I have always wanted to serve in law enforcement. It was something that I
have wanted to do since childhood and I finally got my chance in 2012 at the age
of 54. First, there was the academy, where I had to learn all the State and Federal
laws to include the United States Constitution. Then it was off to the gun range to
learn how to shoot tactically followed by defensive tactics. The final stage was
learning how to apply and administer criminal procedures in accordance with my
State requirements for Law Enforcement. I endured all the training and
finally graduated and received my badge from my Police Chief. Then came the six
month field training with my Field Training Officer (FTO). During my field
training I learned everything from defusing domestics, to
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After field training I was assigned to the night shift, and received the keys to
my first patrol car. I truly thought I was my own man, no longer attached to a FTO
and now able to make my own decisions. My confidence level was extremely
high, matched only by my ambition to fight crime. A new career had been
launched.
I am still patrolling the streets and have seen a lot, endured a lot, and
changed a lot. I have been to multiple domestics where women and children have
been verbally and physically beaten. I have seen dead bodies, have been frustrated
by the revolving jail door, and have been assaulted both verbally and physically
numerous times. Through all of it I found myself becoming street wise with thick
skin to protect myself from the daily grind of the job.
Topic Two: Stresses of Policing in the Rural Area
As a Reserve Police Sergeant for a small rural police agency, I have
personally observed and experienced the stresses most Rural Police Officers face
on a daily basis:
Backup. In a large agency, backup is readily available, usually