Albuquerque Police Department; APD Tape 26

One more pit stop at the front there and need to get some more tape to secure that and we're good to go. I should take off those sheets. Yeah. The George Puppy Shades and that one. Okay, so we go up. Oh, we're not going out there. We're not going out there. Okay, so could you tell me your name? Mike Artsman. Where are you from, Mike? I'm from Mabkirky. I'm in a race. Okay. And what high school? I went to Donority High School. Okay. Let's talk first about, you know, like your motivation, why you're going to become an officer? Pretty much as far as I can remember, I've always looked up to cops and always thought, you know, I wanted to be one, especially here in the city here. And, you know, after high school, I decided, you know, I was going to start right away and try and do whatever I could to get in and join the force. Okay. How are you? I'm just turning 21.

Okay. And so, you know, like, you know, like this is the second to last week before the end of the academy. Let's talk about that, you know, like, did this place blow me away? Well, I heard a lot of stories about it and, you know, I kind of thought about what to expect. But, you know, you really can't experience it into experience at first hand. And, you know, when I came here the first day and at first a couple of weeks, you know, it's a shock. It's a culture shock. You're not used to anything like it and it took some getting used to. Did you have any military experience? No. Okay. I'm going to measure a couple of the classes that, you know, could be mentioning what a couple of the classes that we've, you know, we were a part of, you know, stuff like that. Let's talk about the PT, you know, the exercise and, you know, like, you know, that was rather brutal. It was,

you know, I trained, you know, with a couple of the cadets that, you know, I got to know before the academy started and, you know, it's nothing. You know, you can't train from what they're going to do because you don't know what they're going to do. You know, you could run, you know, and do push -ups, you know, separate things. But, you know, when they, you're running and then they drop you for push -ups, you know, it's different. You know, it's a different, different kind of pace for me. You know, I never really experienced anything like it before, you know. What about the close -order drilling, you know, like a close -order drilling? That's a random from, like, the days on musket loaders that they've had to, you know, that, you know, the days of the month, you know, when they, you know, when they had to mass fire power against an imposing force who's also massing fire power. Why, why do you think they did the close -order drill stuff? I mean, drill during lunch, you know? Yeah, well, my opinion of it is probably for discipline reasons. You know, a lot of people came in, some of them prior military, you know, some of us weren't. You know, you know, when they came in the first day, you knew they met in business. And

it was kind of, you know, that was very difficult to get used to, you know, trying to, you know, pay attention on everybody else's doing what you're trying to do exactly what they want you to do. And, you know, a lot of discipline and, you know, they made you work for it, you know. It took a while to get us all working together so we looked good doing it. But, you know, it was, it was pretty difficult. Okay, let's talk about, you know, boxing, the boxing day. You know, a lot of us, you know, what do you think they were trying to go for with the boxing? The boxing, well, you know, like I said, when we were doing the running, you know, they dropped us for quite a bit of push -ups before we got back to the academy. When we got back to the academy, you know, they really tired out our arm. I mean, we're, I mean, really hurt. You know, I guess what they're trying to, you know, put in place into our mind is, you know, even though we're tired or

something may be wrong, you know, to never quit, you know, because the profession we're going into, our life is on the line every day when we go out there. And, you know, we got to keep fighting. If we don't have a gun, if it's fist to fist, you know, we got to do what we can to survive, because the most important thing for us is to go home at the end of our shift every day. You look good? Okay. Let me just bump you out for a few more minutes. Okay. Can you get a shot of, like, Mike's borrow? Or, like, if you can turn it in, like, and keep your hand like this, so that, you know, because the next question I'm going to be asking relates to that. Okay. So, like, we're working with, you know, visuals and sound, you know, okay, when you get older, you should try this business. It's fun. Okay. You know, let's say that, okay, you know, like, the firearm training, you know, in all the rest. Basically, like, in this type of job over here, okay,

I was a medic and Vietnam, you know, in all the rest. And so, I was more the uniform of my country, and therefore I was prepared to die from my country. Are you prepared to die in the pursuit of the life of Danny Sir? Yes, I am, you know. That's one of the risks you take in the coming into this job. You know, you know, your life's at risk. Everything you do, you know, you've got to be watching your back, you've got to be watching your partners back, you know. You know, once we put on that badge and put on that uniform, you know, it's not just us we're looking out for it. You know, our fellow brothers and sisters in blue, and you know, we've got to watch our phone, you know. I'm sure there's many of us that will take, you know, a bullet for our partner. Are you prepared, you know, are you prepared to kill, you know, in the life of your duty, in the life of your duty? That's something, you know, ahead of time you have to think about. And that you say, you know, if I had to, if they came down to it, I would, you know, depending on the circumstances. You know what? Oh, I'm sorry. You know, are you? Let's talk about when you first

came in and asked to, I mean, I've seen the changes, you know, in all of them. Can you talk about like, what are you from, you know, like the transformation that you went through, you know, from a civilian, you know, to an officer? Well, when I, before I came here, I worked as a police officer with that, with APD, you know, before I came. And, you know, I worked around them, I got to see, you know, exactly, you know, some of the stuff that they get, you know, the officers do, because I work kind of with them, you know, I work in a squad, I work for a sergeant. And, you know, seeing what they did really helped me out, you know, once I came here, you know, I knew just what I was working for, and what I wanted to be, you know. So that, you know, that kind of gave a brighter side, you know, all the hard work we have to go through. And, you know, knowing what you want, knowing what you got to do to get to that, you know, that goal of yours, you know, you're willing to do anything. And, you know, the main thing in my mind, you know, is well the fellow cadets that are still here, is, you know, we never quit. You know, we're going to help each other through this. And, you know, we're almost there.

Okay. Do you think you're prepared? What's that? I believe I am. Can you see that like a statement, like you want I am prepared? Yes, I am prepared. Excellent. Thank you. Problem. Okay, whenever you're ready, come on. Now, go ahead. And, when you go in, just go up to one of your, to a locker and pretend you're opening it. Okay. Okay, I'm good. I'm not your end. Okay, not your call. All right. So,

let me know when you're rolling. A little bit higher, George. Okay. We're rolling and they're clear. Okay. So, for the records room, would you mind seeing your name and where you from? My name is Chuck Breeden, and I'm from Trenton, Georgia. Okay. And, how did somebody from Georgia end up in Malacruz in Mexico? Well, I initially joined a military, a pair of force, and I ended up at Cannon Air Force Base in Clovis, New Mexico. And, my father -in -law got married there. My father -in -law is a policeman there. I always had an interest in law enforcement. So, I started doing ride along with him, and he got me more and more interested in it. And told me about Albuquerque, and that they were hiring out here. And so, I came on out and tried out, and here I am. All righty. And how are you? I'm 24. Okay. And, let's talk about your experience. What was your... When you started the police academy, did it blow me away, let's say,

the first day? No, not necessarily, because I had basic training in the military. It was a little... It was different here. It was more based on, I think, marine type training, but I think I was more adapted and ready to do it. Okay. Let's talk about some of the classes that... Well, you know, like some of the classes I've built, you know, that you were a part of, things of that sort. Let's talk about the physical training. Okay. But, you know, what was your impression of the PD? It's pretty rigorous, they expect a lot out of you. You definitely can't come in without having some sort of physical background to begin with. There's no way you can make it. There's a lot of running involved. There's a heavy emphasis on the weightlifting and upper body strength. A lot of push ups and, you know, the mountain climbers and stuff, building your leg strength up. And just your cardiovascular

endurance. If you don't have it to begin with, you're not going to make it. Okay. All right. Your primary military. You know, let's talk about the close -over drill. The close -over drill goes back to the days of muzzle welders. You know, they had mass and concentrated firepower against the opposing force. Why do you think it's so relevant for an officer in the 1990s? I think it's important to have the discipline there, especially for the people that have an experience. Could you make this sort of statement like close -order drill is important because? Okay. Close -order drill is important because it's a lot of discipline involved. There's a lot of concentration involved. There's many different tasks going on at once that you have to be thinking about. You've got to be thinking about the tasks that are coming up at hand.

I think it's real close relationship to police work as far as, you know, being able to think of different tasks at the same time. Being able to handle stressful situations because you've got your drill instructors that are expecting a lot out of you. It takes a team effort to get it done. That's what they stress around here is team effort. Let's talk about some of the other classes that I showed towards. Yes. The boom was just hanging in a little bit. Okay. We're good. Let's talk about the weapons. Let's say that for later. Let's talk about similar classroom stealth. This is a combination of classroom and physical. Let's talk about the classroom stuff.

How rigorous is it for you to do the study and how late do you spend at night? The study is very rigorous. They base it on a college level. If you don't study, you won't make it plain and simple. There's a lot of information they throw at you at once, so you have to study a little bit every night at least. I spent some pretty late nights at the beginning getting adapted to it, getting my notes done and doing the study and at the same time. It takes a lot of work and it takes a lot out of it as far as being physically fit. It all goes hand in hand. It helps you through it, being physically fit and helps you to be able to think things through. The classrooms are very demanding and

it's a real good atmosphere to get your mindset and to get you prepared to go out on the stream. Do your duties out there, I think. Let's talk about the homework we're doing. Let's talk about the role play in the scenario, selecting when the... Definitely. It puts you in a situation like you're going to be on the street. It helps a lot. It's a great learning tool, I think. You can make your mistakes here and not face the consequences like you were on the street. I'd rather make my mistakes here than go to jail for something I did wrong on the street and it would be a stupid mistake on the street. They're really great learning tools, I think. We've had more scenario training than any other academy and I think it's helped us and I think it's going to be a benefit to us once we

go out and actually apply it on the street. Okay. I'm going to start the role. Okay, go ahead and come in and open it up and then... I'll start off. Okay, go ahead at any time. Can we talk about the concept of the use of force? Yes, it's an important concept as far as the police role goes. It's probably one of the most important things as an officer. It's something that is individual to each officer. It just depends on the situation that you're in. There's numerous amounts of factors out

there on the use of force policy and when to use that force. It's something that each of us have to constantly keep in our minds, the back of our minds. We've got to keep it there and know that it's there if we have to use it and it's kind of a last resort. But if we have to, we will go to. Okay, I'm so glad to be here now. I wore the uniform of my country during the war. It was expected me to die for my country. Are you prepared to give up your life for the line of duty? It's something that I don't really think about. This is my job and this is the profession that I've chose to do and it's just part of the job. If it happens, it happens. It's nothing that I'm going to personally build to prevent. I can do

everything in the world to try to prevent it. But all I know is I'm going to go out and do my job. And if it happens to where I lose my life, then that's probably the way it will be then. I'm going to ask something a little bit more positive. What are your hopes with this job? Where would you like to go with this job? What would you like to do? Do you see these years of being an officer 10 years down the road? Can you say that? I think it's a rewarding job. You can experience totally different experiences every day that you're on the job. Just working with the public and just helping people out on the street. It will be very rewarding to see that. I can definitely see myself 10 years down the road doing this. And

possibly different roles in the police department I'd like to move into. Okay. Final favorite question. I would challenge anybody that wanted to do this. If they want to do this to set their hearts to it, it's got to come from the heart to be able to do this. Because it takes a lot out of it. And it puts a lot of stress on your family. You've got to give it 110 % or you're not going to make it. And that's something that each and every cadet in here has done. Or we wouldn't be standing right here today talking to you. Thank you, sir. Okay. Okay. Any time you're ready? Okay. One on either side.

Thank you. Go up to your lockers. Okay. Okay. So deal for the record. Would you mind seeing your name? My name's Ann. 24 years old from here now. Okay. So you're a prior military. You know, prior military. Let's talk about the transformation. You know, from a civilian. You know, if you will, you know, to an officer. You know,

you've been in this thing for about three months. Correct. You are so in about a week and a half, you're going to be a peace officer. Let's talk about the transformation. How did it hit you? Well, being that I was a prior service. The transformation went really easy for me. It's opposed to somebody who had maybe just been in college and had the opportunity to make a transformation for this civilian and to assault or assail it. I'll tell you a bit. Basically, we're learning about teamwork. We're learning how to work together, discipline, lots of discipline. You have to be disciplined, lots of discipline for this line of work. I have to agree with that. The transformation was quite easy for me. Being prior military, I was exposed to the discipline already. And there wasn't a hard transformation to make. Okay. Let's talk about... I understand that both of you guys are kickboxers? Yes, sir. Okay. And like, let's talk about... What style

of work just started this line? That's done often in time boxing. And the boxing here at the Academy went real smooth. I think they did that to see how far they could push people before they quit to see if they had quarters in the class. Someone in this Academy might end up in a street fight. They'd have to back up a fellow officer. And if they can't fight here, there's no way they'd been able to fight in the street. I agree with that. I think that's primarily the goal for the boxing. We're both former kickboxers. And once we get that, we'll probably get back into it. But, you know, it's a really important test that boxing. Make sure there were no quitters. Okay. Let's talk about... Let's talk about the academics, you know, like, you know, study in. Did you guys back each other up? Well, you know, during... I mean, well, I mean, you know, was a pretty good teamwork. You know, with everybody, you know,

like helping each other study for this. Absolutely. Everybody in the class had study groups going on in between the different squads. The majority of the people got together and studied every single day. As well as studying on their own. And the academics and the academy is tough. You really have to study. You have to put your time in. You're not going to pass. And it goes a lot of work. Really tough. I couldn't have the program. I agree with my brother. You know, I had never been to college before. So it took me a little bit more work. Maybe somebody who had been in college. But, you know, really tough program. But as a group, we all came together. You know, okay. Thank you. You had an hour to do it? Good. Okay. All right. I was a... I was a medic in Vietnam. I'm a worthy uniform in my country during the time of war. I was prepared to die for my country. Joe Henry, are you prepared to give your life to my life and the life of duty? Absolutely. With that question. Not even a question. That's not one more time, Joe. I'm sorry. That's the whole way.

Okay. And could you make it like a statement like, you know, like we're prepared to whatever. Is it all right? Yeah. But are you prepared to give your life to my life and do it? Absolutely. With that question. With that question. That's this job of talent. You might have to put your life on a line. And I have no problem with that. I thought about that before I came in. I know. It didn't face me one bit. It's something I wouldn't be prepared to do. Like I said, you know, that's something you have to really come to grips with before you decide to make a decision. And as far as I feel good. And as far as I'll continue to better make that decision before you decide this line of work. And I've made my decision. That's why I do. Okay. Are you prepared to kill? Yes, sir. This job

might entail me having to do that to protect people. And I thought about that also before I came in. And I am prepared. If I have to, I don't want to. But it's the last resort. If you must. I could do it. If you have to take a life to save a life. That's about the only reason that I could think of for taking life. Then you have to be prepared. Be prepared to do it. If you're in this field. Then my brother said, these are the questions you have to ask yourself before you decide to come into this line of work. You have to be prepared. Hopefully the situation will never rise. But in this line of work, you never know. And I am prepared. Okay. All right. Here. Let's move. I'd definitely give my life to the sake of my brother's life. I give my life to the sake of fellow officers. That's awesome. Because we all like brothers. We all come together. We bond. And we've all had the same triumphs and hardships.

I agree with that 100%. I don't know anything what Adam had. Without a question, I would give my life for obviously my blood brothers and myself and my fellow officers. Okay. Let me ask something a little more plausible. A little bit more upbeat. You don't know the rest. Where do you guys see yourself doing about ten years? Like, what are your feelings right now? Like, you'll come into the end of this training cycle. Are you overjoyed? You'll try out a bit or... Yeah. I'm real happy that we're coming to the end. But there's a lot ahead of us. A lot of learning and a lot of work. And I realize that. And so I'm happy. But I realize there's a lot to do. And, like Adam says, you know, I'm glad to be leaving this training environment. But at the worst, just being done is by far not over. Throughout my time for every day, we'll be in a learning experience. To me, I'm just transitioning

from one phase to another, basically. And, I believe, that's the way I'll continue to be through my entire career. Learning never stops. And I always have to keep on top of things. Yeah. Do you see yourself doing this in ten years? Yes, sir. Absolutely. I plan on making myself a lifelong career. It's going through my career. It's so much of it. I believe I enjoy what I'm doing now. And I have no question that I will enjoy it in ten years, you know? Okay. We come to the favorite question of all interviews and questions. Is there anything you generally wish to do with that? Not just been, I've had a ball. It's been a really educational experience. It's been testing. And I have to go with it. It's been a lot of hard work. It has been educational. And I've made a lot of really good new friends. And extremely close friends. We've been through a lot together. And I'm just looking forward to the future and what's to come. Great. Thank you, Joel. Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you.