FTO's over, tonight I get to play alone!

[Granite]

Congratulations on heading out on your own tonight. I take it that your assigned to graveyard shift. Keep in mind while working that shift that people are far more likely to "try" you than other shifts. Good luck with sleeping during the day, I couldn't work that shift.
I have 2 pieces of advice for you.
1. Now that you are alone establish a traffic stop routine that is safe and routine and works for you. Not just what you leaned in the academy but do things that will create muscle memory. Some of the things I stick with are no matter what the stop is I pull out on it. I have a style of aggresive policing soo I am busy all the time. I like to do alot of traffic even though it is very hard where I work because our part of the city is busy. But the guys at work say I am traffic natzi. They also know my routine and voice over the radio because im on it soo much, soo they can tell if something is up. Dont make a traffic stop if you are not positive of the street your on and where you are. Set your vehicle up the way you want it on the stop. If the guy stops quick and your too close, then back UP! It just makes running for cover and other things easier and allows you to concentrate on the potential threat (the occupants). I treat everyone as if they have a firearm. If they dont comply with keeping their hands where I want them they are put in cuffs.

2. Learn how to ask for help. Don't be the boy who cried wolf. If its not an emergency dont put up a help call or worse start telling a story on the radio and sound unsure of yourself. Keep it simple "its not right away but go ahead and start another unit this way". You will know when to put up a help call trust me!
Good luck

[NCSO911]

Always know where you are. Read every street sign you pass.

A quote from a now retired Capt. with Henry Co SO.
"Your mouth can get you in and out of trouble. Remember this is a big county and if you call for help it's going to take them a little while to get to you."

[corporal716]

congratulations:cool:

[Darin]

Watch out for stumps in the grass!!!!!

[Gamefella]

Enjoy it...this is only only going to happen once in your life. Remember all the stuff you learned while at academy and during FTO and you will be good to go.

Congratz...

[decuervo]

Well, the first night is over. I got off late (about 2 hours late) due to the fact so many people wanted to ride in my car last night. Got 2 to county for warrants, 1 for DWLI and warrants, and 1 for failure to ID. That was my self initiated stuff. I don't count the dispatched calls, you don't earn those, you just get them.
I didn't get lost once, I called my locations out correctly, I asked for backup when I needed to get someone out of a vehicle. Over all I had the 2nd best night of my life! (Meeting my wife is still number 1). Thanks to everyone for your advice. (oh, ghost phase, shadow phase, is part of the FTO program here so I was totally alone in the car) My FTO was working in another district and he was very proud of my performance last night. I'm glad, he's a great guy. Anyway, I've gotta go to bed or I'll be dragging tomorrow (errr, tonight I mean).

[MrMisterSU]

They said A traffic stop! :p

Many Congrads! :cool: