Behind the Badge
What’s the worst part about the academy and what’s the best? What do recruits miss most about their former lives and what new revelations have they made about the careers they’ve chosen to pursue?
A Behind the Badge question and answer session with the Tustin Police Department’s three police recruits offers a glimpse into month four at the Orange County Sheriff’s Regional Training Academy.
Over the last several weeks, their training has focused on patrol techniques, felony car stops and how to apply all the tools they’ve been given so far out in the field.
The rigorous physical fitness training continues, along with the constant demand to perform well in high-stress scenarios.
These are a staples in the academy to prepare Orange County’s law enforcement officers for what they will encounter after they take their oath come June.
This month, however, the recruits said time moved a little more quickly and things seemed a little less draconian — a testament to their resolve and the hard work they put in every day.
Tustin Police Department recruits Leah Barrett , left, Ismael Aurelus and David Valencia are training at the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Regional Training Center. Photo by Miguel Vasconcellos/Behind the Badge OC
Here’s what they had to say:
LEAH BARRETT
What I miss the most about life before the academy is time.
Practical Application Scenarios has been my biggest challenge in month four.
If I never hear front-leaning rest position again, it would not be too soon. (Front-leaning-rest-position is a synonym for the push-up position)
If I never see The Beach again, it would not be too soon. (The Beach is a large sandpit at the academy where recruits go for physical fitness training.)
A displaced rib is the worst injury I’ve sustained so far.
I’ve been reprimanded for my improper academy protocol.
The first thing I’ll do when I graduate is congratulate my classmates and thank my department/tactical staff.
When people outside the academy ask me how I’m doing, I reply “fine.”
The academy has granted me a new appreciation for law enforcement.
The worst thing about the academy is remedial instruction reports.
The best thing about the academy is going through it with a class.
If I could go back and change one thing about my time here so far it would be nothing.
ISMAEL AURELUS
What I miss the most about life before the academy is being able hang out with my friends.
Passing my learning domain test has been my biggest challenge in month four.
If I never hear the word confirming again, it would not be too soon. (Confirming is a response given when a mistaken order is said by a recruit.)
If I never see The Beach again, it would not be too soon.
Minor back pain is the worst injury I’ve sustained so far.
I’ve been reprimanded for my mistakes in a leadership role.
The first thing I’ll do when I graduate is hug my mother and thank her for the making me the man I am today.
When people outside the academy ask me how I’m doing, I reply, “I’m doing the best I can.”
The academy has granted me a new appreciation for officer safety and attention to detail.
The worst thing about the academy is not having much free time.
The best thing about the academy is that I’m here chasing after my dreams.
If I could go back and change one thing about my time here so far it would be nothing.
DAVID VALENCIA
What I miss the most about life before the academy is sleep.
Testing has been my biggest challenge in month four.
If I never hear “academy shuffle” again, it would not be too soon. (The academy shuffle is running a quarter-mile at a near-sprint.)
If I never see The Beach again, it would not be too soon.
I’ve been reprimanded for not providing criminal elements verbatim.
The first thing I’ll do when I graduate is take a mini vacation.
When people outside the academy ask me how I’m doing, I reply, “I am putting in the work.”
The academy has granted me a new appreciation for law enforcement.
The worst thing about the academy is stress.
The best thing about the academy is the brotherhood.
If I could go back and change one thing about my time here so far it would be to better prepare my family.
Catch up on the recruits monthly check-ins here:
Tustin PD recruit David Valencia holds a pushup position on the Beach at the Orange County Sheriff’s Regional Training Academy. The Beach is where recruits do most of their physical training. Photo by Miguel Vasconcellos/Behind the Badge OC.
Tustin PD Recruit Ismael Aurelus climbs over a six-foot wall at the Orange County Sheriff’s Regional Training Academy. Photo by Miguel Vasconcellos/Behind the Badge OC.
