LAPD Wife

Hogs and Lemons

No, this is not some sort of weird recipe.... and ladies, if any of you out there have husbands or significant others who are on motorcycles, check out this story from Mayor Sam: LAPD Report Calls Harley Davidsons Lemons.

According to the 25 page report filed and delivered to the Police Commission and City Councilman Denny Zine's Public Safety Committee, the Harleys may be lemons.

(This from Mayor Sam's article:) The report cites that the Department has experienced "an abnormal number of repairs due to design deficiencies and poor workmanship in the initial assembly" of the Harley moto-cop bikes. The report further notes the situation was so bad that in 2007 that all of the Harleys had to be taken out of service for a time for inspection and repairs "to ensure officer safety." One of the chief problems are the brake lines on the bike. According to the LAPD, the brake lines were not secured properly to the motorcycle causing them to move, vibrate and rub up against one another or other parts of the bike. Harley's supplier network was not able to provide replacement parts quickly enough, eventually leading to several meetings between the LAPD and Harley Davidson. The LAPD claims that Harley has yet to develop a "permanent solution" to the problem.

If anyone out there has stories about these problems with the cycles, please share them here. This is kind of scary. I know that it's tough being a motorcop - they have a lot more accidents and more danger of accidents just by riding the cycles. It's very uncool that the department has to worry about shoddy machinery on top of all that.

Police Suicide

This isn't the most uplifting of subjects, but it is something important that police officers, family and friends should be aware of and deal with head on. I've written about police suicide in the past, but was just thinking about it again after reading this post over at "WitnessLA," a site I link to.

Titled "Suicide on the Force," Celeste's article discusses LAPD's chief psychologist, Kevin Jablonski's comments to the Police Commission that cops were twice as likely to kill themselves as to be killed in the line of duty. And the Los Angeles Police Department is starting its first suicide prevention program. Check out the article.

I've worked with Dr. Jablonski via email in the past, asking for his advice as I wrote articles that were sensitive to police suicide or depression. He was very helpful and approachable and I'm glad to see that he's helping the department set up this program.

Like I said, it's not a pretty side of this job. But it's not a pretty job. And if we love and care for these men and women, we need to face these issues, educate ourselves and be better able to help them if we see signs leading down these dark paths.

Emotional Barriers

I've been married to Jake now for 12 years and I'm still having moments where I'm surprised by parts of our relationship that I didn't realize his job was affecting. Like when we argue. We argue just like any normal couple - over things like toothpaste or makeup spills in the bathroom, shoes left out that trip us, where to eat, etc. And there are the tense moments when we argue about family - and we'll stop just in time before someone says something that can't be taken back.

But what I didn't realize until a friend pointed it out to me a few days back, is that I'm at a disadvantage in this arena because of Jake's job. I know, a lot of you out there are going to say "well, DUH, Renee." But sometimes it's hard to see things right in front of you.

When we argue, I have trouble getting out what I want to say because I am such an emotional person. I well up, I tear up, I sob, I wail. Depending on the situation. But Jake on the other hand is like a freaking solid wall. He is a master at keeping his emotions in check and he is infuriatingly good at arguing. Even when it's something that isn't all that important, he can talk a person down until their eyes start to cross.

"Isn't that what police are good at doing," asked one of my friends a few days ago as we were chatting. Ok, dishing over pedicures, if you must know. "Aren't they trained to talk to people who are emotional? And isn't it a survival mechanism that they control their emotions, or put up emotional barriers in order to survive what they go through?"

I just stared at her and thought to myself "Well, DUH, Renee." It was one of those moments of clarity. I guess I was too close to the subject to see it for myself. I'm not sure how much this will help me, but it's nice to realize something about yourself and the relationship you're in. Knowledge is power, I'm just not sure how to use that power yet.   

I've learned to pick my battles, as the saying goes. And now that I realize what is going on here... well, I can't really turn off the waterworks - although don't get me wrong, I don't use tears like a weapon. I really wish I could control myself better and be better able to verbalize. Maybe I should have Jake give me lessons. Somebody hand me some tissues, please.  : )

I Love Springtime

Descanso Gardens, La Canada, California. Easter weekend...

 

Officer Jake Show-and-Tell

Officer Jake invaded our son's second grade classroom last week (at the request of his teacher.) Since our kids started school (son's in second, daughter is in preschool), Jake has visited their schools at least 4 times over the last 4 years to give presentations to the classes. He still kind of grumbles about it a little, but he's a good sport overall and really makes an effort to not just let the kids see the uniform, but also to get some important safety messages out to them.

Whenever he's getting ready to go to the school, I always go in the day before and let the secretary and principal know that he'll be coming in with full gear. That way no one panics when he's heading down the hallway.

He gets dressed in full uniform and carries in his baton, 2 vests and helmet. He'll also try to get something to hand out from the station. Stickers, pencils, coloring books - whatever is available. I get to play the part of his "lovely assistant." Which means I lug all the heavy gear and hand it to him when he needs it. And I man the camera. No one even notices that I am there -  he's the star and the kids love it.

This year, when Jake starting speaking to the class, he covered several safety issues. We've had a few near-abductions in our area, so he made sure to speak to them about strangers and how to deal with people when they try to lure kids toward cars, etc. He and the teacher even play-acted scenarios where she was the "predator" and Jake was the innocent child.

He also spoke about narcotics (once he explained what the word "narcotics" means!) and covered the basics of both legal and illegal drugs. Gun safety is another topic he hits on. Tells kids what to do if they are visiting a house and someone else has guns. Sadly, one of the kids had a story about how his grandfather had a friend who was killed when they were young because they were playing with a loaded gun.

Jake then explains his job as a narcotics officer. He explains all the parts of his uniform and gear. Usually he will handcuff the teacher or our son - to the class's great amusement. (This is always a good photo op.)

If the kids listen well, the reward at the end of the presentation is they get to try on parts of his gear. It's hilarious watching the little 45-pound kids stagger under the weight of the kevlar vests and barely able to hold their heads up with the helmet on. It's fun - and our son has a great time showing off his Dad.

I think it's nice for an officer to go somewhere that he's unconditionally loved - like elementary school. I think Jake gets a nice booster from these experiences for when he goes back out and hits the mean streets the next day. He usually leaves with a smile, anyway. And he's the kid's hero - which is always great for a Dad. 

Right to Bear Arms

I like to read the blog "Cop the Truth" regularly. Mike is a good writer and I can identify with a lot of his subject matter - such as this post titled "Cops Say Guns are a Crime Deterrent." He speaks on the subject of the right to bear arms and how law enforcement is a big supporter of this, as it actually helps reduce crime. Worth a read...

Renee Unplugged

Went for a walk today - we have a "loop" around our neighborhood that is about 3 miles total that I like to walk. Walking, for me, is both exercise and a way to relax, unwind and get rid of the stressed of daily life. I used to take an iPod with me - I've got the nano that I put in the jogging arm band when I go out. I love it, it's very convenient. And when I need to push myself to really exercise hard, music is a great motivation.

But today was about relaxing. Getting out of the house, away from Jake and the kids, and just being alone in my head, if that makes sense. I left behind the iPod. I spent the first few blocks reviewing all the errands of the day and the "to-do" lists in my head. And then I just stopped thinking and starting looking and listening. I focused on the flowers blooming, the gorgeous new colors, and how the sun made pretty little shadows and light streaks through the trees. I tuned into the birds and tuned out the occasional car.

The mountains are very green right now - a blessing that came after the rains we've had so much lately. I daydreamed of how I want to visit Ireland someday and just let my mind wander these relaxing paths it had taken.

I had unplugged myself. From the iPod, from everyday stress and literally from everything else. It was amazing. I felt better not only physically, but also emotionally. I'll still use the iPod for when I need to push myself, but I can't wait for the next pretty afternoon that I can step out and unplug myself again.

Step by Step

I got a new toy this weekend - a pedometer. We have been having way too much fun with this thing. Officer Jake, the kids and I usually take at least one or two family hikes each week together. It gets us outdoors, exercising and is a good excuse to just be with each other without all the distractions that are usually around.

We headed out for a walk on Friday after our son's baseball practice to a nice neighborhood we often walk in. There is a sort of loop we follow and the houses are lovely with big beautiful trees and gorgeous landscaping. I clicked on my pedometer and Jake sort of rolled his eyes. But by halfway through the walk, he was just as curious as me and having just as much fun. "How many miles have we gone?" "How many steps have we taken?'

We had to hit another hike today. There is a trail that goes into the mountains where we get away from all houses, traffic, noises of the city, etc. I thought I was going to have to fight Jake for the pedometer on this hike. I can tell I'm going to have to buy him one of his own. It is kind of cool and very inspiring to walk more and more.

I was reading up on pedometers and such. I read that sedentary people (ie: couch potatoes) walk a typical 1,000 to 3,000 steps per day. And that the goal of healthy people who want to be active should be to hit at least 10,000 steps per day. We hit 10,000 steps with our 3-mile hike today, but I don't know what my daily total is. I'll try that tomorrow. I messed up when I got in the car and somehow it didn't stop counting.

Anyone else use these things? I'm hooked!