What does Democratic Underground think of a rotating 2-year public-service law enforcement plan?

[byronius]

The idea of a required two-year stint of public service for all citizens is practiced in a few European countries with great success. One might choose forestry, or the military, or road construction -- or law enforcement. Training would be required, and ostensibly some vetting. Downsides would be lack of experience and occasional breakdowns under the stress; upsides would be less of a gang mentality among law enforcement and a wealth of well-trained former officers.

'Police Academy' is a little bit of a humorous take on the idea, but I think it might be shades better than entrenched, psychologically-damaged law enforcement. The events in Ferguson would likely be substantially different if Ferguson citizens had served and were serving as their own law enforcement.

I don't think we're culturally brave enough to take this step. But still. I think it might help. What do you think?

[jberryhill]

1. +1

I'm always in favor of compelling people to do things I didn't have to do.

[Vincardog]

2. Fine as long as the veterans received Veterans benefits Like Free school

Job training, healthcare, you know the things a civilized society provides its' citizens

[silverweb]

3. Absolutely agree.

[font color="navy" face="Verdana"]A service requirement is a great idea -- as long as further education, health care, and post-service job assistance benefits are part of the package.

[Vincardog]

5. And as long as it is UNIVERSAL no more Dimson's getting by on daddy's

connections or Five Deferment Cheney skipping service only to send other people's children to kill and die for his personal profit.

[silverweb]

6. Yes!

[font color="navy" face="Verdana"]NO deferments except for proven physical and/or mental disability.

[TheKentuckian]

4. I broadly support this and a step further, similar for the army.

Detectives, air force, and navy can be standing.

[dembotoz]

7. would rather see more carrrot than stick

[leftstreet]

8. ...and all State/US House and Senate positions n/t

[NightWatcher]

9. I'm not a fan of any type of conscription.

We've got to increase pay and standards for law enforcement...right after we do so for teachers, firemen, military, nurses, and other public service positions. Until we readjust our priorities, we're going to keep getting what we're getting. Tax profits to pay for this and society as a whole will benefit.

[ohnoyoudidnt]

11. agreed

I do not agree with conscription. The standards and screening for law enforcement could use revisons. Along with body and audio recording on all officers. In a real emergency, I want an experieced officer responding and not somone completing a 2 year requirement.

[Boreal]

10. I oppose involuntary servitude (slavery)

Even if it's just for two years.


No.

[dilby]

13. ^^This^^

Everyone knows how this would work out, all the rich folks would magically get the best public service desk jobs while the poor folks would be working in sanitation and digging ditches.

[Boreal]

15. Good point

I didn't even think about who would get which jobs.

Bottom line is I'm not state property. My life (such as it is) belongs to me.

[HeiressofBickworth]

22. I also am against any kind of involuntary servitude.

I always have been -- going back to my high school days when friends were drafted for Vietnam -- and some died.

[Recursion]

12. Police For America?

No thanks.

[cpwm17]

14. No way

It's a bad idea for an alleged free country, and probably money poorly spent.

[NuclearDem]

16. Oh, this again.

No. 13th Amendment and what not.

[Dems to Win]

17. Ted Rall once wrote a column calling for drafting random people to be police officers

The people who choose to become police officers are far too often people who like to bully others. So, we must have a police force made up of people who would NOT choose to be cops!

A lot of validity to his theory, imho.

But I understand the anti-conscription stance, too.

[treestar]

18. It couldn't be required in this country

Though I could see making incentives for it. Say college help or tax breaks.

[Unvanguard]

19. I think it misdiagnoses the problem.

Yes, there are problems with the institutional mentality and political power of the police. But the root cause of killings like that of Michael Brown is American racism. And American racism is not specific to the police; if anything, the greater professionalization enabled by having a career police force probably lessens its effect rather than increasing it (though obviously nowhere near enough).

[Lurks Often]

20. Watch police shootings go UP, not down

besides, it would be ruled unconstitutional.

[Trillo]

21. I think 12+ school years of compulsory punishment without pay is quite enough

public service -- thank you very much.