Career Development Internship Summary Paper
Keizer Police Department
Sgt. Lance Inman / Ofc. Dan Kelley
Cadet Ethan Postrel

Not only during this last semester, but also since my becoming of a Keizer Police Cadet in April of 2002, I have had numerous highlights and memorable moments.  On one of my very fist ride-alongs, I played a small part in a death investigation, keeping a crime scene log of everyone who entered the scene, and also providing scene security.  I learned a lot during just that one shift about police investigations, and the people involved: patrol officers, detectives, administration, district attorneys, medical examiners, and funeral home personnel.  Shortly after that, another ride-along provided me with another opportunity to observe another crime scene investigation, where I also maintained the crime scene log.  Later on in that same shift, I was involved in the pursuit of a drunk driver, which ended in a crash, at which time the suspect fled.  Then I got to see how a perimeter was set up, and how police K9’s are used to locate suspects.  Last summer, four other Keizer cadets, Officer Kelley, and I attended a Law Enforcement Challenge at Camp Rilea in Astoria, Oregon.  We were there for two days and two nights, competing in various law enforcement events.  We all won at least one award that weekend, and came home a close-nit group of proud cadets.  In the fall of last year, I began attending and observing K9 training with the two Keizer dog teams (dog and officer/handler) and the five Salem teams.  After a while, I started acting as a decoy, hiding from the dogs, and dressing up in the “bite suit” to let them practice their bites on me.  I now look forward to K9 training every single Tuesday night from 8:00 p.m. to midnight.  One of the most memorable moments I’ve had yet, as a cadet, was one Tuesday night when I was hiding on the other side of a fence from Salem K9 “Ivan,” and when he found my scent, he not only found me, but also found a hole in the fence, and came up from behind me.  By this time, I was beginning to stand up, but I hadn’t noticed him, so he bit me on my upper left arm, above the bite sleeve.  It scared me more than it hurt, but I will never forget that incident.

I have not only learned skills that may someday benefit me as a police officer, but skills that are good to have no matter what my profession.  For example: verbal judo.  Verbal judo is the art of taking people’s words, and convincing them to do what you want them to do by redirecting their speech, not just saying “no” to them.  This is a non-violent way to resolve situations that I will undoubtedly use to my advantage in any future career.  Also, self-defense skills and defensive tactics may come in handy no matter what my job.  Other skills include more police-focused areas, such as police procedures, respect for authority, etc.

Cadets are a valuable tool for a police department, especially at big public events, and in activities that are low-risk, or other non-suspect assignments.  For example, we have provided extra sets of eyes, doing foot patrol at events such as football games, Keizer’s birthday, and the Iris Festivals.  Other ways I’ve helped the department are through K9 training, deploying the radar trailer weekly for the past couple months, compiling accident statistics, and sending letters to people who school bus drivers report passed them with their red lights and stop signs flashing.

Since becoming a Keizer Police Cadet I’m convinced that I want to go, in some way, into law-enforcement or criminal justice, weather it be on the street as a patrol officer, or in an office as a district attorney.  After or during college, I’ll decide.