I'm about halfway through the academy.
As I'm walking from my car I noticed the guy sitting on the curb. He is crying quietly and it's very clear he doesn't want me to look at him.
I recognize him from the class ahead of us.
I never see him again.
I guess not everybody makes it.
#class501
As I'm walking from my car I noticed the guy sitting on the curb. He is crying quietly and it's very clear he doesn't want me to look at him.
I recognize him from the class ahead of us.
I never see him again.
I guess not everybody makes it.
#class501
September 30, 2026 at 7:27 PM
I'm about halfway through the academy.
As I'm walking from my car I noticed the guy sitting on the curb. He is crying quietly and it's very clear he doesn't want me to look at him.
I recognize him from the class ahead of us.
I never see him again.
I guess not everybody makes it.
#class501
As I'm walking from my car I noticed the guy sitting on the curb. He is crying quietly and it's very clear he doesn't want me to look at him.
I recognize him from the class ahead of us.
I never see him again.
I guess not everybody makes it.
#class501
The basic law enforcement academy at the Washington state criminal justice center is 440 hours.
The Sea-King academy was 880 hours.
Double the education.
Which comes in handy when dealing with officers today.
#class501
The Sea-King academy was 880 hours.
Double the education.
Which comes in handy when dealing with officers today.
#class501
September 9, 2026 at 10:05 PM
The basic law enforcement academy at the Washington state criminal justice center is 440 hours.
The Sea-King academy was 880 hours.
Double the education.
Which comes in handy when dealing with officers today.
#class501
The Sea-King academy was 880 hours.
Double the education.
Which comes in handy when dealing with officers today.
#class501
We did a field trip to the police supply store.
It's owned by a family. Two daughters worked the floor. They were objectively gorgeous and had flaming red hair.
And about half the school kids in the class couldn't shut up about them.
"Boy I bet you like to..."
#class501
It's owned by a family. Two daughters worked the floor. They were objectively gorgeous and had flaming red hair.
And about half the school kids in the class couldn't shut up about them.
"Boy I bet you like to..."
#class501
September 2, 2026 at 5:33 PM
We did a field trip to the police supply store.
It's owned by a family. Two daughters worked the floor. They were objectively gorgeous and had flaming red hair.
And about half the school kids in the class couldn't shut up about them.
"Boy I bet you like to..."
#class501
It's owned by a family. Two daughters worked the floor. They were objectively gorgeous and had flaming red hair.
And about half the school kids in the class couldn't shut up about them.
"Boy I bet you like to..."
#class501
On the first day of defensive tactics training, where we're learning all the cool wrist locks and stuff like that...
One of my partners says he was hiding a mobility problem in one of his wrists. He asked me *not to say anything to the staff* about it.
Our future SPOG leader.
#class501
One of my partners says he was hiding a mobility problem in one of his wrists. He asked me *not to say anything to the staff* about it.
Our future SPOG leader.
#class501
August 31, 2026 at 10:00 PM
On the first day of defensive tactics training, where we're learning all the cool wrist locks and stuff like that...
One of my partners says he was hiding a mobility problem in one of his wrists. He asked me *not to say anything to the staff* about it.
Our future SPOG leader.
#class501
One of my partners says he was hiding a mobility problem in one of his wrists. He asked me *not to say anything to the staff* about it.
Our future SPOG leader.
#class501
Today, the strongest person in our class was sent to the office to pick up something from the defensive tactics instructor.
When he got there, he was attacked.
Apparently they fought hard enough to destroy the entire office.
And yet, he didn't lose the gun. For the first time ever.
#class501
When he got there, he was attacked.
Apparently they fought hard enough to destroy the entire office.
And yet, he didn't lose the gun. For the first time ever.
#class501
August 26, 2026 at 6:36 PM
Today, the strongest person in our class was sent to the office to pick up something from the defensive tactics instructor.
When he got there, he was attacked.
Apparently they fought hard enough to destroy the entire office.
And yet, he didn't lose the gun. For the first time ever.
#class501
When he got there, he was attacked.
Apparently they fought hard enough to destroy the entire office.
And yet, he didn't lose the gun. For the first time ever.
#class501
The most ethical person in our class was driven out of King County when he wouldn't join his Training officer in violating people's rights.
He really wanted to be a good cop. You could tell.
They didn't let him.
#class501
He really wanted to be a good cop. You could tell.
They didn't let him.
#class501
August 20, 2026 at 3:36 AM
The most ethical person in our class was driven out of King County when he wouldn't join his Training officer in violating people's rights.
He really wanted to be a good cop. You could tell.
They didn't let him.
#class501
He really wanted to be a good cop. You could tell.
They didn't let him.
#class501
In any group, there's going to be a certain amount of assholes. Some of those assholes are evident right at first and some of those assholes are uncovered later.
We know by their behavior.
About 20% of my class were assholes.
By the end of the academy the number was up to about 35%.
#class501
We know by their behavior.
About 20% of my class were assholes.
By the end of the academy the number was up to about 35%.
#class501
August 13, 2026 at 5:49 PM
In any group, there's going to be a certain amount of assholes. Some of those assholes are evident right at first and some of those assholes are uncovered later.
We know by their behavior.
About 20% of my class were assholes.
By the end of the academy the number was up to about 35%.
#class501
We know by their behavior.
About 20% of my class were assholes.
By the end of the academy the number was up to about 35%.
#class501
“It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena..."
This Theodore Roosevelt quote hangs from the wall of our classroom.
#class501
This Theodore Roosevelt quote hangs from the wall of our classroom.
#class501
August 11, 2026 at 4:26 AM
“It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena..."
This Theodore Roosevelt quote hangs from the wall of our classroom.
#class501
This Theodore Roosevelt quote hangs from the wall of our classroom.
#class501
There was the day that we learned that police officers can lie.
They can lie to citizens all they want.
They just can't lie to other officers, the department, or the law.
And yet, they do.
Time and time again, they do.
#class501
They can lie to citizens all they want.
They just can't lie to other officers, the department, or the law.
And yet, they do.
Time and time again, they do.
#class501
August 1, 2026 at 6:13 PM
There was the day that we learned that police officers can lie.
They can lie to citizens all they want.
They just can't lie to other officers, the department, or the law.
And yet, they do.
Time and time again, they do.
#class501
They can lie to citizens all they want.
They just can't lie to other officers, the department, or the law.
And yet, they do.
Time and time again, they do.
#class501
We spent weeks learning constitutional law.
Then we spent weeks learning police procedures that showed us how to get around constitutional law.
#class501
Then we spent weeks learning police procedures that showed us how to get around constitutional law.
#class501
July 31, 2026 at 9:27 PM
We spent weeks learning constitutional law.
Then we spent weeks learning police procedures that showed us how to get around constitutional law.
#class501
Then we spent weeks learning police procedures that showed us how to get around constitutional law.
#class501
Our DT instructor waited just one day to attack our class president.
Again, it took him 5 seconds to strip the mock Glock from the president's holster.
And our president was no small man.
The class is even more terrified.
They whisper about it.
7:30 to 4:30, the game is on.
#class501
Again, it took him 5 seconds to strip the mock Glock from the president's holster.
And our president was no small man.
The class is even more terrified.
They whisper about it.
7:30 to 4:30, the game is on.
#class501
July 31, 2026 at 1:50 AM
Our DT instructor waited just one day to attack our class president.
Again, it took him 5 seconds to strip the mock Glock from the president's holster.
And our president was no small man.
The class is even more terrified.
They whisper about it.
7:30 to 4:30, the game is on.
#class501
Again, it took him 5 seconds to strip the mock Glock from the president's holster.
And our president was no small man.
The class is even more terrified.
They whisper about it.
7:30 to 4:30, the game is on.
#class501
Weapons retention game is on.
The very next day our defensive tactics instructor tackles the largest man in our class.
He was attacked by a guy in an orange jumpsuit -- our defensive tactics instructor in disguise.
He lost his mock Glock in 5 seconds.
The class is terrified.
#class501
The very next day our defensive tactics instructor tackles the largest man in our class.
He was attacked by a guy in an orange jumpsuit -- our defensive tactics instructor in disguise.
He lost his mock Glock in 5 seconds.
The class is terrified.
#class501
July 26, 2026 at 7:50 PM
Weapons retention game is on.
The very next day our defensive tactics instructor tackles the largest man in our class.
He was attacked by a guy in an orange jumpsuit -- our defensive tactics instructor in disguise.
He lost his mock Glock in 5 seconds.
The class is terrified.
#class501
The very next day our defensive tactics instructor tackles the largest man in our class.
He was attacked by a guy in an orange jumpsuit -- our defensive tactics instructor in disguise.
He lost his mock Glock in 5 seconds.
The class is terrified.
#class501
We lost a few people during the academy.
One of them was a woman who I liked very much. She was very smart and capable.
She started dating one of the classmates.
She ended up pregnant in the last couple months of the academy.
She dropped out.
#class501
One of them was a woman who I liked very much. She was very smart and capable.
She started dating one of the classmates.
She ended up pregnant in the last couple months of the academy.
She dropped out.
#class501
July 24, 2026 at 5:52 PM
We lost a few people during the academy.
One of them was a woman who I liked very much. She was very smart and capable.
She started dating one of the classmates.
She ended up pregnant in the last couple months of the academy.
She dropped out.
#class501
One of them was a woman who I liked very much. She was very smart and capable.
She started dating one of the classmates.
She ended up pregnant in the last couple months of the academy.
She dropped out.
#class501
The class is terrified of our Defensive Tactics Instructor.
We get our mock Glocks and weapons retention training in a couple weeks.
Then, he starts The Game.
Anytime during class.
He leaps upon you like a crazed panther and tries to take away your weapon. Apparently, he always wins.
#class501
We get our mock Glocks and weapons retention training in a couple weeks.
Then, he starts The Game.
Anytime during class.
He leaps upon you like a crazed panther and tries to take away your weapon. Apparently, he always wins.
#class501
July 13, 2026 at 2:49 AM
The class is terrified of our Defensive Tactics Instructor.
We get our mock Glocks and weapons retention training in a couple weeks.
Then, he starts The Game.
Anytime during class.
He leaps upon you like a crazed panther and tries to take away your weapon. Apparently, he always wins.
#class501
We get our mock Glocks and weapons retention training in a couple weeks.
Then, he starts The Game.
Anytime during class.
He leaps upon you like a crazed panther and tries to take away your weapon. Apparently, he always wins.
#class501
We're two weeks into the academy and one of our instructors just made a joke about keeping a "throwdown gun" handy -- just in case.
Two weeks later, one of our firearms instructors on the range made a joke about assaulting a passenger in a motor vehicle who talked back to him.
#class501
Two weeks later, one of our firearms instructors on the range made a joke about assaulting a passenger in a motor vehicle who talked back to him.
#class501
July 6, 2026 at 6:03 PM
We're two weeks into the academy and one of our instructors just made a joke about keeping a "throwdown gun" handy -- just in case.
Two weeks later, one of our firearms instructors on the range made a joke about assaulting a passenger in a motor vehicle who talked back to him.
#class501
Two weeks later, one of our firearms instructors on the range made a joke about assaulting a passenger in a motor vehicle who talked back to him.
#class501
Weapons qualifying...
We're all standing on the 5-yard line. Our weapons are holstered.
As soon as the targets turn, I pull my weapon fire a round and reholster.
A Glock hits the center of the target next to me.
*Smack*
*Thud*
"Ceasefire!"
"Recruit, go get your gun."
#class501
We're all standing on the 5-yard line. Our weapons are holstered.
As soon as the targets turn, I pull my weapon fire a round and reholster.
A Glock hits the center of the target next to me.
*Smack*
*Thud*
"Ceasefire!"
"Recruit, go get your gun."
#class501
July 4, 2026 at 6:37 PM
Weapons qualifying...
We're all standing on the 5-yard line. Our weapons are holstered.
As soon as the targets turn, I pull my weapon fire a round and reholster.
A Glock hits the center of the target next to me.
*Smack*
*Thud*
"Ceasefire!"
"Recruit, go get your gun."
#class501
We're all standing on the 5-yard line. Our weapons are holstered.
As soon as the targets turn, I pull my weapon fire a round and reholster.
A Glock hits the center of the target next to me.
*Smack*
*Thud*
"Ceasefire!"
"Recruit, go get your gun."
#class501
It's 10:00 in the morning.
We've been at attention, for inspection, for the last 10 minutes, directly facing the morning Sun.
One of the recruits yawns.
And the SPD Captain in charge of the academy spends the next 10 minutes screaming at this guy for not getting enough sleep...
#class501
We've been at attention, for inspection, for the last 10 minutes, directly facing the morning Sun.
One of the recruits yawns.
And the SPD Captain in charge of the academy spends the next 10 minutes screaming at this guy for not getting enough sleep...
#class501
June 28, 2026 at 7:38 PM
It's 10:00 in the morning.
We've been at attention, for inspection, for the last 10 minutes, directly facing the morning Sun.
One of the recruits yawns.
And the SPD Captain in charge of the academy spends the next 10 minutes screaming at this guy for not getting enough sleep...
#class501
We've been at attention, for inspection, for the last 10 minutes, directly facing the morning Sun.
One of the recruits yawns.
And the SPD Captain in charge of the academy spends the next 10 minutes screaming at this guy for not getting enough sleep...
#class501
We all were given a few minutes to do a little speech to introduce ourselves to the class.
I remember one classmate, giving a tearful rendition of how much she missed her husband.
She ended up in an affair with one of our other classmates.
#class501
I remember one classmate, giving a tearful rendition of how much she missed her husband.
She ended up in an affair with one of our other classmates.
#class501
June 28, 2026 at 7:31 PM
We all were given a few minutes to do a little speech to introduce ourselves to the class.
I remember one classmate, giving a tearful rendition of how much she missed her husband.
She ended up in an affair with one of our other classmates.
#class501
I remember one classmate, giving a tearful rendition of how much she missed her husband.
She ended up in an affair with one of our other classmates.
#class501
June 24, 2026 at 3:54 PM
We all had to pass the Cooper Test during our application process with SPD.
On our first day as recruits, we would have to pass the Cooper Test again or be dropped.
A quarter of my class failed the Cooper test. They knew it was coming. They failed.
They were allowed to test again.
#class501
On our first day as recruits, we would have to pass the Cooper Test again or be dropped.
A quarter of my class failed the Cooper test. They knew it was coming. They failed.
They were allowed to test again.
#class501
June 22, 2026 at 5:47 PM
We all had to pass the Cooper Test during our application process with SPD.
On our first day as recruits, we would have to pass the Cooper Test again or be dropped.
A quarter of my class failed the Cooper test. They knew it was coming. They failed.
They were allowed to test again.
#class501
On our first day as recruits, we would have to pass the Cooper Test again or be dropped.
A quarter of my class failed the Cooper test. They knew it was coming. They failed.
They were allowed to test again.
#class501