Citizens' Police Academy: Week Five

We’re halfway through Citizens’ Police Academy, and week five may have been my favorite class and field trip thus far.

I could write a book about everything we learned in the classroom, but for the sake of time, I’ll give the in-a-nutshell version.

At headquarters, Det. Michael Munch gave a presentation on use of force -- non-deadly and deadly.

First, a few definitions:

• Force -- The power to control or compel
• Use-of-Force Continuum -- Guidelines that help an officer determine how much force can be used in a situation
• Non-Deadly Force -- Any force that is not likely to cause death or serious bodily injury
• Deadly Force -- Any force that is likely to cause death or serious bodily injury

Police officers are authorized to use deadly force in order to:

• Protect themselves or others from what is reasonably believed to be a threat of death or serious bodily injury.
• Prevent the escape of a fleeing violent felon whom the officer has probable cause to believe will pose a significant threat to human life should escape occur.

The goal, however, is to follow the use-of-force continuum and use non-deadly force to de-escalate and/or control the incident -- “plus one,” which means an officer can use more force than the bad guy (or woman).

An officer also never shoots to kill, according to Munch. If an officer feels threatened enough and a suspect is shot, that officer (or officers) must immediately render first aid until an ambulance arrives.

We also discussed, at length, the use of less-lethal weapons, such as the Taser, K-9 officers, impact weapons (batons and flashlights), a 12-gauge shotgun that shoots beanbags, and OC spray (pepper spray).

My favorite part, however, came this past Sunday when we headed to the gun range. Since I live with someone who likes to hunt, guns and gun ranges are a part of my life.

Our Citizens’ Police Academy class was broken up into a morning group and an afternoon group. Officers Gary Young and T.J. Mahalick were our instructors.

We started in the classroom, where we learned four rules of gun safety:

• Always handle a gun as if it were loaded
• Never point a gun at something you’re not willing to destroy
• Keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are set on your intended target
• Know your target

Young also showed us a packet filled with guns -- and other weapons -- disguised as everyday items, like pens, tire pressure gauges, cell phones, lipstick, flashlights… the list is endless.

When a police department confiscates an item like the disguised weapons above, an e-mail goes out to notify other departments about the potential danger.

Before we headed to the Keystone Rod and Gun Club in Bath, Young and Mahalick showed us toy guns that Colonial Regional has confiscated -- they absolutely looked like the real deal. What ever happened to brightly colored Super Soakers!?

OK, on to the Keystone Rod and Gun Club! While at the range, we all had the opportunity to shoot a .40-caliber pistol and a Bushmaster M4 rifle. Young wore a bulletproof vest, just in case. Smart man.

The pictures will give you an idea of how well I did. And you better believe that my target is proudly hanging on my refrigerator.

Week six of Citizens’ Police Academy is under way. We went on a tour of Northampton County Prison tonight, Nov. 9, and will watch a mock trial tomorrow, Nov. 10. Stay tuned!