Don't you feel the same? We NEED the police. But we need a better police!

[Playinghardball]

[hfojvt]

1. I don't usually feel paranoid.

I recently had a county cop, stop and give me a jump when I could not get my car started.

But I get that, sort of for the most part, the only time you hear from a cop is when they are writing you a ticket or scolding you for something.

They sort of need to work on having more positive interactions with the public, but I am not sure how they could, from a traffic perspective. Cops in one city pulled people over and gave them coupons for free ice cream for wearing their seatbelts.

I don't think that works. I be kinda ticked for getting pulled over in the first place.

[MineralMan]

2. People's reactions vary.

As a privileged white male, I don't feel paranoid when cops drive by. I am, however, aware that such is not the case for many others. It's important to check privilege with things like this.

[Scootaloo]

3. Bingo, we need better police, NOT better-armed police

[Cleita]

4. Firemen get more respect but the two jobs aren't that different.

Both involve putting your life on the line to save other lives. I think the big problem is that it needs to be treated like an honorable profession that pays well, has job security and that is well trained for. I know there are classes in police stuff. Why don't community colleges offer a major for it on a two year program for an AA degree? Then city police departments or other law enforcement agencies can hire individuals that are pretty much trained and suitable for the job. Then the police academy would serve to put on the finishing touches for that particular city or region.

I think a college program would weed out the psychopaths and other misfits before they reach our streets.

[Taurusny22]

5. Cleita there is a difference

The firemen are our friends. They put out fires, save kittens from trees, respond to medical emergencies, everything they do is to help. Cops however have a very adversarial role. They are the ones who give out parking tickets and moving violations. They make arrests, they conduct search warrants. They are the ones at demonstrations, or parades telling you were you can go and where you cannot and what you can do legally.

I am a 30 year veteran of the NYPD and and my brother is a FDNY veteran of 25 years so imagine the discussions at Thanksgiving.

As far as education it's a great idea, I have an associates degree in Criminal Justice and many cops are security guards, or correction officers before becoming cops and they have to pass a psychological test before being hired. Obviously some bad apples do get in.

[Cleita]

7. Not all departments try to weed out the bad apples like the NYPD.

Many small cities with limited budgets have to hire what they can get. Thats why I suggest a standard all departments have to meet as well as a wage and benefits standard so cops don't have to work second jobs to make ends meet. I think cities and states need to address this. Also, I knew some LAPD cops back in the day and they had a bad culture then which is I'm sure what led up to the Rodney King beating and the Gestapo activities we see today, but also huge cuts in budgeting when Reagan was governor led up to this as well. You guys are supposed to protect and serve so why not make it into a profession one is proud to belong to.

Also, when I worked for the Forest Service, I ran into that hybrid of police and fireman, the forest ranger. They did police work but also fought forest fires when called on. Also most had degrees in either forestry or biology.

btw welcome to DU.

[gopiscrap]

9. welcome to DU

[Jamaal510]

6. Whenever I notice a cop car

roll by, I pretend to look busy with my watch or my iPod, and I never look in their direction. I have heard of far too many horror stories about the police approaching (young) BM who are minding their own business.

[Holly_Hobby]

8. Revenue collectors n/t