I am an ex-LA native, having grown up partly in LA.

The new reality TV show, "The Academy", is more like army and marine corps boot camp where learning how to KILL the enemy is the name of the game, instead of "protect and preserve."

I am a K-12 and a college instructor with some proud accomplishments to my credit within the teaching environment. I hereby offer some ideas re. teaching criteria-methods.

Fact, The LA County Sheriff's Academy has trained 'x' number of sheriffs for decades, I have trained none, In the protection arena, sheriffs need to know things military GRUNTS do not need;

Legal steps to take to solve problems, how to quell groups of disgruntled by-standers, and doing investigations. Thus, while they use the philosophy, "gain self-confidence as we yell at you", I suggest a trial approach that is in reverse.

Thus, I am suggesting not to use shock methods. Bullying is an effective method of training UNDER SOME CIRCUMSTANCES and does help some kinds of people; by using bullying tactics will get some qualified sheriffs. Having 38 yrs teaching experience and being ex-military I am a closet woose. I can kill using my hands, feet, hand guns, rifles, shotguns, etc. I also hold a record in speed of pinning in wresting. However, while I learned what my peers learned, I am still a woose. I would never voluntarily "take on" a person in a street fight. If I was a sheriff, my confidence would be different than yours-confidence means different things to different people. There are those who can "talk" [me.]

There are those who can "shoot" [me.] There are those who can "knock your block off" [NOT ME.]

I am guessing I could learn more how to punch someone. I have hit people and felt sick to my stomach afterwards. Thus, having the ability to do something and feeling comfortable about doing it are not the same. Naturally, I would be a wash out at a sheriff's academy.

In a classroom setting, I could be a secure student or teacher. As this discussion is about learning to be a sheriff, I claim a student of sheriff learning could advance much more easily if he/she were to face approaches "backwards."

There is no doubt whatever, that sheriffs have to protect themselves and others with their bodies and weapons. [Discussed previously.] IF I were to be a teacher there, I would want my students [who are entering a foreign arena regardless] to become SLOWLY comfortable with their environment. In no teaching situation is shock learning successful

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