The Cellar - The World of Cops is Changing

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The World of Cops is Changing

Not all the changes are good, thanks to Homeland Security money and their push to create local gestapos. But in most of America's police departments the quality of hires is on the rise. Hopefully this will push back on the attitude that every cop is to be backed, right or wrong. Nothing pisses me off more than seeing cops make excuses for a rogue cop, they know is a rogue. I don't think I'm alone in that.

Quote:

Minnesota has long led the nation in peace officer standards; it’s the only state to require a two-year degree and licensing. Now, a four-year degree is becoming a more common standard for entry into departments including Columbia Heights, Edina and Burnsville. Many other departments require a four-year degree for promotion.

It’s not a rapid-fire change, but rather an evolution sped up by high unemployment that deepened the candidate pool and gave chiefs more choices. Officer pay and benefits can attract four-year candidates. Edina pays top-level officers $80,000; Columbia Heights pays nearly $75,000.

Nowadays, officers are expected to juggle a variety of tasks and that takes more education, chiefs said. Officers communicate with the public, solve problems, navigate different cultures, use computers, radios and other technology while on the move, and make split-second decisions about use of force with a variety of high-tech tools on their belt. And many of those decisions are recorded by squad car dashboard cameras, officer body cameras and even bystanders with smartphones.

link

Well, the new hires in my neck o' the woods are dumber than shit.

Twice, I've been 'stopped' in the local park. Once for being in the park after closing time. I asked him for the time, "8 minutes after 11[pm]", he replied. Then I asked him what time the park closes, to which he correctly replied "Midnight." He figured that one out on his own. The other time, I was parked (in a parking spot, in the park) in GrandCherokeeOne watching the squirrels in broad daylight (2:30pm-ish), when a cop car stops behind me, and the dude told me straight out he was fucking with me because I was in the vehicle alone. WTF? "What crime am I committing by sitting here by myself?" His reply, "Well, none, but--" "Then why are you fucking with me?" The very next words out of his mouth were "Sir, would you step out of the vehicle? Can I search the vehicle?" "No, you do not have permission to search my vehicle. Am I free to go?" "Sir, you are not being detained, you are free to leave at any time."

I left. After he moved his car.

Well played. Very well played.

In Seattle, our police department is operating under a consent decree from the Justice Department. Long story short, numerous reports of excessive force, unequal treatment, etc. reached the federal level and then the result of the ensuing court battle was that we have a civilian monitor that oversees the police department and the changes to the policies they operate under. I'm a white male, and as such, largely invisible to the cops. Maybe that's not really true, but I'm glad I don't attract their attention, unlike lots of other citizens.

I appreciate what cops do in my community, and I'm glad they're there. I, myself, am not cut out to be a cop; I'm not nearly naturally suspicious enough, not by a mile. But that suspicion needs to be balanced by a respect for our (all of us) right to be safe from unlawful searches, unjustified arrest or punishment, etc. Those rights? Like any other freedom, or privilege, or ability, it must be exercised to be used, it must be exercised to remain strong. And by saying "No, you may not search my car." you exercised your right, you kept your right strong. You did not sacrifice it, yield it, by waiving it (and "I've nothing to hide" be damned.)

Well played.

Yeah, well, I'd prolly get the shit beat out of me in Seattle. Or Indy. Or Cleveland.

And, don't get me wrong, if I'm in the wrong (speeding, ran the light) I'm usually reasonably respectful.

I don't deal well with overly authoritative people.

Awww, that's a good buddy.