ChickenHawk
I'm a chicken hawk
2A Bourbon Hound 2024
2A Bourbon Hound OG
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So why does it take so long to get rid of the bad cops? The union? The thin blue line? I'm not trying to be combative. That mantra gets repeated all of the time, but I've had many more bad experiences with Leo's than good.I'm not sure we can fix this. The LEO community is just like the military, we are a mirror of society. That's why we laugh at the "jack-booted thugs" comments and the "king's men" stuff. We're your neighbors, we sit in church by you, we eat at the same restaurants, raise our kids next to yours, etc... we're not KGB. We're the same as you, just with a different calling. And, that's exactly what it is, a calling. That's why you see so many young cops causing problems with their attitudes or rude responses, they're just not meant to be there. They should have been weeded out earlier, but as a "public servant" our interactions are exactly that, public. We all know preachers or car mechanics who have absolutely no business in the job they have, but they get by for years because their interactions aren't with the general public, just a select few customers.
Again, I'm not sure we can fix this as a whole. We're madder than you at the politicians and the stupid judges, because we have to enforce what they pass. We execute a large amount of "discretion", however. For example, I've slung a lot of car keys in bushes if I run up on a parked DUI without any injuries. Other officers and most troopers live for that stuff. Not me. 2 drinks, call somebody or Uber... If you've run your car up a telephone pole or hurt somebody, you've exceeded my discretion and I have to take action. If you've punched your wife or kids, or vice versa; you're riding with me. You've exceeded my discretion. I've made kids throw out joints or roaches hundreds of times, but not charged them. But, if I catch you slinging packaged rocks or crystal; you're riding with me. I'm good with you venting your anger and letting it all air out, until there's kids in the area or you try to put your hands on them or someone else. Rage on, yell and scream how unfair life is and how your baby-mommy mistreats you; we'll listen. Hopefully, once you've sobered up you'll call or tell me about the real problems in your area; that's what I'm really here for. I've bought kids clothes when it was cold, I've brought people food, I've held peoples hands when they're sick or shot or run-over, etc... yes, it's a calling and we fight daily against the forces in our society who just want to burn it down, even if they're our elected bosses.
As far as the "militarized police " goes, I agree with most of the comments I see on here. But, having a patrol carbine in the trunk doesn't make you a "SWAT guy". A lot of the SWAT-type training with military units is just because they have the resources ( houses, vehicles, etc...) and it does go very close to what you will get on a SWAT callout. I'm former mil HRT, btw. And, I've served on local and state SRTs. I'm telling you the training doesn't usually get offered to the patrol guys, they don't need it and typically don't want it. As far as the 10-22 program ( offering surplus mil equipment to local departments) goes, I've never seen it to really have an impact on day-to-day operations. The MRAPs are a joke at a local PD, they're not going to spend the money to maintain them anyway; but they look cool for a moment.
I do think we should go back to wearing regular polyester uniforms with a proper appearance; I don't care for the fatigue look unless you've got a specialized unit that requires it for an event, not everyday wear. It just looks wrong.
I hope I've answered more questions than I've raised. Yes, I'm a 25 year guy and a supervisor. I cringe when the "millennials" get supervisor status just like you do.