Volunteering with the Johnson County (KS) Sheriff's Office

I am starting to get a feel for the types of opportunities available for volunteers with the Sheriff's Office:  assisting Deputies with DUI check lanes, assisting with community events such as parades in which traffic control is needed, courier mail to the different buildings the Sheriff's Office utilizes, working in the Civil Division helping with filing and miscellaneous office work, working in the Detention Division making court reminder calls, greeting at ceremonies, being role players for scenarios, playing McGruff at a parade for one of the small towns in the unincorporated area of the county, etc. are just some of the opportunities available.  Interested in becoming a volunteer?  You'll need to complete the Citizen's Academy first.  Click here for more info. 

A few weeks ago I volunteered with 5 others at the Edgerton Days Parade.  One volunteer dressed up in the McGruff costume and rode in the parade.  The rest of us were each paired up with a deputy to help with traffic control.  It was a pretty easy assignment.  (And before anyone throws a tantrum I am not saying the job of a leo is easy but rather this assignment was easy! Geez....)  The parade ran down the main corridor of Edgerton (Nelson Street?).  I was paired up with Deputy Sligar.  Deputy Sligar was cool to hang with. Before the parade started and we moved to the assigned positions he talked about ride alongs and answered some questions I hadn't thought about during my ride alongs as well as general questions about the Sheriff's Office.   He asked how things were going for me since the fire and poked a little fun at me in the process.   I use humor as my coping mechanism so it was actually somewhat comforting to me that some of the deputies made lite of my situation by poking fun at me regarding the patrol car engine fire (you might want to read my entry for ride along #1 if this is the first you are hearing about the patrol car engine fire). I needed a laugh and that certainly was something to laugh about (the patrol car fire, not my fire of course)!  I appreciate all the support I got from everyone while going through the Citizen's Academy during what was a very difficult time in my life so let me just say Thank You to all my fellow CA graduates and the Deputies and Staff for poking fun at me but also keeping me in your thoughts and prayers! 

Okay, back to the parade... We were assigned to block traffic on 2nd street from entering in to the parade route.  Deputy Sligar blocked off the north side of 2nd Street with his patrol vehicle and placed cones across the south side of 2nd Street.  He monitored traffic on the north side and I monitored traffic on the south side.  A couple vehicles approached but turned around before reaching the cones where I was hanging out at so I didn't really have to do anything more than wave at them.  Because I was so close to the street the parade was traveling on people involved in the parade kept asking me if I wanted candy, literature or to shake their hand.  I'm apparently not intimidating at all while wearing a Citizen's Academy shirt and khaki shorts!!!  That's okay!  I'll leave wearing the uniform with badge and gun to the men and women who actually protect and serve!!!  I was really just gabbing with the folks of Edgerton anyway.  :-) 

Not sure what adventure I will get in to next but rest assured if allowed I will blog about it.  This blogging thing is actually kind of fun...  Thanks for reading!

Ride Along with Civil Division - JCSO Citizen's Academy

I thought doing a ride along with the Civil Division would be interesting since its the Civil Process that differentiates a Sheriffs Office from a Police Department. Unfortunately I have learned that I will not be able to do a ride along with Civil.  It's not part of the Citizens Academy nor an option for graduates of the Citizens Academy. Too bad since very little time is spent on the civil process in the Citizens Academy...

DUI Check Lane

I attended a DUI check lane on June 15, 2012. In order to volunteer for the Johnson County Sheriffs Office at check lanes you must be a CA graduate and must first observe one to see what it entails.

The June 15 check lane was run by Shawnee Police Department in the City of Shawnee. JCSO provided support in the form of equipment, deputies and volunteers. JCSO provided 7 deputies, 1 civilian employee, 4 volunteers and 2 CA graduates who observed (I was one of the 2 observers).  I have not requested the statistics on how many officers, staff and volunteers Shawnee Police Department utilized during this check lane and therefore those stats are not included here.

SPD utilized volunteers for this check lane. I'm not 100% certain but I believe you must complete their citizens academy in order to volunteer for the SPD. They hold their citizens academy in the fall. If interested in attending, visit their web page at: http://gsh.cityofshawnee.org/.

Since JCSO was not the primary at this check lane the only role JCSO volunteers played was that of driver. After an officer makes contact with an individual who has entered the check lane and has determined the individual needs to be tested they will yell for a driver. The volunteer will enter the individuals vehicle and move it to a pre-designated area. The volunteer will then hand the keys off to an officer for safe keeping until the individual is either released (passed the field sobriety testing) or processed by the booking officer (if failed testing).

The check lane on June 15, 2012 ran from 11pm-2am.  I don't see the location publicized anywhere so I'll leave it out for now. Results: 88 cars stopped. 3 arrests for DUI. 1 arrest for drugs (possession of marijuana and paraphernalia). 1 citation for open container. 1 citation for minor in possession. This was noted as a low impact lane, meaning it would not see a lot of traffic but statistics indicate it's an area of high incidence for DUI and/or drugs and that's why the location was chosen.

What happens when you drive in to a check lane? If you haven't been through a check lane before you will first notice a sign indicating you are entering a check lane or an officer blocking the road redirecting you in to the check lane. This is noted as "advanced warning to driver" and is mandatory for check lanes. Advanced warning must remain in place for the duration of the check lane. Don't try to illegally avoid the lane.  Officers assigned to observe and pursue will intercept and personally escort violators in to the check lane (one individual tried to avoid this check lane and ended up wearing hand cuffs at the lane while waiting to be processed).

Once in the lane an officer will introduce themselves and explain that they are conducting a DUI check lane that evening. Other officers will likely be shining a flashlight in your car looking for open containers, drugs, etc,. You will be asked for your drivers license and if you have been drinking or if you have consumed any controlled substances that evening. If you have a valid drivers license on you and don't exhibit any signs of impairment you should be on your way with brochure in hand (educational brochure about drinking & driving provided by NHTSA) in about 45 seconds. If you show signs of impairment you will be asked to step out of your vehicle for additional questions and testing.  (Your vehicle will be moved to a pre-determined area and kept secure until you are either released or processed.  If processed your vehicle will be towed.)  An officer will escort you over to a pre-designated testing area to allow for videotaping of the field sobriety testing and preliminary breath alcohol testing (if applicable). If you pass the testing and are determined safe to drive you will be on your way in about 10-15 minutes. If you fail the FST the next step is to take a preliminary breath alcohol test. If you take the preliminary breath alcohol test and fail you will remain with an officer until a 20 minute deprivation period elapses at which time you will perform a confirmation breath alcohol test.  Fail the confirmation test and you will be processed through booking.

If you decline to take the preliminary breath alcohol test you will then be asked to submit to a blood test or may be transported to jail for processing depending on the agency running the check lane. Be aware that some agencies are now getting a warrant for the blood draw if an individual refuses the preliminary breath alcohol test and the blood draw. The blood draw may or may not be done in the field again depending on the agency. Expect to be delayed for several hours if you are refusing to perform the testing.

Drug Recognition Officers and K-9 officers are also generally on hand if an individual is suspected of being under the influence of a substance other than alcohol.  Passengers who are not minors in possesion, transporting open container or otherwise detained for other reasons will be escorted to a designated area until released.

What's the purpose of DUI check lanes? A study conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration indicates that drivers who drink & drive do not believe the chances of being caught are great enough to deter them from drinking & driving. The principal reason for conducting sobriety check lanes is to make sure drivers (that drink & drive) believe the chances of getting caught are greatly increased. DUI check lanes are funded by grants. Literature to educate drivers is provided to each driver that passes through a check lane.

Summer is the most common time of year for law enforcement agencies to conduct DUI check lanes. Look for more to be conducted this summer throughout Johnson County as well as neighboring counties.  Missouri runs their fare share of check lanes too.

What's next???

You probably thought that since the Citizen's Academy is over that my blog is done.  Well, maybe not... 

What's next???

DUI check lane?  Midnight shift ride along?  Ride along with the Civil Division?  Volunteer opportunities? 

I'm not sure how much I will be involved with the JCSO now that the CA is done but attending the Citizen's Academy certainly sparked my curiosity so I would like to see if I can participate in a few of the activities listed above this summer.  I have been volunteering for other organizations for about 2 years now.  Volunteering has been a great experience for me!  You never know who you will meet or what you will learn!  Not sure yet what types of volunteer opportunities are available with the JCSO or how often but I am keeping an open mind about participating.  If interested in reading more about any of the above check back here periodically or sign up to follow by email to receive a notice when a new entry has been posted.

Photo Gallery - JCSO Citizen's Academy

Why attend a Citizen's Academy? - JCSO Citizen's Academy

Why would someone want to attend a Citizen's Academy?

Well there are many reasons why someone might want to attend.  Here are a few reasons why participants from the 30th class attended:

"I was looking at JOCO Sheriffs employment opportunities and noticed they were accepting applications for the Civilian Specialists position. I requested an application and have yet to turn it in. I saw the opportunity for the Citizens Academy and thought what a great way to get an inside look at the Sheriff’s Office and get an idea of the responsibilities they have and how they provide for our community. After being involved with the academy, I know now more than ever before that God has opened this door for me and it is up to me what I do now… Do I take the chance and walk through the opened door or stand at the threshold just looking in wondering what it would be like on the other side. Well I can’t just stand there and wonder! Seeing the personnel that we have met, and building some personal relationships with them. I feel I have an opportunity of a lifetime and can’t pass it up so I have filled out the application. I have been inspired to follow my dream and I want to pursue the possibility of becoming a deputy. Since the start of the Citizens Academy, I have lost over 20lbs and trying to get into better shape and hope and pray that I am offered a position with the department starting at the Civilian Specialist and transition into a position as a deputy at some point. Attending the academy has been a “God thing” from the beginning and I know I would be a great asset to the department if given the opportunity."

"Something different to do.  Plus I liked learning about the differences in law enforcement agencies... between city, state and county."


"To get a more in depth look at the field I want to go in to."


"I refer to myself as a 'new born American'. I am still learning how to better understand the great American system, my tribute and respect goes to our everyday heroes, our Law Enforcement Officers. One way to honor them is to understand and value their role in the community and this classes allowed accomplishing this."


"My husband is a deputy. He has encouraged me for years to attend the academy so I can get an inside look at his career. I finally decided to enroll because I want to become involved as a volunteer with Johnson County Sheriff's Office."


"I want to be a police officer. I thought it would be a great way to learn more and of course to get a foot in the door."


"As part of my job responsibilities over the years I have been doing stress testing and physical agility testing on LEO's. Many times I have been asked to do a ride-a-long with a LEO so that I would have a better understanding of their job.  Since I now oversee our stress testing program I thought it might be a good idea to learn about the job as a whole so I looked in to the idea of attending a citizens academy."


"An opportunity to volunteer for and support the local Sheriff's Office"

Are you interested in attending the Citizen's Academy?

The academy is free of charge and involves interactive instruction through both classroom presentations and field experience. To register visit the Johnson County Sheriff's Office web page at:

http://www.jocosheriff.org/

It's an adventure...  :) 

Ride Along #2 - JCSO Citizen's Academy

I did my second ride along today (Tuesday May 22, 2012).  Ride Along #2 was more interesting than Ride Along #1 with exception to the patrol car fail of course!

I rode with Deputy Becker again.   She tolerated me the first go round so I figured why not ride with her again since she said I could come back and ride with her anytime.

The day started with the captain at roll call giving me crap about the patrol car fail during my first ride along.   He asked if anyone had a car they wanted taken out of service.   I guess it's good to be remembered!   Wonder what memory will last longer, the patrol car going up in smoke or winning the cone killer award?  Deputy Becker had to mention the cone killer award in roll call!  I don't think the captain wants to see me in roll call again.   He did laugh though when Deputy Becker said she was going to find some orange traffic cones and let me drive so I think he was kidding about seeing me there again...

April 23, 2012 - "Patrol Car Fail" during First Ride Along

May 21, 2012 - "Cone Killer" Award presented at Graduation Ceremony

We ventured out to District 5 which is the eastern portion of the county. Deputy Becker made a few traffic stops today. One was for a hefty fine of $237 for doing 34 in a 20 (school zone).   He actually said thank you!  He wasn't wearing his seat belt either but only got a warning for that.   Guess he didn't realize that's only a $10 fine (versus the $237 fine he got for speeding).   Can't say I've ever said thank you for receiving a ticket!!!   Turns out the driver works for a lawn service that a fire fighter owns.   We stopped at a fire station for a bathroom break and it happened to be the station that fire fighter was at.   It was one of his employees that got the ticket.   He asked us about the traffic stop and was good humored about it.

At one point we were stopped after delivering civil papers so that Deputy Becker could finish some paperwork.   I was bored so I was looking at stuff in the passenger side door.   We heard a thump and she asked me if I found something interesting.   Yep!  A big black Labrador dog had jumped up on the passenger door to say "Hi".   He was quite friendly and just wanted to be petted for a bit.  I tried to get a pic but we had to head out and I missed my opportunity.

We responded to an accident where a young teen driver had rear ended a vehicle.   She was really nervous and clueless!  So much so that she almost caused another accident while leaving the accident scene after being released by Deputy Becker.  Lucky for her, her father was behind us and didn't see her almost have a second accident.  Looked like she would be getting in to enough trouble for the first accident (Dad was NOT happy!).  She certainly didn't need a second to fuel his fire.  She managed to contain herself long enough to not cry at the scene.

Another traffic stop was for expired tags.   I didn't know it was a $300+ ticket in Johnson County! Guess I have even more incentive to break that bad habit!   Not sure how many times I've been pulled over for that and not had to pay a fine.  Damn, I've been lucky!!!   Might be a good idea to quit pressing my luck with that...  Deputy Becker asked when I expire this year.  Uh oh...  Doesn't she know I already have enough trouble avoiding one deputy when I am stupid enough to play that game, I don't need two to avoid!  Probably should get it taken care of early this year just in case... 

FYI...when stopping for food or a bathroom break hit the bathroom first!   Almost didn't get to use the facilities when I really needed to because I ordered my food first.  Got a call and I had to ask if there was time to hit the restroom because I really needed to go!   Oops!  It wasn't a hot call so Deputy Becker let me use the restroom while she grabbed our lunch.   We ended up finding a park later to eat at between calls.

Dogs must be attracted to Deputy Becker.   Another dog wanted all kinds of attention from her when she was trying to clear a house alarm call.   He was a friendly pooch and returned promptly to his owner when called.   That neighbor then came over and we chatted while waiting for Deputy Becker to finish up.   He was glad to see the Sheriff's Office in the neighborhood.   Said he feels better about the neighborhood when they patrol it. 

I never thought I would say these words to an officer..."Quit being so damn nice!".  It took us forever to get out of QT because Deputy Becker was being friendly and chatting with everyone.   She said at one point that she gets stopped a lot to chat with people so I couldn't resist making the too damn nice comment.  She is actually very friendly & professional which is why I requested to ride with her again.   I enjoyed both ride alongs even if they weren't the most exciting in terms of activity.

Speaking of exciting...the check engine light came on and I quickly said it wasn't my fault.   It went off a few minutes later with no harm done.   Whew, can't imagine how that would have looked if another patrol car went up in smoke with me in it!   I might have become the first person from the Citizens Academy to be banned from doing ride alongs!   I haven't done the overnight shift yet so for my sake I was glad it turned out to be nothing.

I must have looked bored because during one call for service Deputy Becker said to feel free to play with the buttons in the car while she and a detective were inside a residence and I was left unsupervised in the patrol car.  She meant the radio buttons and I behaved for the most part.   I didn't cause any harm so no foul right? :)

A few stops were made for stop sign violations and a couple speeders including one woman who almost rear ended us.   She was having a medical issue.   Deputy Becker had her get out of the car to determine if she was safe to drive.   She was let go with just a warning after it was determined she was safe to drive (she was heading just up the street from where she was pulled over).

No arrests today but that's okay.   I picked up a few tips about how to not get pulled over and even one excuse I might have to try next time I get pulled over!  :)   I know it didn't seem like I was paying attention but I was.  I probably shouldn't say that since I'm sure that wasn't Deputy Becker's intention but she did laugh at my stories and admission to being a cop magnet!   Today was a busier shift than my first ride along.   No patrol cars or cones were harmed during this ride along... Would like to do at least one more.   Haven't done the overnight shift yet so that will be my next request.

Thank you to Deputy Becker for putting up with me again today!