behind the suspect, until eventually over-correcting, leading ahead of the charging subject and firing bullets into his partner by mistake.
During tests by our OSU, the officer who was charged was shot 100% of the time with blue on blue friendly fire. The suspect was only hit approximately 20% of the time, and always after the officer went down.
Per Officer Safety Unit, Tac has advised them to start teaching the squeeze-up.
While using lethal force cover on a suspect, you tighten up your stance, getting closer to the other officer and use your off-hand to squeeze their leg when you approach them at their blind spot. This is also useful in the case of tunnel-vision. One of you is then able to switch to a less lethal option such as a Taser while the other provides lethal cover for both officers.
Squeezing below the waist means that any sympathetic reaction should occur below their waist as well, thus lessening the chance of a sympathetic reaction above the waist like an accidental trigger pull.
This technique differs from what used to be taught, which is standing approximately 10 feet from your partner during lethal force coercion. Studies showed that if the suspect rushed one officer with a knife while the officer transitioned from a firearm to a Taser, by the time the officer with firearm coverage began shooting, he would be approximately three feet behind the suspect, until eventually over-correcting, leading ahead of the charging subject and firing bullets into his partner by mistake.
During tests by our OSU, the officer who was charged was shot 100% of the time with blue on blue friendly fire. The suspect was only hit approximately 20% of the time, and always after the officer went down.
Sunday, January 5, 2014
Pursuit
Posted by: Blue
On Christmas Day I was the prime unit for a traffic pursuit which began on the same block that I live on.
We spotted two males running through the field near my house where the power lines run through that part of the city. I thought it was odd to see 2 males dressed in baggy black clothing jogging late on a Christmas night, especially in my neighbourhood.
We turned around to check them out. They hopped into a grey Chevy Cavalier. I hit the cherries and pulled up parallel with their front bumper (approaching from the front of their car so our front bumpers were facing one another, but I was still in the traffic lane).
The driver didn't look at me. He immediately started shimmying his car, trying to get it out of the parallel parking spot I had wedged him into. He reversed. I went forward and put the front driver's side bumper of the unmarked cruiser we were in at his driver's side door so he couldn't jump out.
"Get us another unit here now!" I told my partner.
The car slammed into our bumper, pushed us out of the way and took-off W/B. I revved the engine, spinning the rear-wheel drive Crown Vic into a 180 on the icy road. We gave chase.
He stopped at the first stop sign, and then went through every other stop sign and red light.
My partner started calmly calling the pursuit over the air, asking to be patched into the other districts.
It was quiet. Every available unit volunteered and was assigned. By the time we were 1000 yards away, the suspects ran-over a well-placed Stop-Stick, taking-out their front passenger-side tire.
The pursuit continued with the suspects on three tires and one rim. A Downtown unit came up behind us to take-over as prime unit because they were a marked unit.
They hit another Stop-Stick around 1000 yards further up. Two more tires blown. They only had 1 intact now - the driver's side rear tire.
The downtown unit got out in front of the suspects and tried to slow them down. They took a left. We were prime again.
They made it another block and we saw the driver's door crack open as the vehicle slowed to a stop. "He's running!", I yelled. My partner voiced it over the air.
The passenger was slower to get out of the car (we found-out later it was because he was holding a safe on his lap and had to wait until the driver bailed so he had a place to ditch it). He opened the door to come nose to nose with my partner's Glock. He gave up and hit the ground on his belly, hands outstretched.
I gave chase to the driver down the back lane of the street we had just come down, along with one of the guys from the downtown car. Units were flooding the area.
I got hung-up with my duty rig on a chain-link fence when the suspect headed for the front street again, tearing the sleeve off of my shirt and cutting my shoulder. The downtown guy kept going. When I managed to free myself, they were about 75 yards ahead of me and the driver was cutting back into the back lane. I cut back, hoping to intercept.
I gunned it, scanning for a figure emerging from a back yard. The downtown guy came across the air "I've got him in the side yard of 29!"
I could see the reflection of the flashlight against the snow and darted over there, drawing-out my Taser as I ran. I showed-up and found the suspect proned-out. "Contact," said the downtown guy. "Cover," I replied. He moved-in to cuff him while I kept the red laser of the Taser in the centre of his back. "Don't don anything dumb or you're gonna get lit-up," I said.
He was cuffed and brought to one of the cruisers.
The driver was on a warrant plus numerous breaches. The passenger had breaches, not to mention the Flight charge, Dangerous Operation of a Motor Vehicle and Possession of Break-in Instruments for both of them. The safe belonged to a drug dealer who wasn't cooperating, so we couldn't get the Break and Enter or Possession of Goods Obtained by Crime.
During the Duty Inspector's briefing, she told us the only reason she didn't abort the pursuit on the icy winter roads was that my partner was extremely calm and reassuringly in control of the situation while he was voicing over the radio.
On Christmas Day I was the prime unit for a traffic pursuit which began on the same block that I live on.
We spotted two males running through the field near my house where the power lines run through that part of the city. I thought it was odd to see 2 males dressed in baggy black clothing jogging late on a Christmas night, especially in my neighbourhood.
We turned around to check them out. They hopped into a grey Chevy Cavalier. I hit the cherries and pulled up parallel with their front bumper (approaching from the front of their car so our front bumpers were facing one another, but I was still in the traffic lane).
The driver didn't look at me. He immediately started shimmying his car, trying to get it out of the parallel parking spot I had wedged him into. He reversed. I went forward and put the front driver's side bumper of the unmarked cruiser we were in at his driver's side door so he couldn't jump out.
"Get us another unit here now!" I told my partner.
The car slammed into our bumper, pushed us out of the way and took-off W/B. I revved the engine, spinning the rear-wheel drive Crown Vic into a 180 on the icy road. We gave chase.
He stopped at the first stop sign, and then went through every other stop sign and red light.
My partner started calmly calling the pursuit over the air, asking to be patched into the other districts.
It was quiet. Every available unit volunteered and was assigned. By the time we were 1000 yards away, the suspects ran-over a well-placed Stop-Stick, taking-out their front passenger-side tire.
The pursuit continued with the suspects on three tires and one rim. A Downtown unit came up behind us to take-over as prime unit because they were a marked unit.
They hit another Stop-Stick around 1000 yards further up. Two more tires blown. They only had 1 intact now - the driver's side rear tire.
The downtown unit got out in front of the suspects and tried to slow them down. They took a left. We were prime again.
They made it another block and we saw the driver's door crack open as the vehicle slowed to a stop. "He's running!", I yelled. My partner voiced it over the air.
The passenger was slower to get out of the car (we found-out later it was because he was holding a safe on his lap and had to wait until the driver bailed so he had a place to ditch it). He opened the door to come nose to nose with my partner's Glock. He gave up and hit the ground on his belly, hands outstretched.
I gave chase to the driver down the back lane of the street we had just come down, along with one of the guys from the downtown car. Units were flooding the area.
I got hung-up with my duty rig on a chain-link fence when the suspect headed for the front street again, tearing the sleeve off of my shirt and cutting my shoulder. The downtown guy kept going. When I managed to free myself, they were about 75 yards ahead of me and the driver was cutting back into the back lane. I cut back, hoping to intercept.
I gunned it, scanning for a figure emerging from a back yard. The downtown guy came across the air "I've got him in the side yard of 29!"
I could see the reflection of the flashlight against the snow and darted over there, drawing-out my Taser as I ran. I showed-up and found the suspect proned-out. "Contact," said the downtown guy. "Cover," I replied. He moved-in to cuff him while I kept the red laser of the Taser in the centre of his back. "Don't don anything dumb or you're gonna get lit-up," I said.
He was cuffed and brought to one of the cruisers.
The driver was on a warrant plus numerous breaches. The passenger had breaches, not to mention the Flight charge, Dangerous Operation of a Motor Vehicle and Possession of Break-in Instruments for both of them. The safe belonged to a drug dealer who wasn't cooperating, so we couldn't get the Break and Enter or Possession of Goods Obtained by Crime.
During the Duty Inspector's briefing, she told us the only reason she didn't abort the pursuit on the icy winter roads was that my partner was extremely calm and reassuringly in control of the situation while he was voicing over the radio.
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
The Shame of Canada
Posted by: Blue
About a week ago, an off-duty officer came across a domestic assault in progress. A repeat violent offender was beating his girlfriend senseless in a 7-11. The veteran officer stepped in, identifying himself as a police officer and attempting to pull the criminal off of the victim. The assaulter turned and began beating the officer, delivering a flurry of fists to his face in an alcohol and drug fuelled rage. The cop was beaten down, as was another citizen who stepped-in to help.
The officer received the worst of the injuries, including a broken orbital bone and the likelihood that he would be permanently blind in one eye.
The offender was taken into custody a short time later.
He received bail a number of hours later, despite the fact that he was already pending a number of other charges, not to mention the seriousness of the offence.
Sadly, Canada seems to have the position that the rights and freedoms of criminals are more important than those of the victims and the public.
I took my Canadian flag off of my vest yesterday. I'm ashamed to wear it right now.
About a week ago, an off-duty officer came across a domestic assault in progress. A repeat violent offender was beating his girlfriend senseless in a 7-11. The veteran officer stepped in, identifying himself as a police officer and attempting to pull the criminal off of the victim. The assaulter turned and began beating the officer, delivering a flurry of fists to his face in an alcohol and drug fuelled rage. The cop was beaten down, as was another citizen who stepped-in to help.
The officer received the worst of the injuries, including a broken orbital bone and the likelihood that he would be permanently blind in one eye.
The offender was taken into custody a short time later.
He received bail a number of hours later, despite the fact that he was already pending a number of other charges, not to mention the seriousness of the offence.
Sadly, Canada seems to have the position that the rights and freedoms of criminals are more important than those of the victims and the public.
I took my Canadian flag off of my vest yesterday. I'm ashamed to wear it right now.
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
K9
Posted by: Blue
Last night we had an animal call.
He was a big, grumpy German Shepherd. We were prowling the back lane looking for his owner who has 2 warrants.
The dog had broken free from the chain he has been kept on all winter. We called animal services. He didn't seem to like police and would growl and raise his neck hair every time we got close. I didn't want to impose the jeopardy of having to shoot or Taser him by getting too close and finding out that he liked to bite.
After the City Pound folks managed to snag him, we got a look at his living arrangements. He had no dog house, no water, very little food and was living right next to a large pile of his own excrement. He had only a sheet of ice to sleep on.
His owner will be getting a number of tags including one for failing to adequately care for an animal.
We told the pound to call us if our guy showed-up to collect his dog. We've been trying to hook him for months now.
Last night we had an animal call.
He was a big, grumpy German Shepherd. We were prowling the back lane looking for his owner who has 2 warrants.
The dog had broken free from the chain he has been kept on all winter. We called animal services. He didn't seem to like police and would growl and raise his neck hair every time we got close. I didn't want to impose the jeopardy of having to shoot or Taser him by getting too close and finding out that he liked to bite.
After the City Pound folks managed to snag him, we got a look at his living arrangements. He had no dog house, no water, very little food and was living right next to a large pile of his own excrement. He had only a sheet of ice to sleep on.
His owner will be getting a number of tags including one for failing to adequately care for an animal.
We told the pound to call us if our guy showed-up to collect his dog. We've been trying to hook him for months now.
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Safety Lesson
Posted by: Blue
The other day, we responded to another district for a high priority domestic. The wife was calling in on the husband, stating that he had been threatening to play Russian Roulette with his revolver and "take a bunch of people out".
While on scene, the male was calm but obviously depressed and emotional. As we were clearing out the gun safe of the firearms that he had agreed to turn over to us for safekeeping, he asked one of the other district's cops if he could go and change. The officer agreed and the male went into the study.
I was looking through the safe with some of the other officers at the time and hadn't seen him go into the room and close the door.
I came around the corner to find no sign of the male.
"Where'd he go?" I asked.
"Changing." Said the other officer, gesturing towards the closed office door.
"What!? No! Hey, c'mon out of there bud. I don't want you behind closed doors with no one around you right now. It makes me nervous." I said, giving the senior officer an admittedly dirty look.
He came out and looked frustrated. I told him he was welcome to change in a few minutes when we got things sorted out, but one of the officers would need to be in the room with him.
Later on, we discovered a loaded revolver in a holster under the coffee table in that office.
The other day, we responded to another district for a high priority domestic. The wife was calling in on the husband, stating that he had been threatening to play Russian Roulette with his revolver and "take a bunch of people out".
While on scene, the male was calm but obviously depressed and emotional. As we were clearing out the gun safe of the firearms that he had agreed to turn over to us for safekeeping, he asked one of the other district's cops if he could go and change. The officer agreed and the male went into the study.
I was looking through the safe with some of the other officers at the time and hadn't seen him go into the room and close the door.
I came around the corner to find no sign of the male.
"Where'd he go?" I asked.
"Changing." Said the other officer, gesturing towards the closed office door.
"What!? No! Hey, c'mon out of there bud. I don't want you behind closed doors with no one around you right now. It makes me nervous." I said, giving the senior officer an admittedly dirty look.
He came out and looked frustrated. I told him he was welcome to change in a few minutes when we got things sorted out, but one of the officers would need to be in the room with him.
Later on, we discovered a loaded revolver in a holster under the coffee table in that office.
Saturday, August 25, 2012
Answers II
Posted by: Blue
Courtesy of Raindog:
4) Have you been tasered or peppered sprayed in training?
5) What is the type of population that you serve?
6) What is the typical type of calls you field?
4) I was both Tasered and pepper sprayed in training. The Tasering however was only a drive-stun, not the full 5 seconds of riding the lightning with the probes. I hated the pepper spray way more than the Taser. The service would not permit us to be properly Tasered, however I am curious and if they ever start allowing it again, I will be headed back to the academy to volunteer. I really, really hate pepper spray.
5) The population of our city is somewhere close to 700,000. Our district has well over 100,000 people with a 3 car minimum (which is seldom supplemented). There is a 27 car minimum city-wide and 5 districts (soon to be 4), ours being one of the largest in area, and the smallest in cars.
6) We take every type of call imaginable. The highest percentage is definitely Domestics. My partner and I have a penchant for finding missing persons and also for any child-related calls, but we basically just try to take whatever comes our way in the district in an effort to keep ahead of the bad guys.
Courtesy of Raindog:
4) Have you been tasered or peppered sprayed in training?
5) What is the type of population that you serve?
6) What is the typical type of calls you field?
4) I was both Tasered and pepper sprayed in training. The Tasering however was only a drive-stun, not the full 5 seconds of riding the lightning with the probes. I hated the pepper spray way more than the Taser. The service would not permit us to be properly Tasered, however I am curious and if they ever start allowing it again, I will be headed back to the academy to volunteer. I really, really hate pepper spray.
5) The population of our city is somewhere close to 700,000. Our district has well over 100,000 people with a 3 car minimum (which is seldom supplemented). There is a 27 car minimum city-wide and 5 districts (soon to be 4), ours being one of the largest in area, and the smallest in cars.
6) We take every type of call imaginable. The highest percentage is definitely Domestics. My partner and I have a penchant for finding missing persons and also for any child-related calls, but we basically just try to take whatever comes our way in the district in an effort to keep ahead of the bad guys.
Friday, August 24, 2012
Answers I
Posted by: Blue
Courtesy of Raindog:
1) What is your primary sidearm?
2) What is the patrol car you drive every day?
3) Have you been in a good fight?
1) My primary sidearm is a M22 Glock .40 calibre, drawn right-handed from a Level 3 Blackhawk holster. We are not permitted secondary firearms and the Glock is standard issue with no other options unless you are small-handed, in which case you are issued the Springfield XD40. Given a choice, I'd be sticking with my Glock. We also have Police Model Remington 870 Shotguns in the cars with 5 rounds of 00 buckshot. I am told the service is looking into a carbine program which would introduce a .223 C7 Colt into the cruisers as well.
2) We drive the Crown Vics and nothing else in General Patrol. The service put in a huge order for extras when it was announced that they would be discontinued. I have heard a number of rumours about the possible replacements, including the Holden Caprice out of Australia, however the other day I was at the garage and they were setting-up two trial cars; the Dodge Charger and the Ford Taurus 4WD. I don't like either as much as the Crown Victoria as I am already too tall for the Vic and there is even less room in the two new ones.
3) I have not as of yet been in a good fight. I suspect that my size, my partner's size, and our ability to glare like a pair of cobras has taken the fight out of any of the would-be fighters thus far. There have been some struggles, but nothing "knock-down, drag-out".
Courtesy of Raindog:
1) What is your primary sidearm?
2) What is the patrol car you drive every day?
3) Have you been in a good fight?
1) My primary sidearm is a M22 Glock .40 calibre, drawn right-handed from a Level 3 Blackhawk holster. We are not permitted secondary firearms and the Glock is standard issue with no other options unless you are small-handed, in which case you are issued the Springfield XD40. Given a choice, I'd be sticking with my Glock. We also have Police Model Remington 870 Shotguns in the cars with 5 rounds of 00 buckshot. I am told the service is looking into a carbine program which would introduce a .223 C7 Colt into the cruisers as well.
2) We drive the Crown Vics and nothing else in General Patrol. The service put in a huge order for extras when it was announced that they would be discontinued. I have heard a number of rumours about the possible replacements, including the Holden Caprice out of Australia, however the other day I was at the garage and they were setting-up two trial cars; the Dodge Charger and the Ford Taurus 4WD. I don't like either as much as the Crown Victoria as I am already too tall for the Vic and there is even less room in the two new ones.
3) I have not as of yet been in a good fight. I suspect that my size, my partner's size, and our ability to glare like a pair of cobras has taken the fight out of any of the would-be fighters thus far. There have been some struggles, but nothing "knock-down, drag-out".
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Masked Bandits
Posted by: Blue
We were looking for an intoxicated male who had Asperger Syndrome.
He had been evicted by his landlord a few months ago and was now making false reports of all manner of things, attempting to get the landlord into trouble. He would call from an unregistered telephone or payphone and today he was reporting that the landlord was beating his girlfriend, and there was "blood everywhere!"
We were searching the area, believing our suspect to be on the lam in the area. A brief conversation with a couple of passers-by revealed that they had seen a male matching the description stumbling drunkenly through a yard just a few minutes ago, tripping himself in the hedges as he went.
We followed their direction and quickly found a pair of sunglasses and three empty beer bottles along the path that they had seen him on.
We headed through the yard and into the dark alley; kept our flashlights off to avoid illuminating ourselves and to maintain our night vision.
My partner was about 40 yards ahead of me. Suddenly I saw his head snap to the right and the bright white LED beam of his Streamlight lit up the bushes of the backyard. He hollered. I came running.
There were three of them, all in a row, slinking along the fence. The biggest one was in the lead. They were all masked and wearing heavy coats, despite the hot weather.
We stared at them and they stared right back.
There we stood in silence for a few seconds until my partner turned out the light, and the family of raccoons disappeared into the night like ninjas.
Never did find our suspect.
We were looking for an intoxicated male who had Asperger Syndrome.
He had been evicted by his landlord a few months ago and was now making false reports of all manner of things, attempting to get the landlord into trouble. He would call from an unregistered telephone or payphone and today he was reporting that the landlord was beating his girlfriend, and there was "blood everywhere!"
We were searching the area, believing our suspect to be on the lam in the area. A brief conversation with a couple of passers-by revealed that they had seen a male matching the description stumbling drunkenly through a yard just a few minutes ago, tripping himself in the hedges as he went.
We followed their direction and quickly found a pair of sunglasses and three empty beer bottles along the path that they had seen him on.
We headed through the yard and into the dark alley; kept our flashlights off to avoid illuminating ourselves and to maintain our night vision.
My partner was about 40 yards ahead of me. Suddenly I saw his head snap to the right and the bright white LED beam of his Streamlight lit up the bushes of the backyard. He hollered. I came running.
There were three of them, all in a row, slinking along the fence. The biggest one was in the lead. They were all masked and wearing heavy coats, despite the hot weather.
We stared at them and they stared right back.
There we stood in silence for a few seconds until my partner turned out the light, and the family of raccoons disappeared into the night like ninjas.
Never did find our suspect.
Monday, January 16, 2012
Recruits
Posted by: Blue
The new recruits are out on field training. I am no longer the junior officer on our shift.
The new recruit has already been in her first tussel with a Mental Health patient. Her field training officer was happy because she jumped right in without hesitating.
Top marks for the most important category: Officer Safety.
The new recruits are out on field training. I am no longer the junior officer on our shift.
The new recruit has already been in her first tussel with a Mental Health patient. Her field training officer was happy because she jumped right in without hesitating.
Top marks for the most important category: Officer Safety.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Bong Squad
Posted by: Blue
This morning, at the tail end of night shift, my paartner and I were dispatched to a call about a suspicious package.
The complainant had found what appeared to be a can or bottle wrapped in plastic shrink wrap with what appeared to be hoses attached. The plastic wrap made it difficult to determine the exact nature of the package.
Exercising extra caution due to a string of arsons in the past few days in the surrounding area, we called our Sergeant.
The Sergeant called the Duty Inspector.
The Duty Inspector called the Bomb Unit.
We were relieved shortly after the call to the Bomb Unit by a day shift unit, including one of my friends from academy. We left before the Bomb Unit arrived.
When I woke up before shift this evening, my friend texted me. The mysterious package had been x-rayed with no suspicious results. Upon further examination once it was determined to be non-volatile, the package was found to be a home-made bong.
At least the Bomb Unit got a good training run.
This morning, at the tail end of night shift, my paartner and I were dispatched to a call about a suspicious package.
The complainant had found what appeared to be a can or bottle wrapped in plastic shrink wrap with what appeared to be hoses attached. The plastic wrap made it difficult to determine the exact nature of the package.
Exercising extra caution due to a string of arsons in the past few days in the surrounding area, we called our Sergeant.
The Sergeant called the Duty Inspector.
The Duty Inspector called the Bomb Unit.
We were relieved shortly after the call to the Bomb Unit by a day shift unit, including one of my friends from academy. We left before the Bomb Unit arrived.
When I woke up before shift this evening, my friend texted me. The mysterious package had been x-rayed with no suspicious results. Upon further examination once it was determined to be non-volatile, the package was found to be a home-made bong.
At least the Bomb Unit got a good training run.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Sheesh
Poor Blue. He's doing his Stress Inoculation at Academy this week. I've never seen him so exhausted.
I keep getting texts from him saying things like, "So-and-so just threw-up" or "So-and-so just broke their toe" or "So-and-so just broke their nose" or "So-and-so was just carried out on a stretcher" or "The ex-football player just knocked me out".
Poor Blue.
Although, I can see how it's helpful. They need to know that when they are at their lowest and ready to give up there are still reserves of energy and they can pull through. I'm so proud of him for even being able to show-up for another day of hell.
I was exhausted just listening to all they went through. I'm sure he'll post about it soon.
I keep getting texts from him saying things like, "So-and-so just threw-up" or "So-and-so just broke their toe" or "So-and-so just broke their nose" or "So-and-so was just carried out on a stretcher" or "The ex-football player just knocked me out".
Poor Blue.
Although, I can see how it's helpful. They need to know that when they are at their lowest and ready to give up there are still reserves of energy and they can pull through. I'm so proud of him for even being able to show-up for another day of hell.
I was exhausted just listening to all they went through. I'm sure he'll post about it soon.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Use of Force
Posted by: Blue
On Monday, twelve of us were pepper sprayed. We spent the morning on drawing out our OC spray, practicing in a static environment. Then at 1300 hrs, we were "exposed".
My goodness.
What a terrible thing for someone to invent to use on another human being. I felt like I was going to go blind. Seriously. They told us over and over before we were sprayed that it would feel terrible but that we could fight through it, but when that Oleoresin Capsicum hit my eyes, I thought it was all over. Somehow I managed to find the volunteer "suspect", and give him a flurry of knee strikes while telling him to get on the ground. When he finally proned-out, I was able to draw my training gun and give instructions, and then somehow recite the circumstances where an intermediate weapon is justified.
When I finished my tasks, an instructor took my arm and led me into the academy building, down the satirs and into the showers, but not before tripping outside and walking into a wall inside.
The water did nothing but temporarily soothe the burning. The tearless baby soap that I poured into my eyes was useless.
Finally, after 20 minutes of splashing cold water on my face, I bit the bullet and dried my face, accepting the burning until the effects wore off another 25 minutes later.
It is the most pain I have ever experienced. I have cut the tip of my thumb off on a table saw, cut a gash in my leg from ankle to knee with an inner-tube valve stem, exposing my ankle bone, and stepped on a rusty nail that punctured an inch into my foot. Those were nothing compared to pepper spray. I hate pepper spray. The only thing on earth that might cause more pain and discomfort than pepper spray might be giving birth sans-drugs with two shattered femurs.
Tasering, on the other hand was like a quiet stroll on a warm spring day in the park compared to the OC spray. Not that it didn't hurt, but it was over as soon as it started. We were all drive-stunned on Wednesday. Our Service didn't have authorization at the time to give us the full 5 seconds of "riding the lightning".
I'm planning on requesting to re-do the tasering in six months when the next recruit class is doing their taser "exposures". They should have authorization by then.
Thank God that we are on to computer week. No significant chance of grievous bodily harm or death.
On Monday, twelve of us were pepper sprayed. We spent the morning on drawing out our OC spray, practicing in a static environment. Then at 1300 hrs, we were "exposed".
My goodness.
What a terrible thing for someone to invent to use on another human being. I felt like I was going to go blind. Seriously. They told us over and over before we were sprayed that it would feel terrible but that we could fight through it, but when that Oleoresin Capsicum hit my eyes, I thought it was all over. Somehow I managed to find the volunteer "suspect", and give him a flurry of knee strikes while telling him to get on the ground. When he finally proned-out, I was able to draw my training gun and give instructions, and then somehow recite the circumstances where an intermediate weapon is justified.
When I finished my tasks, an instructor took my arm and led me into the academy building, down the satirs and into the showers, but not before tripping outside and walking into a wall inside.
The water did nothing but temporarily soothe the burning. The tearless baby soap that I poured into my eyes was useless.
Finally, after 20 minutes of splashing cold water on my face, I bit the bullet and dried my face, accepting the burning until the effects wore off another 25 minutes later.
It is the most pain I have ever experienced. I have cut the tip of my thumb off on a table saw, cut a gash in my leg from ankle to knee with an inner-tube valve stem, exposing my ankle bone, and stepped on a rusty nail that punctured an inch into my foot. Those were nothing compared to pepper spray. I hate pepper spray. The only thing on earth that might cause more pain and discomfort than pepper spray might be giving birth sans-drugs with two shattered femurs.
Tasering, on the other hand was like a quiet stroll on a warm spring day in the park compared to the OC spray. Not that it didn't hurt, but it was over as soon as it started. We were all drive-stunned on Wednesday. Our Service didn't have authorization at the time to give us the full 5 seconds of "riding the lightning".
I'm planning on requesting to re-do the tasering in six months when the next recruit class is doing their taser "exposures". They should have authorization by then.
Thank God that we are on to computer week. No significant chance of grievous bodily harm or death.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Family Night
Well, our first Family Night was a success!
I showed-up with the kids a little early (which, apparently, everyone else had thought to do as well). After making sure my hair wasn't tossed around and my hands weren't shaking too badly we braved the cold and walked into the building. The first few moments were probably the most intimidating. All of the recruits were standing just inside the front doors, waiting to claim their arriving friends and family. All eyes fell on the people walking through the doors and it was clear there were many, "Ah, so that's so-and-so's spouse..." looks going around. I think Blue's class was eager to meet some of the spouses and kids they'd been hearing stories of for the past few weeks. I was introduced to some of Blue's group. Two of the girls came up and gushed over The Boys cowboy boots he was wearing.
We were then ushered into the gym for a brief run-down of how the evening would go and then broken-up into groups and shuffled around to different rooms to hear different presentations.
Our first presentation was from the Firearm's guys. The Boy was excited because he got to hold a Glock and put on a Kevlar vest. After that we went to hear all about the Use of Force training and see some of the 'tools' they use. I think the coolest thing that I saw all night was a knife that they use during simulation training. It's called a Shocknife and it sends an electric pulse around the edges of the blade so that when you're 'cut' it makes it feel as though you've actually been cut. It was a pretty interesting looking tool. I liked the Use of Force guys...you could tell they love their jobs.
Next was a demonstration from the K-9 Unit (which the kids loved), Vehicle Operations Unit, a tour through the Police Museum (very interesting!) and finally a presentation from the Bomb Squad. After all of that we had a few moments to grab a drink and mingle about. By that time (9:30pm) the kids were starting to implode so I didn't really walk around and chat with anyone. I got a picture of the four of us (with Blue in his uniform) and then we left.
The recruits were allowed to invite family and friends to that event so it was pretty crowded and hard to see who was with who. There will be a few more family evenings intended for immediate family members only so I'm hoping to connect with some more people then. I did end-up chatting with one lovely woman but I had no idea who she 'belonged' to. Hopefully I'll run into her again.
One thing that I appreciated was that there were NO statistics or scare tactics. One guy had a list of books that would be helpful to read if anyone wanted access to them. A few of the presenters mentioned how important family support was and to keep your officer doing the things that he enjoyed doing before becoming a cop, but it was mainly an information evening for everyone to see what your loved one has been up to or will be up to.
I'm glad that I can now picture the rooms Blue is spending his days in and the people he is spending them with.
One comment trickled down through the grape vine yesterday. A female officer made a comment to Blue about me and, I must say, it made my day. I know that I need to be more confident with the fact that I am likable, but meeting new people seems to be one area that I have a hard time getting over. I'm just happy that Blue is 6'5"...he's good for hiding behind. (Kidding)
I showed-up with the kids a little early (which, apparently, everyone else had thought to do as well). After making sure my hair wasn't tossed around and my hands weren't shaking too badly we braved the cold and walked into the building. The first few moments were probably the most intimidating. All of the recruits were standing just inside the front doors, waiting to claim their arriving friends and family. All eyes fell on the people walking through the doors and it was clear there were many, "Ah, so that's so-and-so's spouse..." looks going around. I think Blue's class was eager to meet some of the spouses and kids they'd been hearing stories of for the past few weeks. I was introduced to some of Blue's group. Two of the girls came up and gushed over The Boys cowboy boots he was wearing.
We were then ushered into the gym for a brief run-down of how the evening would go and then broken-up into groups and shuffled around to different rooms to hear different presentations.
Our first presentation was from the Firearm's guys. The Boy was excited because he got to hold a Glock and put on a Kevlar vest. After that we went to hear all about the Use of Force training and see some of the 'tools' they use. I think the coolest thing that I saw all night was a knife that they use during simulation training. It's called a Shocknife and it sends an electric pulse around the edges of the blade so that when you're 'cut' it makes it feel as though you've actually been cut. It was a pretty interesting looking tool. I liked the Use of Force guys...you could tell they love their jobs.
Next was a demonstration from the K-9 Unit (which the kids loved), Vehicle Operations Unit, a tour through the Police Museum (very interesting!) and finally a presentation from the Bomb Squad. After all of that we had a few moments to grab a drink and mingle about. By that time (9:30pm) the kids were starting to implode so I didn't really walk around and chat with anyone. I got a picture of the four of us (with Blue in his uniform) and then we left.
The recruits were allowed to invite family and friends to that event so it was pretty crowded and hard to see who was with who. There will be a few more family evenings intended for immediate family members only so I'm hoping to connect with some more people then. I did end-up chatting with one lovely woman but I had no idea who she 'belonged' to. Hopefully I'll run into her again.
One thing that I appreciated was that there were NO statistics or scare tactics. One guy had a list of books that would be helpful to read if anyone wanted access to them. A few of the presenters mentioned how important family support was and to keep your officer doing the things that he enjoyed doing before becoming a cop, but it was mainly an information evening for everyone to see what your loved one has been up to or will be up to.
I'm glad that I can now picture the rooms Blue is spending his days in and the people he is spending them with.
One comment trickled down through the grape vine yesterday. A female officer made a comment to Blue about me and, I must say, it made my day. I know that I need to be more confident with the fact that I am likable, but meeting new people seems to be one area that I have a hard time getting over. I'm just happy that Blue is 6'5"...he's good for hiding behind. (Kidding)
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