COLUMBUS, miss. (WCBI) – Monday was Officer Tykeria Harris’s first day as a member of the Columbus Police Department.
“I’m very excited,” she said. “Of course I’m also a little nervous.”
After 480 hours of training over 12 weeks at the Mississippi Delta Law Enforcement Training Academy, Chief of Police Fred Shelton says this is where the actual CPD test for Officer Harris and her three rookies begins.
This is Officer Harris’ first day at the Columbus Police Department. As a brand new officer, she undergoes nine weeks of training with an experienced officer before going on patrol alone. pic.twitter.com/Rs9UItkVEL
– Stephen Pimpo (@spimpojr) July 19, 2021
“Here they get training on the job when they learn to take what they have learned in class and then apply them on the street,” says the police chief.
Every new officer must complete nine weeks of field training with an experienced officer before they can go on patrol themselves.
“You go with another senior officer and learn the policies and procedures and, as it were, get to know the city,” says Chief Shelton. “Once they learn, they’ll stay out there and they’ll be on their own, they’ll enforce the law and make the city safe.”
On Monday afternoon, Officer Latessa Fluker took Officer Harris through Columbus to teach her the various beats she would patrol.
“Learn the perimeters, as soon as you know the outline, we’ll work on the inside,” says Officer Fluker. “To show the police presence is our main goal. Get them to learn the beats. “
“(I want to) learn everything right,” says Officer Harris. “No abbreviations. I want to learn everything the way it should be, according to the rules.”
Growing up in Louisville, Officer Harris says learning about Columbus and the people who call it home will be of vital importance to her.
“Actually knowing what it’s like, what they’re going through, what’s going on, and being someone who can communicate and understand with them.” She says.
That connection, and the fact that residents see and speak to them every day, are part of how Chief Shelton hopes to build trust between the CPD and those who protect it.
“It builds trust in the community when they see the officers outside the car,” he says. “When you see them walking around the church it makes them feel safe and connected.”
The progress of the new officers will be monitored during the nine-week training and will require their captain’s approval before they can go on patrol. You will then be assisted by officers for the first four to six weeks.
“As soon as you familiarize yourself with the families, they’ll know you by your last name,” says Officer Fluker. “They’ll say, ‘Hey Officer Fluker! Hey Officer Harris! ‘”
