Sheriff's Shooting Range!

On Saturday, December 8th, my academy class went to the L.A. County's Sheriff's Range in Valencia for a private lecture, demonstration, and opportunity to fire the department's weapons. While I am not at liberty to disclose the full details of what went on, I can say that it was definitely a fun experience. We were able to take home the brass and shells of the shots we fired. At the end of the day, I was informed that I was to be the next class sergeant for my academy class.

First Detail!

On Thursday, December 6th, I worked my first detail at the Baldwin Park Teen Center. It was a Christmas toy drive for underprivileged children between the ages of 3 and 14. My duties included setting up, working the game booths, directing traffic, and taking down the event. It was a lot of fun to help out and seeing all the smiles on the children's faces would have made anyone happy.

Blog 10: Senior Project Update

1) What are you currently doing in your indepedent component?

• I am still attending the STARS Explorer Academy in order to graduate as a Police Explorer. In the most recent class we had, we learned self defense tactics from a professional that trains the actual sheriffs dupties. We also had a lecture on the "Use of Force" by law enforcement.

2) What is a recent piece of research (article, interview, or audio-visual) that have you reviewed you would say was significant in helping you understand where to go next in your senior project?  The piece of research should be something you reviewed in November.  Please explain what you learned and where are you going next because of this piece of research.

• During one of the classes I had at the STARS center, we were given a lecture on the duties as a Police Explorer which would include working details and going on "Ride-a-longs" with officers. Seeing as my essential question involves looking for the best way an officer can deal with high stress situations both professionaly and ethically, getting hands on experience with such situations will help me find the answer.

3) Here is a picture of the self defense class we had. 

Colors Run!

On November 17th, I had my Colors Run for the STARS Academy. The Colors Run is a tradition that has been in the academy for years that marks the moment when a recruit reaches half way in his or her training. It is also done in remembrance of all fallen officers and deputys. It was a 4 mile run at Long Beach, with 2 miles being ran in the sand and 2 miles being ran in the water.

 It was definitely an experience on a whole other level and it turned out to be one of the most memorable days of my life. I am halfway there to graduation as an explorer!

Blog 5b: Science Fair Proposal

1) Law Enforcement

2) Police departments have been using the M9 9mm as their standard issue service pistol for officers, but recently there have been many departments, including the L.A. sheriffs, who have considered and already implemented the more reliable Glock to replace the M9.

"Trigger Pull Weight for a Handgun." Trigger Pull Weight. Vickers Tactical, n.d. Web. 25 Jan. 2013.

3) A rookie using a Glock 9mm is more accurate than an experienced cop using the M9 service pistol.

4) I would gather at the minimum 22 cops (11 experienced and 11 rookies, rookies being those with 0-5 years of experience and experienced being those with more than 5) and have the rookies fire the Glock 9mm and the experienced fire the M9 9mm. Accuracy shall be tested by comparing target scores of the different shooters using the two guns. 3-5 rounds of the same 9mm ammunition shall be used by the shooters for both guns. 

5) Behavioral/Social Science

Blog 9: Working EQ and Possible Answers

1) What was the working EQ you used during your presentation?

• "What skills or traits help keep an officer calm during an emergency?"

2) Did you decide to revise your working EQ after your presentation?

• "What skills, traits, or experience help keep an officer calm during an emergency?"

3) What are possible answers to your current working EQ?

• The training officers recieve is designed in such a way that when an emergency comes around they should be able to act in a cool-headed manner.
• Some officers say that the best way to develop a calmness for emergencies is through experiencing them yourself.
• Some officers know and are naturally confident in their abilities and those of their partner so that when an emergency occurs, they can wisely use their resources in the most effective way.

Blog 8: Rough Draft of Presentation 1

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1qlQeVnLi9Jvhk3Jbpr02mOTz73RIJRgjvcHCOc_w1z4/edit

Blog 7: Independent Component 1 Approval

1. Write a description of what you plan on doing for your independent study component. 
For my independent study component, I am going to continue with the police explorer program and attending the Sheriff's Training and Regional Services Center academy. The police explorer program is a way for me to get hands on study with officers on not only their day to day activities like patrolling, but every aspect of law enforcement such as forensics, interrogation, air patrol, special weapons and tactics, canine, and more. At the academy I will also be taught the history, policies, and values of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and law enforcement in general. 

2. Describe in detail how you think your plan will meet the 30 hours work requirement.
My meetings at the academy are every Saturday from 6:00 A.M. to about 5:00 P.M. and my police explorer post meetings are every other Monday from 5:00 P.M. to 9:30 P.M.  My academy time runs until I graduate in January, while the police explorer program is until I quit, so by February I will have well over 100 hours.

3. How does your independent study component relate to your working EQ?
The police explorer program relates to my EQ: "What skills or traits help keep an officer calm and alert when responding to an emergency?" because the program teaches me about the challenges that officers face on a day to day basis and how their training and discipline allows them to keep their cool when it all hits the fan. The program also exists to imbue me with the skills officers have to stay calm in situations so that I can use them when performing my duties as an explorer. 

Second Interview Questions

1. When did your tour as an police officer start and how long have you been on the force?

2. What college education do you have and how has it affected your performance in your line of work?

3. What type of training did you receive before your tour began?

4.  What responsibilities are entrusted to you as a Baldwin Park police officer?

5. Where do you see yourself as far as your career is concerned 10 years from now? 

Blog 4: Project Reflection and Working EQ

The Pentagon 

1. Positive Statement: What positive thing has happened as a result of what you have completed so far. 

One positive result of what I have completed so far is my new found appreciation for all those who serve in law enforcement. Law enforcement is not an easy and is unsuitable for those looking for a walk in the park career. Everyday you face the possibility of being killed just because of your involvement in keeping the peace. You are held to the highest level of scrutiny and your actions speak volumes for not only yourself but law enforcement throughout the country. As my mentor put it "law enforcement is a job that is hard to acquire and so very easy to lose". I refer to America's peacekeepers as heroes now. 

2. EQ Content: Pick a piece of research or your interview. How has it helped you improve your understanding of your topic?

My interview was a very enlightening moment for me, for I gained in-depth information from an officer who has been on the force for several years now. It allowed me to see law enforcement from the perspective of an officer and gain a better understanding of the career. For example, my interview with Officer Sanchez helped me to see that law enforcement is a very tough career but the payout is knowing that you are bettering the community and protecting the innocent. 

3. What has worked for you so far in the senior project?

The service learning has been the part that has worked best for me so far. There is a lot of information to be learned at my Explorer Post and practicing the police scenarios with the Explorers was a fun experience. 

4. What hasn't worked so far?

So far everything is working out fine so far. Diverse research is starting to become more difficult to find online, but I plan to start using books on police to supplement my research. 

5. Finding Value: Based on your experience so far,

• What possible question or questions come to mind regarding what you would like to study this year?
• "What skills or traits help keep an officer calm and alert when performing his day to day duties?" and "How does one continue to improve his or herself to make themselves a better officer?"

• What is your end goal this year with your senior project?
• My end goal for my senior project is to earn the title of Explorer, to continue at my Explorer Post where I will help the local community and attend competitions with the post, and to continue growing into a better citizen for my country. 

• Who would you like to talk to you next? Why? 
• The next person I would like to talk to would be Joe Taylor, a family friend who has been with the LAPD for 15+ years now. He has served on the force through some of the most eventful times in LAPD history and has extensive information on the inner workings of law enforcement. An interview with him would set me on the right path to discovering more about my senior topic. 

Blog 5A: Science Fair Problem Statement

1. Topic: Law Enforcement

2. Problem: In recent years, there has been a increase in the number of police brutality cases reported throughout the U.S. Once I solve the problem, I would submit my findings to my local police's internal affairs department to use as an aid as they deal with police brutality cases submitted to them.

3. Problem: Many police departments across the country are having reliability issues with the weapons that are being bought and issued to police officers. Once I solve the problem, I would submit my findings to the L.A.P.D. to use as they see fit to find a more appropriate service pistol.

Interview Preparation

Content

1. Who do you plan to interview? Why?

I plan to interview Officer Jaycon Sanchez of the Baldwin Park Police Department because he is an officer who has been on the job for a few years now and has served with many other experienced officers.

2. What additional questions do you plan to ask? 

What drove or inspired you to want to become a police officer?
What would you say is the most enjoyable part of your job?
What does your daily schedule on the job consist of and is there any consistency to it?
Do you have any advice you could give me?

Blog 2: Topic Choice

Content

A. My senior topic is on Law Enforcement because it is a career choice I am considering to follow in the future. The fact that an officer of the law leaves his residence everyday knowing that that day could be his last is nothing less than inspiring. For this reason and a couple more, I’ve always considered wanting to be a part of team that works day and night to keep the people safe. If I did pursue law enforcement as a career, I would want to work my way up to being a detective in either homicide or vice. By devoting this year to exploring this topic, I will be able to make the decision of whether or not law enforcement is for me.

B.

iPoly Citizen: I plan to work with my fellow Police Explorers in a team to give back to the community by serving at the community events that they oversee. In the Police Explorers “You never leave your partner behind” and “No one person can accomplish everything on his own”. These very values are at the core of their training and this will make me a better I-Poly citizen as I take on a new understanding of what teamwork truly is.

Effective Communicator: I plan to learn how to communicate effectively with others in high pressure situations such as the police scenarios the Explorers practice. During a situation, an officer needs to be able to communicate with his team and dispatch so that the proper information that could save lives is sent out. Improving on communication with the Explorers will do much to make me a greater effective communicator.

Effective Learner: I plan to become a more effective learner by undergoing the rigors of the Police Explorer Academy where I will be placed in a very intense learning atmosphere. On the days I attend the academy, from 6:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M., I will be expected to put my all into understanding all the information they throw at us while also being prepared for any sort of pop quiz or test they feel they want to give us that day. All that I take from my learning at the academy will help me to be a more effective learner.

Effective User of Technology: I plan to become a more effective user of technology by learning how to utilize the technology the police use to keep peace, from items such as radios to all the different components inside a patrol vehicle. Once I acquire this information and complete the academy, I will be able to go on ride-alongs with the officers where I will assist him while he is on patrol. 

Blog 1: Summer Mentorship Component

Topic Area: Law Enforcement

Contact: Officer Sanchez

• Patrol Officer for Baldwin Park Police Department
• Post Advisor for Police Explorer Post 654 of Baldwin Park
• Cell: (626) 827-3746

Literal (Know)

Mentorship Log

Literal (Need to Know)

• What will be the most help to an officer wishing to make a career out of law enforcement?
• What characteristics and skills help an officer out in the line of fire?

Interpretive:

• The most important thing I took out of this experience is that law enforcement could definitely be a career I would pursue somewhere down the line in my life. Law enforcement encompasses some many different jobs types that the possibilities are numerous. Plus the fact that it all goes back to helping the community and keeping the peace is a bonus on top of the career perks. If I did pursue a career in law enforcement I would most definitely want to be a patrol officer and work my way up to being a detective one day.

Applied

• The summer mentorship with the Police Explorers really allowed me to gaze through the perspective of the officers that risk their lives everyday to keep others safe. Working with the Explorers practice the police scenarios was quite the experience.  Since law enforcement is a career choice I am considering in the future, it only makes sense that I make it my senior topic so that I can get a true taste of it through the Explorers and all the research I will do during my senior year.