This last holiday weekend, Kev took the patrol car out on the highway for the first time on his own. I can hardly put into words how happy and accomplished he looked that day, and I'm sure only he can tell you how truly amazing it felt. That day marked a new chapter in his career and our lives together!
It has been an entire year since I started this journey with Kev, but he had been working towards this moment long before I even met him. I asked him the other day, if you knew what you know now and knew how much work it would take to get to today, would you do it all over again? He said absolutely, I love this job.
I wish I could sum it all up, but it has truly been a one of a kind experience. When I started this blog, I was nervous and anticipating the worst. Honestly, the experience has been entirely different than I ever imagined. It has shaped us into stronger individuals and a couple. We both had to support each other along the way, learn what we needed, and adapt together. We developed an inseparable bond in the process.
Kev is more confident than ever now and so proud of what he does everyday. More than anything though, we see law enforcement in a new light. We see how far beyond the individual officer the role touches. Behind every officer is their family and friends who play just as important of a role. Only true friends will stick around when you can't go out on the weekends and family will adjust their schedules to make sure your officer can make it to dinner, a birthday or a special holiday. It takes flexibility, support, love and understanding.
As a girlfriend, the adjustment was hard at times and sometimes still can be. There will always be hard days in life and some of those days you're officer will be working, so you'll have to pull through on your own until they come home. Holidays also aren't a given day off. Kev missed my birthday and Christmas morning this year, but we celebrated on different days instead. We are learning to be flexible. It's hard to change your norm sometimes, but once you're willing to break what you're used to, you quickly realize that it isn't the day that matters, but the people you share it with.
We are so fortunate to officially be a part of the CHP family now and for the many years to come! We have made amazing new friends who have shared this journey with us and continue to be humbled by the small role we play in an amazing organization.
Thank you for reading this blog and following our story! I hope it gave you insight into the making of an officer and their first year. If you or a loved one are about to begin this journey or are currently in the process, I hope it brings you confidence and a little guidance along the way. Never forget that it is your own story though and you carve your own path. You can do anything you put your mind to. And to those of you who may be reading to learn more about law enforcement, I hope it sheds a little light that our officers are human, may be more like you than you know, and all they want is to do their job well and come home to their loved ones after each shift before hurrying off to their next one. Our hats go off to all of the peace officers who dedicate their lives to a career that keeps our communities safe, and their loved ones who act as supporting pillars. Stay safe and thank you for your service.
- Mimi
Tuesday, December 27, 2016
Tuesday, December 20, 2016
Wrapping up Phase 4
Kev only has 2 days left of Phase 4 and then he is officially on his own! Sometimes I stop and think about this past year and how hard he/we worked to get to this moment. It has been a year unlike any other in my life.
Life has become more normal lately too. Kev has had the same schedule for a while and is still working days - up at 2:30am, our the door by 3:30am, home by 6pm and in bed by 9:30pm. It's been a little cyclical but it's so nice to spend time with him every night. Sometimes I don't think we really left the Academy life, because we still have this tight grip on time and our time together, even when we have plenty of it.
This weekend Kev will take the patrol car out on his own for the very first time. Words can never explain how proud I am of him. After his last day of training, I'm going to try to surprise him somehow. Maybe a fancy dinner, a card, and a good bottle of wine to celebrate his accomplishment!
What a year!
- Mimi
Life has become more normal lately too. Kev has had the same schedule for a while and is still working days - up at 2:30am, our the door by 3:30am, home by 6pm and in bed by 9:30pm. It's been a little cyclical but it's so nice to spend time with him every night. Sometimes I don't think we really left the Academy life, because we still have this tight grip on time and our time together, even when we have plenty of it.
This weekend Kev will take the patrol car out on his own for the very first time. Words can never explain how proud I am of him. After his last day of training, I'm going to try to surprise him somehow. Maybe a fancy dinner, a card, and a good bottle of wine to celebrate his accomplishment!
What a year!
- Mimi
Tuesday, December 13, 2016
Phase 4 & The Holiday Schedule
So, Kev finally got his phase 4 schedule. This phase is actually only 4 days long and he will be done by Christmas. He is still working his phase 3 day shift schedule which rolls right into phase 4 over the next couple of weeks. Honestly, it's hard to keep track of the schedule. I really only remember the schedule for whatever week we are in and the important days. Like, Christmas - yep, he is working Christmas and New Years Eve. Thankfully, he was able to select day shift for post FTO though, so we will still be able to have Christmas together that night and do a little something for New Years Eve night.
I can't believe Kev's field training is almost over! The day he takes the car out on his own for the first time is going to be so exciting for him. I know he can't wait. He asked me the other night, "should I give people tickets on Christmas?" I said, "heck yah!" You're a highway patrolman! So, word to the wise - a lot of new officers will be off training this holiday season and are ready with their new ticket books, shiny brass and a whole lot of pride, just waiting for you to speed past them. Follow the speed limits and laws of the road if you don't want to meet Kev or any of his academy friends around the state :)
Happy holidays and cheers to almost being done with training!
- Mimi
I can't believe Kev's field training is almost over! The day he takes the car out on his own for the first time is going to be so exciting for him. I know he can't wait. He asked me the other night, "should I give people tickets on Christmas?" I said, "heck yah!" You're a highway patrolman! So, word to the wise - a lot of new officers will be off training this holiday season and are ready with their new ticket books, shiny brass and a whole lot of pride, just waiting for you to speed past them. Follow the speed limits and laws of the road if you don't want to meet Kev or any of his academy friends around the state :)
Happy holidays and cheers to almost being done with training!
- Mimi
Friday, December 9, 2016
Life As A Trainee, A Girlfriend's Perspective
Well, it's December 9th and we still don't know Kev's Schedule for Phase 4, which happens to fall on Christmas and New Years Eve. My fingers are crossed that we get the holidays together. Selfishly and naively, I am praying for both days. Dream big I say, but don't set yourself up to be disappointed. I'm certainly realistic that Kev likely won't have both days off. I really am okay celebrating Christmas any old day, as long as we are together. New Years Eve is always one of those nights it's nice to have your man by your side though, popping a bottle of champagne and sharing a midnight kiss. It won't be quite the same start to the year if I'm just with my girlfriends and Kev isn't there, but I guess ironically it could be the right start to many more years with a peace officer. For now, we will wait and see what cards we are dealt.
Still, life isn't bad. I see Kev a lot right now. He even picks me up everyday after work because our schedules and commutes line up perfectly. The reports he has to write at home have been light too and usually it's just to finish up. There have also only been a few nights that he runs late. Trainees actually can't sign up for overtime until they are off break-in, so usually the couple hours that run over are because he has to finish something up.
As far as the revelations of phase 3, cop-culture is entirely foreign to me. Kev loves it and definitely "drinks the Koolade" as we call it in my SF tech world. I got to see a glimpse of the culture and socialization of the trainees at the holiday party. There is certainly a division of the veterans and new officers. I suppose they have to prove their worth, their intelligence and ability to handle themselves in a situation others have experienced or one day may experience with this now 'rookie' by their side. I suppose that's the key to earning acceptance into such a fraternal organization. Prove your worth and prove you can be tough when your peers are hard on you. Character is everything. It is a very different world for me, and certainly hard to adjust to sometimes. Kev sometimes compares it to playing sports or being in a college fraternity. Until you can prove to the team that you can score a goal, be reliable defense, or be someone they can trust, you won't be accepted. But once you are, you're family. I certainly saw that closeness in the vets and even some of the officers only a few training classes ahead of Kev.
I think this article describes the culture well.
http://www.criminaljusticedegree.com/the-blue-flame-the-socialization-of-a-rookie/
The Academy is only the first step. It's a quick intro to the socialization process - break you down and then build you up with a cheez-it on your shoulder and an aiguillette. You get 10 days to to relax or hit the beach in Cabo like we did and then suddenly your back at the bottom of the totem pole earning your acceptance with an entirely new set of individuals, washing the patrol cars and putting in your time. When the Academy gets tough, remember why you want it. Be strong, stay level headed and remember that good things don't come easy. It's just the beginning of a life doing what you love, something not many people can say they do.
In other news, another baby was born into the family last night and Kev and I have another little nephew this year!
- Mimi
Still, life isn't bad. I see Kev a lot right now. He even picks me up everyday after work because our schedules and commutes line up perfectly. The reports he has to write at home have been light too and usually it's just to finish up. There have also only been a few nights that he runs late. Trainees actually can't sign up for overtime until they are off break-in, so usually the couple hours that run over are because he has to finish something up.
As far as the revelations of phase 3, cop-culture is entirely foreign to me. Kev loves it and definitely "drinks the Koolade" as we call it in my SF tech world. I got to see a glimpse of the culture and socialization of the trainees at the holiday party. There is certainly a division of the veterans and new officers. I suppose they have to prove their worth, their intelligence and ability to handle themselves in a situation others have experienced or one day may experience with this now 'rookie' by their side. I suppose that's the key to earning acceptance into such a fraternal organization. Prove your worth and prove you can be tough when your peers are hard on you. Character is everything. It is a very different world for me, and certainly hard to adjust to sometimes. Kev sometimes compares it to playing sports or being in a college fraternity. Until you can prove to the team that you can score a goal, be reliable defense, or be someone they can trust, you won't be accepted. But once you are, you're family. I certainly saw that closeness in the vets and even some of the officers only a few training classes ahead of Kev.
I think this article describes the culture well.
http://www.criminaljusticedegree.com/the-blue-flame-the-socialization-of-a-rookie/
The Academy is only the first step. It's a quick intro to the socialization process - break you down and then build you up with a cheez-it on your shoulder and an aiguillette. You get 10 days to to relax or hit the beach in Cabo like we did and then suddenly your back at the bottom of the totem pole earning your acceptance with an entirely new set of individuals, washing the patrol cars and putting in your time. When the Academy gets tough, remember why you want it. Be strong, stay level headed and remember that good things don't come easy. It's just the beginning of a life doing what you love, something not many people can say they do.
In other news, another baby was born into the family last night and Kev and I have another little nephew this year!
- Mimi
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