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| Chief Zuidema |
The academy was a seven session class that introduced average folks like me to the world of law enforcement.
Greg had suggested that I take the class...and I invited some friends... so it became our "girls' night" over the course of six weeks.
Honestly, It was great! Each session was very informative and I grew my knowledge of law enforcement.
Let's think back to my earlier knowledge of police:
Growing up.... zero interaction with the law. My family has been pretty straight and narrow. I knew cops were around "keeping people safe". I participated in the DARE program as a kid. I assume some cop taught me the dangers of drug use. Police were not on my mind.
As a young adult.... watching shows like CSI, knowing everything is dramatized for TV...being especially irritated that the TV investigators never turned on lights, and found all of their evidence through the light of a flashlight.
As a young married person... hearing stories of real life "bad cops" in Colorado, surrounding the criminal case of Thayer's father. Always knowing that most police are good. But there are some shady ones as well. Even at that point.... police.... not on my mind.
As a widow....That one speeding ticket I got at the NC/VA border.... That trooper was on my mind. But the ticket was deserved and the trooper was typical.
For the first 39 years of my life there is a chance I could have been in a room full of police officers and not batted an eye. I have no draw to men in uniform. I am the opposite of what they may call a "badge bunny". I knew I respected authority but my radar for policemen was nil.
Then, BAM, out of the blue... this hunky guy I started to date was a cop. As I started to learn about him, I started to learn about his career. I was able to hear candidly about his job, and start to appreciate what it takes to be in law enforcement in such a time as this.
I was able to do several ride-alongs while he was out on the streets. Those times were EYE OPENING! For an average person like me.... it showed me an entirely different part of society that I don't see from my safe little bubble.
Y'all!!!... people in the general public are CRAZY. Drunk, violent, crazy! The crap that cops deal with every shift of every day would blow your mind. Police are trained to uphold the law.... but I was surprised to see how police have to be excellent communicators, listeners and problem solvers. The split second decisions and thinking on their feet is beyond taxing. Someone clearly has to be called to such a profession.
Even though Greg is currently off of the street.... I can see how his time and experiences over the past 22 years have shaped him. It is not the kind of job that you leave at the end of the day.
Jump back to the Citizens' Police Academy:
It was a treat to hear from Greg's police family during the class sessions. I was able to add detail to what Greg had already shared with me, and gain much deeper insight into all aspects of what makes a police department run. The topics were on point and very relevant. It's the kind of stuff I wish everyone could hear and appreciate.
My appreciation for law enforcement has grown exponentially in just the past few years. Now... police are on my radar... all of the time. They are my heroes. 💗
The Citizens' Police Academy is a great resource for people who love the police, who appreciate the police,who are curious about the police, who are fearful of the police, who doubt the police, who support the police, who live near police, who eat in restaurants with police, who share the roads with police, who share air with police.
I highly recommend this class to all citizens when it rolls around again.
The Citizens' Police Academy is offered for Lynchburg and surrounding residents. Keep your eyes peeled for the next enrollment!
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| Citizens' Police Academy graduates April 18,2019 |
