Week 37, by OT-13-M submitted 5/10/26

When I got into class today, I was the first person, right on time, 9:00 AM. I had brought all my things to class and I was ready to test out, so when I got in, LG immediately asked me to test out my pledges, then after that, I did my meditation exercise, which focuses on getting a deeper connection with God, then I did my salatul-masjid, which is 2 rakah’s that you do upon entry in the masjid. After everyone else had come to class, everyone else tested out and did their salah, then LG announced that we would have a field trip!

Today, we took a field trip to the police station. We traveled in helping parent’s cars and we drove to the station. We got in the building and were welcomed by the front desk and the friendly officers. We moved to another room to listen to their presentation about what they do, the precautions, and more!
Our field trip to the police station was very educational, and we learned a lot about police officers and the important work they do to keep people safe. One of the first things we learned about was the ranking system in the police department. We learned that just like schools have principals, teachers, and parents in charge, the police department also has many levels of leadership. They have majors, captains, and many other ranks that are responsible for different jobs. The officers explained that majors are like the big bosses, while captains work under them. We also learned that becoming a police officer takes time and dedication, because officers spend their first two years at the officer rank before moving higher. There are also civilian employees and volunteers who help the police department. Some of these civilian workers help with school crossings, work at the front desk, and assist officers in many ways. Auxiliary officers are volunteers who give their time to help the community.

We also learned more about the Fairfax police stations. There are eight stations in Fairfax County, and our area is part of the Fair Oaks station region. Around 160,000 people live in this district, yet there are only about ten officers working in certain patrol areas at a time. Some officers are “floaters,” meaning they drive all around different regions wherever they are needed. The officers explained that their shifts are usually from 6:00 to 6:30. Hearing about how many people the officers protect helped me understand how much responsibility they have every day.

Another interesting part of the trip was learning about the many different types of officers and jobs in law enforcement. There are patrol officers who chase criminals and respond to emergencies, crowd-control officers, detectives, bicycle officers, and even officers who fly helicopters. We also learned about canine handlers and police dogs. Some dogs are trained to chase dangerous people, while others help find missing people. The officers explained that search dogs can smell a person’s clothing, memorize the scent, and then track it down, even if the scent is over two days old. We also learned that there are bomb squad dogs and many other specially trained dogs that help officers in different situations.

The officers showed us the equipment they use every day. They said that the most important piece of equipment is their badge because it represents their commitment to protecting the public. Even police dogs have badges. They also carry radios for communication, handcuffs, pepper spray, tasers, batons, and heavy protective vests. The officers explained that before they are allowed to use certain equipment, they must first experience it themselves during training so they understand how it feels and how serious it is. The heavy vests protect officers from bullets, and even police dogs wear protective vests. We also learned that officers use body cameras to protect both citizens and police officers by recording what happens during interactions. However, they cannot use the cameras in hospitals, and they may stop recordings if a situation is too sensitive.

One funny thing the officers mentioned was that police officers really do enjoy donuts, mostly because donuts taste good to almost everyone. The officers wanted us to understand that the purpose of the field trip was to help students not feel afraid of police officers, but instead see them as kind people who work hard to help others. They explained that most experiences people have with officers in Fairfax are positive and respectful.

During the tour, we also saw some of the technology the police use. The officers told us that they have drones on rooftops that can often reach crime scenes before officers arrive. They also reminded us that it is very important not to play around with emergency numbers because making fake emergency calls can actually be considered a crime.

One of the most interesting parts of the trip was when we visited the interrogation rooms. The officers explained that interviews are usually recorded, although they may avoid recording if the topic is very sensitive. After that, we went outside to look at the police cars. We watched the lights flash and got to see the back seats of the vehicles. The officers explained that the seats are made of plastic because arrested people, especially drunk people, may vomit, so the seats need to be easy to clean. They also showed us a special low-frequency sound called the “Rumbler,” which helps get the attention of drivers who cannot hear sirens because they are listening to music or are distracted. At the end of the tour, the officers gave us stress footballs as gifts.

When we returned from the field trip, we ate veggie and cheese pizza. Afterwards, we presented our Mother’s Day essays to the class. LG said that many of the essays did not contain enough emotion. He was also disappointed because many students had not submitted their essays on time the previous week, and some students did not submit them at all. Later, we continued memorizing in class, and I worked on memorizing part of Dua-e-Qunoot. We then prayed Dhuhr prayer together in the musalla.

Overall, this field trip taught us many important things about police officers and the work they do every day to protect the community. I learned that police officers have many responsibilities, use a lot of special equipment and technology, and work hard to keep people safe. The trip also helped me see officers as helpful and caring people who are committed to serving others.