Written by Amanda Coers – On Tuesday, February 14th, we met for our second class in the Brownwood Police Department’s Citizen’s Academy. Hershey’s Kiss candies were left on our tables as a thoughtful Valentine’s Day surprise. Our class was greeted by Lieutenant James Kidd, who oversees the Patrol Division.
Kidd had recently returned from a much-deserved vacation. He informed us that while he’s a skilled skier, with no problem navigating the more difficult slopes, it turns out that he should avoid the children’s skiing area – especially tunnels. We were all very happy he returned with no serious head injuries. Kidd turned us over to Officer Noe Acosta for the remainder of our lesson.
Brownwood Police Officer Noe Acosta
Officer Acosta gave us a full run-down on what’s involved patrolling the streets of Brownwood, including traffic citations and written warnings, why officers conduct traffic stops, the department’s policies on “use of force,” and why you’re not likely to see crazy car chases happening in our city.
Our officers work 12-hour shifts, with 3 days on the job before days off, working either the day shift that starts at 6 a.m. or the night shift, starting at 6 p.m. Brownwood Police also rotate on day and night shifts, allowing them to get to know the city better and hopefully giving them some time with their families and friends.
“A patrol officer diligently watches over the general public,” explained Officer Acosta. “And we enforce traffic citations for the public’s safety. If we don’t enforce the minor stuff, the major stuff is going to get overlooked.”
It is policy within the Brownwood Police Department not to give verbal warnings. Officers instead give written warnings as part of the State of Texas’ push for policing statistics to better understand how officers are operating within their departments. “We have to write something, it might not be a citation, but we have to do a written warning.”
Officer Acosta also explained that Brownwood Police will respond to all calls of service, no matter who needs their help.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re a councilman, or the Chief of Police, or the biggest scum of the earth – it doesn’t matter. If you call me, I’m coming. If you need me, I’ll be there to help you,” said Acosta. “If you call me, it’s not because you’re having a great day. You’re calling because something went down and you need my help.”
And while normally officers are there to help, there are times when the use of force is necessary to neutralize dangerous situations. It’s a hot-button topic in today’s media: how much force is too much?
Officers are asked “Why did you shoot multiple times? Couldn’t you have shot the perpetrator in the leg, or a less deadly area?”
“We don’t shoot to kill, we shoot to neutralize a threat,” said Officer Acosta. The class was then shown a tall stack of books and binders full of use of force guidelines and laws for police officers, not only from their own department, but also from the State of Texas.
“Our use of force policy is the most detailed, because it needs to be.”
The next aspect of police patrol duties covered in class was the department’s pursuit policy. The Brownwood Police Department has clear guidelines on when officers are required to terminate car pursuits of fleeing suspects. And while it looks cool in the movies, high-speed police pursuits endanger the community and the Brownwood Police Department puts public safety first.
Movie Magic: The Thrill of a High Speed Chase
“I have to have the maturity to know when it’s not safe, and call off that chase,” said Officer Acosta. “Is it a bite out of my ego? You better believe it! I don’t want to stop chasing the guy. But if he were to hit someone, I just couldn’t go on.”
“We’ll catch him at another time,” said Lieutenant Kidd. “That’s what’s great about cameras and getting their license plate information.”
The old saying is very true: You can’t outrun the radio. Officers coordinate through dispatch with multiple agencies making it extremely difficult for fleeing suspects to truly get away.
“It’s all about keeping everyone safe,” Acosta said.
Class members were allowed to sign up for ride-along trips with patrolling officers throughout the next few weeks to get a better look at the myriad of calls our local law enforcement agents deal with on a day-to-day basis. I’ll be sure to report back on my adventures with the (unlucky) officer selected for my ride.
