Wed 14th and thurs 15th April

Wednesday was our first day in the Sanford area and was our vocational day. I had the pleasure of attending the Sandford City Police Department and was delivered to Major Kevin Gray about 8am. I was given a tour of the Sanford PD by Major Gray and afterwards was taken on a tour of the city, concentrating of course on the high crime areas.

Following this i was taksed with the Sanford PD Tactical Narcotics Team. The days duties had our Team assisting the Lee County Sheriffs Office Narcotics Unit execute a number of search warrants. We formed up and were briefed at the Sheriff's Office were comments were made about me using my boomerang to apprehend any runners.

After a short drive we arrived at the first target premises. I was amazed at the efficientcy that the Officers cleared the premises with. It took less than 30 seconsds after arriving to force entry through the front door, apprehend and handcuff the occupant and clear the entire premisies.

Searching was commenced and Cannabis was located. The suspect was charged while Major Gray took me to some other areas within the city area including the Emergency Services Training Unit. Whilst en-route to lunch we happened to drive past a young male brekaing into a house and again with the help of the TNT, apprehended this male inside the house. This could not stand in the way of our lunch however, so after handing this job to a patrol officer who arrived shortly afetrwards, we ate at a Mexican Restaurant.

Following this the Tactical Narcotics Team (TNT) and i again formed up with the Sheriffs Narcotics Unit which this time included Chris who had spent the morning with Sheriff Tracey Carter in an interview on Sanford Radio. After a short briefing we again made the short trip to the target premises. Again, like the warrant in the morning, teams of officers in External Ballistic Vests, Helmets and Guns Drawn forced entry to the premises and secured it with military Prescision.

I began to wonder why firearms, vest and helmets were used in the execution of all warrants until we located within the kitchen cupboard, a loaded pump action pistol grip shot gun. I now understood the very real and realistic dangers associated with Policing in this country.

After completing this warrant we executed a third warrant whilst returning to the PD. On this occasion three (3) suspects were apprehended outside the premises. The conclusion of this warrant signalled the end of my day. After an exchange of Police Shoulder Patches and business cards, i was collected and returned to my host family. A team dinner was hosted by Ashley Hinman prior to an early nights sleep.

Thursday began at the moderate time of 9am, with a visit to the Sanford Chamber of Commerce following a meeting with the Mayor. We were each presented with a Key to the City of Sanford by the Mayor.

A joint Rotary Club meeting was held were we made our presentation to four clubs. The presentation went well and we were all wisked away in different directions. Arrangements were made for Jo to work with the TNT, the same unit i worked with the previous day. Mel, Chris, Helen and Tony were scheduled to visit a number of factories and museums while i learnt about Emergency Management and Response in the USA.

I visited an EMS Base and was given a tour and lesson from a Paramedic and EMS Asisstant Director. I then visited the Carolina Trace Fire Department and looked through their trucks and at their rescue equipment. It has been a very beneficial and informative two days so far at Sanford, but our time is almost over. We leave Sanford tommorrow in preparation for the Triad Flighht of Honour on Saturday. We are all looking froward to this very much.