From Dispatch to Patrol

After working the last couple months in dispatch I feel like I would like to go back into patrol.

What has changed my mind ?

I have been watching and listening to issues in Iraq through the people I worked with while there 3+ years. From day to day in some ways it has gotten better there but in a lot of ways it is way more stressful for civilian police trainers than it ever has been. All I have to say about that is, it's hard to train Iraqi Police in civilian police strategies, tactics and thoughts when the security is such that those in charge want to point blame at the experts. It seems to me that there were no Iraqi crime standards to start with, (war is war) and "the police" are highly reactionary creatures who only deter crime under normal civil conditions. Police do not stop crime but most all in America start out thinking they are going to make a difference so, that's what drives the police to try to appear action oriented (before crime). The only place I have seen that we truly make that kind of "active" motion is to get involved with the public and kids to get them to want to make change themselves (COPS Community Oriented Police Services).

Well, after doing the triple, double check I have decided that I would really like to do some more work with my local police. They are a great bunch of guys but dang if a lot of things have not changed while I was gone. Anyway, I start full time next week and look forward to getting back into the swing of things.

Until next time
-Ed

Master Gardener Course

I attended a "Master Gardener Course" this fall. It was a 40 hour course over a there week period and included all sorts of information from botany to building a raised garden and everything between. It was very interesting and jam packed full of information. If your every interested in giving some of your time to the community

The Master Gardener Program is a volunteer program in which individuals are
trained specifically to represent the Extension Service to help with
providing approved information on gardening and to develop community
programs related to horticulture. (BCMG - http://www.baxtercountymg.org/aboutbcmg.htm)

Getting Started Again

Well, I was able to work with my sister and brother in law for the summer but fall is here and I really need something to do. So, I am going to give you some ideas of my decisions of why I am headed the direction I am. I will give you a brief and try and get you up to date.

This summer was a blast. I enjoyed working with my brother in law more than he will ever know. He is a heck of a guy and did an awesome job learning a new business. He just amazed me and I will never forget the hard work and friendship he offered while I was there.

When I left Fayetteville I was beyond ready to be home and doing stuff with Tammy (My Wife). After being gone 3.5 years in a third world country and being home less than two weeks after getting done before going to Fayetteville, I am amazed she still even wanted me around.

Then, holly-cow! I came to Mountain Home and started just trying to hang around and have a break from everything. This was not as easy as I thought it would be. It turns out that doing nothing but hanging out is BORING!!! So, I went to the ole PD and asked the Chief for something to do. Then at the end of September and after begging more than once for just something... anything, the Chief finally put me in as a fill in Dispatcher and Part-Time II Officer. I was quickly sent to Harrison to attend a ACIC school (Arkansas Crime Information Center).

The Chief had offered me a full-time position more than once but I was just not ready to head back into the full-time side of things. So, while I wait on uniforms and all the things needed to be a part time officer I began to help out in dispatch.