Saturday, August 24, 2019

8th Grade Civics Assignment

The boys are studying Civics this year, a subject not many public schools are teaching any more, but it is part of many home school curricula. One of the assignments this past week was to interview a civil servant. My friend Julie's brother Robert is a police officer with the Dallas Pollice Department. Lukas and Lennon came up with a list of questions for him that he graciously aswered:

Questions for Uncle Robert:

1. What's the best part about your job?
2. What's the hardest thing about your job?
3. What did you have to do to become a police officer?
4. What is a typical work day like for you?
5. What do you do as a police officer?
6. What days do you work on?
7. Is it true that police officers drink a lot of coffee and eat doughnuts? That's what you see on TV, we were curious about that.
8. How long is your workday?
9. How long did you have to train for to become a police officer?
10. What gear do you use?
11. How long have you  been a police officer?
12. What kind of car do you drive when you are on the job?
13. Have you ever arrested someone?



Answers from Uncle Robert: 

1.  The comaraderie with the other officers is the best part. It really is a lot like a family. 
2.  The hardest thing is seeing people get hurt, especially children. 
3.  I had to take a written test,  a physical fitness test, and I had to pass a polygraph (lie detector) test. Then I had to turn in a personal history statement, and pass a background check. Next I had to go through a panel interview, and pass a psychological evaluation. 
4.  In a typical workday, we will drive to different locations where people have called 911, to figure out what the problem is, and what we can do to help solve the problem. That may be anything from giving advice to people, taking someone to the hospital for psychological help, or taking someone to jail. 
5.  I’m a Patrol Officer, so I go to the locations where 911 is called, do a traffic stops, and just cruise around trying to prevent crime, or maybe catch someone in the act of committing a crime. 
6. I currently work Monday through Friday. 
7.  Lol!  Police officers don’t drink anymore coffee, or eat anymore donuts than anyone else. 
8.  If I get off on time, it’s an 8hr work day. 
9.  We had to go through an 8 and a half month academy, then 24 weeks of field training. 
10.  On our duty belt, we carry handcuffs, a taser, a pistol, and extra mags. We can also carry OC spray (mase), and a collapsible baton on our belt. Provided we pass the qualifications, we can carry a shotgun, and or a rifle. Fortunately, the tools we use the most are a pen and a piece of paper. 
11.  I’ve been an officer for 5yrs. 
12. I drive a Dodge Charger. 
13.  Yes. I have had to arrest many people.  

Stay safe,

Robert Reeder
Badge 10750
Dallas Police Officer

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