It's Getting Crazy

[GradyPhilpott]

5th driver in 1 week tries to ram APD officer

Just last week a Rio Rancho police officer was shot and killed during a "routine" traffic stop.

[cop414]

Unbelievable, I can't believe how much that job has changed in the very short period that I've been retired.

[GradyPhilpott]

Tim, this is the result of a movement that has been taking place in the US at least since the early decades of the last century. It is fueled by discontent, obfuscation, and opportunism.

I dare not mention its name, but history will substantiate my hypothesis.

[seand442]

It truly is a perfect storm of personal behavior, political rhetoric, conflicting theories on justice and a number of other factors. Unfortunately, I only see it getting worse. My biggest concern is for 15-20+ years down the road. Who, if anyone, is going to want to do the job? I've told both my kids there is no way in hell they will. They can be firefighters but police work is out of the question. The vast majority of cops I know have done the same.

[Gaijin]

I am so glad I am done with it. I feel terrible for the friends I left behind that are still on the job. They hate it. Morale is at an all time low. They all can't wait to retire. They are all counting the days till they are eligible. The don't recommend the job to anyone.



So who is going to do it?

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by Gaijin

So who is going to do it?

Who, indeed?

The best route for the future is an increase in standards, so that you have the best, most disciplined, and honorable people possible on the street.

I think a decline in standards has led to some unfortunate incidents that have been made all the more visible because of technology.

Add the rabble-rousers and you have the mess we're in currently.

It only take a few bad apples make it hell for the rest.

I'm speaking as a concerned citizen only.

[Gaijin]

The problem is you just can't get enough qualified applicants as it is. I was temporarily assigned to personel to help out in a big recruiting drive to hire 80 new officers. Op 80 it was called. I made three out of state recruitment trips to recruitment fairs.

We had high standards. 4 year degree minimum. Difficult test both written and interview scored. Excrutiating background investigation. Physical agility test. Psycholigical examination and finally a doctor's physical.

We simply could not reach our goal of 80 officers. We focused on diversity (females and minority candidates) and we did pretty good in that regard but we could not get the number of applicants necessary to meet that goal. Not a lot of people wanted to do the job then and that was over 10 years ago with enthusiastic recruiters.


Now what?

[Gharddog03]

Unfortunately it's getting worse.

[seand442]

Originally Posted by Gaijin

The problem is you just can't get enough qualified applicants as it is. I was temporarily assigned to personel to help out in a big recruiting drive to hire 80 new officers. Op 80 it was called. I made three out of state recruitment trips to recruitment fairs.

We had high standards. 4 year degree minimum. Difficult test both written and interview scored. Excrutiating background investigation. Physical agility test. Psycholigical examination and finally a doctor's physical.

We simply could not reach our goal of 80 officers. We focused on diversity (females and minority candidates) and we did pretty good in that regard but we could not get the number of applicants necessary to meet that goal. Not a lot of people wanted to do the job then and that was over 10 years ago with enthusiastic recruiters.


Now what?

I agree 110%. I've helped out on the recruiting side and have done numerous background investigations. After sitting on some oral boards and doing backgrounds, the people applying just can't cut it as it is.

If people and politicians are going to expect every officer to be perfect every minute of every day they are alive, you are going to have to treat them professionally and compensate them accordingly. No other profession is scrutinized as much for so little. If I walked into my doctor's office and treated him the way some people treat me, just because they watched a tv show or took a 100 level college class 15 years ago, I would get my a$$ kicked and have to find a new doctor. But, it's accepted when the police are involved. One cop screws up and the entire profession needs to be replaced. Politicians, lawyers, bankers, and people in virtually every other profession screw up and it's oh well, he apologized or "misspoke", and everyone goes on like nothing happened.

The public wants officers to be human and have feeling and emotion, but then get mad when they don't act like robots and treat every single person the exact same way. It's a battle that can't be won.

[Rock]

I can only speak for Australia, but I would comment that it is very hard to attract sufficient numbers of the 'right sort' of recruits due to the lousy pay, old-fashioned recruitment & HR practices, and a failure of the various State Governments to adequately support their Police Services. Support both in terms of resources and in terms of dealing with unfair criticism by the 'bleeding hearts' who can't seem to understand that you can't always stop a raging out-of-control Meth-fiend with a machete or gun by counselling them.
My Daughter commented that many younger recruits have unrealistic expectations about the nature of the job and the military-style organisation they are joining.
The public (and the media) need to realise that if they want a Police Service that can protect them then they have to resource them properly and allow them to use their powers without unrealistic restrictions and sanctions.

[Tripp11]

I think there's a certain segment of our population that believes they don't have to answer to anyone at anytime - as such, these people simply resist any sort of authority - even police officers. Now, with the recent rioting and media attention associated with past LEO encounters, I believe these people are further emboldened to resist and become famous.

From one of my favorite bloggers/radio personalities, Abdul Hakim-Shabazz:

First, don’t get into a dispute with someone who has the legal authority to arrest and if necessary shoot you. Maintain a respectful tone and if there is a problem we can address it later, but “don’t handle your business in the street.” There are ample avenues to challenge the officer’s actions if you think you are being treated unfairly, but the street is not one of them. If Micheal Brown had followed that advice, he might still be alive today.

Second, don’t give the police an excuse to pull you over in the first place. In other words, make sure your license isn’t expired, have someone in the car with you who has drugs or a warrant, drive with a broken head or taillight or, for that matter, speed. If you truly believe that you might be a target for profiling, then you need to make sure you don’t make yourself a target. That way, if you are pulled over or stopped by the police, the onus will be on the officer to clearly illustrate what you did in order for him or her to pull you over.

[Dishpro01]

Maybe all these police murders have alot to do with how poeple act. The true crimanals are afraid of being shot for just standing there. Ive seen alot of the police murder videos and it is scary. I have never been pulled over but I fear for my 18 year old to get pulled over and some police officer going overboard and my son ending up hurry. He had also never brown the law, but he is a teenager with long hair and facial hair. Yes there are too many drug addicts out there who just don't care. There are also too many until qualified police officers just the same

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by Tripp11

I think there's a certain segment of our population that believes they don't have to answer to anyone at anytime - as such, these people simply resist any sort of authority - even police officers. Now, with the recent rioting and media attention associated with past LEO encounters, I believe these people are further emboldened to resist and become famous.

From one of my favorite bloggers/radio personalities, Abdul Hakim-Shabazz:

First, don’t get into a dispute with someone who has the legal authority to arrest and if necessary shoot you. Maintain a respectful tone and if there is a problem we can address it later, but “don’t handle your business in the street.” There are ample avenues to challenge the officer’s actions if you think you are being treated unfairly, but the street is not one of them. If Micheal Brown had followed that advice, he might still be alive today.

Second, don’t give the police an excuse to pull you over in the first place. In other words, make sure your license isn’t expired, have someone in the car with you who has drugs or a warrant, drive with a broken head or taillight or, for that matter, speed. If you truly believe that you might be a target for profiling, then you need to make sure you don’t make yourself a target. That way, if you are pulled over or stopped by the police, the onus will be on the officer to clearly illustrate what you did in order for him or her to pull you over.

There's a lot of good advice here. I've followed these rules throughout my life and they have served me well.

[cop414]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

There's a lot of good advice here. I've followed these rules throughout my life and they have served me well.

+ 1 Grady.

[77T]

I know the technology to monitor us is controversial and the risk to privacy is high - but soon enough - I expect networked drones to direct robocops to thwart the evildoers...



Coming to a street thug near you!

[77T]

Originally Posted by gradyphilpott

there's a lot of good advice here. I've followed these rules throughout my life and they have served me well.

+2

[VICI]

In order to understand what is happening, you have to look at the past and present.

The way to fix the current issue is from the ground level. Not start at the 2nd floor.

The general public is grossly undereducated and with that comes a lack of self respect and outward respect.

The educational system needs to be completely changed and people need to learn what having an education can provide as well as what having shame means.

This country was built on people who came here to work hard and be proud to put food on the table for their family. Today, people want as much as they can for free, try to find excuses for their lack of possibilities and they have others to support their behavior.

It's easy to rally against the police and it might be 'cool' to yell in public. Yet if you ask them how to fix the current problems, they will always blame the other party.

Fix the educational system by focusing money and the future can be bright again 🍻

[GradyPhilpott]

Again, today.

APD: Suspect rams at least two officers with car

[seand442]

I'll try to add a little humor to the discussion.
http://youtu.be/QR465HoCWFQ

[linesiders]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

Tim, this is the result of a movement that has been taking place in the US at least since the early decades of the last century. It is fueled by discontent, obfuscation, and opportunism.

I dare not mention its name, but history will substantiate my hypothesis.

And it is being encourage by people that will take advantage of it. Good people are being killed. Utterly unnecessary and truly unconscionable.

[East Bay Rider]

Originally Posted by 77T

I know the technology to monitor us is controversial and the risk to privacy is high - but soon enough - I expect networked drones to direct robocops to thwart the evildoers...



Coming to a street thug near you!

Currently experiencing a glitch. Just a temporary setback.

http://robocop.wikia.com/wiki/Enforc...oid_Series_209

[Rock]

Michael, the chances of getting injured by Police whilst complying unhesitatingly with their instructions is extremely remote. Almost all cases where people are injured or killed relate to incidences of blatant non-compliance. The ones that don't are the exception.
If you have the self-control to remain respectful even when you feel you are being dealt-with unfairly it will often swing the balance of the situation in your favour. This is 'common-sense'.

[VICI]

This picture sums up my point

[sea-dweller]

Terrible. How society has changed, from when I grew up as a child in the 70's.

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by seand442

I'll try to add a little humor to the discussion.
http://youtu.be/QR465HoCWFQ

There it is and all in a knee-slapping three minutes and fifty-one seconds.

[dba]

[cop414]

[GradyPhilpott]

Brilliant.