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Participants volunteered to be hooked up to Polar Training Computers. LouKa Tactical owner instructor Lou Ann Hamblin demos control tactics for the smaller statured officer. Hand, eye, foot coordination skill building. BWW Training Event Highly significant, non-physical skills such as leadership, team building, role conflict, and mentoring were brought by BWW creator Lou Ann Hamblin and Captain Penny Phelps of the Monroe County SO, Fla. (also former deputy chief and SWAT commander of an agency in Michigan). Throughout the day, there was an intense emphasis on understand- ing the importance of leadership at every level, regardless of rank or position. At the inaugural event, the "Thin Pink Line" was born via group exer- cise, and the characteristic Building Warrior Women paracord bracelet was chosen by the class. It is proudly worn by many women in law enforce- ment today. One participant noted that she made new friends at work when women were hired, however she never considered this to be "mentoring." She took on a new perspective, enlightened by the fact that she really was a mentor for many other women in law enforce- ment, even if only for her agency. Buddy Care and Officer Rescue Officer Beverly Price of the Burnsville, Minn. PD, and Officer/Paramedic Vern Giese of the Woodbury, Minn. PD, guided the group through the in- creasingly popular topics of self- help, buddy care and rescue. The course included real-world case studies and modern day equip- ment, technology, application, and hands-on practical applica- tions of timely urban battlefield care and rescue. Some specific topics included blood management and shock treatment, using a common emergency bandage / tourniquet with hands-on practice and there were many visual aids on hand. Officers learned the "dead weight phe- nomenon" as well as potential problems with the rescue drag and how to maxi- mize strengths while working together to quickly move a dummy (simulating an officer in need of rescue). The course con- cluded with a timed competition, which required team collaboration to quickly provide basic immediate care then "ex- tract" or "load-and-go" with a downed of- ficer while maintaining cover from lethal threats. By the conclusion of the course, ev- eryone understood the "how" and "when" to perform a tactical rescue if necessary. Fitness and Nutrition Physiological differences between men and women, and why different training styles may be helpful, was covered in the classroom by Kathleen Vonk. Healthy foods that facilitate peak performance on the street, meal timing, caloric balance, and weight management were discussed, along with tactical vision, and the bene- fits of using Polar training computers. Volunteers donned the moni- tors before the class went outdoors to participate in practical exercises that help develop strength, power, speed, agility and quickness. The class incorpo- rated recurring themes of intense com- petition, which elicited maximal effort but also provided maximum fun. Tactical Shotgun Although this was also a basic shotgun course covering nomenclature, load, slings, customizing a shotgun for com- fort / shooting improvement / deploy- ment efficiency, and shooting stance, Officers Bev Price and Vern Gieske still managed to challenge participants with pointed questions about agency-specific carry status. After revealing their own "car carry" status, which varied from agency to agency, the women in the class were encouraged to go beyond the basics to take ownership of their knowl- edge base with respect to their own po- lice equipment and weapon systems. Shooting performance improvement was observed on the range, and many comments were made about the com- fortable stance that was taught. Since the most common complaint with female shooters was the discomfort caused by the recoil, the instructors instilled an understanding of recoil physics and the counteracting mass behind the stock to manage the recoil with minimal effort. Much of this complaint was mitigated through stance modification by the end of the session. Many participants commented that they learned a comfortable shooting stance that minimized recoil discomfort, www.lawandordermag.com 63