5.4.10

Hey All,

So on a scale of 1 to 10 if we rank week 17, 10 of course being the best, it would come in at about a 3. The only saving grace being that it was a short week of 4 days. Week 18 is shaping up to rank at about a 2. Week 12 of course still owns the title of THE worst week to date, although 18 is a close second. With week 19 on the horizon already having 2 strikes against it, it does not give our cadet much to look forward to.

Before last week the bad weeks and days would come and go like a strategic contender delivering blows. As week 17 becomes 18 the bell tolls for a new contender to test and try our cadet. With this new contender the strategy has changed from floating and stinging to ground and pound! Our cadet will feel the effects of this constant beat down for approximately the next 6 weeks. The tasks in this final leg continue to increase in difficulty and will prove to be the final weeding out process. Ryan's class is already down a total of 47 cadets. After these next 6 weeks, the remaining 4 weeks are supposed to be a lot more calm.

The cadets are now learning scenarios, such as pulling vehicles over with the basic approach or felony approach. Both of these scenarios have several steps that must be done in order, in a specific amount of time and must be recited verbatim. Ryan will be tested on the basic and the felony approach tomorrow. Their Spanish class has now expanded into knowing Physical Methods of Arrest terminology. Accident investigation will conclude next week with a difficult 8 hour exam - supposed to be the hardest exam of the whole Academy. They are also learning take downs, weapon retention, evidence preservation and much more. Ryan passed his rifle qualification last week and began night range last night, which he reported as being a lot of fun. They practiced shooting while holding a flashlight, but next time Ryan will be able to shoot without holding the light as he opted to have his tactical light attached to his pistol. Night range equals a late night for the cadets as they are required to clean their gun and then do all necessary prep for the next day putting them to bed around midnight.

On a lighter note I was allowed a rare, for me, occasion last week. I was actually able to drive on to the Academy campus to pick Ryan up! In order to drive on the campus and not get a ticket I had to check all lights on my car and make sure my front license plate was attached. Obviously, if you drive on to the CHP campus with a violation you will be ticketed. After 2 trips to Kragen I was ready to go. As I approached the kiosk I readied myself for all that I had envisioned for my visit. To my anti-climactic surprise I was greeted by Paul Blarts Middle Eastern twin,who barely acknowledged me and opened the gate...What a let down! As I dropped Ryan off on Sunday we were greeted by a real Officer,yet it too was uneventful. I'm glad that I was permitted behind the gate at all, the grounds were beautiful and serene, well at least serene from the outside! My pictures this week are from my phone, proof that I went to the Academy and a rallied smile from Ryan before he went back on Sunday.

We are still waiting to hear about his dream sheet...hopefully this week??

Love,

Amy