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tularetom

(23,664 posts)
5. A little of both probably but more of the latter
Thu Oct 23, 2014, 09:11 AM
Oct 2014

The screening process for police officers definitely favors those with tendencies to be sadistic or aggressive, so people with a more positive worldview generally don't get hired in the first place.

If you're willing (or better yet, eager) to see the worst in people, you'll do well in the police culture. If you aren't (or can't), you'll either adapt or get out.

My son was a police officer for about five years. A friend talked him into applying for the job and we were amazed when he applied and was hired because he is the most laid back, mellow human being I have ever known. But he's 6'5" and 240 lbs, so they snapped him up. He did an OK job but he could soon see that he was never going to go far up the ladder because of his relaxed attitude so when he had an opportunity to do something else, he bailed.

About the same time, I had a kid working for me who was an utter psycho. He openly spoke about wanting to be a cop so he could beat up people without getting in trouble for it. He hated hippies and wasn't overly fond of minorities either. He applied for a job with a law enforcement agency some miles away and they called me for a reference. I gave them my impressions and told them I thought this guy was a bit too tightly wound to make an effective officer. In less than 2 hours, they had called him back and offered him a spot in the police academy. Two hours! It almost seemed to me that I had told them what they wanted to hear. He took the job and I never heard of or from him again. But I always expected to read that he was in trouble for busting heads in some demonstration.

Anecdotal evidence to be sure, but I do believe these cases are fairly typical. If you aren't somewhat of a bully you won't do well. And if the environment makes you a bully, well, you probably were one in the first place.

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