The sirens blared as we sped across town to a domestic disturbance call we just received on the dispatch computer. My heart was pumping as we approached the house, but Officer Palmer was calm and cool. He told me to stay in the car as he investigated.
When he returned, he told me that thankfully it was just a loud argument between a young couple. This was just one of the calls we answered as I participated in my ride-along as part of the Citizen’s Police Academy (CPA).
Twice each year over 12 weeks, the Garland Police Department (GPD) opens its doors to give about 30 citizens an in depth look at every division within the department. During our session, Police Chief Mitch Bates spoke about the dangers and benefits of being a police officer. We heard presentations from officers and detectives focusing on domestic violence, crimes against children, gang prevention, traffic enforcement, patrol operations, narcotics, and internal affairs.
We also saw presentations from the SWAT unit, Intelligence (undercover) Unit, the Bomb Squad, the DPS helicopter pilots, the K-9 unit, the communications dispatchers, and the forensic specialists.
As part of the CPA, four extra curricular activities were also available to further deepen my understanding of the workings of the department. I had the opportunity do a patrol observation on an eight hour shift, in which we responded to three domestic disturbance calls, helped a traffic accident, arrested a shoplifter in Firewheel Mall, pulled over a driver with her headlights off, and checked on an alarm in a self storage facility.
I also spent four hours in the communications office listening to 911 calls being answered and dispatched to the responding officers.
One Saturday evening, I spent four hours observing the intake at the city detention center where citizens who were arrested spent the evening.
Finally, I tested my decision making in the FATS (Fire Arms Training Simulator) that presented various situations, such as a convenience store robbery or a traffic stop, as whether to use deadly force.
Two of the most popular additional activities my class members and I participated in was the day we traveled to the firing range to test our accuracy firing the same weapons issued to the officers. Later that day we went to the parking lot of Williams Stadium and drove patrol cars through a timed obstacle course. It was exciting to drive the big Tahoes with full lights and sirens as fast as we could around the traffic cones.
The 12-week course ended like it began with a talk from Chief Bates. It was interesting how our questions and perspectives changed after seeing it first hand. What struck me was the variety of career paths available within the department and how each person truly enjoyed their role in keeping the citizens of Garland safe.
All of us certainly grew in appreciation for what these brave men and women face each day and we could not express our gratitude enough.
We also joined the Garland Citizen’s Police Academy Alumni Association, which allows us to stay connected to the department by participating in fundraisers and benefit activities for our police.
If you are interested in joining the Citizen’s Police Academy, and I highly encourage it, the next class in spring is already taking applications. Find more information on the GPD webpage.
www.garlandpolice.com/gov/lq/safety/police/cpa/default.asp
At the end of each blog post, I will add a musical selection. Let’s keep this campaign positive and fun.