Say? If policing is so dangerous why don't cops quit and look for safer jobs?

[tenderfoot]

[closeupready]

1. Certainly, for those who have attitude problems, disrespect for authority,

and rage issues, I think that is a valid question.

I will say that my dealings with my local precinct have been mixed, but most of them (in my experience) are just outstanding.

[Ino]

13. So even though you are submissive,

obedient, respectful and mild, your dealings with police are still mixed? Why not 100% outstanding?

[madville]

2. Most do look for safer positions

They start out on patrol as uniformed officers, the most dangerous position. Eventually most move to safer positions like administration, investigations, evidence/crime scene, court officers, school resource officers, etc, etc.

None of the ones I know want to be running calls in the latter half of their careers.

[MohRokTah]

3. You're more likely to die on the job if you are a truck driver than if you are a cop.

Many probably stay because the type of work they'd most likely do are much more dangerous than being a cop.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

5. Same for pilots.

Maybe pilots should all bail out at the first sign of trouble - for officer pilot safety.

Bail first, ask questions later.

[Bluenorthwest]

4. Many jobs are more dangerous than being a cop such as fishing, roofing, refuse collection,

trucking...

[pintobean]

6. Would you rather

drive a truck across an interstate, or a police car through inner city Detriot, Cleveland, St. Louis. Chicago, etc?

[R B Garr]

7. What are you implying about inner city Detroit, Cleveland,

St. Louis or Chicago?

[pintobean]

8. They are high crime areas.

I live in St. Louis. We know which cities make the top of the crime stats lists every year.

[R B Garr]

11. Do you have a link?

Or is this just more editorializing along the lines of your praise for Ferguson cops.

[pintobean]

12. Seriously?

[R B Garr]

14. No link? Who are the "we" in St. Louis that know.

Where are you getting your news?

[R B Garr]

16. Uh, yeah, seriously. The overwhelming news lately is of police brutality

and excessive force, yet you don't acknowledge that news.

So where are you getting *your* news?

[pipi_k]

9. Indeed...

According to this article

http://newsfeed.time.com/2014/01/15/these-are-the-top-10-most-dangerous-jobs-in-the-u-s/


Logging is actually the top most dangerous job in the US

Also on the list...

Electrical workers

Farmers and Ranchers

Aircraft pilots

Roofers

along with some others


Why don't those people quit and find safer jobs?


Why do people live in earthquake and hurricane and tornado prone areas? Why don't they just move?

Why do people kill themselves with booze and tobacco? Why don't they just quit? Better yet, why do they even start?

[Neon Gods]

10. Every cop knows the danger when they apply

I think some, possibly most, become cops because they like the excitement (it sure beats pushing papers in an office, or stocking shelves at Wal-Mart), and because they want to help people and protect the community. Plus they get to wear a nice uniform and carry a lot of macho-looking gear. I think they can retire earlier than most other professions and they get a decent pension. They probably get more respect on average than, say, insurance salesmen.

[Taitertots]

15. What other jobs could they get?

They would probably end up with more dangerous jobs if they had to find non-police employment.

[HereSince1628]

17. Campus Security...not unheard of n/t

[Starry Messenger]

18. It's not that dangerous.

It's actually getting less dangerous with time too.

http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2014/12/30/3607270/police-deaths-in-2014-still-below-average/



The spike in the chart there is from the World Trade Center attack on 9/11.