In the drivers seat ?

[mit520]

This is a question for the Officers, What is it like your first (working) day out of the academy. When you are looking at the vehicle in front of your patrol car, reflection of the push bumper and your heaters knowing that your finally in the driver seat of a back an white ? :cool:

[DReed]

For me, it was like the first day at home with a newborn child. You know everything you're suppossed to do, you've passed all the tests, now you understand that it's all on you. For me that feeling of wonder and a little fear didn't go away for about a year (for the job, not the kid-he still blows me away on a daily basis).

After my first year, I realized that I'd never "see it all" so I shouldn't expect to know it all and just accept that each day would bring some new experience that common sense and my training would see me through.

[retchp]

WTF am I doing here? This can't be real. I'm just a poor kid from nowheresville.

Blink twice and I am an old guy sitting at a keyboard wondering where it all went. What fun. What excitement. What a generally great buch of work mates. What a great life I have had thanks partially to my decision to pursue not just LE, but a specific career goal of becoming a CHP officer.

[Chippysgt]

Thinking back to that first enforcement stop, watching the violator like a hawk, ready to draw and shoot if he makes a false move, heart racing to at least 170bpm, adrenalin rushing and synapes sparking. Piece of cake, keep on truckin':cool:

[Flying Pig]

(Not a CHP officer) Being on FTO right out of the academy....I remember thinking I had to go out and catch every bad guy in the county that same day. It didnt really hit me until I had my first call and knew that someone had called "ME" to come and help them.

My very first call out of briefing was a 911/Domestic Violence. I knock on the door and from inside Im greeted with "Who the F..k is it"

Being slightly confused because people arent suppossed to talk to cops like that:lol: ........My FTO looks at me and says, "Well, he's asking you a question." It was pretty uneventful as far as calls go......

But I remember putting cuffs on the dude....getting statements....taking photos....The suspect was sitting in the back seat of "my" car calling me "Boss-man"..... Because...you know....at 23 years old I was a bad Mo-Fo....and I could tell he saw it too:biggrin:

I remember being all excited.....booked the guy into jail, and pretty much thinking we were now done for the day (2 hours into the shift) And my FTO saying "Kid....we havn't even had breakfast yet."

Now ten years later, like every other cop, I have a whole list of sights, smells and sounds I could have probably lived without...but I dont think Id trade them for anything.

[mit520]

Thank you for taking your time to reply. That sounds awesome, I cant wait. I just put my application in the mail box for the 3rd time now. Trying to pass the written test. Its seems as though my mail box and I have became good friends now. Checking it every day and mailing out when I receive bad news. :rolleyes:

[mb116]

Officers... Great posts... I love reading stuff like this. It inspires me to work even harder to reach my dream.

[Mac]

The first day on the streets with your FTO is thrilling, scary and fun all at once....but IMO it's NOTHING compared to your first day "flying solo" after break-in is over. Up 'till then you've had your FTOs looking over your shoulder, ready to step in if things went sideways - but now the "training wheels" are gone and it's all you! Take the above "thrilling, scary and fun" and magnify them by ten and you'll get the idea. It's a feeling you'll never forget.

[x MAIT]

Welcome to East LA. My FTO and I were involved in a fight with a duece in the middle of I-710 my first hour on the road.

I wish I had a dollar for every time someone would say to me "are you a rookie?"

My first day by myself it rained and I took 3 crashes on I-10. My last FTO was working an adjacent beat and he came up to check on me a few times, but rain or not, it was great to be out on my own.:cool:

Just a note: you usually don't get to drive for the first week or so. You don't know where anything is, and your FTO doesn't trust you.

[23112]

This is a question for the Officers, What is it like your first (working) day out of the academy. When you are looking at the vehicle in front of your patrol car, reflection of the push bumper and your heaters knowing that your finally in the driver seat of a back an white ? :cool:


The first working day after Academy: A lot of paperwork and lunch with the FTEP Sergeant! Honestly, I was pretty nervous. I knew everything about how to be a good cadet, but nothing about how to be a cop. Yeah, I was well-trained at the Academy, but it's a world apart from being on the road and even finding a violator to stop.

The first time driving a P/V with my FTO: I felt like I was 16 again, learning how to drive my Mom's Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme. My FTO intially said, "Drive 65, use your signal every time you change lanes, and take it easy." After a few minutes of driving, he shouted, "If you hit that f***ing turn signal one more time I'm going to kill myself! Just drive like you normally would!"

The first time after break-in: I realized the bag in my front seat wouldn't be able to help me out with my location, or if I ran into something out of the ordinary! :smile: Aside from that, I was extremely excited, a little nervous, proud, and wide-eyed as I headed out on my own that first day. I made my first stop right after getting on the freeway--two seatbelt cites out of one pick-up truck. My hand shook the entire time. The whole stop must have taken about 25 minutes, LOL. Once it was over, I felt really good and managed to do it four or five more times before my shift flew by. Oh yeah--I didn't stop driving once the entire day I was so pumped to be out there.

mit520, I'm only coming up on my one-year mark, but I still have days where I'm driving my patrol car and thinking, "Dang, this is the coolest job--I can't believe I get to do this!" While a lot of things are second-nature for me now, I still have a million things to learn and a million situations to encounter. I still get excited when I'm in a new situation. Anyway, persevere through the process, because this job is still stinkin' awesome. I genuinely look forward to hitting the beat (most days) and dropping the hammer, keeping people safe, looking out for my beat partner, and even taking crashes (sometimes).

[knoxstar18]

Thank you to all the officers that took the time to share these experiences with us. They are great and I thoroughly enjoy reading them. Would it be greedy of me to ask for more.. :biggrin:

[mit520]

Amen knoxstar18 ........... I can read these all day ;)

[23109]

My first day of work after Academy: I was sitting in the briefing room filling out paperwork when an officer comes in and tells me I'm going with him into the "Park". We head up, he proceeds to tell me about the area and such, when Dispatch puts out that one of our officers is on a stop with a "load" vehicle and the passenger took footbail. The officer I was with "demonstrated" some enforcement driving to get to the scene, we look around for the guy, do a building search on a partially constructed house with guns drawn. Never found the passenger, but the FTEP Sergeant got a nice polaroid of me standing next to 12 handcuffed illegal aliens from the loaded truck.

First day out on my own: I rolled out of the lot thinking I was all by myself and nobody was there to help me. I drove around wide-eyed waiting for the radio to pipe up with a call for me. Finally make a stop on a car for a minor equipment violation and he ends up being suspended. Not a bad first stop find !

[redhead]

Thank you to all the officers for sharing the insight. This is a great thread.

Something that I have never heard is FTEP. Can someone shed light on the break down of this acronym?

[Gittinready]

FTEP is Field Training Evaluation Program. The FTEP Sergeant is the sergeant who oversees the training going ons at each office.

[redhead]

FTEP is Field Training Evaluation Program. The FTEP Sergeant is the sergeant who oversees the training going ons at each office.

Thank you!

[Your Mentor]

First Day: Couldn't believe I was a REAL traffic officer. The whole day seemed absurdly surreal; I felt like a kid dressed up pretending to be a CHP officer. I quickly realized that taking a class and passing an exam had ill-prepared me to just go out and 'do it.' I felt like an imposter. My lack of confidence sabotoged everything I did. I pulled out after a traffic stop with my pinch book on the roof (I had given a warning to the violator and my FTO knew it was still on the roof; he was giggling as I pulled out and saw it tumbling in my rear view mirror). I felt like I had three thumbs. I couldn't get into a groove at all. My FTO, bless him, was mildly amused and gave such practical, useful advice all day. Stupid things like how to hold my pinch book, how to go through the second approach without forgetting to return DL's, how to sugar-coat a pinch, etc. It's those small details he shared that I remember and have passed on. He was a real Mentor. In about a week we were chomping at the bit to get out on the road together. It was a blast. And, to my surprise and thrill, he insisted I break in driving a Mustang. Finally, unlike most FTO's today, he had me drive from day one and I drove every single day on breakin. Understand, however, that I broke in at a high desert office. It was very common back then for a large portion of cadet classes to go to desert offices. Not so today.

First day solo: I sat behind the wheel of my car, feeling a thousand times more confident than day one, and thinking to myself, "I have my own patrol car, a state gas card, and about 300 miles of highway in all directions I can drive. Damn." Then I went out and drove up and down US-395 with the Eastern Sierra on the west side of the highway and the Inyo Mountain range on the other side. I wrote 15 high speeds (three were in excess of 100) and hooked a deuce. I remember going home to my wife with a HUGE smile on my face.

Epilogue: I look at pictures of myself from back then and can totally understand why people thought I was too young to wear a uniform (a constant comment). I actually had abs. I miss those.

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e215/klassey/crop0140_500K.jpg

[Flying Pig]

.........And shortly after the above photo began to circulate among the Hollywood talent agents...young Tom (Pictured here, as a rogue CHP Officer in a never released B-rate foreign porn film) was later cast as Maverick in the hit movie Top Gun.

[dlg2k6]

I just also want to thank you guys for sharing. I love these stories! I am going to make sure that my fiance reads them when he comes home this weekend. I know he will be feeling this way too when he graduates from the academy in March and goes into break-in. I think this will help him know what to expect so that MAYBE he won't feel so nervous. This is a really interesting thread. Please keep'em coming!

BTW, YM - How old are you in that picture? You DO look so young! I bet the LE groupie girls were falling all over you back in the day, huh? LOL.

[Flying Pig]

They are call "Badge Bunnies":biggrin:

[SB 405]

I now realize why YM has so much knowlwdge about the patrol...he's been doing it since he was 15:lol:

[Your Mentor]

I came on when I was 28 but I think I was 32 in that photo. The photo was taken in Death Valley when I was assigned there so I had to be 31 or 32.

[redhead]

I came on when I was 28 but I think I was 32 in that photo. The photo was taken in Death Valley when I was assigned there so I had to be 31 or 32.
All I thought when I saw that photo was Camaro in the rain! That would have been FUN!!!

Coming from someone who is pushing 30 and gets 20-22 all the time....

[kissyc]

YM is a stud! Yowzers! :shock:

[Your Mentor]

I don't know about that. I'm 46 now.

[Tom]

- Highway to the Danger Zone..................... -

[kissyc]

Like fine wine...only better with age :biggrin:

[Tom]

Like fine wine...only better with age :biggrin:

Thats my mantra!

[HippieChip]

Great Thread! Very entertaining! YM, Nice photo! Ever consider stunt work for Tom?

First day: Worried!!!!! Excited!!!!! First ticket the lady yelled at me that we had no right to stop her, how could I write her a ticket! She was super pissed off and complained about everything under the sun! Then she wanted to know if I was a rookie! First accident........looked like chaos to me.......total mess, smashed cars, skids everywhere, people everywhere and the FTO saying....."So, Where to you want to start?" After he let me look confused for a minute, he started guiding me in the process! He had a good laugh at that!

First day on my own! Oh S..T!!! This is scary, this is cool! I was an overlap unit assigned to start earlier than the regular swing shift due to the heavy traffic. I rolled from call to call to call to call. Evertime I got there, it would be gone by the time I arrived! By the end of the day I think I responded to 5 wrecks, but only one of them was still there for me to handle. That's LA for you!

[WantToBeCHP]

Nice pic YM.....

Was the tie ever part of the everyday uniform for patrol officers?

[kissyc]

Tom -

I already knew you were a stud! You and YM could start the first Hunks of the CHP calendar! :lol:

[SB 405]

The tie and long sleeves are part of the winter uniform with short sleeves and an open collar the summer uniform....correct?

[Your Mentor]

We're talking history again here. Back then, we were required to wear the tie with long sleeves from November to April. That changed a couple years later (except at the Academy where a tie is still mandatory when wearing long sleeves if you're assigned there). Now we only 'have' to wear the blue tie if we're wearing the eisenhower jacket. If we're wearing the blue car coat or a snow suit we must wear 'approved' neckwear. I haven't seen the tie warn on the road in a long time. Most of us wear a turtle neck dicky instead. There have been a few minor uniform policy changes since then. Now we can wear short sleeves anytime we want, regardless of the season. We can also work in a long sleeve shirt and choose to not wear a tie or dicky (unless we put on a coat). It's kind of a long evolution. I'm just glad wearing a hat isn't mandatory.

[Tom]

My first day as on Officer - I was clueless. I rode with a 26 year veteran of the Department and I kept my mouth shut. The first guy he pulls over he says, "Hey write the ticket...and rattles off the sections." Man I was just clueless...Oh..I said that already.

My first day solo off break-in - Drove a mustang, wrote 5 tags, recovered a stolen and hooked a .08 drunk. It was all cool until I had the drunk sit in the mustang and I didn't move my favorite sunglasses. BOC - Breach of cool!

[WantToBeCHP]

I'm just glad wearing a hat isn't mandatory.

Was the hat ever a mandatory?

I was in Michigan in late Oct. and I saw a State Trooper with his hat on.

[G-Man]

I'm just glad wearing a hat isn't mandatory.

Was the hat ever a mandatory?

I was in Michigan in late Oct. and I saw a State Trooper with his hat on.

I have noticed that a lot in the mid-west and the South. I asked someone about it, and they told me that when the office is in the public eye, the hat must be worn (except when inside the car).

[Flying Pig]

When you get back east and in the south, some law enforcement agencies are almost military in their uniform regulations. Some even salute Lt.'s and higher, their stations are called Barracks not stations. Their rank structure includes, Majors, Lt. Colonels, 1st Sgt's, Sgt. Majors, Command Sgt Major, etc. For example when I was stationed in Virginia, I dont think I ever saw a State Trooper without a campaign cover. They would exit their car and the first thing they did was place and adjust their hat. The local police were more casual. Its odd having been prior military to see a cop wearing a Sgt Major rank on his sleeve.....6 stripes and a star!

Personally, I think mandating the use of head gear for everyday use is rediculous for police work, unless we are talking about a helmet or somehting like that. All I need is to have my campaign cover being knocked sideways or falling over my eyes at a critical time. I tried wearing one and after about 2 hours it went in the trunk.


But one thing I learned.....regardless of the uniform, its appeareance or someones title, a cop is a cop pretty much. We all tell the same jokes and have the same concerns. And if you move around (Lateral, task forces, etc.) youll find all depts pretty much have the same problems and concerns. And we all wonder sometimes if our management ever worked the streets!:biggrin:

[Mac]

Chippysgt or one of our retired members may be able to nail it down better, but the old "bus driver" hat was mandatory wear at one time.....I believe it was in the 60's, but could have been as recently as the 70's.

I definitely don't miss the "summer uniform/winter uniform" thing.

[Yzeman]

Like fine wine...only better with age :biggrin:

....sorry, I just got a little throw-up in my mouth... :shock:ops:

hehe...just joshin there YM

[mit520]

Nice Yzeman ........:razz:

[RevSarge]

Chippysgt or one of our retired members may be able to nail it down better, but the old "bus driver" hat was mandatory wear at one time.....I believe it was in the 60's, but could have been as recently as the 70's.

I definitely don't miss the "summer uniform/winter uniform" thing.

The mandatory wearing of the soft hats ended somewhere between '74 and '77. It was changed to mandatory only when you were on fixed post or in formation somewhere. I remember the day they announced the policy change in briefing. The B/I said "The wearing of the hat is optional except for ........ -- But it is mandatory that it be carried at all times!" One of the old salts, (Badge 1907 I believe) said. "I think I'd just as soon wear it as carry it around all the time, (gesturing as if he was carrying it under his arm.)

Now, what's this about summer/winter uniform. Is that a thing of the past too. I see an awful lot of road dogs (at least troops conducting business on the shoulder) wearing the utility uniforms and they aren't doing MRE stuff.

Sgt. 7467, Retired.
Marty

[WantToBeCHP]

My very first call out of briefing was a 911/Domestic Violence. I knock on the door and from inside Im greeted with "Who the F..k is it"

Being slightly confused because people arent suppossed to talk to cops like that:lol: ........My FTO looks at me and says, "Well, he's asking you a question." It was pretty uneventful as far as calls go......





Thats was funny.. :lol:

[Mac]

....Now, what's this about summer/winter uniform. Is that a thing of the past too.
Yep. No more summer/winter uniforms. You can wear the short or long sleeves (whichever you choose) year 'round.

[WantToBeCHP]

Yep. No more summer/winter uniforms. You can wear the short or long sleeves (whichever you choose) year 'round.

I see a officer all the time here in So.Cal (San Diego) driving a B&W and he is dressed in the dark blue uniforms. I thought that was the commercial officers uniforms, driving the all white PV's?

[Mac]

There are certain other positions which allow the wearing of the blue uniform besides commercial officers.

[gabriel]

This is a great thread.. any more "how did you feel?" threads around? - Truly motivating stuff.

[bcjack]

I see a officer all the time here in So.Cal (San Diego) driving a B&W and he is dressed in the dark blue uniforms. I thought that was the commercial officers uniforms, driving the all white PV's?

Driving a BMW???????

[WantToBeCHP]

Driving a BMW???????

Are you refering to the B&W, Black & White?

[ELACHP041094]

I lve these stories they are al inspiring me to push myself to finish up 7th grade right now and get thrugh the last 5 yrs of school and report DIRECTLY to the academy!!

[chpocd]

I lve these stories they are al inspiring me to push myself to finish up 7th grade right now and get thrugh the last 5 yrs of school and report DIRECTLY to the academy!!

I really encourage you to finish school even further than the 12th grade then pursue your career with the CHP.

Just my 2 cents.

[ELACHP041094]

i agrre with you,i am going to push through my final 5 years of school and then quivker than u can say "ma'am step out of the vehicle" I'll be in the academy but I am a little worried about the physical part of the academy I don't know, how is the physucal activity at the academy?

[CHPUSMC]

i agrre with you,i am going to push through my final 5 years of school and then quivker than u can say "ma'am step out of the vehicle" I'll be in the academy but I am a little worried about the physical part of the academy I don't know, how is the physucal activity at the academy?

It's harder then the spelling is.

By utilizing the search feature of this forum with the words "physical training" the following threads came up.

http://www.chpforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=612&highlight=physical+training

http://www.chpforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2080&page=3&highlight=physical+training

http://www.chpforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1362&page=3&highlight=physical+training

[uoplax13]

It's harder then the spelling is.

...and a little harder THAN the grammar.....:biggrin:

[You_Son_of_Chippy]

I can remember the first stop off FTO more than I can remember the first one being in training.

Realizing you are all on our own, what a feeling, a feeling of accomplishment and being alone, knowing it's all you. My first stop on my own was a simple stop sign violation, 20 mph through the intersection should not be a problem. Well it was a retired police officer who wanted his trail right then and there. Of course he was not cited, but what an experience. Could not tell you how many times I was called a kid, or a rookie, looking back I should have cited him for being rude.

Being a FTO and watching many officers make their first stop has been a real experience. No one makes a perfect first stop, something may go wrong with all the adrenaline in the system.

I've seen Officers walk up on a car and have no idea what to say, and another so amped up he was ready for war (poor lady thank God her son was a police officer).

I've had to trainees that the first time in the car we were involved in pursuits, but they were not driving, just sitting with a big smile on their face.

No matter how many times you practice car stops in the academy it's an experience all in its own turning the lights on, excellerating to catch up and calling the stop out (which for the majoritity of new Officers is the hardest part - staying calm and talking when you're all jacked up), and then the positioning of the car.

[futurechp]

... and another so amped up he was ready for war (poor lady thank God her son was a police officer)...

That's funny, I can just imagine it. I think I would be amped just as much:lol: . This is a great thread, I love these stories.

[feedmelies]

I lve these stories they are al inspiring me to push myself to finish up 7th grade right now and get thrugh the last 5 yrs of school and report DIRECTLY to the academy!!

My advice to you is to go to college first. Not only will the pay be better if you have a degree, but you will gain invaluable knowledge about yourself and the world. Trust me, it is worth it. But you have a lot of time ahead of you to figure things out.

I am about a year away from receiving my Bachelor's Degree (a four year degree). I will apply to the CHP after I graduate. Education is awesome. Do not miss out on it.

[feedmelies]

By the way, I cannot encourage these stories enough! These are great for inspiration and insight. Let's see some more.

[chpocd]

http://home.bak.rr.com/chpocd/pictures/chicken.jpg

[AspiringToBeChp]

LOL, The chicken dance? Personally i am more of a macerena person myself lol . Must have been hopped up on something or just a liittle "out there".

[SB 405]

What's the big deal? He's just practicing for this years Oktoberfest.

[Tom]

Look at the cross street, the guys coming from the winery drunk off his @$$!

[SB 405]

Look at the cross street, the guys coming from the winery drunk off his @$$!

And at 9:45 in the morning. I never get my drunk on until after 11:lol:

What's that old saying....It's always 5 o'clock somewhere.

[redhead]

I never get my drunk on until after 11:lol:

I thought you called yourself a NASCAR fan :biggrin: :biggrin: !


I kid I kid...

[phxsundevil19]

thanks to all the officers for writing about this experience. it is making me excited right now! keep em comin'

[HEMIDART68]

This is a awesome thread. Keep 'em coming:badgrin:!

[Punisher]

I can't remember if it was my first day or third. But it was definitely the first time I drove the Black and White in public. How long had I dreamed of that day. To say the least - I was psyched. Damn, this is so freakin' cool. We pulled out of the Oakland office and turned right. I was just trying to absorb it all - the uniform, the car, the feeling of finally doing what I had dreamed about for so long. I remember thinking (Okay, I'm going south on Telegraph at 36th). I made it all the way to the first intersection and stopped for the red light. The radio was chirping and my FTO was talking. I wasn't hearing any of it. The light turned green and I started into the intersection. (I had been behind the wheel for all of 45 seconds) All of a sudden a car blasted through the intersection nearly hitting our front end. I said something brilliant like, "Whoa, did you see that? That guy just ran a red light!!" I then started driving through the intersection. My FTO blurted out, "Well, do you think maybe you should doooo something about that?!!" :doh: :doh: :doh: (Duh!) I stopped in the intersection and made the turn, caught up with the guy, stopped him and wrote my first ticket.

When I got off break-in, I was on graves and I got bounced around with different partners. I didn't feel like I was on my own until the third or fourth night. I spotted a silver VW Jetta zipping in and out of traffic as he came down the Bay Bridge into Oakland. I finally caught up to him and the chase was on. I was in a slick top Chevy that was fast! On and off I-580 and SR-13 at 100+, through all kinds of surface streets for about 20 minutes. The bad guy finally slowed and opened his door in preparation to legbail. My partner said, "Pin him in!!" (bad idea and against policy) I tried to pin him in and he hit a parked car flinging his door open and creasing my hood and grille. The driver bailed, we caught him, he resisted, he lost, we won. The Sgt. showed up and promptly advised me that I had just earned my first crash and some other associated paperwork. I got in a little trouble....but I was on top of the world. :biggrin:

[ChippieWife]

i agrre with you,i am going to push through my final 5 years of school and then quivker than u can say "ma'am step out of the vehicle" I'll be in the academy but I am a little worried about the physical part of the academy I don't know, how is the physucal activity at the academy?

I was under the impression that one can be 20 at the youngest, as long as s/he has their 21st birthday during their stay at the academy.. Has this changed?

And I really love reading these stories..

Your Mentor, I have to agree..You do look a lot like Tom Cruise, only handsome!

[Scott96b10]

Ok, here goes. My very first stop on break in...

It was my first DOR (Day of Rating). Patrolling the LA freeways :cool: . My FTO was driving and i was in the pasenger seat, making a feable attempt at identifying equipment violations since there was no way i could recognize speed at this point, combined with the fact i had absolutly no high visual horizon. Anyhow, my FTO calls my attention to a white SUV traveling at a high rate of speed in the same direction. He paces the vehicle, i forget the speed, 80+ i think, and hits the lights. My heart rate skyrockets and i start to sweat. I remember thinking, "do we really have to bother these good people, they are just speeeding, thats not so bad, right?"

We make the stop on the right shoulder next to the brick soundwall. We make the approach on the vehicle, sweat pouring from my still bald head. This was late May, early June in the San Fernando Valley. The temperature, 6'2" from the primarlily concrete/asphalt roadway surface was a bit warm, with the addition of body armor, gun belt and wool uniform, none of which i was used to yet.

I squeeze my way in between the violator vehicle and the soundwall, a span of about a foot and a half, and contact the obviously irritated driver :evil: , who happened to be late and on his way to the airport. Did i metntion i was sweating? I get his info, return to my car and start writing the cite. Not knowing how to even hold my pinch book AND the driver's documents (which happened to include a large rental agreement form). After attempting to read the entire rental agreement becasue i thought i needed to, my FTO tells me what to write on the cite. By this time the sweat from my head had dripped down into my sunglasses and i couldn't see a thing. But i couldn't just do the easy thing of taking them off and cleaning them, i had a pich book and a papers in my hand!

I reapproach the car and issue the cite. I'm pretty sure i got the "are you a rookie?" question (at least in my head) and attempted to explain how to take care of it. I complete the stop and walk back to the patrol car. It was then that my FTO asks if i am going to return the license to the driver :doh: . I go back to the car and again attempt to squeeze between the vehicle and the soundwall. But in my haste, i forget to gain control of my trusty PR-24, loosley swinging from my left hip. The sound made as the tip of the handle portion impacted the right rear qurter panel of the violator vehicle was deafening!:shock: I cringed in embarrasment :redface: , handed the violator his license without saying a word and retreated back to the patrol car, my FTO grinning the entire time.:lol: Thank God for rentals!

I then sat down in the air conditioned patrol car and tried to write "green copy" notes around the sweat beads that were still falling! It was the most uncomfartable thing i had done in my life. I don't think i will ever forget it, and i hope i won't!

[nightingale]

Thanks to everyone who is posting their stories. This is great.

[frwycop]

First day out of brake in: I was on top of the world, I felt sooooo cool and sooo scared but I had to look mean. I was in a b&w e/b on the I-10 in So Cal when I saw a green RX7 in the HOV on ramp and solo. I got behind him and lights came on, MAN was I so proud of spotting a violation !!! the thing is that he had no intention of stopping, at all. My siren was turned on and he took off 90+, I was so jacked up that our dispatcher was unable to copy me at all, the only thing was "the unit in pursuit,10-09 ALL your traffic please !. well, he crashed trying to squeeze between 2 vehicles and kept going, I put put out the crash and the dispatcher said, "what's the 10-20 of the crash? but due to my tunnel vision I only replied " back there!!" Felony evading now.
For some reason the freeway was empty, seldom heard the dispatcher and I didn't feel or heard ANYTHING!!!!!!!! ( did I mention TUNNEL VISION??):rolleyes: .

The RX7 exited the freeway and used the left curb/sidewalk to pass traffic missing a school bus inthe #1 lane, made a right turn and and another right. I was maybe 7 secs behind him because I had to clear the school bus first due to my p/v being wide. As I turned the second right I came accross a cloud of dust and steam. He had crashed against 2 vehicles trying to make a left turn and took foot bail. His car was totalled as well as the other 2. A witness told me that the driver of the RX7 ran into a partially built building.

I pulled out my .40 cal and again, I felt the rush of adranaline again but this time I was thinking " oh man this is for real now' and a few seconds later LAPD and some CHP units showed up and it was a mess. I had no description of the suspect, LA Fire was on scene with the red big trucks blocking the intersection and of course, a couple of Sgts. showed up.

The driver was never caught, but as I was clearing the scene I went to the Meeky Dees (McDonald's) accross the street to take a leak that I had been holding for soo long that it was hurting. Well as it turned out there was this store employee who told me that there was this guy hiding out in the bathroom for so long that no customers were able to use the bathroom and that he had left a minute ago as the MTA bus made a stop infront of the store.:mad:

The bad thing: The bad guy was able to get away and the follow up investigation went nowhere.

The good thing: I was involved in a pursuit !!!!!, I did not CRASHED the b&w:biggrin: , the first crash was GOA (gone on arrival) and my beat partner took the second crash.(he was upset), so no paperwork for me, but tons of it for the Sergeants lmao.:badgrin:

That was my first day out.
I'll be back later because I just spent my 15 minutes of coffee break here. C'mon I had to play by the rules:tape: .

Second part will be about my first day out of motor school.
Semper Fi

[frwycop]

btw how come the time of my post reads 2:52 pm ????
Down here is 7:52 am. lol

[Gittinready]

btw how come the time of my post reads 2:52 pm ????
Down here is 7:52 am. lol

it shows as 7:51 am, you just need to change your settings in your account for your the pacific time zone.

[frwycop]

Done, thanks

[futurechp]

Second part will be about my first day out of motor school.
Semper Fi

Frwycop - That was a good story. I'd like to here about your first day out of motor school because that is something i'm interested in getting into.

[600RR_Brad]

Frwycop - That was a good story. I'd like to here about your first day out of motor school because that is something i'm interested in getting into.
I was thinking the exact same thing. So how about it?

[Nor-Cal hopeful]

I think my favorite one so far has to be Punisher. "Did you see that guy he ran a red light?" :lol::lol:"Well are you going to do something about that?":lol::lol::lol:

[iwanttobeCHP]

This is an awesome thread! I hope when I am able to pass break in I can contribute to this. I envy the feelings you all felt. See baldwin park c watch in 5 days :)

[Mac]

:closed: 4 1/2 year old zombie thread brought back to life.