TexasCHLforum.com

Good job! There's always a way if we apply our minds to a given problem.

The training was inside the Criminal Justice Building that houses both the Galveston PD and the Sheriff Dept. No mention was made of disarming but I believe everyone assumed that no firearms were allowed.
We were told that when we started patrolling handicapped parking places not to carry and it was preferred not to have a weapon in your car. However, they did not forbid having a pistol in your personal car. Having said that, Longtooth is right. There are potentially some risks from BG's or other hostile citizens that believe they have the right to do whatever they want any time they want to. These people have been empowered by our social welfare system to believe this kind of nonsense, so they could be a threat. I still believe it is a good idea and will give it a try. A big part of the training on issuing citations was safety. If anyone acts even a little bit confrontational, we are to just walk away with the photos we took of the license plate showing the car was parked in a handicapped space with no handicapped license plate, placard ot disabled vet plate. There sre still risks for sure and from what I've seen, the worst will be from Walmart in Galveston (we will only be authorized to do this on the island). I appreciate all the input and will definitely keep all of it in mind.

Galveston doesn't have COP yet but they are working on it. In the mean time, we were trained to work as citizens policing handicapped parking spaces. We will be sworn in soon and will patrol, in pairs, and issue citations when a handicapped parking violation is found. I'm lookinmg forward to working in that capacity.

Sometime schedules can be revised. PD's want citizens to attend and, if you ask them, they might change to some other night for the next class. You never know 'till you ask.

I plan on joining the GPD Alumni Association as well and look forward to a ride! This Alumni group raises a lot of money for GPD that would not be available orthewise for much needed equipment.

This isn't a blooper, but definitely a positive contact. I am just completing the Citizens Police Academy training put on by the Galveston Police Department. It is a long (12 weeks) course but the most enlightening training/course around and gives us civilians a real insight into how a police department works. More than that, it has shown me how many restrictions and problems our LEO,s face every day while trying to keep us citizens safe. Other cities have these classes and I recommend participation by anyone wanting to know how a PD works. It has been extremely interesting and meeting a variety of Police Officers has given me a real sense of their humanity and dedication.
Vern