The LAW Way

My Experience with the Citizen’s Police Academy: A Game-Changer.

This class was an absolute game-changer for me. Honestly, I didn’t have any expectations going in, but what I found blew me away. The police officers who taught us were more than just instructors; they were some of the most genuine and human people I’ve ever met. They shared their fears, the challenges they’ve faced, and the obstacles they overcome every single day. Their passion for what they do is truly inspiring. It made me realize that we often forget police officers are human beings too, with their own struggles and dreams.

During my participation in this program, I often thought of my father, Jesus Alfredo Albornoz R. Although he is also a lawyer, in his youth, he was a police officer and the founder of the Mounted Police of Caracas, Venezuela. This connection made the experience even more meaningful for me.—The term “Mounted Police” refers to police officers who patrol on horseback.

A Non-Judgmental Environment

What amazed me even more was the non-judgmental environment of this class. In a world where we’re so quick to judge others—and even ourselves—this class provided a safe space where we could be ourselves without fear of judgment. It was a rare gem that allowed for open dialogue and genuine understanding.

Learning and Growing

Throughout the 16-week program, I learned about various aspects of law enforcement, from patrol procedures to stress management and use of force. Each session provided a deeper insight into the complexities of police work.

Classes That Left a Lasting Impact

The classes I enjoyed the most were Crime Scene, Medical Examiner’s Office Visit, Sexual Predators, Sexual Crime Investigation, Domestic Crime Investigation, Child Exploitation Investigations, and of course, the ride-along.

When I studied law in Venezuela, my favorite subjects were Legal and Forensic Medicine and Criminal Law. Paradoxically, I didn’t pursue this field because, when I became a mother, I wanted to focus on protecting the rights of children and adolescents. Since I no longer worked in these areas of law, I was pleasantly surprised by how fascinated I was with the classes related to criminal law and forensics.

Special Recognition for Dr. Emma Lew

I must give special recognition to Dr. Emma Lew, the Retired Chief Medical Examiner. Even though she’s retired, she continues to serve at the Medical Examiner’s Office. She personally gave us a master class in the auditorium of the Medical Examiner’s Office building and then took us on a guided tour of the facilities, including the decomposition room for those of us who had the stomach to enter. She explained the autopsy procedure in detail, using a real autopsy table and instruments. We also watched a video of an autopsy performed on a man in his 30s who had died from a cranial contusion. The video was explicit, showing the entire autopsy process from start to finish. I was amazed at how fascinated I was by seeing the human body from the inside, how each organ looks, its exact location, color, and size. It made me see life from a new perspective, realizing that the human body is a perfect machine doing incredible work to keep us alive. I was particularly struck by how the entire abdominal cavity is almost entirely occupied by the intestines, and the stomach is located higher than I thought. I left there seeing people as walking bags of intestines, ha!

Ride-Along Experience

Now, I must mention my amazing experience during the ride-along.

I did my ride-along with Officer Ruben Borja in the Kendall District. Kendall is known for being quiet, so I imagined it would be a calm day, like it was for one of my classmates who even had time to eat ice cream. My day had a bit of everything—I didn’t even have time for breakfast and barely any for lunch.

The first call came in around 8 AM; it was about a stolen vehicle, a Bentley taken from the owner’s home and tracked to FLL. By 10:45, the vehicle was recovered with the help of the FLL police.

The second call was about a burglary in progress. The subject was captured and turned out to be a fugitive from Michigan with full extradition. He had 19 SIM cards and some pills in his backpack.

The third call came at 11:18 AM. A child alone in distress at a bus bench was picked up by a truck. The truck was tracked, and it turned out to be a family member.

The next call was at 11:48 AM—a theft at a DSW store. They used a child to steal the shoes, stuffing them into the child’s backpack.

The last call was at 1:13 PM—a deceased person. It was an elderly man, a Parkinson’s patient and attorney, who lived alone while his children lived out of state. We were at this scene until the end of the workday when another officer relieved Officer Borja. Here, I saw Dr. Lew’s teachings in practice, determining how long the person had been deceased, etc. By the end of the day, I could see myself doing this kind of work easily. Law enforcement and helping others are definitely my passions.

Of course, another visit I enjoyed greatly was to the RTCC/Communications Bureau. The way these departments operate is absolutely incredible.

Graduation and Reflections

I loved the graduation ceremony in front of the Miami-Dade Police Department authorities. A special acknowledgment goes to Sergeant Burt Gonzales, who was responsible for organizing and coordinating the classes and instructors from each department, ensuring that the experience was enriching and invaluable for all participants. Besides being an excellent law enforcement professional, Sergeant Gonzales, along with Officer Rafael Pagan, demonstrated remarkable dedication and humanity throughout the program.

To celebrate our last class, I prepared a cake with the CPA logo to share with all my classmates, adding a sweet touch to our final gathering. Thank you both for allowing me to be part of this transformative experience.

Special Thanks

Thank you to all the friends, family, and loved ones who support and sponsor me, contributing in one way or another, and making experiences like this possible. You know who you are, and I am forever grateful for your unwavering encouragement and generosity.

Final Thoughts

The Citizen’s Police Academy was more than just an educational experience; it was a journey of growth, understanding, and connection. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in gaining a deeper insight into law enforcement and contributing to their community in a meaningful way.

Lissie Albornoz