After the demonstration outside for police procedure for traffic stops for both routine and felony, and before the graduation ceremony, students had the chance to hear and see how an arrest is made. Reid Booth, in phase two of his field training demonstrated an arrest. Using a volunteer student from the group, Reid began an arrest from start to finish beginning with instructing the student how to stand and where to place his arms. From why the hands are extended backwards, the hands are cuffed in a specific way and what happens after an arrest is made was explained by Sergeant Kasper as Reid demonstrated an arrest. Reid Booth is new to the force and is in training. Anyone who is interested in becoming a police officer must first go through a 21 week program at the police academy. Once they complete their course, they have to complete field training which consists 3 phases and a final phase. Field training is 14 weeks. The first 3 phases are 14 weeks long and the officer in training must be accompanied by another officer at all times. In phase 1, the officer in training does 25% of the work, phase 2 increases to 50% and phase 3 requires them to do 75% of the work involved in answering a cal and the paperwork that follows. The final phase is 2 weeks long. During this period, the officer in training is accompanied by an officer in plain clothes to answer all calls. The officer in plain clothes is there just to observe and only intervenes if he sees that the officer in training is either violating a person's civil rights or making a bad arrest. During the 14 weeks, the officer in training is hired by NPD, and in order to remain hired, the officer must pass their field training. After 21 weeks of police academy class stress, there's 14 more. It's the final stress for those in training.

If you are interested in Police Work you can to to northamptonpd.com and find more details. Good Luck Reid!

Downtown is always monitored by foot patrol. Today Officer McCarthy is off the Main and it  looks like he's patrolling gas. Looks like he's waving on cars, but do you see any cars? Nope, he's actually fanning away the smell of gas. He says it's from the hole you see those gas men in, but it looks like he's fanning himself there. Officer Allard is set up at the crosswalk in the center of town. He's checking for expired registrations and inspection stickers. But check it out, he's looking at me and it's looking like he's going to point the finger at me. Hey, I'm not expired. Maybe it's my shoe. The right shoe didn't pass the nickel or dime test for tread. Yep, that was it. "Honest, I promise to get the shoe fixed, if you let me go with just a warning". Phew, he let me off without a ticket. Gonna have to find a way to dodge him till he forgets my face. Today I learned you should never let Highway Safety see you walking in circles. On bike patrol is Officer Wigmore. Looks like he's stuck there against the curb. That's what happens when you jay bike! Last pic, I got 2 officer's in 1 shot. Makin' my job easier, less walking and it saves on my batteries. There was a big public event May 2 and it was well patrolled by the foot patrol. On left is Officer Yasutomo, and to her right is Officer McGlauflin.

I love to make up stories to go with the pics of our Officer's. The fact is, our town is what it is, awarded "Best Small Arts Town" and in the top 100 year after year because our officer's do an outstanding job. It's not easy to be a cop in Noho. NPD has high standards for it's Officer's and our Officer's keep Noho ranking high!

If you visit Northampton...I guarantee you you will have just as much fun as I do everyday. Noho is the only town I have ever lived in that I never want to leave!

To all our officers of the Northampton Police force...thank you for your dedication and service and for helping to keep this town an enjoyable and safe place.

These two ladies are returning from a fun time in downtown Northampton, and as they hit the crosswalk to head home...Boom! they quickly change their mind and their direction for a 30 second walk to the ice cream parlor "Herrell's".

Northampton is all encompassing with everything necessary to fulfill the most insatiable thirst for the ultimate social time! The parking garage is right behind the Ladies. To my right (which of course you can't see) as I take this pic is another large parking lot. Many people worry about coming to Noho, because of parking, well the parking here is way plenty enough! You just need to know how to find it, and it's easy because it's right behind the biggest marketplace in Noho,

"THORNS Market", central main street, right in the heart of Noho!
The parking garage you see in the pic has a walkway right into thorn's market and THORNS is also equipped with an elevator.