Arizona police force turns to civilian investigators

[Generic Other]

Here's how you bust a police union:

The city of Mesa in the US state of Arizona has turned over some police duties to a new team of civilian investigators. The BBC's Paul Adams says the programme is a law enforcement innovation - and policing on the cheap in an era of government cuts.

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Last year, the unit handled about 50% of all burglary calls, the police department says.

<Snip>

The pay is 30% to 40% lower than the starting salary for a uniformed officer, but she finds the work satisfying.

<snip>

The department has lost about 80 uniformed positions over the past five years, spokesman Sgt Ed Wessing said, stretching staff and resources.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-12754776

[ret5hd]

1. scabs

[librechik]

2. maybe it was always about privatization

makes sense to me

[no_hypocrisy]

3. Not only that. They aren't necessarily trained in criminal procedure and

chain of custody of evidence. Defense attorneys will be climbing over each other making motions to suppress evidence, dismiss arrests, acquit, and overturn convictions.

[tridim]

4. This would make Dwight Schrute proud.

[TayTay]

5. Any discussion of liability here?

Police are liable in a court of law for their actions. Should a citizen feel they are mistreated, there are rules about how to go about getting a redress of grievances and remuneration for same.

Should one of the non-police make a mistake, how are they or their employers held accountable? Who pays the bill in the event that there is wrong-doing and remuneration is sought or needed?