Police recruits get feet wet in on-the-ground training

Open application period closes in about two weeks for anyone interested in police work

By Jim Hart

The Sandy Post, Feb 2, 2010 (3 Reader comments)

Jim Hart / Sandy Post

Reserve Sgt. Michael Freeman and Reserve Officer Kevin Moody talk with some of Sandy’s children and give them gifts with messages about staying safe while they play. Reserve officers often attend community events and contact local residents to show them police officers are good people trying to help them remain safe.

ADVERTISEMENTS

Michael Freeman of Sandy has a more-than-full-time job at a grocery store, and he has a part-time job as a police officer.

He had to work just as diligently to be successful in the hiring process for the part-time position as he did for the more-than-40-hour job.

In fact, it was more demanding.

That part-time hiring process required a comprehensive application, stringent written testing, physical ability test (obstacle course), oral interview before a board, background check, psychological examination, complete physical examination and 350 hours (at 16 hours a week) of boot-camp recruit training from the same trainers that regular officers have.

And that part-time job, which Freeman has had for eight years, offers no salary – just the reward of serving the community.

Like all police officers, Freeman serves under stress, unusual hours and at personal risk because of a long-term commitment to serve the people in his hometown.

“I love this profession,” he said. “I love people, and I like doing what I do.”

Freeman also believes serving as a reserve officer is a personal benefit from more than one perspective.

He considers it a “foot in the door.”

Not only does he get on-the-job training, but he is being observed in action by the people who eventually will be called to hire him as a full-time officer. Freeman knows the police chief hires from local reserve officers because they are already tested, know the community and its people, and should advance far in training.

1 | 2 Next Page >>