[sho_bc]

In Richmond, for the first 4 months of service you ride with a trainer before you're punted out on your own (the 4 months is a Richmond policy, most other places are 2 months). When I first got punted, it was weird because I'd gotten used to having someone there to talk to and share stories with. However, I got along really well with my trainer, and I know not everyone does. I'd hate to be stuck for 4 months or more with someone who got on my nerves, or shared different ideas of policing etc.

Now, I love being on my own. I can listen to the music I like, patrol where I like within my zone, find my own trouble when I'm not on calls. There are lots of things I haven't done before, but if ever I have a question on how to do things (most things are common sense and are built off of skills previously acquired), my trainer and my co-workers/bosses are a message on our computers or a phone call away.

In my first 4 months, I'd taken calls and worked on files that my trainer with a couple years of service hadn't seen or done before himself, so the learning never ends, which is what I love about this job. Every day and every file is different or could be handled slightly differently, no matter if you take the same type of call 3 days in a row.