Your Ideas On A Police Officer

[DisRuptive1]

For reasons I'd like to keep to myself, I'm curious what you want to see in your local police officers. I'm not talking about the can of corn answers like honesty, integrity and so forth, but mainly how you would like to see them act, and what types of discipline they would give to resisting suspects. Any other comments based on demeanor and so forth are welcome also. This IS important.

[shanstress70]

I HATE to see police officers that are morbidly obese. My hometown had quite a few of these. How the heck are they going to catch anyone if they get into a foot chase?

It also bothers me to see several cop cars in a restaurant parking lot. Perhaps they should take a break for lunch or dinner one at a time, so that we still have SOME level of protection!

As far as discipline goes, I think that cops sometimes get a bad rap when it comes to abusing a resisting person. They HAVE to get them under control somehow. Of course they shouldn't use excessive force (hello, Rodney King?), but I do expect them to do what they have to in order to get control of the situation.

I also think that sometimes we get the not so bright individuals to be cops. If they were paid a little better, maybe we would have more intelligent ones.

Sorry, but I am generalizing quite a bit here. I know there are MANY physically fit AND intelligent cops out there. I just wish they were more plentiful

I really wish you would share your reason for asking though.

[DisRuptive1]

Actually, FYI, only 11 of the hits to Rodney King were illegal. Everything else, mace tasers, etc., were legal. It wasn't until after a police officer hit him in the back of the neck with his boot that all the hitting became illegal.

And I agree about the not so bright individuals too. Sometimes though they get there because of affirmative action. And because of affirmative action I don't think better pay will be helpful. All you'll get is more people signing up and being put onto a police force because so much of their county is the same race as they are.

Having cops take a break all at the same time isn't much of a problem. Even if they were out driving around they couldn't catch everything that was happening. That is YOUR job, to watch your neighborhood and report any suspicious activity. Only you know who should and shouldn't be in your area of your neighborhood. I'm sure that the cops would respond just as quickly from a Carl's Jr as they would if they were in a car driving from the other side of town. For the majority of towns and some cities a police officer should be able to reach any point in the city within two minutes with his lights on.

I only ask because I'm trying to become a police officer myself and my oral interview is being conducted by a Sergeant and a civilian.

[Matt]

I only ask because I'm trying to become a police officer myself and my oral interview is being conducted by a Sergeant and a civilian.

And as civilians will pay your wages, why would that matter?!

Joshing to one side, what kind of civilian? Not, Ihope, some political apointee...

[Lindy]

DisR

...I'm not talking about the can of corn answers like honesty, integrity and so forth, but mainly how you would like to see them act, and what types of discipline they would give to resisting suspects......

Well DisR. I tend to like the honesty, integrity and so forth in a police officer.

But I would like to think that fairness and respect are other corny answers you weren't looking for either...

I would expect an officer to take whatever force was needed to apprehend a resisting suspect. And logic sometimes has to take the place of compassion when it comes to treating suspects. I've seen the sweetest looking people turn psycho at the drop of a hat. You never know what some lunatic will do when they feel pressured or trapped.

I also like the thought of reliable as another corny answer I could throw in...

[Guest lt]

I think they should be better listeners, sometimes they are in to much of a hurry when there is an emergency, to many cops get burnt out to fast, they need to remember to put themselves and there families above all in order to stay sane and have a heathy relationship and do well at work.

[shanstress70]

Originally posted by DisRuptive1@Aug 7 2004, 02:46 PM

Actually, FYI, only 11 of the hits to Rodney King were illegal. Everything else, mace tasers, etc., were legal. It wasn't until after a police officer hit him in the back of the neck with his boot that all the hitting became illegal.

And I agree about the not so bright individuals too. Sometimes though they get there because of affirmative action. And because of affirmative action I don't think better pay will be helpful. All you'll get is more people signing up and being put onto a police force because so much of their county is the same race as they are.

Having cops take a break all at the same time isn't much of a problem. Even if they were out driving around they couldn't catch everything that was happening. That is YOUR job, to watch your neighborhood and report any suspicious activity. Only you know who should and shouldn't be in your area of your neighborhood. I'm sure that the cops would respond just as quickly from a Carl's Jr as they would if they were in a car driving from the other side of town. For the majority of towns and some cities a police officer should be able to reach any point in the city within two minutes with his lights on.

I only ask because I'm trying to become a police officer myself and my oral interview is being conducted by a Sergeant and a civilian.

Why do you ask my opinion, then discount what I say?

Once again, the Rodney King case was too extreme... regardless of when it began to get too extreme.

Also, I find it troubling when several take a break at the same time.

You're welcome!

[DisRuptive1]

When I say a civilian I mean a person who is used to conduct interviews for most of the city employees. S/he is not aware of the problems that law enforcement officers have and therefore will be looking for a whole different set of qualities than the sergeant. But thanks for all the answers.

[Ray]

When I think of an ideal police officer I think of someone who is in good health and:

Firm

Polite

Articulate

Personable

Clean

Organized

Family oriented

Righteous

If you’re looking for personality role models, imagining the following persons in police uniforms:

Any of the members of the First Presidency, except for President Hinkley who would seem too old now because he walks with a cane. That would leave:

President Monson

President Faust

Check out this link if you want to see pictures: http://www.desnews.com/confer/leaders/a.htm

Any of the Apostles, except for Elder Wirthlin who would seem too old now because he has trouble talking.

hat would leave:

Elder Packer

Elder Perry

Elder Nelson

Elder Oaks

Elder Ballard

Elder Scott

Elder Hales

Elder Holland

Elder Eyring

Check out this link if you want to see pictures: http://www.desnews.com/confer/leaders/b.htm

And for non-Church affiliated persons, imagine:

George W. Bush

Colin Powell

Donald Rumsfeld

Peter Jennings

[Kay]

Originally posted by Ray@Aug 9 2004, 03:58 PM

When I think of an ideal police officer I think of someone who is in good health and:

Firm

Polite

Articulate

Personable

Clean

Organized

Family oriented

Righteous

If you’re looking for personality role models, imagining the following persons in police uniforms:

...Any of the Apostles, except for Elder Wirthlin who would seem too old now because he has trouble talking.

[t]hat would leave:

Elder Packer

Elder Perry

Elder Nelson

Elder Oaks

Elder Ballard

Elder Scott

Elder Hales

Elder Holland

Elder Eyring

Ya forgot honest, Ray. I can mimic a few words from Dallin Oaks in my sleep: "It was not a truthful statement."

Fibbers need not apply.

[Guest bat]

Originally posted by Kay+Aug 11 2004, 12:24 AM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Kay @ Aug 11 2004, 12:24 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin--Ray@Aug 9 2004, 03:58 PM

When I think of an ideal police officer I think of someone who is in good health and:

Firm

Polite

Articulate

Personable

Clean

Organized

Family oriented

Righteous

If you’re looking for personality role models, imagining the following persons in police uniforms:

...Any of the Apostles, except for Elder Wirthlin who would seem too old now because he has trouble talking. 

[t]hat would leave:

Elder Packer

Elder Perry

Elder Nelson

Elder Oaks

Elder Ballard

Elder Scott

Elder Hales

Elder Holland

Elder Eyring

Ya forgot honest, Ray. I can mimic a few words from Dallin Oaks in my sleep: "It was not a truthful statement."

Fibbers need not apply.

Kay, I have missed you. Even when you mocked me and called me terrible names.

[Kay]

Originally posted by DisRuptive1@Aug 7 2004, 12:46 PM

Actually, FYI, only 11 of the hits to Rodney King were illegal. Everything else, mace tasers, etc., were legal. It wasn't until after a police officer hit him in the back of the neck with his boot that all the hitting became illegal.

And I agree about the not so bright individuals too. Sometimes though they get there because of affirmative action. And because of affirmative action I don't think better pay will be helpful. All you'll get is more people signing up and being put onto a police force because so much of their county is the same race as they are.

Having cops take a break all at the same time isn't much of a problem. Even if they were out driving around they couldn't catch everything that was happening. That is YOUR job, to watch your neighborhood and report any suspicious activity. Only you know who should and shouldn't be in your area of your neighborhood. I'm sure that the cops would respond just as quickly from a Carl's Jr as they would if they were in a car driving from the other side of town. For the majority of towns and some cities a police officer should be able to reach any point in the city within two minutes with his lights on.

I only ask because I'm trying to become a police officer myself and my oral interview is being conducted by a Sergeant and a civilian.

I'm perplexed. I don't imagine someone having exited an academy or contemplating a transfer from one jurisdiction to another feeling LDStalk holds the key. Talking about it with virtual individuals?

Typically, young officers and re-hires enter their Board straight and narrow, no worry. Just anxious--yes. Questioning civilians so that you may answer correctly to another civilian doesn't cut it, in my opinion.

Just a thought.

Your mention of Affirmative Action is another flag to me. Unfortunately, you may in fact be for real and I am not among those on the Board to share this information with any Department considering you as a new hire.

Pity.

[Kay]

Kay, I have missed you.  Even when you mocked me and called me terrible names.

Hey, what may I say: "It's my job to mock, name-call and then slip out quietly in the night to perk some coffee."

Ah, heck, since I don't do the repent thang, may I promise to never again call you "cute" and "fun" and/or to giggle at your scampish behavior. Deal?

Friends again?

Bwhahahahaha...

[Tr2]

I work with police officers every day. We work very closely. The best police officers are professionals who remember that the reason they exist is to make a difference, to serve and protect. Every idiot that we may come across is the reason why we have a job and a paycheck. Do they have to be perfect? Of course not. Just be capable of doing their job.

[Ray]

Originally posted by Kay+Aug 11 2004, 12:24 AM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Kay @ Aug 11 2004, 12:24 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin--Ray@Aug 9 2004, 03:58 PM

When I think of an ideal police officer I think of someone who is in good health and:

Firm

Polite

Articulate

Personable

Clean

Organized

Family oriented

Righteous

If you’re looking for personality role models, imagining the following persons in police uniforms:

...Any of the Apostles, except for Elder Wirthlin who would seem too old now because he has trouble talking. 

[t]hat would leave:

Elder Packer

Elder Perry

Elder Nelson

Elder Oaks

Elder Ballard

Elder Scott

Elder Hales

Elder Holland

Elder Eyring

Ya forgot honest, Ray. I can mimic a few words from Dallin Oaks in my sleep: "It was not a truthful statement."

Fibbers need not apply.

Yes, I suppose it was an oversight not to include "Honesty", but I really didn't mean that to be an all inclusive list, and I was using the word Righteous to cover things like that.

[Kay]

The best police officers are professionals who remember that the reason they exist is to make a difference, to serve and protect.

Yes. Many possess the heart and soul and are cathected to the profession (to "serve and protect").

Every idiot that we may come across is the reason why we have a job and a paycheck.

This is where you appear to be losing my confidence, and we may part ideas.

It could be that I'm misunderstanding your sentiment, within this limiting medium? Help me out.

[Ray]

Originally posted by Tr2@ Aug 11 2004, 06:40 AM

Every idiot that we may come across is the reason why we have a job and a paycheck.

Heh, I think he meant that if everybody obeyed and honored the law, there would be no need to have any police officers. I might not have used the word “idiot” to refer to people who break the law, but otherwise I agree with that line of reasoning. Hence, in heaven, we won’t need no stinken badges.

[Nina]

"Actually, FYI, only 11 of the hits to Rodney King were illegal. Everything else, mace tasers, etc., were legal. It wasn't until after a police officer hit him in the back of the neck with his boot that all the hitting became illegal."

Oh, well, if it was only 11 ...

[DisRuptive1]

Because the media found out that 11 of the hits were illegal they believed that the all the tactics used on Mr. King were all illegal, even though he was on PCP and couldn't feel a thing.

[Tr2]

Yes. Many possess the heart and soul and are cathected to the profession (to "serve and protect").

Of course this is true. But over time that heart and soul does fade, I know from experience. What keeps us coming back is that we are professionals who are dedicated to our jobs.

This is where you appear to be losing my confidence, and we may part ideas.

It could be that I'm misunderstanding your sentiment, within this limiting medium? Help me out.

I did not make a mistake in using the word "idiots". Most people the police deal with are indeed idiots. Most traffic collisions happen because somebody did something stupid because they had no concern for anybody but themselves. Their job is largely that of a social worker.

As a paramedic I deal with people who are sick and injured, that many times are of no fault of their own. An 88 yr old man who is having a chest pain and difficulty breathing is not a burden to me, nor is an idiot. But the guy that I have to treat for a broken hand because he hit his wife, is an idiot.

I wish that police, fire, and EMS didn't have to exist, but we do. In a perfect world, indeed, we would not exist.

[Amillia]

How can anyone who claims to be serving the best interest of the people they are paid to protect think that professionalism is all that is required.

Humanity sir, without it, we can just go live in a Jungle and be treated as well by the wild animals as the police.

[Lindy]

As a paramedic I deal with people who are sick and injured, that many times are of no fault of their own. An 88 yr old man who is having a chest pain and difficulty breathing is not a burden to me, nor is an idiot. But the guy that I have to treat for a broken hand because he hit his wife, is an idiot.

I totally understand your viewpoint TR, you are right, I would classify him as an idiot too. I would have another word or two to add to the vocab list for any of them....the guy with a head injury, who just ran the red light cause he was in a hurry- who hit and killed a family of four, or the drunk driver who had cuts and abrasions who just hit a mini bus full of children, or someone with a gunshot wound, who the police had to take down after he has shot and injured a lot of people.

It has to be a hard choice of what you have to do, when you don't want to do it. And yes, it is professionalism and I don't think it has anything to do with humanity. (IMHO)

Lots of names I could add to idiot.

[Tr2]

How can anyone who claims to be serving the best interest of the people they are paid to protect think that professionalism is all that is required.

Because I have done the job for 11 yrs, wheras you have not.

My devotion to perfection and to professionalism saves peoples lives every day. Do I care about the people I treat? Of course. But if you care too much then the job will destroy you. Most people can't imagine what it is like to bring an infant into the hospital knowing that child will never come out. Or telling an elderly woman that her spouse of 50+ yrs has died. Professionalism is the most important part of my job. Compassion is an important element. There is a reason why the average paramedic lasts 7 yrs. Most do not learn this lesson.