By Sue Banerjee
The Austin American-Stateman
AUSTIN, Texas — The police officer weaved through the streets of Austin at high speed, turning sharp corners and evading obstacles to reach and confront the suspect.
Except he wasn’t an officer yet. And the six orange cones set 60 feet apart from one another at the Austin Police Department’s training academy were used to teach cadets how to react to more dangerous barriers while on patrol.
The cadet was taking part Wednesday in Tac Week, the department’s three-week training course used to prepare cadets for entering the force. This year’s class of 40 cadets began classes in November and are expected to graduate in June after completing practical tests on firearm use, driving skills and defensive tactics.
Tac Week is the first chance for cadets to demonstrate what they have learned.
“It’s basically taking all we’ve learned in class and applying it to out in the real world,” said Bryan Black, a cadet from Texarkana. “Here, we’re actually getting instructions from people that have been out there and done it.”
The shooting exercises teach fundamental skills with firearms that include reloading, accuracy and speed drills. One of the drills, called “moving to static,” involves moving forward to a stationary position and firing a weapon.
“It’s teaching them to recognize their threats and stop moving forward because sometimes ... you’re walking into a worse position if you don’t stop,” instructor Mark Hoffman said.
The cadets undergo 32 weeks of intensive training, a combination of classroom and practical instruction, to become commissioned police officers.
“It was a chance to help out the community we live in, and it’s a respectable job,” said Ashley Edwards, a cadet from Santo in North Texas.
Edwards is on her driving rotation this week. She is learning about proper steering and acceleration techniques and maneuvers to respond to emergency situations with precision.
“We know they have to drive fast in day-to-day operations, so they get to have a little bit of fun, but they learn principal decision-making skills,” said Mike Castillo, the lead driving instructor for the cadets.
Drivers are tested on seven courses, each with different timing and skill-set demands.
“It’s not a cakewalk,” Castillo said. “Driving a car is the most dangerous thing they’re going to do.”
Copyright 2008 The Austin American-Statesman