You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. ~Wayne Gretzky

This past weekend I got to go for a ride along with Woodburn’s finest. It was really interesting and fun. The officer I rode with had some really good advice as well as having a great sense of humor. He was really awesome to watch as he handled each person he came into contact with, being firm when needed, being gentle when needed, being efficient and professional.

I have wanted to be a police officer since I started the steps to get my Bachelor’s Degree in Behavioral Science. I am finally going for it again. This is scary for me, because I haven’t made it yet. I sometimes think it is just never going to happen.

I first applied with the Maui County police department just after I graduated from college. (Cuz who doesn’t want to live in Maui?) Jason and I went and didn’t even get to hit the water because I was in testing the entire time and he was applying for jobs and looking for places to live. I passed all the tests, but after talking with some of the locals there, we found out that the local police had some issues. After we left, we found out that they had done a sting and fired 40+ officers for doing and selling illegal drugs. When they wrote to ask me to come for the next level of testing, I decided that starting with a department in that state of affairs would be tough. A year later, we found out they did the same type of sting and had to let another 50+ officers go. Excuse the horrible phraseology, but I feel I dodged a bullet there.

I applied again in Vancouver B.C., passed the test in the top 20% but was unable to make it to the physical test. Sigh.

Then we moved to Portland and I started my job at Gladstone Park Conference Center.

In 2007, I attempted it again. I applied with Clackamas County Sheriff. At the same time, we were also applying to work in Africa. I asked God to shut one of the doors firmly, so firmly that I couldn’t ask questions about where we should be going. I failed the multiple choice POST test with a score of 20%. “Slam” goes the door.

So, we went to Africa…and I still have no idea what God wanted us there for. I’m not sure we’ll ever know.

And then we came back and I started back at GPCC again.

I tried one last time, I thought, last spring. I sprained my ankle a week before the physical test. I missed it by 45 seconds, but this time passed the POST test with flying colors.

I have asked God to take this passion away, but it seems to just get stronger.

And so…I am taking another shot at it. I have applied for both entry level and reserve with a local agency.

I know that you miss some of the shots you take, however, in the words of the great one (#99), “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.”