The Bella Vista Police Department has two freshly minted Police Academy graduates.
Officers Chase Henry and Cole Byars finished their 13-week stint at the academy on May 19, and have started their field training, which lasts a minimum of 12 weeks.
Lt. Ryan Harmon said that, provided they pass the field training and their field training officer signs off on them, they will be assigned permanent shifts with the department.
"They're only on day two," he said. "They're doing alright."
Henry said he served as an assistant class leader and a class leader at the academy, and he found the training to be tough, but fair.
He had a lot of fun with the EVOC, or emergency vehicle operations course, he said. The officers-in-training, he said, were put on a wet-down track to learn how to control their vehicles in adverse conditions.
They also learned skills including handling a skid and performing J-turns, he said, that could prove useful.
And beyond that, he said, it was beneficial to work with other future officers.
"I made a lot of friends I'll have my whole career," he said.
A few shifts in, he said, he was already learning a great deal. He's been on overnight shifts, he said.
But working until 7 a.m., he said, can be tiring.
"We're running on fumes," he said.
Byars said his time at the academy built a good foundation for his new career.
"I'm looking forward to being part of the force," he said.
Much like Henry, Byars said he had a great time with the emergency driving portion of the academy.
By contrast, he said, getting pepper-sprayed was nobody's favorite portion of the academy.
Despite only having a few days of field training, he said, he's already picking up on some important facets of being an officer.
"I have learned it is very hot in these uniforms," he said.
General News on 05/31/2017