WESTON RANCH – Darryl George performed his role as a California Highway Patrol officer Tuesday almost to a tee.
The Weston Ranch High senior applied the steps of making a basic traffic stop as covered last week in his Regional Occupational Program’s Careers in Law Enforcement class at New Vision Educational Center as if it were second nature.
“He was one of the better ones,” Officer Jose Alatorre said.
George has been a Police Explorer for about a year. During that time, he’s received first-hand knowledge as to how the department functions and has been trained in the various aspects of law enforcement while assisting police personnel.
He also aware there’s still much to learn.
Take the enforcement stop exercise conducted at all three of instructor Joe Waller’s classes.
“You must always watch the hands (of the motorist),” said George, who is hoping to attend Sacramento State to pursue Criminal Justice. “We learned that even his weak hand can be fatal.”
Alatorre and Angel Arceo, who is also the CHP spokesman, observed the ROP students going through each of the exercises. Included were the procedures for a high-rise traffic stop.
Arceo noted that students should “expect everything and expect nothing.”
They received a little bit of both.
Alejandra Marin, a Weston Ranch senior, was shocked when the motorist – in this case, classmate Levertis Woolfolk – pulled his prop gun out as she momentarily turned her head.
“I was surprised,” she later said.
By contrast, Luis Oregel, who is a junior, quickly reeled for his prop firearm still attached to the holster when faced in a similar situation.
Students were instructed to signoff with the motorist with a “drive safe” response.
Safety is also the top priority for the officer during a basic traffic stop, according to Arceo.
“We call it ‘keeping your head on a swivel,” he said.
By that, officers have an eye out at the motorist while walking back to the squad car with license and registration in tow for a quick check. “We also have to constantly watch out for oncoming traffic,” Arceo said.
The Weston Ranch High senior applied the steps of making a basic traffic stop as covered last week in his Regional Occupational Program’s Careers in Law Enforcement class at New Vision Educational Center as if it were second nature.
“He was one of the better ones,” Officer Jose Alatorre said.
George has been a Police Explorer for about a year. During that time, he’s received first-hand knowledge as to how the department functions and has been trained in the various aspects of law enforcement while assisting police personnel.
He also aware there’s still much to learn.
Take the enforcement stop exercise conducted at all three of instructor Joe Waller’s classes.
“You must always watch the hands (of the motorist),” said George, who is hoping to attend Sacramento State to pursue Criminal Justice. “We learned that even his weak hand can be fatal.”
Alatorre and Angel Arceo, who is also the CHP spokesman, observed the ROP students going through each of the exercises. Included were the procedures for a high-rise traffic stop.
Arceo noted that students should “expect everything and expect nothing.”
They received a little bit of both.
Alejandra Marin, a Weston Ranch senior, was shocked when the motorist – in this case, classmate Levertis Woolfolk – pulled his prop gun out as she momentarily turned her head.
“I was surprised,” she later said.
By contrast, Luis Oregel, who is a junior, quickly reeled for his prop firearm still attached to the holster when faced in a similar situation.
Students were instructed to signoff with the motorist with a “drive safe” response.
Safety is also the top priority for the officer during a basic traffic stop, according to Arceo.
“We call it ‘keeping your head on a swivel,” he said.
By that, officers have an eye out at the motorist while walking back to the squad car with license and registration in tow for a quick check. “We also have to constantly watch out for oncoming traffic,” Arceo said.
