There has been so much going on!

OC Day...

This day was such a test mentally and physically for everyone. OC stands for Oleoresin Capsicum. The main active ingredient is the capsicum portion, it is mostly derived from the fruit of plants in the capsicum genus...mostly including chilis.

During the day, we learned about the non-lethal effects of the OC spray and the advantages and disadvantages to resorting to this method. It seemed like the disadvantages out weighed the advantages because we were on the receiving end of the spray. There are many instances that the OC spray could be useful in subduing a suspect when they have chosen to be noncompliant and threatening.

I was one of the last recruits to be sprayed (I tried to take as many pictures as possible). Since I had the opportunity to watch everyone and see the different reactions that people were having, I was able to prepare for the worst. I have to tell you...the worst I was planning for was not nearly as bad as it really was! It was a great experience and I would probably do it again if I absolutely had to.

After being sprayed in the face with OC, we all had to complete a series of tasks while feeling the effects of the spray. The first of them was to deliver strikes/blows to a standing dummy while giving verbal directions. We then moved to a corner of a building to find a suspect that we had to give verbal directions to get on the ground and eventually handcuff them. Our last encounter was a suspect with a (fake) gun, we too were given a simunition (non lethal gun) and after giving many verbal commands to the suspect, we had to make the decision to shoot the suspect after he showed the intent to point the (fake) gun at us.

These exercises were really great to go through. It was showing us that we are to continue to fight through adversity (physical or mental) and fight until the threat is stopped. I can now tell you that I now appreciate the affect that OC provides.

I hope that you enjoy these pics...try not to laugh too hard!

Red Man

You are asking yourself...what the heck is this?! It is an afternoon of learning what adrenaline does to you and your senses during an “acted” arrest.

Throughout our classes of arrest control, we have learned a ton. Red Man days are days that we are to put our training to use. We have mock scenarios of making arrests on our suspects. All of our training “could” be put to use, which makes for a dynamic training day. Our training that we have received really prepares us for these exercises. I found myself even with the training, experiencing “tunnel vision” during the arrests and forgetting aspects that I need to keep in the forefront of my mind.

Below are some pictures of our first Red Man day...there will be more.

Oh...and AWESOME job to our instructors who helped us out all day!

Receiving direction

Recruits V and H practicing arrest techniques

Good distance



Attempting to arrest

Range Time! (Photos)

Gun ready position while kneeling

Receiving instruction of how to shoot in the prone position...from the 50 yard line of course!

Our marksman of our group

Recruit F showing off his kneeling skills


Recruit K brings his military experience to the range




Perfect timing for the shot (see the casing??)



Receiving great instruction



Dialed in!

Range Time!

BANG BANG! The times out on the range are AWESOME! We have been going to the range now for about five weeks. Most of us have come a long way from day one...including myself. I would not by any means consider myself to be a recreational shooter before the academy. I have shot a few guns in my time but nothing near the repetition and skills that are learned while up on the range! TRIGGER PRESS!! (learn it and know it!)

Deputy Ackerman and the other specialists are doing an AWESOME job at honing all of our skills. We are being taught to deal with different scenarios and decision making tactics that are to be made within a seconds time. The range is fun, but along with the fun comes the reality of why we are up there practicing. We have to have the mindset, that everyday we put on our uniforms that we could essentially be going to battle. This training is helping us achieve that mindset.

I have taken a few pictures while we are out at the range (next post)... hope you enjoy them!

Pretty Tough Schedule...

Hey everyone, it seems that I am constantly apologizing that I haven’t blogged enough. Well, we are just going to skip over the apologizing and get to some new blogs :)

I just came back from a great relaxing weekend that I had with my wife of 3 years now! I’ll be honest and say that it was great to be able to get away (even though it was only for a night) and do something different from eating, breathing, and sleeping academy! The academy has developed more in schooling and training in the past few weeks. With that comes more and more studying and preparation that needs to take place. Let me give you a brief look into my daily schedule:

0500 - 0630: up and running with dog, material review, breakfast, shower, etc.

0630 - 0720: drive in (this might get longer as the snow comes...)

0730 - 0800: class evaluations, reviewing notes

0800 - 1700: class!

1700 - 1800: drive home

1800 - 1900: time with dog

1900 - 2100: family time, dinner and maybe tv

2100 - 2230: study, preparation for next class

All of you out there that are thinking about getting into this role as a Peace Officer make sure you know what you are getting yourself into! My wife continues to be great and accepting of what little time that I actually have during the week. She knows that this profession is what I want to do and encourages me to do my best. I continue to remind myself of how great I have it! ;)

All in all...mentally prepare yourself to set aside 21 weeks of your life and be able to make sacrifices that need to be made!

Arrest Control

This was a great class! Sgt. Gompert and his team have done a great job teaching us different moves that we could put to use if necessary. Going through this class and learning what is expected of you physically just re-enforces the fact that you better be in great shape! The pictures of this day show us learning punches and elbow throws which can be very effective even through the bags! Enjoy the pics!

The kind of deputy sheriff I am going to be...

This is something that I have been thinking about ever since the academy started. If you talk to most people who know me, they would hopefully describe me as being laid back, sociable, fun, devoted, and optimistic...a “glass half full” type of guy. I have told myself over and over that I am not wanting my personality to change. I have had many talks with my family and friends to hold me accountable to this goal of mine.

I understand that within this career, one might come up against adversity dealing with people, possibly with the whole system in place, or even within themselves. I think that in order to be successful doing this job, you have to have outlets to relieve stress that builds up in your life. In my case, I love to hang out with my wife and dog. We go camping, white water rafting, road trips, love watching movies, hiking, and other interactive activities that separate ourselves from our careers. It is important to us to have a life outside of our jobs and to remember we are defined by God and the plans he has for us.

Through the training that we are receiving and the courses that we are taking, I feel like JeffCo is preparing us to be effective and well trained cops. I say effective because, as cops I think that we could misrepresent the badge if we are not trained properly. Thankfully, that is not the case! Our training is preparing us to be effective speakers, role-models, enforcers of the law, shooters, and effective protectors, among other qualities we possess. I hope to embody all these qualities and more to become a successful deputy sheriff.