Lots of us watch TV and films about law enforcement people—they’re some of the most popular shows ever—often would like to go beyond sitting on the couch.  Haven’t you sometimes wondered what it’d be like to be a cop?  Unfortunately, many of us wouldn’t qualify or wouldn’t want to face the danger involved.

What can you do?

Here’s a fun and fascinating idea for your to play your own “Walter Mitty.”  (Look it up—it’s a great short story)  Many police and sheriff’s departments offer classes for people like us in order to get a taste of what it’s like to be a cop.

For instance, in my city of Minneapolis the Hennepin County Sheriff has a great program open to the public.  It’s called the Citizen’s Law Enforcement Academy. http://www.hennepinsheriff.org/citizen-academy It’s a seven week series of classes, one night a week, that introduce the public to what it’s like to be a cop.  Some of the meetings are classroom but some are actual, hands-on experiences—without anyone shooting at you!  Here are some of the activities:

–DWI enforcement

–Tour of the 911 communications center with the state-of-the-art technology

–Narc operations

–Patrol operations and K-9 functions

–Tour of the forensic crime lab (one of only four in the state)

–Demonstration of a SWAT team response

–Participants are educated about firearms and have a chance to actually fire the guns at a range.  Friends of mine have taken the entire course and liked it so well they now volunteer for the Hennepin County Sheriff at the Minnesota State Fair. They found the program educational, fun, and an eye-opener about what it’s like to be a cop.

Check you local law enforcement to see if they offer a similar program.  You can experience what it’s like to be a cop without the bullets!