CPD - March 2021 New Applications

[gadams22]

Where you at in the process?

[Klay]

Anyone know when the next academy class is?

[southpaw1]

You have some really great points Zutana . Definitely use the down time in the academy to study for tests, practice handcuffing and tactics, etc. You are in the academy to make those mistakes there and learn. You eff up...OWN IT! Big deal might have to write a to/from. I actually never thought that I would be writing those my entire career so it's practice lol. You want a day off nowadays you have to write a to/from way in advance so it's not all for when you mess up. Work together and help each other get through it. Those are some of the best bonds you'll make on this job are in the academy. Have fun and make the best of it.

When the instructors tell you that you might work with them or back them up one day I can tell you that a handful returned to the streets and I have backed up and worked with so its true. Continue to learn everyday. I know that I do. Realistically you're not going to know a lot when hit the streets. The reality is you'll have some foundation but you're going to learn police work by actually doing it. The academy can only prepare you so much. For example we had a person with a gun call recently and guy was fighting and had a gun on him. The training and experience will kick in and emergency cuffing comes with practice. So if you practice cuffing together on the mats make it realistic but don't hurt each other. Some people are cool and compliant when the cuffs go on but then you got the fighters or ones that will run on you. The positioning for cuffing if possible to minimize an attack is very important. So listen to what they're telling you.

Don't be doing arrests 99 if you're working alone. I never understood that. Wait for your partner or backup. Learn the streets, study the maps, the grid system if you're not from here, know what landmarks that are near you. That's all on you. You turn a corner take a mental snapshot or say it for your partner even if you're not on a job. It's a good habit especially going to a 1A job. Stuff happens and you might on-view something.

I also want to say the department as a whole gets a bad rap because of the people in charge which is outside of our control but hats off to the people that continue to show up and wear the CPD uniform everyday and show great restraint and do their jobs. As someone said you could literally do everything right and still be wrong here. I work with some of the of the hardest working people and we not only work in the busiest part of the city, we are one of the busiest districts in the entire country. In one SHIFT or tour of duty we can regularly deal with multiple people shot or several shootings, crazy domestics, mental health disturbances, multiple shots fired calls or Shot spotter alerts, person with a gun calls, carjackings. We have to call out the gunfire regularly and casually its unfortunate but it literally is that crazy here.

You're going to see a lot of stuff quicker especially in these busier places. The nicer districts are no longer that so they can keep spitting that lie to people. It's very obvious to anyone that lives here. This job isn't for everyone but always happy to have new people to help out. I'm not going to sugar coat it. Someone has to do this so thank you guys for being crazy enough to join us lol. Take care.

[Zutana]

If I can add some advice based soley on my observations within the academy... it's so important to accept corrections (no matter the delivery). Humble yourself. Accept you have a lot to learn about everything.

Identify areas where improvement is needed and take INITIATIVE to work on that on your own. Especially while we're in this learning environment.  

If you're struggling with law or testing average scores... find the resources to improve. Ask for help. Make time to study, at school and at home. The instructors want you to master the material they can help. Aim high. Don't settle for passing.

If you are uncomfortable/unsure with the PT/tactical stuff, sign up for the support classes. Practice on your time off, with peers and in between classes. Try to make it second nature. Build confidence.

If your shooting needs work... go down to the range in the mornings, or on your lunch break to dry fire. Draw from the holster during breaks. Dry fire at home over and over again.

Most importantly... push and support your peers throughout the process. These are the people we'll have to depend on, in the streets. Everyone needs to know their sh** as much as possible before leaving. Don't leave it all to the FTO. There's no excuses.

As recruits, if we don't work on mastering the basics now... and are simply satisfied with just "passing" (or assume we'll just learn it in the field)... we're doing ourselves, our family, and the colleagues that will depend on us, a huge disservice when we finally get out there.


Physical strength is good and all, but knowing the law, knowing how to write well, searching throughly, identifying risks, acting quickly, shooting accurately, and effectively descalating/controlling tense situations, are even more important.
... at least thats what I've been told.

[southpaw1]

I just want to say if you don't learn anything else in the academy please remember that safety and backing each other up out here is so important. You have no idea. You never know what you might prevent or make some think twice about doing something or just having the strength in numbers. Those are my coworkers and friends that were shot this week and we are going to make sure they have whatever they need to get through this. Those scumbags did not hesitate to shoot at the police on 2 separate occasions 5 days and 2 miles apart. it's very real out here and learn as much as you can and be safe.

[Zutana]

Yikes. Rough week for the new class. Lol
But congrats on the 1st week!

[Clashy212]

Removed ……….

[CHI2413]

Hey, I'm still in the process but would appreciate an invite if you decide to make a discord!

[Bluelife01]

Good idea ! The chat would be great ! But it may be a better idea to have everyone’s cell number as not everyone is on here !

[stefan2x]

Whatever you do.. lmk

[Dang3rdoom45]

Lol ZzzQuil is my go to. But I got a feeling melatonin might be a good bet during the academy. Also, I was thinking of making a Discord server for the class. make it much easier for everyone to communicate and whatnot.

[stefan2x]

We should make a chat for tomorrows class

[stefan2x]

Yep. Just picked up some melatonin so I can be sleep early lol.

[Dang3rdoom45]

Everyone ready for tomorrow?

[southpaw1]

Congrats and welcome!