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Throughout this book I tried to capture the emotion and internal thoughts of what was going through my mind as I handled each call. The one theme that kept coming back into my thoughts, though, was that I worked with some of the most professional, compassionate, respectful, and caring people our society has to offer.

I am forever grateful to my friends and coworkers, the citizens, and the city of Kalamazoo for providing me with such fond memories. I hope that I helped to instill this same feeling of appreciation and gratitude to those who took the time to read or listen to this book, podcast, or audiobook.

Strength and Honor!
Robert Todd Christensen
AKA: DS TC (to my police academy students)

"Let no soul cry out, Had I not been properly trained." —Infantry Training Brigade, Fort Benning, Georgia

Slow down—Seatbelts—Wear your vest—STAY ALIVE!

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My career priority was to serve and protect the city of Kalamazoo. I am forever grateful to the citizens of Kalamazoo, my coworkers at Kalamazoo Public Safety, the criminal justice professionals throughout the judicial system, the local government officials, both past and present, and the neighborhood volunteers. I am confident that through your continued efforts, the city of Kalamazoo will always be one of the best cities in our nation. It was an honor to serve you all.

To contact the author visit www.roberttodd.com or email at [email protected]

Getting hired by a career police department is your dream right? Working for an agency where you can have a challenging career, learn, and grow as a solid performer. Finding that perfect fit for you and the community and one that you can work faithfully for with 25 years of service and retire with a solid pension at a relatively young age. Usually around 46 years old.

In this chapter I tell you exactly what I did, what police departments are looking for, and how you can set yourself up for success.
Good Luck!

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www.roberttodd.com

Why do people want to be a Police Officer? When asking a new recruit they almost always say: "To help people." As an academy trainer since 1997 I've had the honor of training hundreds of Officers who now serve our communities throughout the country. Here, I take you behind the scenes of what it means to "build police officers" and what it really means to inspire people to become the best they can possibly be to succeed in their new career. I'll tell you exactly what you need to do in order to succeed during academy training.

I am dedicating this podcast to both Paul Bianco and Keaton Nielsen, my warrior brothers. Why do the three of us teach at the police academy? We see it as a moral obligation to our chosen profession. We don't do it for the money, notoriety, praise, or attention. We do it for our new recruits.

Read or listen to the entire book today and save your life! Available from Amazon.com, Barnesandnoble.com, iTunes.com, Audible.com, roberttodd.com

Community Policing has always been so much more than playing basketball with kids, handing out stickers, taking selfies with neighborhood kids, or rescuing animals from the perils of human civilization. These small acts of kindness, alone will not improve the quality of life. They are acute acts of relationship building and if sustained can help to build rapport and trust.

Do you want to make a difference as a Cop? Then stop being a law enforcement officer and start being a police officer again. Get out of the car, walk your beat, visit with business owners, shake hands with people, and say hello to them. Develop a rapport and know people by their first names. Focus on developing initiatives that will improve the quality of life in your area.

What do people call the police for that bothers them? Each jurisdiction is unique, but each person who lives there has issues that need repair.

For example:
1. Reduce part 1 crimes.
2. Eliminate abandoned cars and accumulation of junk.
3. Reduce youth crime by a visible amount.
4. Reduce curfew violations.
5. Improve attendance at public schools.
6. Create a family friendly oriented retail shopping district.
7. Improve the appearance and safety of homes.
8. Increase home ownership vs. rental properties
9. Eliminate street level drug dealing and prostitution
10. Focus on quality of life crimes (What people call the police for)

If you start being a Police Officer and think creatively and involve the public in solving their own problems MAGIC WILL HAPPEN! Learn exactly how to do this from Out of the Darkness and into the Blue.

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Dangers in police work are inherent to the job function itself. But, as Cops—We make our jobs as dangerous as we want. Sometimes this can get you killed or seriously injured. Other times, we do things that are really just stupid. I certainly was not immune to this. From nearly getting struck with exploding bullets in the evidence room, almost crashing into and killing another officer, to choking on french fries. It's a dangerous job and I just made it even more dangerous! Learn from my mistakes and hold yourself to a higher standard. I mean, come on. Your a Cop and the community expects more from you!

"Always Remember Who You Are and What You Represent."

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SWAT- Hostage Rescue is not for the weak at heart. Life and death is the reality of our job. Mistakes are unacceptable. Perfection in every aspect is trained upon and expected. Welcome to our world. But is that the whole story?

Now, as a Police Officer I wanted to take my tactics to the next level and become what we call: "A Ten Percenter." Those Officers who are considered the top 10% cop of the entire profession. Not just a street level patrol officer, but one who hones their skills to perfection. That dream would be with the Kalamazoo SWAT Team. In particular, a Hostage-Rescue Operator. Where no mistakes can be afforded.

Listen to how YOU can become a SWAT Cop and what my life was like on our team. It's not for the faint at heart. If you want to be who the Cops call when they need help then your mission is be a SWAT COPPER! Always follow your dreams and enjoy this chapter from Out of the Darkness and Into the Blue. Available in paperback, kindle, and audiobook from Amazon.com, Barnesandnoble.com, iTunes.com, roberttodd.com

"When a police officer is killed, it's not an agency that loses an officer it's an entire nation." - Chris Cosgriff, ODMP founder.

On April 18, 2011 Officer Eric Zapata, the first City of Kalamazoo officer was murdered in the line of duty. The city and department lost an officer by a suspects bullet. But for me, I lost a friend and a partner on the job. It was the worst of days! Eric will never be forgotten.

Two other of my friends were killed in the line of duty. And even worse, they were two of my own students that I had trained at the Kalamazoo Valley Police Academy. Officer Owen Fisher, of the Flint, Michigan Police Dept. and Officer Scot Beyerstedt, of the Mattawan, Michigan Police Dept.

As a member of the Kalamazoo Police Honor Guard we attended countless funerals of Officers killed in the line of duty. It was a brutal reminder of how deadly our chosen profession is.

Was I next? How will I be killed? These questions always came into my mind while my tears ran down my face behind the mirrored sunglasses we wore at every funeral.

In this chapter I reveal my emotional thoughts of how we, as Cops handle the overwhelming emotions of these tragic events. I hope that the listener and reader will gain a better understanding of this noble profession.

In honor of Officers Eric Zapata, Owen Fisher, and Scot Beyerstedt. You will never be forgotten!

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