Please help me welcome Recruit Ryan to the Lakewood Police Department. In his blog he discusses being the son of a police officer, to whom Ryan turned for advice during these turbulent times.
My name is
Ryan. I'm currently a recruit for the Lakewood Police Department. I'm privileged to share with you a few brief
thoughts about the Combined Regional Academy.
I attended
both Regis University and the University of Colorado. I previously worked for the State government in
Youth Corrections and in the city of Lakewood in Community Corrections. I'm a Colorado native
(did you already guess that?), so I was very excited to start this new
career.
During my first
week, some of the stark realities of my chosen profession were broadcast all
over the world. The shootings in Baton Rouge and Dallas were intensely covered
by the media. Both incidents were a grim
reminder of the ultimate sacrifice every law enforcement officer must be
willing to make. I had considered these
aspects of the job previously, but here it was all over the news and social media. My mother, and my girlfriend both mentioned their
worries to me, which I appreciated. It
was hard not to be a little bit uncertain, with what felt like mounting tension
against law enforcement and the natural jitters that come with starting a new
job. Perhaps sensing this, my father
called me to offer some re-assuring words.
My dad told me that when he
started his career in law enforcement, the country was experiencing similar
tension in the form of the LA Riots. He
was certain any unease I had would pass and reminded me there would be
extremely tough days on the job as well.
He told me I was joining a team and brotherhood much bigger than
myself. Finally, I should always do my
best professionally and personally to represent the badge, as it was a
reflection on all those who share it. Our conversation reinforced all the
reasons I had wanted to be in law enforcement and despite recent events and
increased media attention, this had not changed in the slightest. The risks associated with the profession were
also the same as they had ever been.
This was unlike a
typical father/son conversation from my perspective for one particular reason;
my father is a Denver Police Department Sergeant. He has been in law enforcement my entire
life, with Denver since 1991. When I was
younger his VICE Team stories were always of great interest to me, but this was
different. I listened to his words
intently, not only as a son, but as a green recruit looking for tips on how to
navigate the profession.
I've never been a
part of a professional sports team, but in many ways the Academy is what I
imagine a Broncos training or offseason camp might be like. Playbook memorization is replaced with
learning articles of the criminal code and how to apply them. Practicing skills, such as how to question a
suspect or witness, take the place of position drills like route running or
blocking. Strength and conditioning
programs are essential to both professions and as such there are CrossFit
workouts scheduled just about every week.
It's been said
"you play the way you practice."
One of the hallmarks of Peyton Manning's Hall of Fame career was
preparation. The Academy challenges each
recruit to work on their weaknesses outside of the academy. Whether it is becoming stronger and faster,
or applying elements of the Criminal Code, there is always another skill to
sharpen or subject to learn. This
preparation time is the hallmark of a professional in any discipline.
As great as one
individual may be, they can accomplish far more through the strength of their
team, as Bronco Country can attest. This
message is reinforced every day when we sit down in the classroom. All of our agencies' mission statements,
badges, and patches adorn the wall. I
find the most striking feature of the room to be a thin blue line that runs
along the entire perimeter of the room.
Occasionally during the day, I look at the plaque explaining the
symbolism of this line and reflect on it.
The line represents our team colors and the camaraderie we're building
at the academy.
I haven't yet
earned the right to consider myself a part of the thin blue line, it is
something that I and every other recruit are working towards together over the 22
weeks we spend here. I look forward to
updating you on our progress later on in the academy.
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