Top left, Patric Hedlund in drills conducted by an Iraq War veteran helicopter pilot, turned CHP drill sergeant. Top right, falling short, very short, on the monkey bar portion of the obstacle course time trial. Below, learning elbow jab tactics to disarm an assailant.
By Patric Hedlund
Ok, I’ll be the first to admit it. As a cadet, I fell a little short. Ok, revise that. I fell very short. Revise that again: I fell. Often. In fact, I came away from my seven-hour intensive Media Boot Camp experience at the CHP Academy in West Sacramento a self-proclaimed wimp, complete with a bruised rib from not accepting I wasn’t going to just fly over a five-foot fence as I had envisioned. I thought I could do it in a snap. Not so.
In fact the entire experience probably achieved exactly what was intended: I gained great respect for the vigorous physical training and mental discipline that prepare our California Highway Patrol officers so well. I also learned to bark “Yes Sir!” on command— and mean it.
I publicly admit that I slaughtered three pumpkins and shot a man armed with a knife during target practice with computer simulations. In a real car, I got to train my way out of a high-speed ballet of 360-degree skids on bald tires and wet pavement. I also learned to disarm a psychopath waving a gun.
So, I want to set the record straight. I’m in training now, learning how to do 200 push-ups and run five miles and then clock one minute through an obstacle course. But tell me, does anyone know where I can find a five-foot barrier where I can practice my fencejumping technique? Let me know. I’ve got a date with a board fence for next year. It’s payback time.
Read related story: CHP is Hiring
This is part of the February 06, 2009 online edition of The Mountain Enterprise.
Have an opinion on this matter? We'd like to hear from you.
