Kailey
What does an aspiring cop have to look forward to in the coming years?
With public relations and police seemingly at odds, what does someone aspiring to join the force have to look forward to? It seems like the swinging pendulum is going fast and faster between liking the police and hating them. The pendulum swing is normal over time, but due to the 24-hour news cycle, it seems to be growing exponentially faster.
So my question essentially is: What does the next generation of cops-to-be have to look forward to? Will we continue to militarize our police, or will be swing the opposite way and trend towards community policing? When will the anti-cop pendulum swing back towards the positive?
#police #law-enforcement #criminal-justice
2 answers
James Hammond
James’s Answer
Kim Igleheart
Kim’s Answer
Kailey,
That question probably covers a whole semester's course!
The situation between the police and the populace is like two little kids squabbling in a schoolyard:
student #1: If you put down that rock, I'll put down these scissors
Student #2: If you put down those scissors, I'll put down this rock
#1: you go first
#2: no, you go first
What is there to look forward to? The camaradarie. (sp?) There is nothing that describes the feeling! I was out with a suspect of questionable character and I knew I could make small talk for a few minutes because my partner was driving 85 mph to come back me up (even though I was not in trouble!) It's like a family. Anyway, it's neat being out on patrol, just you and the car, which differs from a cubicle in many ways! And, you do make a difference in peoples' lives. I actually had a young lady who thanked me for arresting her! (she was with a guy she did not want to be with). You aren't going to clean up society, but, one person at a time, you do make an impact. Plus, with shift work, you can be off on Tues/Wed, go shopping, or camping, and avoid the crowds!
Society problems: You can probably find more of the community policing in the liberal cities/states and on schools. I honestly don't see a return to the past. And what is sad, when you are wearing the uniform, everyone sees you as a cop. not for who you are. Not for a good cop, or a bad cop. But, a cop. I befriended people every time I could, hoping to undo some of those previous encounters they had with law enforcement.
The problems are too complex for "civilians" to understand. While some of it is police misbehaving, a large part of it has to do with those actions falling within guidelines established by the courts. And the courts did that based on their interpretation of the laws. So, we need to change the laws. But people don't comprehend all that. All they see is that another cop "got away " with something.
And then there is the secrecy surrounding Internal Affairs, which just fuels the suspicions even more. Looking back on all the complaints I had to answer, I'm glad they are not public information. But, at the same time, I really had nothing to hide. It's just that the public would not understand what led up to them and why no action was taken against me ( A whole bunch of "rudeness" complaints for not allowing people to park in a no-parking zone! People don't like it when you tell them to move their cars!) Civilians want to be a part of the review process, and the police try to keep them out.
Don't get me wrong. There are a fair share of bad cops out there. I actually work for an attorney who goes after them. But those are the ones who make everyone else look bad. There are lots of good cops. They just don't get the media coverage!
Let me know if I can help with further questions!
Kim