August 17, 2004 > Rookie Cops Article Captures Veteran Officer

I read your article last night and was glued to it!

I was a reserve police officer with the Redwood City Police Department for three years. In September of 1976 I was hired as a full-time officer and I have remained in law enforcement ever since.

There are a lot of ups and downs in a police officer's career. Usually the first one comes immediately after the academy. You go back to your department. Your first FTO will ask "Do you remember all the stuff you learned in the academy" You respond "Yes" and he then tells you "Forget it, now I'm going to teach you how to be a cop"

Listening to the rookies in your article brought back so many of those good memories for me. Police work has always been such a rush. It's been very rewarding on both a personal and professional basis.

I was an FTO for 5 years and as a result I ended up training approximately 50 rookies over the years. At times, I felt like a proud parent all over again, when one of my trainees did well and went on to succeed.

Anyway I really enjoyed your article. Thanks for all of your time and effort you put into this piece, I thought it was great!

George Adler
Union City