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Joined the Citizen's Academy!

M-Taliesin

Regular Member
Joined
Apr 22, 2011
Messages
1,504
Location
Aurora, Colorado
Howdy Folks!
I would appreciate if folks who read this thread will keep remarks respectful and dignified.

My wife decided to enroll in the Citizen's Academy established by our county sheriff. Rather belatedly, I decided I wanted to go, and my pardner made his decision at the last minute but got enrolled as well. So Tuesday evening, we all went to attend our first session of this eleven week course.

Before I go on, this is what the sheriff's office says about the Citizen's Academy:
"the Citizens Academy, will provide a "hands on" experience, including driving. Specialized units, such as the Bomb Squad, SWAT, K-9 Unit, Firearms Training, Crime Lab, Posse, Search and Rescue, and Dispatch, will demonstrate many of the functions and aspects of the Sheriff's operations."

I know many folks who view law enforcement with a jaundiced eye, and I also know of police officers who do not trust citizens.
The Citizen's Academy gives a real opportunity for citizens to see the world through the perspective of the officer, and the officer gets an opportunity to meet with citizens in a positive and productive manner. In essence, we can learn a great deal from one another through this course.

I am personally looking forward to learning about the posse, and how that works and how they keep records of their experiences. It may be that they have records of posse activity dating back more than 100 years, and if so, could be a positive boon to me as a metal detectorist. Knowing where outlaw activity took place could lead to a stash of buried loot! Yeah!!!

Search and Rescue should be interesting, as well as driving. What I understand is that we get the opportunity to drive a squad car. How cool is that? We also will see the crime lab, and that's gotta be outstanding! Don't know if we'll get to shoot at Firearms Training, but I'd be really excited about that in particular. I'm also looking forward to seeing SWAT up close, and see the type of gear they carry.

In the session on Tuesday, two county prosecutors gave a presentation on their work and how things progress through the system to become a case in court. They covered RAS, Probable Cause, Preponderance of Evidence (in civil cases), and the concept of Beyond A Reasonable Doubt. Those of us in attendance had a unique look at the process and took questions from the group.

Then we were given a presentation on the Emergency Operations Center from the Deputy who runs the organization. I wonder how many citizens of our county even know this exists, or that they have a whole bunch of people that can be brought together to manage an emergency very quickly. Often this group can be operational within an hour! The group consists of law enforcement, communications specialists, public service authorities, policy authorities, I.T. specialists, Search and Rescue, and a whole bunch more. Whether it is a natural disaster or terrorists attack, this group of individuals and specific groups is ready to mobilize to meet the challenge very quickly. I was amazed that this group exists, and are so well organized to respond to an emergency situation.

The Citizen's Academy is an opportunity for citizens to learn about things from the other side of the badge. It is a chance to learn about our sheriff's department and the work they do. I'd highly recommend everybody to get involved in a Citizen's Academy if your local sheriff has one. If not, perhaps ask that they start one up! There are services that exist within the sheriff's office that are focused on protecting the citizen, help them when crime happens (victim's advocates) and provide social opportunities for folks to interact with deputies.

My pardner and I both open carried our handguns and locked them up in the car once we got there. During the presentation by the county attorneys, I had an opportunity to talk about open carry in Colorado and how some officers have infringed that right. Not in our county, but in several nearby jurisdictions. That was while they were trying to explain Reasonable Articulateable Suspicion (RAS).

Again, I ask that folks keep this thread respectful and dignified. Whatever your sentiments about law enforcement, I believe this type of Citizen's Academy can benefit every citizen. As you know, I advocate a working partnership between law enforcement and citizens to help make our communities safer and less inviting for criminals. As I told the County Prosecutor, I open carry but would much rather have cops on the scene than need to draw my own weapon to defend my life!

From what I've seen of Citizens Academy so far, it will be a really fast 11 weeks! And I expect to learn a great deal along the way.

Blessings,
M-Taliesin
 
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Gunslinger

Regular Member
Joined
Mar 6, 2008
Messages
3,853
Location
Free, Colorado, USA
Sounds like a good idea--and fun. I wonder if El Paso County has something like it. You look like a used car salesman in your avatar, btw...
 

ManInBlack

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 2, 2006
Messages
1,551
Location
SW Idaho
Did you have to pay to enroll in the "Academy" or is this something that the citizenry at large is forced to fund? I also wonder if this is an "overtime mine" for the officers involved...
 

jskp229

Regular Member
Joined
Jun 7, 2009
Messages
101
Location
Douglas County, Colorado, USA
M-T...

The academys can be a good experience. I did the full one day one sponsored by the Douglas County sheriff last year. Good cross-section of department functions & activities. We didn't do any live shooting, but were able to use the VR simulator to do some of the shoot / no shoot encounters that the LEOs have to do.

Given the funding shortages, they are getting less frequent so take advantage whenever you can. Also, from what I have heard is they evolve and change over time so I would porbably do it again in the future.

Overall, I would recommend them to everyone to get a better understanding of their job and to also get a better relationship with your local sheriff and his leadership team.


JSK...
 
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M-Taliesin

Regular Member
Joined
Apr 22, 2011
Messages
1,504
Location
Aurora, Colorado
Did you have to pay to enroll in the "Academy" or is this something that the citizenry at large is forced to fund? I also wonder if this is an "overtime mine" for the officers involved...

Howdy Pard!
Nope, I did not have to pay to enroll in the citizen's academy.
While I am not certain beyond reasonable doubt, I believe the citizens academy is presented courtesy of grant money donated by a philanthropic organization.
Finally, since senior level deputies, commanders and staff officers run the academy presentations: People who receive a salary regardless of how many hours they put in, there is no "overtime mine" to be plundered. Officers who we may interact with are doing so as part of their regular duty if they are not senior staff officers, so they're on regular pay. Some of that time they are required to work also requires them to engage in training exercises. That citizens may be included in such exercises does not diminish from the fact that deputies would still be doing ongoing training exercises.

In closing, this thread isn't about political ideology. It is about something available to citizens of my jurisdiction that can provide a significant insight into the operation of the sheriff's office. Since we already pay for their services through our tax dollars, it is entirely appropriate for them to include citizens who pay for such services to be involved with their sheriff's office. Furthermore, it is a whole bunch cheaper than season tickets to my favorite NFL team!

Thank you for your quesitons.

Blessings,
M-Taliesin
 

luv_jeeps

Campaign Veteran
Joined
Jan 22, 2010
Messages
136
Location
Thornton, Colorado, USA
In the session on Tuesday, two county prosecutors gave a presentation on their work and how things progress through the system to become a case in court. They covered RAS, Probable Cause, Preponderance of Evidence (in civil cases), and the concept of Beyond A Reasonable Doubt. Those of us in attendance had a unique look at the process and took questions from the group.

My pardner and I both open carried our handguns and locked them up in the car once we got there. During the presentation by the county attorneys, I had an opportunity to talk about open carry in Colorado and how some officers have infringed that right. Not in our county, but in several nearby jurisdictions. That was while they were trying to explain Reasonable Articulateable Suspicion (RAS).

What types of responses / other questions were asked/given based on your comments listed above?
Thanks,
Geoff
 

M-Taliesin

Regular Member
Joined
Apr 22, 2011
Messages
1,504
Location
Aurora, Colorado
What types of responses / other questions were asked/given based on your comments listed above?
Thanks,
Geoff

Howdy Pardner!
When they were explaining RAS, I mentioned that Loveland officers detained an open carrier who was simply sitting on a park bench, watching the sun go down while enjoying an apple. I also mentioned that without RAS, they infringed on his rights and that resulted in the city paying $1,500 in settlement and affirming they will train officers regarding open carry.

For others in the room, this is the first they've heard of open carry, and that it is legal. It is also the first time they've encountered someone who affirms his right to open carry. While I was sitting there with an empty holster on my hip, the man sitting next to me kept glancing at my holster. The couple of officers who were in the room were aware of that holster, but said nothing much about open carry.

I did sneak in that the Sheriff's webpage, in the FAQ section of the conceal carry permit information, states clearly that open carry is legal in most public places in Colorado.

There were not many references to open carry, nor questions about it, during this class. The subject of open carry was essentially off topic to what was being discussed, but I did inject a bit of information about it during the discussion of RAS. The attorneys for the county did say that RAS is absolutely necessary for an officer to instigate an investigation. My own interaction illustrated that RAS is sometimes lacking and citizens detained for questioning, without Mirandizing either.

But that was only the first class of the series. I'm certain there will be more opportunities to explore the subject of RAS and to assert my right to open carry as I go about my routine business. In so doing, officers will know that at least one citizen is aware of his rights and other citizens will learn they have this right. I do not wish to alter the purpose of Citizen's Academy, but I do intend to be who I am and the rights I live by! Those aims should be completely harmonious.

Blessings,
M-Taliesin
 

since9

Campaign Veteran
Joined
Jan 14, 2010
Messages
6,964
Location
Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA
Sounds like a good idea--and fun. I wonder if El Paso County has something like it.

They do, Gunslinger. I signed up for it in the Fall of 2009, but was waylaid by the avian flu (or some two-week copycat. My aunt attended a few decades ago, and that experience caused her to change her occupation. She first volunteered at the FD, then became a full-time employee.

Try this link: Media Release - El Paso County Citizens Academy
 

M-Taliesin

Regular Member
Joined
Apr 22, 2011
Messages
1,504
Location
Aurora, Colorado
Howdy Folks!
One of the requirements for our citizen's academy is the "ride along". I'll be out Saturday night with a deputy for my ride along from 5pm to 3am. I am intrigued at what I might expect and what I might learn. I am rather more excited about this than I anticipated. Hope it turns out to be as illuminating as I anticipate. Will know before much longer, I guess.

Blessings,
M-Taliesin
 

M-Taliesin

Regular Member
Joined
Apr 22, 2011
Messages
1,504
Location
Aurora, Colorado
Did you have to pay to enroll in the "Academy" or is this something that the citizenry at large is forced to fund? I also wonder if this is an "overtime mine" for the officers involved...

Howdy MIB!
Got an answer for ya!
The Citizen's Academy is paid for almost entirely by voluntary contributions from the Citizen's Academy Alumni Association. They do events to raise money for Citizen's Academy. They sell items to support the Academy. The Academy doesn't rely or receive money from the budget of the Sheriff's office. The citizenry at large isn't forced to fund one thin dime of the Academy budget. And when I join the Alumni Association, I'll volunteer at community events to promote and support the Academy. I'll make contributions to the Academy, both in terms of time and money. Officers donate their time to instruct classes at the Academy. Those we've heard from thus far, several weeks in, are all salaried and they don't get one single minute of overtime. Volunteers, who put on demonstrations of Search and Rescue or our Explorers posts, do so on their own volition. We had a demonstration from our S&R Explorers yesterday of tracking using bloodhounds. Those kids buy their own dogs, train them on their own dime, and show up when called upon to help find lost people or track down others that need found.

Not everybody in the world is motivated by a mercenary agenda.

Blessings,
M-Taliesin
 
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goalseter88

Regular Member
Joined
Mar 4, 2010
Messages
334
Location
Kansas city, Kansas United States
Yah, my wife's dad is doing a similar class, except its threw the FBI. During the firearm portion, they let him shoot their mp5(trainer modes which were single fire, not fully auto). and after that he was able to go to some extention of it, and go to Quantico, Virginia, and see their training center.
 

M-Taliesin

Regular Member
Joined
Apr 22, 2011
Messages
1,504
Location
Aurora, Colorado
Yah, my wife's dad is doing a similar class, except its threw the FBI. During the firearm portion, they let him shoot their mp5(trainer modes which were single fire, not fully auto). and after that he was able to go to some extention of it, and go to Quantico, Virginia, and see their training center.

Howdy Amigo!
Wow, that's an awesome thing to experience. Getting the inside look at the FBI and their training facility in Quantico. I'll bet he came away with an entirely new insight of the bureau as a result of those classes. That sounds like an incredible thing to me.

I've been learning a great deal about the Sheriff's office here, which is a level 1 Sheriff's office, which means it is geared to handle darn near anything. The FBI has gotta be a huge leap beyond what we are getting. That being said, I am discovering a whole new perspective on our sheriff's office. Oh, don't get me wrong, I've always had a high degree of respect for our sheriff's office and their people. But seeing things from an inside perspective is a whole new insight.

Thank you for your contribution to our thread!
Blessings,
M-Taliesin
 

goalseter88

Regular Member
Joined
Mar 4, 2010
Messages
334
Location
Kansas city, Kansas United States
Yah, I know he said he learned a lot and thought it was a neat experience. He the same way, he always had a high standard for cops. He leads the security where he works, and he actually has a couple retired FBI agents working on his security. But he just says its just amazing to see how they do things, and how detailed they are.

Mabye once i move to colorado next year, I might look into that citezin academy.

Thanks for the nice welcome. I haven't looked into this colorado forums much since i still probably got a half year before I move. Just thought I see how the OC movement is in Colorado. I still got to look into seeing how OC is dealt with in Colorado. Here in missiouri it based off each state, which kinda stinks if your going threw several cities.

I also like your guys attitude a lot more then in Missouri towards cops. I tell you, you just mention the word "cops" in a sentence and by the end of the thread, it will end being just a thread of bashing cops. Even if your not a cop fan, just let it go. Do you have to go off on them each time they are brought up.
 

jmar254

Regular Member
Joined
Jun 3, 2008
Messages
40
Location
, ,
Wheat Ridge C.A.

I did the Wheat Ridge C.A. class, if was a good time, it gave me a whole new repect for the police. I've been trying to find the time to do the Jefferson County Sheriffs one as well.
 

Freedom First

Regular Member
Joined
Dec 8, 2010
Messages
845
Location
Kennewick, Wa.
I did the Wheat Ridge C.A. class, if was a good time, it gave me a whole new repect for the police. I've been trying to find the time to do the Jefferson County Sheriffs one as well.

I've been planning on doing the local citizen program here. I am waiting for the dust to settle from my OC encounter and the follow up on that before I do a ride along. At our last shoot/meetup I invited a local Federal LEO. He had a ball and we had a really great time sharing our vision of Freedom with him. Good stuff.

I will give any man, LE or not, a certain benefit of the doubt before I lump him in with the worst of his occupation. Show me who you are by your actions, not your badge.

Thanks for being out there M-T!
 

M-Taliesin

Regular Member
Joined
Apr 22, 2011
Messages
1,504
Location
Aurora, Colorado
I will give any man, LE or not, a certain benefit of the doubt before I lump him in with the worst of his occupation. Show me who you are by your actions, not your badge.

Howdy Freedom First!
I like how you respond to people, and think it is a wise way to deal with anybody, whether citizen, LEO or anybody for that matter. Show me who you are by your actions! Well said! That's the important thing, and it doesn't matter who anybody says they are, what's important is how they comport themself.

Now if only we could all take that approach to heart, we'd have a whole lot more neighborliness on the forum!

Thanks for your post!
Blessings,
M-Taliesin
 
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