Week 3

As week 3 of the 21^st Session of the CSO’s Deputy Training Academy dawned, the class was once again down a trainee. A fourth trainee resigned on Tuesday due to an injury. The remaining 13 cadets were subdued but focused.

Week 3 was all about interpersonal communication skills (IPC), one of the most important tools in a law enforcement officer’s duty belt. The candidates spent two days in the classroom learning the importance of IPC, as well as techniques to evaluate and de-escalate high-stress situations.

“Mental health is one of the biggest challenges facing law enforcement today,” said Assistant Academy Director Sgt. Nikki Pascal. “It is extremely important to be able to communicate effectively and be able to de-escalate situations. Nine times out of 10 you can de-escalate situations just with how you speak.”

“The first couple of days they do the classroom portion on how to de-escalate everything from high-stress situations to everyday situations.” Said Sgt. Pascal “Now they’re putting those lessons into practice with role-playing scenarios.”

Most were nervous when they began their first practical but gained confidence while dealing with each scenario.

Each of these scenarios occurred inside the jail “This is the first time where our learning has taken place outside of the academy, which was cool” said one trainee. Deputies, dressed as inmates, acted out situations where trainees applied what they learned the previous two days. “Today we put our skills to the test…every scenario was different,” said another trainee “We were taught how we can de-escalate almost any situation using just our voice and body language”. After spending an entire week focusing on IPC skills, they now understand its importance in corrections and as one trainee put it “what will soon be our daily lives.”

In regard to camaraderie, Sgt. Pascal is optimistic, “They’re starting to help each other with their uniforms, help each other with studying, help each other through PT and running. It’s working out great; they’re absolutely coming together rather quickly actually.” The trainees also agree, “We’ve all been coming together… we have gotten the opportunity to talk to one another and really learn more about each other to grow closer together as a team.”

The trainees will return to the academy on Monday, where they will dive head-first into the criminal justice system and constitutional law.

Only 15 weeks to go, 21^st Session!