Monday, August 31, 2015

The Writer's Police Academy


Guest of Honor, Karin Slaughter with Retired Police Officer and Best Selling Author, Robin Burcell

Last week your intrepid crew from Mystery Playground attended the Writer's Police Academy, a three-day event where crime fiction and thriller writers get a brief glimpse of what it's really like to be a policeman, firefighter or EMT. The academy is put on by Lee Lofland, veteran police investigator and was held at the Fox Valley Technical College Public Safety Training Center in Appleton, Wisconsin. It was great opportunity to hear directly from police officers, secret service agents, SWAT team members, undercover police officers, firefighters, and emergency workers. 



Sessions included what it's like to be a female police officer, go undercover, and interview tips. We watched simulated fire rescues, a K9 officer in action and got to pretend to breech door and clear a building of suspects. There was also a class held on an airplane and we watched simulated chases and traffic stops. 


K9 demonstration...that's Gekko and his human doing a nighttime demonstration.


Here's a kevlar vest. They actually don't fit women officers so well. 


It was three action-packed days full of great information. We left with an even greater sense of appreciation for those who put themselves in harms way to keep us safe. 

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