So we are now into the second week of Brian being out on the road, and it is going good. So far this week Brian has recovered two stolen vehicles. Here is a tip for you: be careful buying a car on Craigslist. If it sounds to good to be true, it probably is and if you buy the car, don't be surprised when a CHP officer shows up and tows it away. Just saying. He also investigated two different hit and run cases.
The last two weeks have also been very humbling. Brian knew, coming out of the academy, that he still had a lot to learn. The last two weeks Brian has been relearning how to drive in traffic, where to stand, and how to multitask on a whole new level. All of our driving lives we have been told that the safest thing to do is move with traffic. That does not work when you are in a patrol car. No wants to speed past the cops, and that makes for a traffic break. Brian's FTO told him he needs to drive through traffic the same way a shark swims through a school of fish. Faster than traffic, to keep traffic moving, but slow enough to see violations. As for learning where to stand; at the academy when they were practicing traffic stops, interviewing witnesses, etc. it was not done in active traffic. Brian is having to learn to pay attention to his surroundings, and to stand in the safest spot. He is also having to learn to listen to the radio, while writing reports or while driving. I feel Brian is at a disadvantage when it comes to this, because as a parent you develop the ability to block out annoying sounds. Brian is having to learn how to overcome this skill at work. ;) To sum it up, break in is a learning process. Brian's FTO tells Brian what he needs to work on and Brian works on it. So far Brian is improving! He is being compared to officers that have been on the job for years, he was not expected to be at their level. It is not all bad. Brian's report writing skills are pretty awesome! He also knows the vehicle code pretty well for a newbie. Area orientation is another area in which he is excelling for a newbie. I am very proud to see him doing his best. He is willing and able to learn, and knows he has a long way to go. He takes everything his FTO gives him and will put it into practice.
At home things are a little different. We are adjusting to Brian's new hours. Having him home more is wonderful, but our schedules are having to be re-arranged. Plus I am never sure if Brian is coming home or staying at my brother's. Brian has decided if he able to get out the door an hour after his shift ends, then he is coming home. It is still like the academy in that I am still doing everything I was doing then on the days that Brian works. Even if he comes home, it is only to get his stuff together and to sleep. In some ways it is harder. When Brian is home he wants my attention, and I want to give it to him, which means stuff goes undone. The stress of the job is a little higher for him and that means a little added stress for me. When he was at the academy I did not have to worry about what he was eating. Now I have to make sure I have food that he can take with him that is both healthy and convenient. Apparently I had gotten out of the habit of shopping for a family of five, because I am having trouble keeping my pantry stocked. To add to it, the girls have been acting up lately, like they always do when there is a change to the every day normal. A feels it is her job to argue even the tiniest detail with me. She has not learned to turn away from me when she talks under her breath. I have said to her many times lately, "you know I can see that you mouth is still moving, and I can read you lips". She also has decided "crazy" is in right now. One day last week she got sent out of her classroom twice for not settling down. H is turning in to a hypochondriac/ drama queen who likes to spit. M has been throwing pretty impressive tantrums. They all have a bad case of selective -hearingitis. So, yeah, it has been fun.
Alright, it is late. If I go to bed now, I get to sleep in the same bed as my husband for a couple of hours. :)
Blessings,
~Cara
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