SIXTH SENSE: "A power of perception like but not one of the five senses: a keen intuitive power," — Webster’s Dictionary.

Some say many law enforcement officers have a "sixth sense," when it comes to work situations. They seem to know and see things that others miss.

This sixth sense is actually a skill that has been acquired through both formal and informal training. It’s a quality that successful preachers of the gospel, teachers, and salespeople possess.

When a seasoned deputy drives through a neighborhood he or she is quick to see if something is askew.

That might be a door ajar, a car in a driveway that doesn’t normally park there. It might be a car tag that is loose or a key-lock missing from the truck lid.

There are many more subtle signs that deputies learn to watch for as they patrol their zones. The good detective learns body language and also how to listen to a suspect or even a witness. Sometimes it is what a suspect doesn’t say that causes the detective to probe deeper.

The career deputy learns the hangouts, the habits and the acquaintances of career criminals. One study last year indicated that the main reason crime was down in most of America was that many career criminals were behind bars.

It’s a fact that most burglars don’t just commit one burglary. Often they commit dozens before they are caught. Some years ago we had a burglary in progress call that involved two experienced burglars from adjacent counties west of Bradley County. Our deputies captured one after a car chase and then arrested the other the next day.

These two burglars had just gotten out of the state prison system, where they had been serving sentences for committing more than 140 home burglaries.

After a few days out of jail, they borrowed a car and started their crime sprees once again.

Bradley County deputies stopped them once again.

As you can see from this type of situation, the state prisons do not keep them locked up for long. Overcrowding unfortunately is the reason, many times.

A patrol deputy is alert to erratic driving by people under the influence of alcohol or drugs. A car may drift over the center line several times or veer too far to the right, make exaggerated turns, taking up more space than needed, or make too quick a turn.

Yet, other intoxicated drivers may be more subtle with their erratic driving and may be harder to detect, but the experience deputy can spot them too.

A successful career at the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office requires continuous learning. This process involves mandatory annual in-service training, and learning from more senior deputies. But, we also send our people away to specialized schools and seminars that are germane to our local law enforcement needs.

An added benefit for our employees to attend these specialized educational opportunities is that they enlarge their network of contacts as they meet with officers from other cities and counties. Part of this network of contacts in law enforcement lasts an entire career.

Often it results in sharing of information and help in solving crimes and apprehending criminals.

Our deputies continue daily to add to this "sixth sense" as they work to do what they can to keep people secure in their persons and property.