1) Being that communication, especially teamwork, with your partners is essential to handling a life-threatening situation, I plan on exploring how to make that more effective. Sometimes you will have to work with members of other departments whom you have never interacted with before, so learning how to overcome this barrier is key to saving lives. I plan on doing this by improving the communication I have with the partners at my post as we practice scenarios. The other part will be done by working with the new applicants we have at our post by exploring how to convey orders to the unfamiliar in a way that works best.
2) My post meets for 5 hours every other Wednesday, but sometimes we will move to every Wednesday depending on everyones schedule. We also work weekend details for varying hours. At that rate I will be done fairly soon.
3) As stated before, effective communications is essential to handling a life-threatening situation, and by exploring it I will definitely find an answer to my EQ.
03 February, 2013
01 February, 2013
Blog 14: Independent Component 1
Literal
a) I, Jared Gonzales, affirm that I completed my independent component which represents 30 hours of work.
b) Officer Jaycon Sanchez
(626)827-3746
c) Mentorship Log
d) Completed my 18 week training at the Sheriff's Training and Regional Services Explorer Academy, attended my weekly meetings at Baldwin Park PD Explorer Post # 654, worked 2 events (a Christmas event and the Rose Bowl), and went to my first competition at Chandler, Arizona.
Interpretive
For my 18 week program, I would have to wake up at 4:00 A.M. to make it to class at 6:00 A.M. and it would last all the way until 5:00 P.M. The program was not easy in any way easy to complete and required me to sacrifice 18 weekends, yet in the end it was worth it. On top of this, I had to attend my weekly meetings on Wednesdays which lasted 4-5 hours. At these meetings I would physically train for half the time with my post and then we would spend the rest of the time practicing for competition at Chandler, Arizona. All my work came together in one weekend (January 19-21) when I graduated from the academy and then immediately traveled to Chandler to compete.
Applied
Since my Independent Component was training exactly mimicking that actually given to deputies, it was the best possible foundational work for my topic of law enforcement. It not only taught me facts and information, but also prepared me physically and ultimately gave me the officer's perspective. Everything from the drill formations, to the physical training and runs, the classroom work, the firearms training and CPR, and the hands on police scenario's has given me an indepth look at law enforcement usually reserved just for those who attend the actual academy and graduate.
a) I, Jared Gonzales, affirm that I completed my independent component which represents 30 hours of work.
b) Officer Jaycon Sanchez
(626)827-3746
c) Mentorship Log
d) Completed my 18 week training at the Sheriff's Training and Regional Services Explorer Academy, attended my weekly meetings at Baldwin Park PD Explorer Post # 654, worked 2 events (a Christmas event and the Rose Bowl), and went to my first competition at Chandler, Arizona.
Interpretive
For my 18 week program, I would have to wake up at 4:00 A.M. to make it to class at 6:00 A.M. and it would last all the way until 5:00 P.M. The program was not easy in any way easy to complete and required me to sacrifice 18 weekends, yet in the end it was worth it. On top of this, I had to attend my weekly meetings on Wednesdays which lasted 4-5 hours. At these meetings I would physically train for half the time with my post and then we would spend the rest of the time practicing for competition at Chandler, Arizona. All my work came together in one weekend (January 19-21) when I graduated from the academy and then immediately traveled to Chandler to compete.
Day 1 at the Academy
Day 1 at the Academy
Me getting my head shaved.
Teambuilding activity.
Classroom time.
Colors Run.
Personal Defense Training.
Firearms Training.
CPR Training
Getting thrashed by the Drill Instructors.
My graduating class.
Applied
Since my Independent Component was training exactly mimicking that actually given to deputies, it was the best possible foundational work for my topic of law enforcement. It not only taught me facts and information, but also prepared me physically and ultimately gave me the officer's perspective. Everything from the drill formations, to the physical training and runs, the classroom work, the firearms training and CPR, and the hands on police scenario's has given me an indepth look at law enforcement usually reserved just for those who attend the actual academy and graduate.
17 January, 2013
15 January, 2013
Blog 12: Third Interview Questions
How can an officer best handle a life-threatening situation?
What skills, traits, or experience help keep an officer calm during an emergency?
What are some of the most deadly emergencies that an officer can face while in the line of duty?
What type of training, if any, does the police academy offer to prepare trainees for future service?
What are the dangers of not being able to keep calm during an emergency?
How often would you say you hear of or witness an officer who isn't prepared to respond to emergencies?
Do you know of any special techniques used to keep calm during emergencies, and if so what are they?
Do you believe that the ability to keep calm during an emergency can be taught? Why or why not?
What is the best way to prepare to handle an emergency?
What kind of mentality do you need to effectively and calmly handle an emergency?
What has worked the best for you in your experience?
What skills, traits, or experience help keep an officer calm during an emergency?
What are some of the most deadly emergencies that an officer can face while in the line of duty?
What type of training, if any, does the police academy offer to prepare trainees for future service?
What are the dangers of not being able to keep calm during an emergency?
How often would you say you hear of or witness an officer who isn't prepared to respond to emergencies?
Do you know of any special techniques used to keep calm during emergencies, and if so what are they?
Do you believe that the ability to keep calm during an emergency can be taught? Why or why not?
What is the best way to prepare to handle an emergency?
What kind of mentality do you need to effectively and calmly handle an emergency?
What has worked the best for you in your experience?
10 January, 2013
Blog 11: Mentorship 10 hours Check
1. Where are you doing your mentorship?
- I am still enrolled but about to graduate from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Training and Regional Services Center Explorer Academy. My mentorship is going to be continued at my Police Explorer post at the Baldwin Park Police Department.
2. Who is your contact?
- I am about to graduate and become an explorer at the Baldwin Park PD Explorer Post and my primary mentor is Officer Jaycon Sanchez.
3. How many total hours have you done?
- Not counting summer hours, up until 1/10/2013 I have 255 hours from my explorer academy, weekly post meetings, and any events I worked. My total overall is 299 and a half hours if I include summer.
4. Summarize the 10 hours of service you did.
- The 255 hours I have accumulated are the result of my 18 week explorer academy, my weekly post meetings, and the 2 police details I have worked so far. The 18 week explorer academy comprised of physical training and in class training in preparation for my duties as a police explorer. My weekly post meetings were a furthering of this while also serving as training for the competition I am going to on the 19th of this month. The 2 details included the Christmas event for Baldwin Park's youth and the traffic detail I worked at the Rose Parade and Rose Bowl game.
02 January, 2013
Rose Parade/Rose Bowl - January 1st 2013
On Wednesday, January 1st, I got to work my 2nd official detail as an Explorer at the Rose Parade and Rose Bowl. My post was assigned to traffic duty, where we basically were each given a street to manage and keep traffic moving and allowing pedestrians to cross as they moved from the parade and to the game.
Final "Real" day at the Academy - December 29th
Saturday, December 29th, was the last day we, as recruits, would have any formal training or lectures. We had our Final Exams, our Final Physical Training 500 exams, and our final lecture on Patrol Procedures.
Despite having 3 more Saturday meetings to go, the reason why this one is considered the last is because the next three meetings are devoted to Family Day (sort of an open house for our families to see what we've had to go through) and then Graduation rehearsal, and finally Graduation day.
I am so happy to have made it this far and am looking forward to finally becoming an Explorer.
Final Defense Tactics Training - December 22nd
Saturday, December 22nd, was the final day where we were taught maneuvers on how to catch, fight, and take down a hostile suspect. We were tested on all of the information we had been given at the end of the day by having to use it in a real hands on scenario.
The scenario entailed the following:
- I and a partner had to arrive on the "scene" in a police cruiser, give out the proper radio and location information, and then proceed to run to the building where the suspects were.
- While warming up for the scenario, we had to punch and kick punching bags and do push ups while continuing to relay information on where we were located at.
- We did a few minutes of jump rope and push ups to keep our blood going while we waited our turn for the final stage of the scenario.
- The last and best part had us fighting a fully padded up Drill Instructor with the intention of taking him down and arresting him. If it seemed like we were winning, more Drill Instructors would be thrown into the fight. Mind you, most of them are former Marines or army, and all of them are currently on duty as a deputy or officer and have much more experience on us.
All in all I learned a lot from today, and it definitely will be a day I remember.
10 December, 2012
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.
02 December, 2012
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.
27 November, 2012
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!
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!
08 November, 2012
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.
"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
02 November, 2012
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?"
- "What skills, traits, or experience help keep an officer calm during an emergency?"
- 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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)









