The Problem with the Police

[ericson00]

Let me say that I do not see the institution of the police as some kind of racist institution. That however, does not wipe away or cancel out the seeming wave of police brutality from white cops against blacks that has been going on, even tho in reality, its been happening for a while.

Here's what the problem might be; police forces accept high school grads who join the force solely for an easy pension after 20 years. Many of these white cops (obvious not all tho but many) just got out of small town predominantly white high schools, knowing or interacting with few black people. Also, when they join right our of high school, their entire life before is sealed because it's considered to be juvenile material, as in occurring before 18.

A solution? Police forces should require an associates degree at minimum. Wouldbe recruits would then experience more non-whites at a community college than they would've without it. Of course, going to a 4 year college would be nice, but that's not necessary to be a police man. Also, having to get an AS would require them have an adult record of good behavior, accessible because it would be time over the age of 18. Also, once they join the force, 25 years should be the time to get the pension, not 20 years, as it currently is.

Just my two cents. What happened recently is a disgrace to police everywhere, and to this country.

[Travis_0004]

1. Our local police department required a 4 year degree. They dropped it for fear of lawsuits

The NAACP has sued police departments claiming that degree requirements are discriminatory, as blacks are underrepresented among college graduates. As a result a lot of police departments drop the policy to avoid lawsuits.

New Jersey state police can not have a degree requirement. It was put in as part of a settlement with the NAACP. Most other departments don't have a formal agreement, but lawsuits are expensive.

[ericson00]

3. that's why a 2 year degree could be a solution

given how much cheaper they are. Also, perhaps states could reimburse students who get the 2 year degree in police science, law enforcement, a relevant discipline, if they make it onto the force.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

2. The cop who shot the guy in Minnesota would have had at least a 2-year degree.

The requirements for becoming a police officer in MN are fairly stringent, at least as compared to some places. https://dps.mn.gov/entity/post/becoming-a-peace-officer/Pages/peace-officer-how-to-become.aspx I don't think the problem is their academic training - I know people who've been through the POST program and it was quite thorough. The problem, or at least A problem, is more likely related to the selection of people who are psychologically suited for the job and who are able to react appropriately under pressure. But I really don't know how that can or should be done.

[uponit7771]

4. Mother Jones posted an article of the SCIENCE of why cops shoot at blacks first and it was shocking

[cilla4progress]

5. What the fuck happened to

Tasers? In the 1970s cops would shoot in the leg or foot, not to kill.

[Hoyt]

7. I agree, but tasers get criticized and the callous claim you are supposed to shoot center mass

like George Zimmerman. Shoot to kill or some such white wing, gun nut crud.

[procon]

6. And hiring ex-military, trained to shoot to kill, and with years of experience doing it. nt

[Hoyt]

8. I really think that has a lot to do with it, not to mention mentality of

many, but not all, attracted to military nowadays. Of course, military wannabes are as bad, maybe worse.

[procon]

9. Agreed. Their training is locked in and that mindset to react with deadly force is fixed.

Could they ever be deprogrammed?There must be some battery of psychological testing and mental health screenings that could help determine if a combat soldier could be retrained if possible, but the cost and liability would be prohibitive. Maybe the best practice is just to stop hiring exmilitary types if they just aren't suitable for community police work.

[Munificence]

14. You have obviously never

served and def are not a former combat soldier if you did serve. Your post is extremely insulting. You have no clue what you are talking about.

You use words like "Deprogrammed" "retrained" "aren't suitable"....you have no clue.

I am a former combat soldier. You obviously think we are a bunch of non disciplined wack jobs running the earth killing everything that moves.

Former combat soldiers in my mind are the best suited to be police officers. We are disciplined, we do not panic, we take control of the situation, we are not intimidated by someone who may have a gun. We were trained extensively on accessing the situation ,know our environment, and take control of the situation without resorting to violence.

The police force will never receive the type of training that combat soldiers receive. They are not strong enough to handle the discipline of a combat soldier. Combat soldiers live it 24/7/365. If we are not in combat then we are training. A large percentage of that training is on discipline and the value of civilian lives.

Combat soldiers laugh at wanna-be Rambo police officers...they crack immediately under pressure. These same police officers know that no matter what they do they will never be as disciplined as combat soldiers.

I feel safer around any former combat soldier than I do any police officer. They very rarely crack under pressure.

Also realize that only roughly 10% of all military are combat soldiers or former combat soldiers. The other 90% or so push pencils and provide all the logistics for us so we can stay on the battlefield fighting. Their chance of seeing an actual combat situation is pretty much ZERO.

Sure there are plenty of non-combat soldiers wanna be Rambo types in the military as pencil pushers, but they were fucked up long before enlisting. It's people like you that look at them and say "Hes' fucked up, must be PTSD since he was in the military" and all the while he may have been responsible for simply ordering fucking socks behind a desk 500 miles away from any combat zone.

I hope you take the time to educate yourself verses just saying what your non qualified opinion is on soldiers and military members...because it is insulting.

May I ask what your experience is that has made you form this type of opinion?

[procon]

16. I wouldn't trust you.

Everyone reacts differently, but it only takes one bad incident to confirm my point. When you admit that you and your fellow soldiers "very rarely crack under pressure", it does not instill any confidence in your ability to deal with routine community problems calmly and respectfully. If police officers treated people with this type of aggressive, confrontational, demeaning attitude, I suspect the list of citizen complaints lodged against them would make their continued employment more of a liability rather than an asset.

[sarisataka]

15. Military members are like rabid animals.

The programming to kill is locked in their psyche. Even if one wanted to put the time, money and effort to make them human again- you could never trust them.

Best to just put them down at the end of their service for the safety of regular, sane folks.

[Munificence]

17. Disgusting isn't it.

I will never respond to this poster again.

I've been reading DU for years pretty much daily. I very rarely post because of my current profession. I typically only post when I see posters displaying ignorance...I guess it's time to be quiet again for awhile. I'll just drag my twisted mind back into the foxhole and wait for the next unsuspecting victim.

[Marr]

10. Really? At this moment, you're driven to point out the problem with *police*? /nt

[MohRokTah]

11. It's no longer a matter of a "few bad apples".

Those "few bad apples" have spoiled the entire fucking barrel.

[yeoman6987]

12. Eleven have been shot. Dangerous job.

[MohRokTah]

13. There are a lot more dangerous jobs. eom