The concert was wonderful and everyone there seemed to enjoy themselves immensely. One of my favorite numbers was “Rocky Top” which brought back memories of my home in Tennessee!

Click on the picture to see a larger version.

Now, if I had my druthers (Tennessee term!), we would be able to go on a ride-along with the deputies, but apparently the insurance companies don’t like that idea very much. When I attended the Citizen’s Police Academy in Tennessee, they did do ride-alongs. One of the nights I went, there was a scary domestic violence call. The officer I rode with took off down the city’s main street at 102 miles per hour in a 45 mph zone, and went through the neighborhood at 80 miles per hour in a 20 mph zone. I can see why insurance companies might worry a bit!

This week we started out with Lena Coe and Deanna Thompson from a non-profit organization in Monticello called Rivers of Hope. They spoke to us about domestic violence, including verbal, physical, emotional, psychological and sexual abuse. Family violence can be defined as “patterns of behavior that maintain power and control over the victim.” Anyone who lives in the same household with an an abuser or is related by blood can be a victim of family violence.

Their program works with victims as they go through the court process. They work with teenagers who struggle with self-mutilation to teach them healthy coping skills. Here are some of the other topics we learned about:

• The cycle of abuse
• Abuse of children
• Dating abuse in teens
• Civil and criminal orders of protection
• How to be a friend to victims of abuse
• Having a domestic violence safety plan
• Summer mentoring program for youth

They also have a volunteer program and welcome applications. Contact them at: http://www.riversofhope.org/General_Info/volunteers.htm for more information.

Lena Coe and Deanna Thompson of Rivers of Hope

Chris Aleshire, Sherburne Sheriff Department Drug Recognition Expert spoke to us next. He is one of several trained experts in the area. In addition to alcohol, prescription medication and illegal drugs are also cause for DWI’s. His job is to identify what type of substance a person arrested for DWI is under if there is no evidence of alcohol.

Drug Recognition Expert Chris Aleshire

We learned how sobriety tests are conducted and what clues law enforcement officials look for. Deputy Renee Brandt was kind enough to demonstrate some of the tests:

Deputy Renee Brandt Passes Sobriety Test

I never knew what whiskey plates were before, and I learned that coffee does not make the alcohol go away. Instead, you just have a wide-awake drunk!

Here is a picture of our class! (Click for a larger view.)

Sherburne Citizen Academy Spring 2009 Class