Well, where do I start? Day 2 was the scenarios day. We started right at seven and were barely seated five minutes when we were split up into four groups and taken to different stations for various scenarios.

My first station was the range! I wanted to do that first so I was thrilled that’s where my group got to go first. It was very cool. I had never fired a gun before so I was a little nervous. There were a people who got to shoot before me so I could hear the gun shots while the rest of us waited. They’re really loud. A gun shot is one of the scariest sounds I’ve heard. We had to wear body armour. It was very light weight. And of course there was the protective eye and ear gear. Even with the ear plugs and the mufflers (looked like headphones) over my ears I could hear the gun loud and clear when I fired it. The instructor’s voice sounded far away though. I got the first four shots right in the target area.  The fifth shot, the one I was thinking about, the one I squeezed off fast, went low, outside the target area.

There were so many things I wanted to write down when we did the traffic stop. And the other scenarios but of course my binder and pen were in the auditorium. It would have been difficult to write it down anyway. I should have brought a tape recorder. I’m hoping they do a quick review or recap next week and make some of the same points.

The firing range was definitely the highlight for me. The other stuff, the scenarios, I pretty much knew and I have access to law enforcement people I can ask questions of. But the hands on gun handling and shooting, I could never get that by asking someone. I was surprised my hands didn’t shake when I held the gun. The instructor said I had a good grip. Though I knew there would be recoil I was surprised at it anyway.

Can’t wait for Day 3. Now, I must get to work.

Until next time…

Cindy

Last night was the first class of Citizen Police Academy (CPA) and it was great. I knew it would be an interesting twelve weeks and day one proved it. There were three presenters for day one. We got a little of the responsibilities of the Police Services Board. A little about the Chief of Police. And even more about police training.

The police training presentation was great. The presenter was very energetic. Great sense of humour. He gave us a lot of information in a little bit of time. I didn’t know that the Halton Police had to re-qualify for firearms and defence training (with the Taser, the Pepper spray, etc.) every year.

Next week’s class will be even more exciting with the students being put in “situations” and trying to handle them as a police officer would. I just hope I can maintain perfect attendance for the first seven classes. If I do that my name gets put in a draw for a ride-a-long with a uniformed police officer. I would LOVE to do that.

Well, must get to work.

Until next time…

Cindy