Old Dogs and Children...

I've always liked kids. Some people are dog people and there are cat people too. I've never really been a fan of pets, although recently I have learned to enjoy the company of an older dog. Probably because we have a lot in common, and it has to do with aging and arthritis. We mostly connect in that way, because we understand each other.

This story is really more about children, and not about animals though. It's about the enjoyment that I get from teaching and being around people. Children are especially fun to teach. Many times during my career, I felt that I had missed my calling. I realized --sometime back in the 80s-- that I really enjoyed being a training instructor, even though there was a time during my early police career that the thought of addressing a group of trainees seemed to transform me into a trembling bundle of nerves.

I have done my share of training seminars and in-service lessons over the years. Looking back now, I think that the most enjoyable times that I had, involved training young people. Bicycle safety classes with young scouting groups bring back many fond memories.

I was recently asked by a local Kindergarten teacher to be the Mystery Reader at her school.  Once I agreed, she cleverly upped the ante, and made arrangements for my reading to extend into all four Kindergarten classes. The book chosen for me to read --A Day in the Life of a Police Officer-- somehow seemed to fit.  Patti was the teacher, who so cleverly planned this in-service session, that would involve  77 young and very inquisitive minds, and a man passionate about his life and recent past career.

Upon arriving at the elementary school main office, I was greeted by two young faces that provided a giggly escort --through a maze of hallways to the classroom where I would enter and make my acquaintance-- to a roomful of five year olds bubbling with energy and excitement.  Shy? Not this group! "Chief, you look younger in your picture", was just one of many comments I heard, referring to a photo of me on the teacher's desk, neatly propped where perhaps an apple should be.

Sitting in front of a group of very well behaved students, I shared the author's story along with bits and pieces of my own story of a lifestyle from days gone by. I'm sure that the fun and enthusiasm I had, while addressing my classroom of intrigued learners, was readily noticeable. Once the story ended, I opened the session to questions and comments, and there were many.

"Do policeman ride cheetahs? Why do police cars make that funny loud sound? Did you ever get hurt when you were a policeman? Did you bleed?" Question after thought provoking question. Responding to questions asked by such young and innocent minds takes a lot of extra thought. The innocence of the young is one thing that I truly enjoy.  Kindergarten teachers have a great job.

This in-service training did have a purposeful goal, or as I would refer to in a lesson plan, an objective. The objective of this session was to help the students learn and remember their home street addresses and the importance of knowing that information. My visit with the class also helped to show this classroom of young  --learning about life-- students, that police officers are ordinary everyday moms and dads who have chosen a profession that serves the community.

After the reading and question portion of my visit, I spent some time with the class to observe their projects, which included an invitation to sit on the floor and check out a hotel constructed of building blocks, admire some art work, and view a computer work station. The visit ended all too soon, but only after I assisted in retrieving a toy phone that mysteriously ended up in a ceiling light fixture.

Kids are fun, often funny and generally possess a certain innocence that tends to slip away much too soon.

Among the many other interests that I have, I enjoy addressing groups of people and sharing my thoughts and life's experiences. Now I'm learning to share my life with my new friend "Buddy" --you know, the previously mentioned aging pooch-- who is also a good listener and knows his address too!


~Safe Riding~

-The Chief