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i 18 The Canadian Statesman, Bowmanville, July 18,1990 I don't know how to explain explain how I felt as I fired a .38' revolver for the first time. All I knew was that I was holding a gun, my heart was beating a million miles a minute, and the adrenalin was flowing. Last week, I was among 20 reporters from across Ontario Ontario who became police recruits recruits for approximately 24 hoürs. We were participating participating in a Media Recruit Day with the Ontario Provincial Police. One of the assignments assignments required reporters/ recruits to respond to a situation situation as it unfolded on a life- sized screen. We were to fire our weapons if necessary. •iln my case, the screen Stiff Criteria If You Want to Be Part of OPP Can you do 31 pushups in one minute, sit and reach at least 36 cm, do 39 sit-ups in, one minute and finish it all off with a 2.4 km run in 10 minutes and 31 seconds? ,If you can and you are a male between the ages of 18- 29,'then you may be a candidate candidate for a OPP recruit. .Before a person is even considered a candidate, he or. she must complete a Preengagement Preengagement physical fitness teSt. -The requirements for the fitness test vary with age and sex. For instance a 30 to 34 year old male must complete complete 24 pushups while a 30 to 34 year old female must do 21 pushups. ■Ana a 40 year old female has 15 minutes and 09 seconds seconds to complete the 2.4 km run while a 40 year old male has 12 minutes and 53 seconds. seconds. , The physical testing is a mandatory requirement of the OPP to ensure the applicant's applicant's • readiness to undertake undertake physical classes at the Provincial Police Academy Orientation Training Course. displayed a bank robber who was apparently lying injured injured beside a car. But the robber suddenly rolled over and pointed his rifle in my direction. This was my cue to draw my revolver and fire. Although the gun was real, a laser beam replaced the bullets. A cap simulated the sound of firing and a computer recorded both the accuracy of our shots and our reaction time. A Near Miss How did I respond? Well, let's just say that although I missed the bank robber, the car behind him won't be giving giving any more problems. The computer indicated I had a fast reaction time. I was focusing so hard on the screen and the situation unfolding that I don't even know if I breathed. This was one of the experiences experiences which taught me that the life of an OPP officer officer is more than just taking the cruiser down to the mail for donuts and coffee. Thanks to the Media Recruit Recruit Day, I had the opportunity opportunity to learn first hand that the OPP are a group of highly highly skilled professionals. The Media Recruit Day was designed to give the re-: porters the chance to find out, through direct: participation participation in a number of training training exercises, whether we had what it takes to be a member of the OPP. " Not all of the training was as dramatic as firing a revolver. Our course of studies studies also included bedmaking, bedmaking, marching, dealing with a domestic dispute, ana conducting a R.I.D.E. spot check On Tuesday, July 10, I headed off to the Ontario Provincial Police Academy in Brampton with thoughts of Police Academy I, II, and III in my head. Outfits ! Upon arrival we were assigned assigned to our dorms and had a chance to meet some of the other "recruits." We were outfitted in cov eralls which would have fit Hulk Hogan and/or Rose- anne and a belt with a gun holster. There were approximately approximately 12 or 13 media represen-' tatives staying at the police college over night and the rest were arriving in the morning when "official" training began. Being very naive, a group of us decided to check out the sights of Brampton, and try to find a local hot spot. We were not realizing, of course, that most of us would have to get up by at least 6:30 a.m. in order to make our beds according to the directions we were given. given. Bed Making They had given us very specific instructions on how the bed was to be made. They literally expected to be able to bounce a coin off the tight sheets and blankets. The next morning began with four separate attempts to make that stupid bed. I didn't realize how technical making a bed was until I tried to ensure that my sheet was folded down exactly exactly 15 inches from the top. As I was struggling with my bed, I heard a voice along the dormitory crying out: "What is a hospital corner?" corner?" After completing that task, we headed into the he wasn't on our list or claimed to work for a paper which didn't exist. Nor did we note that he was definitely definitely in better shape than most of us. (I, however, did comment comment on his resemblance to Wojahowitz from Barney Miller.) Anyway, he and the staff sergeant began to argue and a fight broke out between the so-called reporter and the staff sergeant. The fight resulted in the sergeant be- ipleting ided inf lounge for a breakfast of. (Well I certainly hope I don't need to tell you that we had coffee and doughnuts, do I?) We then had a formal room inspection, in which I got an "excellent." And my short hair pleased the sergeant sergeant also. Some of the other "recruits" "recruits" weren't so lucky. In fact, several had the sheets ripped right off the bed and the words "mama's boys" were bellowed once or twice. It was at this point that we got our first taste of what the day ahead would hold. You see, they had planted a sergeant among us who posed as a media recruit. Not one of us noticed that ing thrown to the ground and the reporter making a quick getaway. We were instructed that if we saw this man anywhere anywhere on the grounds we were to arrest him and bring him into custody. (Remember this incident. We have not seen the last of our sergeant-bashing recruit.) recruit.) Learning to March We then proceeded to try' (and I stress the word try) and learn how to march. Now, if you think that marching isn't hard, grab 20 of your closest friends and try to march in three's with one arm length in from and one oh each side. And remember: remember: "We always lead with our left, officers." The hardest, but most satisfying part of the day, began at this point - team work. As Sergeant Brian Carty said: "An officer is no longer an individual he/she must work as a team." So there were now five of us trying to act as one and it was an interesting challenge. challenge. Domestic Dispute Our first situation involved involved the handling of a domestic domestic dispute. As the officer officer marking the situation said, "most injuries suffered by OPP are received during domestic disputes." The training academy has an actual home on site, which "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" lived in. Of course, the Smiths are portrayed by professional professional actors. We were re- 'sAm " i. 't -- - ' ' 11 1 No, these are not the most recent graduates of Police Police Academy IV. In fact, the people in overalls are all members of the media who had a chance to find out first-hand what it is like to train for the OPP. The pic ture was taken at the Ontario Provincial Police Academy Academy in Brampton during the annual Media Recruit Day. For all our friends from the Caribbean... .. .Have we got a deal for you! Purchase a 12 month subscription to E&t Cattafriatt gtateaman and receive an additional 3 months for FREE! Now is the time to take advantage of our convenient home delivery system for subscribers in Bowmanville Pssst...Even if you're not from the Caribbean, you can still take t advantage of this offer! Sfit Canadian Statesman 62 King Street West, Bowmanville 623-3303 Often) cxiilruH Friday, July 20th, 1000 at 6 p.m. Story and Photos by Lisa C. Brown spending to a call from Mrs. Smith. The victim, Mrs. Smith, had bruises on her eye, a broken finger, and blood was pouring from her lip. The accused, accused, Mr. Smith, claimed she was clumsy and had fallen. fallen. His brother backed up his story. Having to handle that one situation gave me so much respect tor the OPP and their ability to remain calm, impartial, and in control. control. Our team received top marks in the handling of this situation. Police Sketches After that, we had a brief lesson on how a police artist goes about getting a description description of a witness. We, as a group, had to describe describe and identify the man who had fought with the staff sergeant earlier. It was at this point that we got a chance to fire the guns. I never realized how heavy the gun is and how hard the trigger is to pull. There were several recruits who couldn't even pull the trigger. Our final situation involved involved a R.I.D.E. check. There were seven cars and we had to stop them and check for impaired drivers. We had to deal with the rude drivers, the impatient drivers, the tourists and the impaired. We also found the phoney reporter who had assaulted assaulted the sergeant earlier. Arrest They had hidden him. as one of the drivers and our team was quick to spot him and place him under arrest. This proves that it's not just the Mounties who always always get their man. With a little help from the professionals, professionals, even members of the media can do it. After being on the officer side of a R.I.D.E. program I know that I will be a lot more patient next time I am pulled over. We finished up with an inspection and a parade march back. One reporter who was caught with the The OPP Way To Make a Bed For those of you who have or are considering the OPP as a career choice, there is one simple test to . see if you're OPP material. Go to your bedroom, remove remove all blankets from your bed and follovy : tlie directions below... "at/ -te J' 1. BOTTOM SHEET Tuck first sheet under head of mattress and along both sides using hospital tuck at head of bed. 2. TOP SHEET Start sheet flush with top edge of head of mattress and tuck under at foot of mat- 3. TOP BLANKET Start blanket 15 inches from the head of the bed. Tuck the hang over at the foot of the bed in under the mattress. Fold back the head of the top sheet 15 inches so that you have a 15 inch area at the head of the bed showing the bottom sheet, and also a 15 inch turn down of the top sheet. 4. SPARE BLANKET When not in use, store neatly in the cupboard of each room. 5. PILLOW Properly centred in 15 inch area at top of bed; smoothed out and tightened. Open end towards wall. THE ENTIRE BED WILL BE TIGHTENED. NO WRINKLES OR CREASES. m m tap* "VA I "Sound Off • Ono Two, Sound OH' - Tlirco Pour, Sound 01T- Ono Two Tlirco Four." Can you lioliovo wo actually had to hollow that out n» wo marched? Just like n hoot camp, oh? It hocnino oven more like ono when a recruit who continually placed his collar up was told ho was "on a one-way road to hell." collar oi ins coveralls up was told he was a disgrace to the force and was "on his way to hell." ■ That same reporter was also loudly rebuked for having having no socks on, while another another was told his sneakers • weren't shiny enough. By the time we finished our march, I was tired and sore in places I didn't even know existed. Knowing how I felt after 28 hours at the academy, I have the utmost respect for those who complete the real three week session. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication. It was very challenging and when you could meet the challenge challenge the feeling of satisfaction satisfaction is amazing. I know that despite my sore bones it was a very rewarding rewarding experience and I would jump at the chance to do it again. And, if nothing else, I know that the . constables, sergeants, staff sergeants, inspectors, superintendents ana chief superintendent who helped us throughout the day will have enough to laugh about until next Media Media Recruit Day. As we finished our training, training, many of us still went away with one. unanswered Question...Is it just a coincidence coincidence that there is a 24- hour donut shop across the road from the academy or are they training them early? early? Many Steps Involved In Recruiting Process To Reach Academy When prospective recruits recruits apply to the OPP, they are screened to ensure that basic conditions are met before they are officially enrolled in the recruitment process. A mental aptitude test is administered to ensure recruits recruits can meet the academic academic requirements of the OPP Academy and the Ontario Police College. Essay writing and spelling tests are part of the process, due to the number After having critically wounded a dangerous car, Sergeant John Periversoff decides decides that maybe Officer/Reporter Lisa Brown needs a little instruction on how to use the OPP revolver. of written reports required of officers. Each candidate also undergoes undergoes a psychological profile, profile, which is used only as an indicator of problem and potential. potential. Those who then pass the mental aptitude test are entitled entitled to an interview which is the critical part of the recruitment recruitment process. The candidate is assessed in 12 categories, including maturity, physical traits, driving history, law involvement, involvement, achievements, motivation, motivation, leadership ana education. education. Those who show hiring, potential then advance to the background investigation investigation phase. Candidates are fingerprinted, fingerprinted, and obtain security clearance and they must not have criminal records. A police investigator will be assigned to look into the candidate's past and obtain an assessment of character and reputation. Physical fitness testing and a pre-employment medical medical are other mandatory prerequisites. prerequisites. A final review is conducted conducted by a three member panel, and the director of the OPFs staff services branch ultimately approves each application. application. Successful candidates are notified and placed on a waiting list for inclusion in orientation classes. Recruits have to go through three weeks of training at the academy, which includes waking at 5:30 a.m. and running the track by 6:00 a.m. Following that they have a probationary year at the recruit's detachment learning learning about field policing from a senior coaching member. An additional two months' training is then required required in the classrooms of tne Ontario Provincial College College in Alymer. A total of 200 recruits are projected to be hired in the 1990/91 fiscal year. The OPP currently has a uniform strength of 4,579 officers officers and combined with a civilian strength of 1,292 the total is 5,871. w K'à ■v - - # ' . ■ . : . . - i ,, , » M k\ j ; , ' , , , i v , /Jill : 331 jjEipMfefc M B( )\VM AN VILLI i ♦TOWN CONTI Itt/flf Mfn ffitl ft 'T:Ç \ V ./§SS| 0M imMfai'f?':* 1 ' VISIT OUR SALES PAVILION MONDAY - THURSDAY -12-5 SATURDAY - SUNDAY -10-6 KEY PLAN BOWMANVILLE J .. ... -- 1 1 1 1 ' SCUGOG RD. WELLINGTON ST. _ rui F ! tul |o LIBERTY ST. "CHURCH ST, ] lm 1 KING ST. [ ' HIGHWAY -101 I U TERRY WITHERSPOON -OR- DAVE DURHAM 623-8075 'CERTAIN CONDITIONS MAY APPLY