TPD Blog

Officer Amy Hoehner's Graduation Speech

Editor's Note:

On Friday, February 8, 2008, another class graduated the Tulsa Police Academy. Apprentice Police Officer Amy Hoehner, like her twenty-two classmates, endured 26 weeks of vigorous training, trials and tribulations.

Below is the speech that Officer Hoehner gave during the graduation ceremony. We hope you've enjoyed Officer Hoehner's blog contributions about her academy experience. We hope she--and other officers--continue to share their experiences in the field.

Congratulations Class 2007-98...we're proud of your accomplishments!

Graduation Speech

“If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the host of heaven and earth will pause to say, here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well," (Martin Luther King Jr., 1956).

Class 2007-98 is closing the first chapter of the rest of their lives. We entered this building and stood on this stage as 24 strangers. As we sit here today we have become much more than friends, we are family. The gap between my brother on my left and me has closed. We have been armed with the shield that will protect us, our fellow officers and the City of Tulsa.

We share memories that could best be described as nightmares (ok some of them). It all started on Black Monday with Cpl. Smith yelling, “Give me two more”. It seemed to be a trend with the range staff because a few weeks after Black Monday it was Sgt. Eckert bettering our minds and bodies by telling us to get on our face, on our back, and touch the fence.

Then there were the days of defensive tactics. There are a handful of us that are over 30 and I think it’s safe to say we felt every bit of being 30 something. As all of us went home after a fun filled day of fighting professional fighters we had to practice because that’s what good APO’s do. The dinner time conversation went something like, “Baby my whole body hurts. It was a rough day in defensive tactics. That stuff really hurts. Come here let me show you.”

But what would defensive tactics be without the day of OC or pepper spray? The entire class dreaded this day and rightfully so. We had to spray each other, fight an instructor, and handcuff someone all while fighting off the pain from the devil’s spit. Some APO’s went hands on and some just neutralized the suspect. Either way we had to put an end to the torture. When we were finally finished, the reactions ranged from people running in circles to kneeling in the parking lot praying to God that the pain would stop sometime soon.

Law enforcement driver training was by far one of the best parts of the academy if not the best. There is nothing like having someone hand you keys to a police car and tell you to drive fast. On top of that we were on the other side of the city and Cpl. Smith was nowhere close. We drove frontwards, backwards, and sideways and had a blast. We cheered for each other when time was of the essence and held our breath as cones went flying. When we finished law enforcement driver training not only had we accomplished one more hurdle of the academy but we also knew we had to slow down once we hit Admiral in our personal vehicles.

Twenty-six weeks were filled with ups and downs, tears, laughter, and oh yeah tests. We didn’t make this journey alone. Our families, spouses, significant others, moms and dads felt pressure as much as we did. Time was taken away from them with gun cleaning, studying, and the constant traffic of APO’s in and out of their homes. I don’t think that any of us can say thank you enough to our families for being so patient and supportive. Also know that you will never be alone; you are family now.

Before the class video begins I would like to end with a quote that has been taped to our fridge in the break room during the duration of the academy:

“This is my shield. I bear it before me into battle, but it is not mine alone. It protects my brother on my left. It protects my city. I will never let my brother out of its shadow nor my city out of its shelter. I will die with my shield before me facing the enemy.”

The Devil Went Down to Tulsa…

On Tuesday, January 8th I think I met the devil himself. Call it a "rite of passage," good training, or just plain cruel, but whatever it was I don't ever want to do it again. This day was the long awaited OC (pepper) spray day. Every person reading this who has been sprayed in the past or just wants to enjoy the agony of an APO, keep reading.

We knew this was the scheduled day for OC. The morning was all classroom and test review. The instructors could have told us this test would determine our fate and we still would have been just as lethargic. We were as nervous as we had ever been and nothing else mattered. The only thing we knew was in a matter of hours we would be wishing that Jesus Christ Himself could lay hands on us.

Four of us went to lunch before we got sprayed. I wasn't very hungry and I just can't imagine why. I just know that I am SO thankful for the sense of humor of my friends. I haven't laughed that hard in I don't know how long. I think a lot of it was nerves and part of it was the third grade jokes.

We returned to the academy dragging our feet across the parking lot. I tried to keep a positive attitude but it was really hard considering the pain I knew I was facing. Then I remembered the words of my classmate from the same morning, "It shouldn't hurt, I like hot food. I put Tabasco on everything and wasabi doesn't even bother me." You're probably laughing as hard as I was.

It was game time and I think all of us wanted our mommies. The guys that had been sprayed before were the first to be sprayed. So as each one of them runs through the gym they make it look really easy. It's like watching ice-skating and realizing that it's not as easy as sliding across your icy driveway, slipping and doing some kind of hop thing.

I just wanted to get it over with as all of us did. We had to spray each other, which I hated just as much as getting sprayed. It's my turn to spray one of my classmates. Yay for me, I had to spray one of the nicest guys in my class. Spray number one, not good enough; spray number 2 not good enough; finally spray number three was a new can and he got hosed. Man I felt bad, really bad.

Now it was my turn. The instructors were trying to make me mad but the only thing I could do was laugh on the inside. I knew this was one of the worst things I could ever experience. Well, now, there is a twist to all this. After you get sprayed you have to handle a suspect. This means you have to fight, shoot, do something to the "bad guy" after you've been sprayed. OK here we go…I get sprayed not once but twice. I handle the bad guy and go back into the gym where I have to do this all over again (minus getting sprayed again). I finish the scenario by handcuffing someone.

By this time my face feels like someone has dumped lighter fluid on me and set me on fire. I don't even want to think about opening my eyes and my eyes won't allow it anyway. I can hear several of my classmates around me. I can hear someone say, "Just keep running in circles it's the only thing that helps." Once I finally get my eyes open I can finally see where everyone it standing, laying, sitting, kneeling, you name it. I look across the parking lot and see the same classmate who thought "no big deal I eat hot food" kneeling in the parking and, by all appearances, praying. I guess consuming multitudes of hot food really doesn't assist you when your face is on fire.

We tried everything to keep from getting hot and the last thing we wanted to do was sweat. There was no delay in leaving the academy that day. I just wanted to stop burning and I didn't care how. Unfortunately I knew as soon as I got in the shower it was going to start all over again.

If we had to do that all the time I don't know how many of us would still be around. This was by FAR the worst day of the academy. There is nothing like rubbing cayenne peppers on your face and in your eyes. Oh, and then re-activating it when you get in the shower. Priceless.

I don't think I've ever done anything to deserve that, and don't ever want to. The devil can go back to wherever he came from.

APO Amy Hoehner

It's just Pain That Will Go Away

The Christmas break was great. In all honesty it would have been much better if we didn't have to return to defensive tactics after eating non-stop for four days. After talking to my classmates that morning I think we all expected to take a trip to the trash can at some point during the training.

It was actually a pretty good day other than being stuffed from the day before. The morning was spent learning how to handle individuals armed with different types of weapons. I know for me, I was really able to gauge what tactic I feel comfortable with and what I don't. After running around the gym resembling a game of Space Invaders we moved on to handcuffing scenarios.

We returned from lunch and watched in amazement as an APO attempted to pull a vehicle into the gym. It's hard to tell the story and paint the picture as funny as it was without knowing this APO. Just a quick overview: he flies Apache helicopters. It was
a 30-minute ordeal for him just to pull this vehicle in through the gym doors. It went from us laughing about that to imagining him using us as cones in a serpentine. We could only picture us hanging on from the undercarriage with him driving 35 mph around the gym. Ok, so this is probably only APO humor, but it was funny.

After I sprouted more gray hair, the car was finally parked. The whole reason for having the car in the gym was for vehicle extractions. The day only got more entertaining. One of the instructors that demonstrated how to extract someone is one of the baddest people I have ever met. So there sits one of my fellow APO's in the driver seat. This same instructor is going to demonstrate on this APO how to extract a subject out of a vehicle. His lasts words of comfort were, "it's pain that will go away not permanent pain." We laughed too because we knew how bad it was going to hurt no matter if it was temporary or not.

Once we finished ripping each other from a car, it was on to going one on one with an instructor. Sounds like great fun and let me tell you it was. We went through several scenarios with an instructor. In my final fight, my instructor decided he wanted to take the fight to the ground. You learn really fast it's a lot easier to critique from the outside. When you're locked up with someone and there are weapons involved you can only do with what you know at the time. You are literally fighting for your life. This fight ended my day and it was fantastic.

On Thursday and Friday the class was split into two groups. My half of the class learned about the Intoxilyzer (the instrument that someone blows into to determine the amount of alcohol in someone's system). Thursday was all classroom learning nomenclature, affects of alcohol and laws. It sounds boring, but I thought it was actually interesting.

Friday morning came really early. 4:00 a.m. early. My group was meeting to load up in a van and head to Oklahoma City to complete our practical training for the Intoxilyzer. Once the day started, it really wasn't that bad. We took our written test first and then continued on with learning how to run the tests on the intoxilyzer. Along with that we also learn how to complete the forms for the instrument and for blood kits. Once you get the hang of it it's really easy to do. I can sum it up by push the green button, follow the prompts, and wait for the print out.

Even though it was a short week it was a good week. We are so close to graduation I think we can all taste it. We are all in burn out mode and just really ready to get out there. Individual pictures are next week and I think it will be a great pick me up. For the first time we will put on our full uniform and badge. After pictures there will only be five more weeks until we can call the uniform ours.

APO Amy Hoehner

Police Academy Class Enjoys Driver Training

Historically, law enforcement personnel have been given keys to a $20,000 vehicle and told to drive with no driving training of any kind. On the other hand, law enforcement officers are required to attend many hours of firearm instruction and required to re-qualify at least once a year. The number of officers that have been shot has decreased by 36% over the past three decades. The disturbing fact in these statistics is that, while shootings have fallen, more officers are dying in automobile accidents. The National Law Enforcement Memorial Fund tracks fatalities and has determined that, "…in the decade ending last year, 477 officers died in auto accidents. That was up 29% from the 369 of the previous decade and 40% from the 342 killed in the decade before that." The reason for this trend is due to law enforcement departments only providing the bare minimum in driver training. Better driver training is essential to saving lives of police officers, (http://www.nleomf.com/)

More and more law enforcement personnel are killed in the line of duty in traffic collisions. In just two years cited, 1999 and 2003, collisions have killed more officers than those killed by means of guns. Due to the number of law enforcement collisions and fatalities involving vehicles, the Tulsa Police Department has been dedicated to training officers to reduce the severity of collisions and reduce the number of collisions all together.

I don't think I could stress enough the importance of driver training for law enforcement. In the academy we only spend one week learning everything we possibly can to protect the safety of the public, ourselves, and other officers while driving. As serious as this training is, the LEDT week has been by far the best week of the academy.

On Monday we jumped right into the driver seat and drove what is called the Challenge Course. This course has to be completed in 2:45 and tests all your basic driving skills at speeds that the average person would not drive. Only two people in my class passed the course without hitting anything and under time. It was obvious we had a long way to go.

The remaining hours of the day were spent learning the basics skills for officers. If you can picture the Shriners in their little cars at a parade that's what we looked like driving around the course. If we would have been cut loose after this day of training the citizens of Tulsa would have been very, very afraid. We killed more traffic cones than we saved.

The next two days were spent covering the basic skills at night. It was bad enough with the sun shining but with absolutely no illumination it was even worse. The day before I did pretty well but when the night drive started I really started to get frustrated. Of course, I was being too hard on myself but I knew that I needed to get it down before the test on Thursday.

Thursday started at 1:00 p.m. with the Challenge Course test and this time it counted. The time of killing cones and mowing the lawn with our cars was over. We each had to pass the test under 2:45 and we could not hit one cone. I think this was the most stressed I have ever seen the class. We paced around the grass and waited to hear everyone's fate. Let me throw in one more thing:  if we didn't pass under time and hit any cones within three attempts we would be sent home. Basically we could lose our job.

It was finally my turn and I was a nervous wreck. My instructor ensured me I wouldn't have any problems. I really wanted to believe him but I didn't. My time started and I don't remember a stinkin thing about my run. I just knew at the end I didn't hit anything, I passed with the first run, and my time was good. Talk about a sigh of relief.

Once everyone passed this course it was on to driving the Challenge Course at night. This was a ton of fun. The helicopter came out and we drove with two cars at a time. This is also where I owe every previous class that I dispatched for during LEDT an apology. Driving and calling the pursuit on the police radio is not easy at all.

Our final day started with a written test and then it was on to the Pursuit Course test. This course had the same rules but it was a runnin ton of fun to drive. I had no problem finding the long pedal on the right and loved every minute of it. We had the opportunity to drive the course several more times and it was just as much fun each time. 

The skills that we learned this week are by far some of the most important. Even if we are able to pass them on to family and friends to help save them while they are driving, it was well worth every minute. Captain Yates and the group of instructors he has put together are absolutely amazing. They proved why they sought after all over the nation. By far this was the best week of the academy.
More officers are killed in vehicle collisions than by gunfire. This in itself should be proof of why the training is so important. We had so much fun and learned more than we could have ever bargained for.

APO Amy Hoehner

I Can’t Wait for More

Anxious, excited, and nervous are only a few words that describe the emotional roller coaster that I have been experiencing over the past several weeks. We are nearing the end; only eight more weeks. It seems so surreal. For many years I have worked to be where I am right now and in eight weeks, assuming I don’t mess something up completely, I will be wearing the TPD blue and the badge.

Over the past several weeks nothing has gotten any easier. November 19th the class began week 15 with what we thought was another day at the range. We learned quickly how fast things could change. After shooting some, we were addressed by several competitive shooters and instructors. Sgt. Eckert then told us that we would be assisting in the search for Cori Baker.

This was the first time that we, as a class, were really able to be a part of something significant in the Tulsa community. Once we arrived in the area in which we were going to search, we broke up into groups and searched specific areas. The areas consisted of open fields, overgrown pasture, and wooded terrain. Unfortunately the search was to no avail. I know that in the back of my mind I wished something would have been discovered, even if it were a piece of clothing. After being a part of the search, I could only attempt to imagine the pain and frustration the Baker family is experiencing. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family throughout this time.

The following week was learning a skill we will use all the time, Standard Field Sobriety Testing (SFST). Until this point I never realized there was such a science behind these tests. Even with all the technical information, this class was a lot of fun. The first day was all classroom instruction and reviewing of the individual tests. It was time to put what we had learned thus far to the test. For two days we actually participated in a drinking lab where we performed SFST on individuals who had been drinking. This was a very valuable training tool. I have to say though I quickly realized, yep, I really am a rookie. I stumbled through the instructions along with everything else. It all turned out well in the end. It was just a matter of getting there.

Traffic collisions were a topic that I wasn’t sure if I was looking forward to or not. Cpl. Collum came in with a group of instructors that truly made traffic collisions interesting. Obviously there is math and physics involved in collisions (which either one I ever cared to learn anymore about). Put that stuff in front of me and it’s like trying to put a square peg in a round hole.  I actually walked away making sense out of the formulas and what we are supposed to do with them.

Once we got through the how-to’s, we got into the meat of working the collisions. The report forms are long and it does take time to learn what goes where and how to properly fill out the forms. We also got a head start on report writing as the instructors taught us the collisions report forms on the laptop computers. The computer form is much easier but I still had to figure out what to “x”, what to number, and what to even fill in for that matter. By the end of the week I really enjoyed collisions. Now I have no doubt that I may change my mind when I’m standing on the side of a roadway with cars driving by at 70 mph.

A slight change in schedule for this past week is an understatement. As most Tulsans know the area was hit hard and fast by an ice storm on December 9. There were downed power lines and trees throughout Northeast Oklahoma. I can only describe my neighborhood and it resembled the remnants of a tornado. As the class gathered in a classroom outside the academy due to a power outage it was decided that we would be assigned to an academy staff member. Our job was to assist the uniform divisions in blocking and redirecting traffic. I have to say after a fourteen-hour day I was ready to go home to a warm house Unfortunately my power was out like everyone else’s.

On Tuesday we were again assigned to another officer but this time it was a detective. We spent our time going to different businesses and talking to business owners. I learned a lot this day. I am really appreciative to have been assigned the detective that I was. On the same note I really appreciated the time we were able to spend talking to local business owners. As small of a difference that we may have made, I hope that someone was able to sleep a little better knowing that someone was looking out for them.

The week was ended with the classroom portion of law enforcement driver training (LEDT). Several years I have spent looking forward to this block. I’ve spent a lot of time learning and researching different aspects of LEDT. I even wrote my senior thesis using the TPD LEDT program as my specific group in which I studied. So I think it’s easy to say I’m “ate up” with it.

Starting Monday December 17th we start actually driving. I don’t know of anyone that could argue that driving a police car at high speeds wouldn’t be some of the most fun you could ever have.

With only eight weeks to go it’s hard to relax even a little. I can testify to the fact that you are your own worst critic. I wonder what I may mess up before it’s all said and done. Over the past four weeks I’ve been chased by cows in fields, watched intoxicated people fall all over themselves, and frozen, all by no choice of my own. All that to say, “I can’t wait until February 8th to get some more.”

APO Amy Hoehner

Pain

Unlike the song pain, I would rather not feel pain at all after our first defensive tactics day. The week that actually marked our half point was brutally welcomed with knocking our selves, and each other, silly.

Defensive tactics (DT) is a very necessary evil of the academy. I was really looking forward to this portion of our training. Anyone who has ever participated in any sort of defensive tactics should be laughing already. Don't get me wrong I had a blast until the end of the training day. Here I am thinking I'll train with the men in my class because I really need to know what it is going to be like. I pair up with one of the biggest guys in my class (he is solid and stands at about 6'5).  I would like to say this was well thought out but really it was just ignorant.

By the end my shoulder hated me and so did the rest of my body. I hurt in places I never wanted to hurt. Classmates had bruises on them that looked like something or someone vicious had attacked them; when in fact it was a fellow classmate. The following days, and yes I said days, I felt older than what I ever wanted to feel.

The DT instructors are unbelievable. When you hear their resumes you quickly understand why they are our instructors. They are all of different shapes, ages, and each has a different expertise. If nothing else it's a great reminder don't ever underestimate your opponent.

DT was followed by 16 hours of handling the mentally ill. Because police have so much contact with the mentally ill and even the homeless population that is plagued with mental illness it is imperative that we are well trained in this area. The first day was spent learning as much as we could about the specifics regarding different types of mental illness, i.e. schizophrenia, bi-polar, and depression. We also met mental health professionals from COPES, TCBH, IMPACT, and representatives from TPD who have received more than the basic training for mental health.

Day two was really interesting. The class was separated into groups and placed in different areas throughout the academy. Mental health professionals acted out actual situations in which they were schizophrenic or manic and we had to handle the situation as if it were a real call. The mental health professionals were absolutely believable. If a stranger walked in they would have not known the difference. This was a great exercise. I learned so much from going through the scenarios and receiving the feedback.

The week can be summed up by us beating each other senseless followed by mental illness. I'm wondering if they were trying to tell us something. What we learned this week was really important and can be used throughout our careers. I can only look forward to more bruises and truly feeling my age.

APO Amy Hoehner

New Podcast: Tulsa Police Recruiter Jesse Guardiola

http://www.tpdpodcast.com/2007/11/16/recruiting-tpd-talks-10/

Over the Hump

Time is flying by faster than what I expected. The good thing is the fun has just begun. The regular range days are complete. Let me say how thrilled I am it is over. If I could shoot my shotgun all the time, loaded with slugs, life would be really good. But for some reason I can't see the Department buying me a holster for my shotgun that would attach to my knee brace. Overall the instructors have been great. It says a lot to me when an instructor offers all the time necessary to help improve my shooting. Anytime I was frustrated, which seemed to be all the time, the same instructor always found the right thing to say. It is a true testimony of the great training staff we have on TPD.

During the same week, we had a class on building and room searches. The class drove to a church where we split into groups. Each group was assigned an instructor who was also a SOT member. As we went over different techniques it truly demonstrated I work with a great group of people. Even though we tripped over each other, ourselves, and smacked each other in the head we still managed to learn so much and laugh while completing each entry. The importance of this class cannot be minimized. I think we were all in agreement that more time training on entries would be very beneficial.

In my group was an officer from my previous class. He was training with the instructor that was in charge of my group. Having a familiar face in my group was really nice. We made mistakes together and learned together. He is a great example of the great caliber of officers we have on this department. He chose to refresh his training to keep himself updated on an important aspect of the job.

The best story about this day was one I really did not expect. My group was standing upstairs waiting for the room to be set up that we were going to search. I had my camera ready, waiting for the perfect photo op. The next thing I know one of the instructors grabs me by the sleeve and pulls me into where another group is practicing their techniques. I try to get my camera ready and before I know it the instructor points to one of my classmates in a prone position on the floor. As I lifted my camera I saw what the instructor wanted me to capture for the history books of Class 2007-98. The APO that was in a prone position, yeah, he looked up at me grinning ear to ear. He had his pistol poking through a hole in the bottom of the wall into another room where his group was working. He earned a nickname that was well deserved.

I think we all really understood the importance of building and room searches. It was a great learning experience. Sgt. Parsons and his instructors taught us information that is so important for the rest of our careers. I hope we have the opportunity to train more using what we learned during this day. You can never get enough of something this important.

APO Amy Hoehner

APO Amy Hoehner Records A Podcast

If you have been reading in this category you know that we have been hearing from Apprentice Police Officer Amy Hoehner for the last several months as she discusses her Police Academy experiences.

She recently completed a Podcast interview. This format allows you to listen to or download the audio file on your computer and actually "hear" her.

Click the link below and enjoy:

http://www.tpdpodcast.com/2007/11/09/apo-amy-tpd-talks-9/

Mid-Terms

Week ten was actually a really good week. It was once again started with a lot of information. Gangs and informants was the agenda for the day and I think we were all looking forward to this block. The instructors lived up to my expectations. It makes it a lot easier to sit in a classroom for many hours when the instructors demonstrate they have a passion for what they do. The instructors that taught the informants and information block could have easily thrown up some power points and called it a day. Instead we were provided really useful information and they got the class involved. It is instructors like the ones we had this day that remind all of us how important our job is along with how much fun we can have doing it.

Typically Tuesday is a range day and a range day it was. But this day was night fire. Our hours were adjusted and we didn't have to report to the range until late afternoon. I would love to say that it was a lazy morning and it was a day to relax but in fact it was not.

Better yet, the class was fit for uniforms. Maybe to some reading this it isn't a big deal but it was to most of us. The academy is tough and sometimes it is really difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Putting on the uniform was a glimpse at the flicker of light.

The day just kept getting better. Night fire was a lot of fun. Of course when we got to the range the sun was out and it was business as usual. We shot our normal courses of fire with out handguns and shotguns. This was fun like it usually is but it only got better. The range staff set up a course that encompassed both shotgun and handgun. Not only was it just a shooting course but a lot of running and jumping.

After most of the class ran this course it was time to eat. Our class followed the tradition of previous classes and BBQ. This wasn't just burgers and dogs. The class pitched in money and made side dishes. The Fire Marshall in our class started smoking brisket, chicken, and bologna that morning. It is an understatement to describe the food as awesome.

OK now I'm stuffed and I had to make a comment about what was going to happen to my food once I walked back out onto the range. By this time it was dark and the flashlights came out. If I learned anything this night turn out the lights, throw the flashlight away, and there will be nothing but air in the middle of the target.

Tuesday night was one of the best academy days we have had thus far but Wednesday morning we struggled. I was up until 2:00 a.m. cleaning both guns that I had shot the night before. If you think we got to sleep in think again. We were information bright and early. On average most of us got anywhere from3-4 hours of sleep. It was a great testament to how little our brains function with no sleep.

Det. Russo taught Sex Crimes this same morning. Even with the class having no sleep and Det. Russo not feeling well he has been one of my favorite instructors. He was one of the instructors that was passionate about teaching us not only the mechanics of Sex Crimes but also put us in the shoes of the victim. Even with a one minute exercise it was really eye opening to see how uncomfortable it has to be for both the victim and the officer. The exercise consisted of pairing with a classmate, one being the interviewer and one being the interviewee. The interviewer has one minute to formulate questions to ask the interviewee regarding the intimate details of their last sexual encounter. After the minute was over Det. Russo said we did not have to actually ask or answer any questions but it truly made the point of how uncomfortable it is to be in both roles.

Because the schedule has changed so much recently I wasn't sure what the schedule had in store for us on Friday. I have to say the surprise was nice. Sgt. Eckert, who is our Range Master, was our instructor for the day. The class had been looking forward to this time with him and it came sooner than what we expected. I have spoken a lot about instructors having a passion for what they do. Sgt. Eckert is no exception to this. He is passionate, humble, and is really good at what he does. For someone who is new and in an environment to learn the basics he reminds us all what a great life we have ahead of us.

He could have taught underwater basket weaving this day and we would have been glued on every word. Instead Sgt. Eckert taught Introduction to Patrol and it was a great class. This is supposed to be the boring time with him so I cannot wait for the exciting classes. There is so much to learn from Sgt. Eckert personally and professionally.

Monday is actually the day we take our mid-term tests. The time has flown but we still have a little more than half way to go. We have had ten weeks of classes and I still don't feel like I know anything. I can only hope that when I graduate I know a little more than what I think I know.

APO Amy Hoehner

A Week of Daze

To say the least the beginning of the ninth week was less than pleasurable. I flew home Monday evening after a Academy class day of non-traffic related deaths and fingerprinting. I tried to stay as focused as possible but it was difficult. My grandfather's funeral was Tuesday morning and it was hard to concentrate on anything else. After attending the funeral Tuesday morning, I flew back to Tulsa late that night.

On Wednesday I could be best described as the walking dead. I was tired and mentally not all there. The other side of it is "business is business" and personal issues had to be set aside. As tough as it was, I have a commitment to the academy. That commitment means everyday, not just when I am having good days.

The remainder of the week was filled with small blocks of classroom and geography. Thursday, of course, was a range day. This was my first day back to the range this particular week and I was behind the curve. The rest of the class qualified on Tuesday and I was the only one left. Let me say that isn't a good feeling. To make a long story short, while the class was off doing fun stuff I was working on qualifying. I was able to finally breath a sigh of relief when I shot my final course of fire for qualification and got it done. I think my classmates were as excited for me as I was for myself. I was really stressed out about being a day behind everyone else but the instructors and my classmates saw me through to the end.

APO Amy Hoehner

Almost Half Way Home

And the countdown has begun; almost half way home. The past ten weeks have been, well, different. When we weren't getting in trouble, we were wondering what we were about to get in trouble for. As things got better, we were slapped down with some rookie mistake we made again. Then, to ice the cake, it is rumor-mill and dealing with the frustration of not being able to dispute the stories that seemed to circulate everywhere.

Week eight began with report writing. You would think that it would have been boring but, in all actuality, it was pretty interesting. Once again it was a matter of seeing the previous seven weeks coming together. The instructors reinforced the importance of knowing elements of a crime. If an officer does not know what the law is than how can you enforce the law. Even more so for the purpose of the class, it is imperative to know the elements of crimes to write a report that will tell the story when the case goes to court.

The remainder of the week was spent at the range, speaking Spanish, and ended with Child Crisis. Thus far the academy has been about learning the mechanics of law enforcement. Child Crisis was a lot different than the classes we have had up until this point. The class began with watching a video of children, in Tulsa, that have been abused and/or killed. It was truly heart-wrenching. The course material consisted of laws, policy and procedure, and the different types of abuse. The instructor did a great job of presenting the material. It takes a special kind of person to investigate this type of hideous crime.

After I left class that day I received a call from my mom letting me know that my grandfather had passed away. Over the weekend I had to make arrangements to fly home for the services and on top of that help with them. At first I wasn't going to go home because I was worried about missing something in the academy. I quickly realized that I would regret missing the funeral more.

APO Amy Hoehner

Murphy’s Weeks

For the sake of saving time and space I will say now that we have a full library of musical compositions written and directed by Class 2007-98. If I have lost you already read the last blog. Last week started off with a bang and hasn’t stopped yet.

The theme over the past two weeks has been teamwork. The question is how can the class come together as a team? Many of us have sat for hours and discussed the how to’s and strategies of making the class function better as a team. After the week began there wasn’t much of a choice if we were or weren’t going to figure out the team concept.

We heard some grumbling on Monday and some points were really driven home after some major mistakes that were made. Tuesday morning was, as a close friend of mine called it, "Murphy’s Day." It was "Murphy’s Day"; if it could have gone wrong, it did. We started the day with a class discussion with the Class Coordinator and our Training Sergeant. It was time to air the concerns from both sides. I think the class really appreciated the honesty that the staff exhibited. It was at that point that I thought to myself, "I hope there are individuals who really start to do some soul searching."

We left the main academy building and headed toward the range. I knew already that this was going to be a really bad day. We parked our vehicles and started to police the range. In a matter of minutes one APO was being chewed out for an incident at the same time another staff member was stealing peoples weapons. Yeah this is going to be a great day. Better yet our guns hadn’t even been inspected at this point. By the way, someone knocked into the compressor and broke a valve. The day just kept getting better.

If You’re Happy and You Know It

Another two weeks have passed. Unfortunately it doesn’t appear there is any light at the end of the tunnel. Time has passed quickly but with time comes more information, books, and a lack of sleep.

After Labor Day weekend we dove right into the range. The first day back we were standing tall on the pavement shooting. Instructors were everywhere and so was the brass from the rounds. This part comes in later. After shooting for I don’t know how many hours it is the APO’s duty to "police" the range. Policing the range consists of taking down targets, picking up trash, and, the best part, picking up brass.

The APO’s are not the only people who shoot at the range. Brass is everywhere, including but not limited to the grass. We have dubbed ourselves the "brass monkeys". Our most pain-staking chore is to recover the brass that is buried in the depths of the lawn. This day I think we found brass that had been there since the Civil War. No matter how long we worked on the range we kept finding more brass.

The day ends with the staff checking our janitorial skills. For every piece of brass that is found it’s ten pushups. I really hate this part. After a really bad day on the range, the range staff finding more brass than I thought any one department could have in one place at a time, we pay dearly for everything that is wrong. After one of the range days and getting smoked in the parking lot, we could have easily put words to the "PT" session that go a little something like this (to the melody of If You’re Happy and You Know It), "on your face, on your back, touch the fence…on your face, on your back, lift your feet…when you think you’re done, you’re really not, on your face, on your back, touch the fence."

We ended the week with the United Day of Caring. The class was bused to Locust Grove where we spent the day painting and cleaning at a Boy Scout Camp. It gave the class an opportunity to spend time together away from the academy. Professional painters we are not. By the end of the day we had more paint on us than we did on the walls. To sum it up it really was a great day. We were able to give back to the community and spend much needed time together.

Up until this week we have kept all APO’s that started on Black Monday. This week changed everything. Each evening another APO and I spent our time cleaning guns, pressing uniforms, polishing boots, etc. Wednesday evening something was different. He informed me that the following day he would be resigning. His background is military and that is where he belongs. This was my best friend in the academy so it was hard to say farewell to my "running buddy." TPD really lost someone who would have been a great asset to the Department. He is a natural leader and helped so many of us. Ski you will be missed by all.

The PT session Thursday was one I will never forget. Physically it was grueling but mentally it was a learning experience. The exercise simulated a twelve-minute fight with no break. It was rough, really rough. I was thankful that I did not have to utilize the trashcan at any point. Cpl. Jones really made us see that as challenging as it was we were all capable of fighting much longer than the average fight lasts.

After this week I can only hope the coming weeks get better. The pressure is on and it’s only just begun. Our first big test is in a week and I feel nowhere near prepared enough. I still don’t feel like there are enough hours in the day to complete everything. I can only hope that we don’t give any staff member a reason to come up with lyrics for a new song.

APO Amy Hoehner

Educational requirements for joining the Tulsa Police Department

Public Information Officer Jason Willingham interviews Captain Travis Yates about the education requirements to join TPD, how an officer with a college degree benefits the public, and how the Tulsa Police Department supports their officers in receiving education after joining the department.

Please click on this link to listen:

http://www.tpdpodcast.com/2007/09/06/education-requirements-tpd-talks-6/

Triumph and Tragedy

The past two weeks have been a complete blur. The time has gone by faster than I could have ever imagined. I hurt in more places than I ever thought existed. More importantly I have learned so much about my classmates, their families, and really about myself.

During the second week of the academy we were bombarded with law, Federal, State, and City. Mr. Phil Cozzoni is Tulsa Police Department’s legal advisor and is also our instructor for the legal block. Mr. Cozzoni is truly a professional and very deserving of the credit the Department gives him. We started with Federal Law and worked our way down through State and City. After the basics were covered it was on to the meat of our instruction, and for that matter the rest of our careers, Search and Seizure.

Mr. Cozzoni teaches in such a way that you have to think about what he is teaching. When you ask a question it is in your best interest to at least have some sort of answer ready for him. More than likely when you ask your question he will reply with, "What do you think?" Overall I really enjoyed this block of the academy. It is a lot of classroom time yet if you don’t understand and know the law how can you enforce the law.

In between the portions of Mr. Cozzoni’s instruction, Officer Ralston and Officer Stege taught City Ordinance. So keep in mind not only do we have to know Federal and State Laws we also have to be well versed on the City of Tulsa Traffic and Criminal Code. Keep in mind that we have to enforce these laws within the scope of our policy so it is also imperative that we know TPD Policy and Procedure too. And the academy has just begun.

The second Friday was physically the hardest session of physical training (PT) thus far (ok, for me). PT consisted of sprinting 400 meters there and back, running in the gym completing 15 pushups properly, 15 cling/swings with a 25 or 45 pound hand weight, and finishing with 15 pull-ups. Wishful thinking you only had to do this once. The class separated into teams and we did it four times total. The next day my arms did not move past a 90° angle and they remained that way through Monday. If you want a work out like that, try Crossfit, it will get you there.

The Dash

Many years ago I attended an awards banquet in which a teacher spoke about how individuals choose to live their "dash". What I mean by the dash is the line between my birth date and my date of death on my headstone. It is the choices that each of us makes that truly gives meaning to how another individual perceives that dash.

Beginning August 13, 2007 the academy staff has shortened my dash to a small dot. My imaginary headstone has been erased and there is no sign of any identity whatsoever. Academy life takes a brand new soul and ages it about 50 years in a matter of 30 seconds. In general, life is about being prepared and there is no exception in the academy.

Black Monday the class drove in together much like a processional. Our philosophy was we are a team and we will go down as a team. Unfortunately the staff had a different philosophy, which was much unlike ours. As we pulled into the parking lot I did not know whether to laugh, cry, choke, or relieve myself right there in my seat. We parked our vehicles and without delay we had begun the first day of the rest of our lives.

We were ordered to stand at the back of our vehicles while our Class Coordinator verified our driver’s license and insurance. Believe me that was the easy part. The first reality check was when one of my classmates ran to the Class Coordinator and advised him that he was told to come see him due to not knowing an answer to a question. The Class Coordinator’s response was, "you can use a life line, phone a friend". Lucky me, I was the closest friend.

By this time I am already praying that God puts my heart back in my chest. Then, from across the parking lot where my classmates are getting there first official "welcome" to the Police Department, I hear, "Hoehner, I want you in the back of the line". Oh wait it gets better. From behind me I am addressed with, "Ms. Hoehner this is not starting off as a good day is it?" I respond with, "no sir?" It still gets better. "Ms. Hoehner you may want to close your car doors." Holy smokes! Because I bailed out of my car and about fell over myself due to nervousness I forgot to lock my car doors. There they were, all four doors, standing open in all their glory.

I got smoked in the parking lot and that is putting it really nicely. The back parking lot and I became very intimate that morning. The way I look at it though, I deserved everything I got. After 24 people completed what is considered the Black Monday portion of the morning we stood for the first time at attention in front of the Tulsa Police Department Training Staff. It was then that I looked out across the gym and thought to myself, "this is where I will receive my badge in six months." This is the facility where I will be educated, trained, and earn the blue uniform.

On Tuesday each of us has to complete the Cooper’s Fitness Test. My shoulders were already screaming from the day before but you just push through the pain. As one of my favorite Corporals says, "pain is weakness leaving the body". I am only four months out of surgery but I rehabbed and trained to reach a specific goal for this test. My goal was to score the highest medal, the gold medal this time through. I have never been a long distance runner and struggle almost every time. Part of the Cooper’s Test is to complete a 1 ½ mile run. The run is done as a group so we are spread out all over the place due to running ability.

As I finished the first leg of my run, I noticed that one of my classmates was running right next to me. On the final leg the same classmate was still in step with me encouraging me to push it to the end. This APO is in the military and in good physical condition. I knew without a doubt he did not have to run that slow but did so just not to leave an APO behind. If you have never felt that kind of loyalty before the only possible way I can explain it is the greatest feeling knowing that no matter what another person, one of your own, has your back. It is the type of loyalty where you act without hesitation, thought, and even to the extreme of taking a bullet for you. He gave of himself, received a slower time, only to ensure I made it to the end. With the help of many people during my healing process and my loyal classmate, I earned my gold medal.

The remainder of the week was filled with policy and procedure, CALEA, rules and regulations, geography, and other administrative necessities of the Police Department. By the end of the week there was a true sense of the class working as a team. As stressful as the first week was we still walked to our vehicles on Friday with a feeling of accomplishment.

This first week enforces how important each decision we make effects our career. As a police officer our decisions not only affect us as individuals but also the community and our fellow officers. The dash is no longer about me it is about the team.

APO Amy Hoehner

I Am Ready…I Think

This morning I was talking to a friend of mine on the phone who found a great amount of humor in my activities of the day. In one of my previous blogs I wrote about how, well how do I say it, I am really organized. Today is a fabulous example of my "organizational-ness".

Before I went to bed last night I knew exactly what tasks I needed to complete today. I conjured up this substantial list of have to’s and God forbid if I don’t do’s. As I woke up this morning, I was quickly reminded of the list as it was my alarm blaring in my head. It was early but I rolled out of bed with a mission.

All day just isn’t long enough to pack bags so I started first thing in the morning. I laid every necessary item out on my bed to be packed: t-shirts, socks, lock, shorts, and anything else that I could possibly need. So while I was cramming a gym bag with enough clothes to last me a month I thought, "what the heck I’ll get my clothes ready for the morning too."

Now that my clothes were ready for the morning and my gym bag weighed more than I can bench it was time to pack my backpack. I have an incredible respect for parents who have to pack bags for their children. There is an art to packing three large three ring binders, folders, notebooks, and more pens and highlighters than I will ever use.

I carried both bags out to my car. This should answer doubt of my "organizational-ness". As I put all said items into my car it was 10:00 a.m. I do not have to be at the academy until 7:00 a.m. on Monday. But wait I have a few more things that if I do not complete could be career ending. When I say things I mean polishing my boots for the fiftieth time for hours on end.

So you can see why my friend found my antics today quite entertaining. My bags are packed, in my car, and I still think I have so much more to accomplish. I have to say at least it is one less thing I have to worry about in the morning. The up side is the next time I blog, Black Monday will be a memory.

APO Amy Hoehner

Crunch Time

Amy with some new classmates

Only one week until Black Monday! Black Monday is the first day of the academy and the name is quite fitting. Because I cannot go into great detail about this day I will sum it up by saying, "Fun?…Not so much!" You learn your place very fast, and let there be no mistake, it is at the bottom.

On orientation day each APO is given oceans of information. It is expected that each APO will have everything memorized by Black Monday. It is not just a few "need to know" questions such as "What color do your boots need to be?" The information is more along the lines of geography (street names and hundred blocks) for the entire City of Tulsa, 10-Codes, organizational charts, etc. Sure enough, on the first day, when a staff member is in your face, no matter how hard you’ve studied you will forget everything, including your name.

Over the past several weeks, many of the APOs have met to study. We have quizzed each other, made tests, used flash cards, and have found creative ways to remember 10-codes. Everyone has a different way of learning and it helps to discuss these ideas in a group. What is most entertaining is to hear APOs using 10-codes to construct an entire sentence, i.e., "I’ll be 10-15 with a 10-52 who was involved in a 10-78 and also has a 10-54." I truly feel bad for spouses, girlfriends and boyfriends who have to translate this newfound police language. It is a whole new language (on steroids) with absolutely no consistent structure.

Now, let’s return to the matter of being at the bottom of the food chain. Even though we are reminded of that as soon as our soles touch the pavement, it is reinforced, in writing, on the organizational chart. In all seriousness I do not think that anyone could argue it is important to know who is in your chain of command. It would be difficult to "take something up the chain of command" if you don’t know for whom you work.

Geography is a beast of it’s own. Methods to use for memorization of streets are passed down from academies of the past. There may be something that rhymes with the street name or a short phrase that helps you remember what name goes with the hundred blocks. If you can only imagine having an entire city map stamped inside your brain. Not only do you visualize lines running every which way, but attach numbers to those lines as well. To sum it all up, we will now be quizzed and expected to rattle off the names of each street along with their corresponding hundred block while hoping to God that you don’t freeze while a staff member is standing in your face.

There is no such thing as being too prepared. I remember very vividly a corporal at the academy doing something very shocking within the first few days and followed it by saying, "always be prepared people." The shock factor worked because I have not forgotten. The information that each of us is responsible for knowing is also crucial on the streets. If I cannot tell other officers where I am at how can I get help? If I don’t know my 10-codes how will I know when another officer is in a really bad situation and needs assistance?

It is more than crunch time. The stress level is up and still rising. We have worked hard to prepare, yet I still worry about being prepared enough. I try to keep in mind the reason we are in the academy: to learn. We are not expected to know everything but we are expected to come prepared and to come with the ability to give 100%.

APO Amy Hoehner

New officers complete academy

By MAX PORTER World Staff Writer

7/28/2007

Becoming a police officer requires sacrifice, but Kelli Braitsch gave up something that most people can only dream of when she decided to join the Tulsa Police Training Academy.

Braitsch turned down a chance to play for the U.S. Olympic softball team to join the Tulsa police force.

"I was selected not only to do that, but also to do some pro ball stuff," Braitsch said Friday.

After 25 weeks of training, the almost-Olympian -- along with 18 other apprentice police officers and one assistant fire investigator -- graduated from the police academy Friday.

Braitsch, who said she had wanted to be a police officer since she was very young, views her decision as a smart career move.

"I decided that my (police) career would take me much further than softball," she said.

"You can only play for so long."

Braitsch was recruited for the Olympic team while playing softball for the University of Oklahoma, where she was named Big 12 player of the year in 2001.

She says her time as a college softball player helped prepare her for police training.

The academy "was very similar to my experience at OU," she said.

"They both play a mental game, but here you're dealing with the public at their best and worst, whereas in softball you're only dealing with the pitcher at their best and worst."

Braitsch broke four rookie records during her training at the police academy, earning the nickname "Superstar."

Others from her academy class have served in the Marine Corps, Navy and Army Reserves.

One graduate is a former Tulsa Public Schools teacher.

The apprentice police officers reportedly received more than 900 hours of instruction in law, firearms, defensive tactics, driving, report writing and officer survival since they began training in February.

Among other things, they scaled walls, learned high-speed driving maneuvers and were doused with pepper spray.

They will now work for 16 weeks alongside field training officers in each of the Tulsa Police Department's three patrol divisions.

After that time, the graduates will become full-fledged Tulsa police officers.

Friday's ceremony was attended by graduates' friends and family members, as well as several notable Tulsa figures.

One was Mayor Kathy Taylor, who offered some words of encouragement to the new officers.

"A life of service is a life of significance," she said.

On the beat

Apprentice police officers who graduated Friday from Tulsa Police Training Academy:

Ian Samuel Adair

Jeremy R. Ballard

Jason Mark Bell

Kelli W. Braitsch

Adam S. Dawson

Scott C. Good

Adam Jordan James

Jacob Keith Johnston

Jaime Danielle Kirby

Gary J. Koenig

Kristopher Michael Kolar

Patrick Jay McLean

Tiffany Diane Sappington

Christopher Korey Scott

Jennifer Marie Tate

David Russell Thompson

Sarah Atchley Toliver

Basil Valkanas

Wesley Alan Yost

Jimmy Worley, an assistant investigator for the Tulsa Fire Department, also graduated from the academy.

By MAX PORTER World Staff Writer

Max Porter 581-8300

max.porter@tulsaworld.com

Copyright Tulsa World 2007. Format differs from original publication.

The Finale

There is something about the lyrics “You’ll Never Walk Alone” that have never left my mind since I’ve been a child. Class 2007-97 has reached their final days before graduation. As six months have passed, they have each silently assured their classmates, and other Tulsa Police Officers, that they will never walk alone.

In February, twenty strangers met for the first time at a classmate’s house for dinner. Not much was said and actually it was a bit uncomfortable. We stood in a circle and stared at each other waiting for someone to break the silence. There was some small talk and a laugh here and there. Amazingly enough, despite this initial awkwardness, we bonded together as a group almost immediately. It is something that I still cannot explain. I knew instantly that I had met individuals who I would call friends for the rest of my life.

After my injury, the morning routine was to watch the APOs entering the classroom. As time went on I was a witness to the aftermath of the events outside the classroom. I saw the effects of why you shouldn’t kill worms on the range. I witnessed the blood, sweat, and tears after they held their classmates in positions that should not be humanly possible. My least favorite was watching as each one of my former classmates got sprayed with OC and having to take pictures as they gasped for air. Side note: I am not looking forward to that at all. I have already taken an APO’s suggestion under advisement. As soon as the OC stops burning I will go home and pray to Jesus.

This afternoon I sat with the females in the locker room and shared funny stories about things that at the time were not so funny. We shared memories of the first few weeks where many of us struggled with the demands of the academy. It was then that I realized this week is bittersweet. In the first week we were wondering what we were getting ourselves into. Now in the final week I will watch them graduate. They have finally made it to the end. Friday their badges will be pinned by loved ones. Their lockers will be emptied and APO uniforms will be returned. 

Watching your class graduate is really a difficult experience. On one side I am so proud of every one of them. From day one I have always said, “they are a great group of people.”  Tulsa is truly fortunate to get the caliber of officers they are about to have graduate this week. They have been dedicated, motivated, and have worked as a team better than I have ever seen in my life. But, on the other side is the difficult part.  I have watched them complete the academy without me. Their time here has come and gone.

I am honored to have the opportunity to attend the graduation for Tulsa Police Department Class 2007-97. I will not participate with or sit next to the original twenty APOs. My friends are moving on to the next phase of their careers. Until I see them out there, I will sleep well knowing that my husband and his fellow officers will never walk alone.

APO Amy Hoehner

Inspection

Olivia Newton John in a headband, leg warmers, and singing "Lets Get Physical" has nothing on one of the final under takings before the academy begins. Each recruit is required to be "inspected" by the City Physician, which not only is a requirement of the City but also the State of Oklahoma.

Most would probably think that the Pension Board Physical is much like a yearly exam by a general practice physician. Let me raise my hand and testify because it is not. Each recruit schedules a date and time for the physical on orientation day. The entire physical requires approximately four hours of your time and it truly takes four hours.

Before arriving at City Medical I was required to complete pages of medical history information. The information disclosed includes your medical history, your family’s medical history, emergency contact information, prescriptions you have or are taking, and a mountain of other medical related questions that frankly left me confused.

My appointment was scheduled for 8:15 AM on Monday, July 9th. Once I was called back, the nurse who completes a majority of the testing led me back to the hearing test booth. If you have never taken a hearing test, the test consists of sitting in a booth while wearing headphones. Once seated you hold a device with a button on the end. Each time you hear a tone, which most would bring a dog to tears, you push the button. The computer reads and prints the results almost immediately.

Once the hearing test is completed it’s off to another room for the drug screening. Then another room for the vision test. The next test was one I had never taken before. There is a large computer, a machine attached to the computer, a large tube extending from the side of that machine, and a large white plastic mouth piece that attaches to the tube. I had to blow into the tube three times, until there was no air left in my lungs, and the results register on the computer screen much like a line graph. Just before passing out I finished the test. The fun hadn’t even begun yet.

After regaining consciousness, I was off to the next room to have x-rays taken of my chest. Along with those x-rays if you have had any injury to the knees and I’m sure any other major joint you also have x-rays taken of the previously injured body part. So I hopped up on the table and found that I had a future at being a contortionist. There is no angle that was missed on my knee during the session of how many ways can I twist myself like Gumby.

I was then taken to an exam room. When you see glass tubes, paper towels, and a strap you have to know that needles are involved. Five tubes of blood later and an arm that had fallen asleep one would think what else could there be left? One more needle to the arm to test for tuberculosis.

Because there are blood tests involved, I could not eat after midnight. By this time I was starving and was smart enough this time to bring a protein bar with me. You would have thought this was my last meal. As the doctor walked into the exam room, my mouth was full, I had crumbs everywhere, and a smirk that resembled that of a child that just got caught doing something they shouldn’t have. But I knew what I had ahead of me and wanted to make sure I had something in my stomach.

The doctor checked my shoulders, knees, and any other body parts that could likely be injured during defensive tactics. We discussed my knee injury and the final release from my surgeon. He also reviewed my test results and ensured that all other tests had been completed. There was still one more test that remained and that was the dreaded treadmill stress test.

I walked to the other end of the building where I turned in my paperwork and waited to be called. Sure enough it was the same man that administered my last treadmill stress test. You know it’s bad when your name is called and he says, "I recognize you." I replied with "Yep, you should, this is round two." I was thrilled that it was the same tech because he really did make me feel comfortable the last time I was there. The test isn’t terrible it’s just a complete stranger placing stickers all over you and attaching wires to them that makes it a bit awkward. The treadmill test does not take that long. It consists of walking for periods of time, at increased speeds, and at different inclines, finishing with a jog. The overall purpose is to reach your maximum heart rate.

As I walked down the long hallway after completing my test there was a true feeling of relief. This was my final hurdle to return to the academy. The final decision weighed on this exam and it went without a hitch. All pre-academy appointments are complete and now the only thing standing in my way is time.

APO Amy Hoehner

The Process

On Thursday, June 28, 2007 I reached for my phone as it rang. Like many other police applicants, I held my breath not knowing what to expect. This day was Chief’s selection, which translates into "are you in the Academy, or out." Even as a pre-hire (and even after selection) there is no guarantee that you will become a Tulsa Police Officer. The first Chief’s selection that I experienced was stressful enough, the second one wasn’t much better.

As I answered my phone a million things ran through my head. The only words I remember hearing from my background investigator were, "you are in." The only way to describe that moment was perma-grin. Without saying a word, my husband looked at me and knew that I received the best possible news. Once again I will be wearing the APO uniform.

The story just begins here. My name is Amy Hoehner and I am originally from the Detroit, Michigan metro area. I have lived all over the country including, but not limited to, Camp LeJeune, North Carolina; Bentonville, Arkansas; and Stigler, Oklahoma. In May of 2000, I found and made my home in Tulsa. I had been an emergency services dispatcher for two years prior to moving to Tulsa. I fell in love with the job and continued my career as a dispatcher for Tulsa Public Safety Communications (a.k.a. 911).

While working in dispatch, I returned to college and completed my degree in business. During that time, I literally wrote down a time line as to when I was going to complete what portion of the application process (yes I am really that organized). I knew when I was going to graduate, when I was going to test for the police department, and for which academy I was applying. There was no doubt that not only did I want to become a police officer, I wanted to become a Tulsa Police Officer.

So here I am working toward academy #2. After I received "the phone call," the next step in the process included attendance at an orientation that took place on July 5th. Orientation consists of a final written psychological exam, LOTS of paperwork, fitting for the APO uniform, expectations of the Training Division staff, and a review of material that is required to be known by the first day of the academy. It’s like the Wizard of Oz: "rules, uniforms, and staff, oh my!"

Despite the overwhelming plethora of information given to each of us at orientation, the bigger issue relates to group dynamics. How are these 23 strangers going to work together as a cohesive unit? This was the first time the class meets as a group and what was truly remarkable was that regardless of our different backgrounds, geographical locations, ages, experiences, etc., we were standing around in a group talking like we had been friends for years. Cpl. Alexander really brought this to light when he spoke to us saying these are the people you will share memories with for the rest of your life.

Overall this is a great group of individuals. There are many of us that have already become great friends and have started helping each other prepare for the demands of the upcoming academy. Even in the short time that we have been working together it really is amazing how we want our classmates to succeed. No sooner did I ask one of my fellow pre-hires, "Chef," for help to improve with my running times before he was asking when and where. This has set the mood for the class. As previous bloggers Officer Mankin and APO Braitsch have already said, there are times that will not be so pleasant, to put it nicely, but the end result will be well worth the effort.

APO Amy Hoehner

Inspiration

"If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the host of heaven and earth will pause to say, here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well," (Martin Luther King Jr., 1956).

Twenty-three individuals have come together for the same purpose and that is to live the dream that has been part of them for some period of time. The drive to want to make a difference as a peace officer for the City of Tulsa is not an innate instinct. The passion has come from someone or something…you could call it inspiration.

Typically when you ask a new recruit why they want to be a police officer you hear, "because I want to make a difference in the community." But why do "we" want to make a difference in the community? Is it because of family tradition? Or is it because you or a loved one was once the victim of a crime? There is a multitude of reasons as to why someone wants to be, as Dr. King described, the best "street sweeper."

In September of 1997, I met a Benton County Arkansas Deputy by the name of Rich Owen. I had never had any experience in law enforcement but I was very intrigued. I had an uncle who was a Los Angeles County Deputy but would never really talk about it because of career ending injuries he sustained during an armed robbery. But Deputy Owen was the complete opposite. While sitting in a parking lot as I asked him question after question, he never grew tired of answering. He was passionate about his calling.

On November 16, 1997, Deputy Owen was responding to what was reported as a burglary in progress. While responding to the call, a vehicle collided with Deputy Owen’s police car causing him to lose control and crash down a deep ravine. He was life-flighted to a nearby hospital where he passed away two days later.

Over the past 10 years I have attended several officer’s funerals. Other than Officer Shoemaker’s, I have never seen the attendance as I did the day of Deputy Owen’s funeral. The church was enormous yet it was standing room only outside the church doors. There were hundreds of badges present yet it was a small boy that commanded the attention. The Sheriff stood at the podium and spoke directly to Rich’s son. He said, "Brandon, there were three things that you asked of your dad’s: his hat, his badge, and his handcuffs. I have all those things for you." As there was not a dry eye in the church, the small boy sat in his chair, as the Sheriff knelt in front of him, and accepted the material objects that represented his father.

The Alpha and Omega

Most mornings around 0745 hrs a thunderous "Class 2007-97, Serving with Strength and Honor sir" can be heard from the gymnasium. There is no question that the current class is standing in formation, their eyes are on the wall (or on the back of the head of a classmate in front of them), that a Training Division staff member has entered the gymnasium, and they have no idea what is coming their way.

Formation is something that I learned about in my short (okay, very short) stint with Class 2007-97. During my first week as an APO (apprentice police officer) I tore my ACL and both meniscus in my knee during a run across the firing range berm. For obvious reasons I could no longer continue in the current class. Everything I had worked so hard for was falling apart in a matter of minutes. Not only was I no longer an APO but I had to separate myself from a class that I truly respected.

After meeting with the staff members of the Training Division I realized that there were A LOT of possibilities…some good and some not so good. One fact was made very clear, that the entire staff was going to fight for me to the end. The Chief of Police has the final decision in any APO’s status, so I had to wait to see what my final fate would be after my injury. A few things could have happened: I could have been separated from the police department and forced to repeat the application process in its entirety; I could have returned to police dispatch where I began my employment with the City seven years ago, or I could have continued my employment with the police department as a pre-hire.

A few weeks passed, I think buying stock in Tums would have been a wise investment. My poor husband started wearing his ear protection while watching TV just not to hear me run through every scenario again and again. A Deputy Chief had learned that I still had not received an answer as to my employment status. He called the Chief and asked what they needed to do to get me an answer ASAP. After many e-mails, a staff meeting, and several phone calls, my Sergeant came to me and said that the decision had been made to allow me to retain my employment status as a pre-hire. That I breathed a sigh of relief could be considered a huge understatement. However, the road ahead proved to be quite daunting.

There was surgery, followed by physical therapy, and then re-preparing myself for the physical demands of the next class that would be starting in August. I was now starting again not only out of shape, but out of shape with a rebuilt knee. After I got the blessing from my surgeon to begin running again the task of two-a-days began. I was (and am still) doing cardio in the morning and weights in the afternoon. Being in top physical condition is not only for your benefit but also for the benefit for your classmates, your partners if you will. In my mind there is a loyalty to them and I can not let them down either.

Overall it has been a life-changing journey. Since the time of my injury I have truly learned the meaning of leadership, loyalty, and just the feeling of a group of people believing in you. There is not enough I can possibly say that gives credit or shows my gratitude to the staff of TPD. Everyone, from the Class Coordinator, the Training Sergeant, the Captain and the Major, to the Deputy Chiefs and Chief Been, will forever have my respect.

Midway through the day on February 13, 2007, I faced Class 2007-97 not wearing the APO uniform. It was then that I had to tell my class that I would no longer be with them. With tears in my eyes and a crack in my voice I said to them, "I have not quit and I will be back." One of my classmates spoke out and said, "We will see you out there!" Class 2007-97 you will be serving with strength and honor. My hat is off to you and I can’t wait to see you out there. For Class 2007-98, I cannot wait to begin the story with you.

Apprentice Police Officer Amy Hoehner

APO Hoehner will be in Academy Class 2007-98 which begins in August, 2007. -ed.

The Day of Spray

Monday we were taught about unknown risk vehicle stops. The class was divided into 3 groups and we worked on pulling over each other at the academy. We learned how to approach a vehicle and how to deal with different reactions to people when they are pulled over for traffic violations. After awhile the stops were getting rather creative because our class is filled with a bunch of characters who have great acting skills.

Tuesday was the least favorite day of the academy. It is the one day you know is going to be painful. It is known as OC spray day. There is no way to explain being sprayed but I will try my hardest to describe it. We are told to stand in a corner outside the academy's gym and then we are sprayed by a classmate. We are then aggressed by one of the defensive tactics instructors and we have to react in the manner we feel is appropriate. Then we go into the gym and have to arrest a suspect. When the scenario is first beginning you can't really see but other than that you don't feel much because you are focused on the aggressor. However, you notice something isn't right when you get on the radio to tell dispatch your location and you sound like you have the worst cold ever. And did I mention you have mucus stringing from your mouth and nose like the movie "Dumb and Dumber". BUT the minute you get done handcuffing the suspect you would swear your face is engulfed in flames. You would think your face is scalding so you'll put water on it. The water is only a temporary relief and actually reactivates the spray. The best thing is time and air. Oh, and you have to shower about 2 times to get the spray off of you and since it reactivates with water it's just a lot more pain. Thank god we had a holiday to recover.

Thursday we worked the evening shift practicing felony vehicle stops and we did 3 different scenarios involving other officers with traffic stops. The scenarios were a great learning tool. It really lets you see how you would react if you were in the field now. It also lets you know your strengths and weakness to work on.

Friday ended with a bang and boom, literally. The bomb squad came out talked to us about how to deal with bomb devices. We got to tour their bomb truck and then they showed us different types of bombs by blowing up some stuff.

APO Kelli Braitsch

For more pictures, click below:

Police Driving Training Week

Our entire last week consisted of Law Enforcement Drivers Training (L.E.D.T.). For one straight week you basically learn how to re-drive. We learned knew meaning to the words "faster, faster" and "shuffle, shuffle." I personally learned a whole new meaning to the words "motion sickness."

We started out the week going full speed ahead by chasing our instructors in a pursuit course. However, we realized after awhile we weren't really going that fast. We moved on from there to practice skills on different courses. We soon realized we didn't really have any skills yet either. BUT we were only going to get better!

The next day we practiced on evasive driving and controlled braking, by this time you are starting to see improvements. However, the words shuffle-shuffle were still being used a lot. We got to experience how rain impacts our driving skills. We also got to drive the police vehicles on the streets and describe everything we see within a certain distance of us. It helped us not develop tunnel vision while we were driving.

On Wednesday and Thursday, we did the same courses from the first 2 days but in the dark. You would think you could see those bright orange cones a lot better at night but I was wrong. We also got to experience driving in the rain at night, since Oklahoma and Kansas have become the new rain capitals.

As the week came to an end, the words "faster, faster" and "shuffle, shuffle" had nearly diminished. We ended the week with a written test, a pursuit challenge course, and a big cookout. All of us passed our tests with flying colors.

APO Kelli Braitsch

Week 19, Police Academy

On Monday morning we did dry fire and live fire in the COBRA house. The house is structure which can be configured with rooms and hallways to search and fire guns in.  We worked in groups of 3 or 2 searching and 1 hiding as the bad guy. Then we transitioned to live fire. We were given a scenario and searched for the bad guy, (which is an 80's poster with a guy aiming a gun at us). In the afternoon, we did Hall Boss and Contact Team training. This class taught us how to search a building and/or school for an active shooter. This training is different than normal building searches because you aren't assisting anyone as you go through the building, you are strictly searching for the active shooter.

Tuesday was a preparation class for L.E.D.T. (Law Enforcement Drivers Training) which is occurring all next week. This class teaches us how to drive our police vehicles properly. Hopefully I'll have some great footage for the next blog.

Wednesday morning we went on our final geographical ride along. We can definitely see an improvement when getting from point A to point B quickly. That afternoon we watched a 3 hour video over emotional survival of a police officer. It was actually a humorous video to assist us in the ways we will change as an officer of the law.

Thursday was our defensive tactics day. This was one of the most fun D.T. days so far. We were put into scenarios with a simunition gun (a gun shooting paint bullets). The scenarios consisted of us being put in heated situations. We then have to get out of the situation and get cover until other units arrive. The situations are a little different for each person because size and physical strength plays a big factor in how you react.

We ended the week learning civil disturbance and crowd control. We practiced getting in a line and pushing crowds back or containing them. We were also issued very stylish gas masks.

APO Braitsch