Update!!!

It’s been a while since i’ve last posted but I wanted to share what i’ve been up to.  The last 4 weeks have been filled with lectures, tests, and firearms.  Our lectures have been great and i’ve learned a lot.  I would say that my biggest frustration with the academy is that we cover so much material, I would love nothing more than to dig deeper in some of the topics that we cover but time just doesn’t allow us to.  A couple weeks ago, an instructor covered interrogation and it was very interesting.  I would have loved to spend a few days on that topic and even get home and take time to read articles that apply but the reality is that we also covered other topics on that day.  After a 12 hour day and having to study other material, eat dinner, shower, have a little family time, it just isn’t gonna happen.  This has been my story for the summer.  None the less, the academy has been great.  

A lot of people have asked me if i’ve enjoyed it and my answer is always, “It has been great.”  That’s the truth, it has been going great.  I’ve learned a lot, I’ve made some good friends, and I’ve been able to learn under some seasoned instructors, but, it has also been stressful and tiring.  

I know, the job will be long hours and the stress is just part of it, but I feel like it’s different.  For me, at this point, the stress of knowing that if I don’t pass, I don’t get P.O.S.T. certified and if I don’t get P.O.S.T. certified, I don’t have a job.  When that crosses my mind, I think about my family, my wife, my kids, there’s a lot riding on me passing the academy.  I quickly push that out of my mind and just know that I’m gonna pass.  I know that this is where I’m suppose to be.  I don’t believe that things just happen.  Vail P.D. is where I am suppose to be and I can’t wait to get there.   

As far as the academy goes, i’ve been doing well.  We just finished firearms, the 3rd and final skills portion of the academy and yes, I passed.  We had two tests for firearms, the practical shooting skills test and the written test.  Everybody in our class passed the shooting portion but I was especially pumped on Friday afternoon when we  all received our firearms written test back and I had the high score in the class.  I ended up with a 97.5% and only missed one.  I was a little frustrated because the one answer that I missed, was originally correct but I changed it at the last minute.  Oh well, all that matters is that I passed and now I can just start focusing on the final P.O.S.T. test.  

Anyways, I have a lot to say but i’ll save it for next time.  I’m less than one month away from making the drive up to Vail and I’m excited.  I have met most of the officers that i’ll be working with and I can’t wait to learn from them.  

Until next time, take care!!!