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Photo caption: Recruits stand in a line with their arms locked after being sprayed in the face with pepper spray. Going through this training in a controlled environment prepares them so they know what to expect should it occur while on patrol in a real-life situation.
Upon arrival at the training academy Sunday evening, we were briefed on the week to come and advised on what we needed to improve on as a class. The remainder of the night focused on Intoxilyzer 9000 training, an alcohol breath analyzer administered by law enforcement officers.
Monday began at 0600 with physical training in the tank (swimming pool). Class started at 0800 with David Greydanus, retired Michigan State Police inspector, who discussed laws on warrantless searches and laws of arrest. After dinner chow, we returned to the classroom for a lesson on auto theft with Kyle McPhee, investigator with the Michigan Association of Vehicle Theft Investigators. I enjoyed this class and learning what to look for on vehicles to help determine if they were stolen.
Photo caption: After being sprayed in the face with pepper spray, recruits had to demonstrate a series of defensive survival tactics. This prepares them in case they encounter this situation while on the job and they can rely on their training.
Tuesday started in the gym with a circuit workout. We reported to class at 0800, where survival tactics instructors taught us about Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) spray, commonly referred to as pepper spray. After our classroom lesson, we made our way outside for our OC exposure. It’s important that we go through this experience in a controlled environment so we are prepared in case we are sprayed in a real-life situation. We lined up and locked arms as instructors administered OC spray to our faces. We then went through several stations where we had to deliver defensive strikes that we’ve learned during our survival tactics training. After demonstrating various techniques, we were tasked with handcuffing a mannequin. This was a difficult task, but we all succeeded by utilizing the skills we’ve learned up to this point in the academy. This challenge highlighted the importance of staying calm under stress to complete the task at hand.
Photo caption: Recruits had to handcuff a mannequin while managing reduced visibility after being sprayed in the face with pepper spray.
After our OC exposure, we traveled to the Eaton County Courthouse where we met with Chris Anderson, Eaton County prosecutor, for a mock trial. This was a great experience for us since many recruits have never been in a court setting. We learned about court procedure and the importance of writing a thorough report since it will aid in accurate future testimonies.
Photo caption: Recruits completed a domestic violence scenario, involving two instructors who played the roles of individuals involved in a heated argument. Recruits had to secure the scene, learn what happened, and determine if legal action was necessary.
After the courthouse, we returned to the MSP Training Academy facility and reported to class at 1800. We were advised that we would be going through a domestic violence scenario. Two actors, played by our instructors, were supposed to have gone through a violent interaction with one another and the husband was arrested for domestic violence. Each recruit completed the scenario, and afterwards we were briefed on our performance in the classroom. This was another great training experience because it helped us practice our officer presence and officer safety.
Photo caption: Recruits had to put their survival tactic skills to the test during a scenario where they encountered a survival tactics instructor playing the role of a combative and resistant individual. Recruits had to safely gain control of the instructor and place them in handcuffs.
On Wednesday, we were advised that we would be doing a survival tactics scenario. This scenario put many of us to the test because we had to handle an uncooperative subject, played by one of our survival tactics instructors, and use the techniques we have learned over the course of our survival tactics training in a live situation to safely gain control of the subject. Each recruit completed the scenario and returned to class, at which point we were briefed on our performance. This was an eye-opening moment for many recruits who have never been in a serious physical altercation. We left the class knowing what we needed to improve on. Wednesday wrapped up with a legal exam on search and seizure.
Thursday began with physical training on the track. We then reported to the classroom for a class on dangerous narcotics, instructed by MSP Lt. Brian Russell. We learned about a wide array of narcotics and how they are used and often transported. At 1200, we wrote our reports on the survival tactics scenario from Wednesday. We finished the day with a brief introduction to the Taser 10 system and completed our assigned duties.
Week 14 was one of the most physically and mentally challenging weeks so far. I am extremely proud of my fellow recruits for their resilience throughout this week as we continued to push forward in our tasks despite the many challenges.
