Behind the Badge
La Habra Police Department Explorers posed as actors on a recent Wednesday night to give the two dozen members of La Habra’s latest Citizens’ Academy a chance to learn what it is like for officers to tackle domestic dispute calls.
The scenarios were orchestrated by La Habra Officers Jason Sanchez and Noah Daniels, as well as longtime Communications Operator David Gonzalez, and carried out by high school teens who are members of the department’s Explorers Post 850. The academy members were instructed on the proper way to intervene in disputes and what resolutions should occur.
La Habra Police Department SWAT Officer Ricardo Rodriguez instructs Julie Cruz in the use of a Colt M4 rifle during a demonstration for the La Habra Citizen’s Police Academy.
Photo by Christine Cotter/Behind the Badge OC
In one scenario, the academy members intervened because two young women got into a fight after a boyfriend looked at one the wrong way. One of the women allegedly threw a bottle at her friend.
“So do we need to make an arrest?” asked Daniels.
That wasn’t necessary, said Todd and Sharon Frazier, two members of the Citizens’ Academy and longtime residents of La Habra, who separated the two women and interviewed the boyfriend.
The Fraziers moved to La Habra in 1978 and, with their children grown, one of whom is a Los Angeles County Sheriff deputy, they said the time was right to take this course.
La Habra Police Officer Amsony Mondragon gives commands to his K9 partner, Yary, a Dutch Shepherd during a demonstration for local residents enrolled in the department’s Citizens’ Police Academy.
Photo by Christine Cotter/Behind the Badge OC
“I basically wanted to learn more about what goes on in our city,” Sharon Frazier said. “It’s been very informative. I’m learning a lot of things. We are seeing every facet of the police department, not just the police officers.”
In the first four weeks of this six weeks course, the academy members have heard from Chief Jerry Price, taken a tour of the department, learned about the gang unit, as well as all aspects of the Traffic Division, including CSI, crime scene investigations, which was a big hit.
Sanchez, who is a school resources officer, gave them a first-hand look into what it is like to be on patrol at one of the local elementary or junior high schools. He also gave them a crash course on the Explorer program, which can serve as a great entryway into police work.
Students in the Academy also saw first-hand how the department’s K-9 and SWAT units work with a demonstration in week five.
Resident and academy member Dawn Holthouser appreciates the lessons.
“I’m learning more about the police department than I ever thought I would,” she said.
Cpl. David Morrison leads a discussion during a meeting of the Citizens’ Police Academy at the La Habra Police Department.
Photo by Christine Cotter/Behind the Badge OC
SWAT Officer Noah Daniels was on hand to educate members of the Citizens’ Police Academy during a demonstration at the La Habra Police Department.
Photo by Christine Cotter/Behind the Badge OC
Police K9 Bobby looks up at his handler Detective Rob Simms during a demonstration for the Citizens’ Police Academy at the La Habra Police Department.
Photo by Christine Cotter/Behind the Badge OC
Resident John Shea gets a close-up look at an assault rifle used by members of the SWAT team during a demonstration at the La Habra Police Department’s Citizens’ Police Academy.
Photo by Christine Cotter/Behind the Badge OC
Carrie Surich gets a laugh while wearing a ballistic armor vest during a demonstration by members of SWAT during the La Habra Citizens’ Police Academy.
Photo by Christine Cotter/Behind the Badge OC
La Habra police K9s Rocky and Bobby take a break. Their handlers, Shawn Miller and Rob Simms gave a demonstration of their skills during the La Habra Police Department’s Citizens’ Police Academy.
Photo by Christine Cotter/Behind the Badge OC
Detective Rob Simms rewards Bobby during a demonstration of the department’s police K9 unit. Bobby was able to quickly sniff out drugs planted inside a crevice in the parking lot during the La Habra Police Department’s Citizens’ Police Academy.
Photo by Christine Cotter/Behind the Badge OC
