Walking Away

[Onomea]

And a bad cop is a cop kneeling on a handcuffed, helpless man's neck for eight minutes, killing him.

(But, ya also gotta ask yourself, which is the greater abuse of trust, the more heinous act?)

 

[keith44spl]

I've worked with some of the best over the years....and a few bad actors.

Glad I'm retired.

I don't think badly of those that seek employment elsewhere.

Officers' and their families don't deserve the additional stress.

.

 

[transit]

Since you list no location by your forum handle I have no idea what area of the US you base your info on.
But I do know it does not apply to most, if not all smaller departments.

Here is a link that shows the Iowa requirements, nothing like all the high falauting stuff you list as the US "requirements"
Your list sounds like a federal one.

How to Become a Police Officer in Iowa

If you read my first answer, you'll see I'm referring to major U.S. departments. My list is neither highfalutin nor federal. My experience is with agencies here, like NYPD, PAPD, MTAPD all 1000+ outifts, then with other guys from Chicago PD, DC Metro PD, etc.

I think I met an Iowa City K9 handler once, but I have no knowledge of what goes on out there.

 

[Old_Cop]

If you want people to like you, you should have been a fireman. The "protesters" don't represent a majority, though the progressive media wants you to believe it. Remember the hero worship after 911 for first responders, that passed, this will too.

 

[mdf9183]

When I went through the police academy in 1969 there was a large sign in the front of the classroom that read "Common sense and good judgement". I don't think that sign is there anymore.

 

[WCCPHD]

When I went through the police academy in 1969 there was a large sign in the front of the classroom that read "Common sense and good judgement". I don't think that sign is there anymore.

Common sense is not as common as it once was.

 

[Kanewpadle]

And a bad cop is a cop kneeling on a handcuffed, helpless man's neck for eight minutes, killing him.

(But, ya also gotta ask yourself, which is the greater abuse of trust, the more heinous act?)

You're missing the point. This isn't only about recent events.

 

[Onomea]

You're missing the point. This isn't only about recent events.

I absolutely agree that this isn't only about recent events. I think no one in the country thinks it is only about recent events. I was giving an especially egregious example of bad police behavior.

 

[Kanewpadle]

 

[usmc2427765]

The second department that I retired from was a small high dollar bedroom village near a large city. When we needed to hire replacement officers, which was often, we had to go to what I called "rookie mills" and hire people with absolutely no experience. Most of these officers had been turned down by major departments for one reason or another and they would stay for a year or so and then leave for some other department. With few exceptions they were not any good when we got them and useless when they left. Some were fired for lying on offense reports and making a false reports to other agencies. These actions were not tolerated by our chief.

The point I am making here is background investigations, training and discipline will sort out the bad ones and decent pay and benefits will help retain the good ones. Good people are hard to find and even harder to retain. Fair and knowledgable leadership at all levels is of paramount importance to the rank and file officers.

I thought it was interesting that ICE hired one of our lying officers without ever checking his background with our department.

 

[Old cop]

I was burned out when I retired in '97. Part of what drove my decision, after 30 years, was the fear of becoming the flavor of the month in the media. It's not just the officer now, it's also their family & home that become a target. No longer worth it IMHO, and I can't blame anyone for leaving, or others who seek alternative careers.