“Elections have consequences, and at the end of the day, I won.” – Barack Hussein Obama, January 23, 2009
January 31, 2019, 06:52 AM
sigfreund
Although it’s not an excuse, and perhaps not even the reason, many LE agencies have been reporting problems with attracting new hires for some time. Reasons offered for that range from the “Ferguson effect” to the availability of better jobs due to the improved employment situation.
Sometimes when marginal people are hired, problems increase.
► 6.0/94.0
“I can’t give you brains, but I can give you a diploma.” — The Wizard of Oz
January 31, 2019, 07:33 AM
gearhounds
quote:
Originally posted by sigfreund: Although it’s not an excuse, and perhaps not even the reason, many LE agencies have been reporting problems with attracting new hires for some time. Reasons offered for that range from the “Ferguson effect” to the availability of better jobs due to the improved employment situation.
Sometimes when marginal people are hired, problems increase.
I would agree with this, adding that the need for new hires has probably increased beyond normal attrition thanks to the trickle down effect of the demonizing of law enforcement- thanks Obama and anti-police crowd pleasing.
“Remember to get vaccinated or a vaccinated person might get sick from a virus they got vaccinated against because you’re not vaccinated.” - author unknown
January 31, 2019, 07:43 AM
Sig209
not being in LE - I would wonder if in cases like that - you can go back and see 'red flags' in the past on those applicants ...
red flags that hiring managers ignored due to overriding factors.
having been in the Army - I know that the criteria for enlistees changes with ebb and flow of supply / demand - things like high school diploma, 'light' criminal background, prevalence of heavy tattoos, general fitness level, etc sometimes it's more stringent - then things will loosen when the recruiting gets harder...
hate reading about abuse of authority like that as it casts such a negative light on all good officers
Proverbs 27:17 - As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.
January 31, 2019, 08:09 AM
rockchalk06
I'm going with the quality of recruits and agencies cracking down on all the BS going on. I've noticed it here and back home. The quality of officers has dwindled.
I understand why too. Same reason I got out and work in IT now. A few classes here and there and I make more money and no one is trying to sling poo at me with their buddy video taping looking for my reaction.
I still have more respect for them than they will ever know, but never again would I put the vest back on for the way the country is going.
January 31, 2019, 08:13 AM
220-9er
This is bad but realize that Pennsylvania is almost 14 million people and these were all different local police departments. I'm not sure other larger states wouldn't have similar statistics.
I wonder, if any of those alleged rape victims were indeed "Badge Bunnies" who later claimed rape.
********* "Some people are alive today because it's against the law to kill them".
January 31, 2019, 11:20 AM
YooperSigs
We are quick to point out the 'Ferguson Effect" as it applies to police recruitment and I do think it exists. However: Police work is not about a money and benefits job. For lack of a better term, it is a calling. You must have a strong desire to stand for right and wrong. You must unflinchingly serve the cause of justice. You must stand for those who cannot stand for themselves. You must face on a daily basis all the ills of our society and not have those ills manifest themselves in you. When you hire people are not motivated by a calling to serve, you get stories like we have heard recently.
End of Earth: 2 Miles Upper Peninsula: 4 Miles
January 31, 2019, 03:00 PM
bigdeal
Someone might want to review whether PA police departments have lowered standards and applied greater hiring quotas resulting in large numbers of unqualified candidates making it through the process, and ending up committing these sorts of crimes. Its not a stretch to think that could have a major impact on the quality of policing and the officers doing it.
----------------------------- Guns are awesome because they shoot solid lead freedom. Every man should have several guns. And several dogs, because a man with a cat is a woman. Kurt Schlichter
January 31, 2019, 03:17 PM
sigfreund
There are many qualifications agencies want in prospective officers, and their belief that law enforcement should be a “calling” might be one of them. The problem is that like other qualifications such as general intelligence, education, physical fitness, clean background, etc., wanting is one thing and getting is another. And what’s worse, measuring the sincerity of someone’s motivation would probably be the most difficult evaluation of all. Someone may claim to be called and motivated, and may even believe it himself, but it wouldn’t be the first time someone’s illusions evaporated in the heat of reality. That’s why I have a degree of respect for someone who quits an endeavor after a short bit of experience. Better to recognize it and bail sooner than later and drag out the waste of one’s own and others’ time and efforts.
And as for abandoning an organization or even a community that doesn’t support someone who is doing a difficult job and is exposed to all sorts of liabilities under the best of circumstances, all I can say is that they get what they deserve. Loyalty goes both ways, and when organizations and community officials don’t uphold their end of the bargain—especially when it may be painful politically to do so—then individual officers have no reason to be loyal to those who don’t support them.
► 6.0/94.0
“I can’t give you brains, but I can give you a diploma.” — The Wizard of Oz
January 31, 2019, 03:34 PM
rscalzo
In one case the officer was 69 years old? I'd wonder what the hell he was doing on the job at that age or if he was a part timer. From the sound of it I'd wonder if the guy doesn't have some mental difficulties going on.
There are thousands of good,honest LEO's in PA doing a great job but guess which ones make the news.
"Even if the world were perfect it wouldn't be." ... Yogi Berra
January 31, 2019, 05:42 PM
DTREND75
That I’m slamming anyone but my PD has been attracting less that stellar candidates. No one wants to be a cop anymore.
I remember almost not being hired due to one speeding ticket that was 4 yrs old. Now the administration takes that as a gift
Sensitive and caring since August 2009
Some people are like a Slinky....not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you shove them down the stairs.
February 01, 2019, 07:36 AM
motor59
Am I missing something, or is the same individual the subject of articles 2 & 3?
suaviter in modo, fortiter in re
February 01, 2019, 08:04 AM
MG34_Dan
quote:
Originally posted by motor59: Am I missing something, or is the same individual the subject of articles 2 & 3?
Damn! You proved I am a dumb ass. I really should pay more attention to what I am doing. I made corrections to my first post and now reference the correct third story.
“Elections have consequences, and at the end of the day, I won.” – Barack Hussein Obama, January 23, 2009
February 01, 2019, 08:18 AM
Elk Hunter
quote:
Originally posted by sigfreund: There are many qualifications agencies want in prospective officers, and their belief that law enforcement should be a “calling” might be one of them. The problem is that like other qualifications such as general intelligence, education, physical fitness, clean background, etc., wanting is one thing and getting is another. And what’s worse, measuring the sincerity of someone’s motivation would probably be the most difficult evaluation of all. Someone may claim to be called and motivated, and may even believe it himself, but it wouldn’t be the first time someone’s illusions evaporated in the heat of reality. That’s why I have a degree of respect for someone who quits an endeavor after a short bit of experience. Better to recognize it and bail sooner than later and drag out the waste of one’s own and others’ time and efforts.
And as for abandoning an organization or even a community that doesn’t support someone who is doing a difficult job and is exposed to all sorts of liabilities under the best of circumstances, all I can say is that they get what they deserve. Loyalty goes both ways, and when organizations and community officials don’t uphold their end of the bargain—especially when it may be painful politically to do so—then individual officers have no reason to be loyal to those who don’t support them.
Well stated, to the point and accurate!
Elk
There has never been an occasion where a people gave up their weapons in the interest of peace that didn't end in their massacre. (Louis L'Amour)
"To compel a man to furnish contributions of money for the propagation of opinions which he disbelieves and abhors, is sinful and tyrannical. " -Thomas Jefferson
"America is great because she is good. If America ceases to be good, America will cease to be great." Alexis de Tocqueville