Sobering look at real-world risks police take every day

With animal control, internal affairs and use of force on the schedule of the most recent Citizens Police Academy session in Schaumburg, class members were obviously in for an exciting night.

Animal Control Officer Deborah Diamond opened the evening by talking about the role she plays in responding to reports of stray and wild animals in the village.

The information seems even more relevant in light of the recent cougar incident in Chicago and the North Shore.

The department is expected to respond to all complaints of stray and injured domestic animals as well as for wild animals if they're either creating a danger or nuisance by their presence or if they appear sick or injured.

Diamond's vehicle is stocked with all the equipment she needs to handle or trap most animals. But skunks alone are forbidden to be transported in department vehicles. One spray inside would almost certainly forfeit the entire cost of the vehicle.

In those situations where a skunk needs to be moved, Cook County Animal Control is called in to assist.

Professional standards: Miles Weiss is the manager of Schaumburg's office of professional standards. Fans of TV shows and movies will recognize his role as internal affairs officer, but his oversight responsibility covers all the village's departments, not just police or fire.

Weiss' role is to ensure that all employees receive required training and certification, and that all professional rules and regulations are followed at all times.

Part of the task is to ensure that what's standard operating procedure always matches what the policy is on paper. The first thing lawyers look for in a dispute is whether something that was done differs from written policy.

Weiss strives for a friendly relationship with village staff, most of whom he recognizes are doing their best work, but acknowledges that the very nature of his position -- as with a supervisor in any field -- is to keep them on their toes.

Use of force: What seemed on paper like possibly the most thrilling chapter of the academy so far -- use of force and control tactics -- actually proved the most sobering when looked upon in the real-world context of police officers.

Use of force is about real people -- police officers, offenders and victims -- getting hurt or killed.

Even an interaction that seemingly begins in the most gentle, low-key way is no guarantee it will end that way. Officers must be on their guard at all times for concealed weapons.

Academy members watched a video which is likely used to train officers into greater vigilance in even the most routine calls.

In the actual footage from a squad car camera, an officer is engaged in conversation with an apparently compliant motorist he's pulled over. But that changes quickly when he says he is going to search the vehicle and he ends up shot dead in an exchange of gunfire.