Dumb-ass Training and the U.C. Davis Pepper Spray Incident: Thoughts From a Former Cop

[Huey P. Long]

Dumb-ass Training and the U.C. Davis Pepper Spray Incident: Thoughts From a Former Cop
By Peter Moskos


Some people, perhaps those who design training programs, think policing should be a hands-off job. It can’t be and shouldn’t be. And trying to make policing too hands-off means people get Tased and maced for non-compliance. It’s not right. But this is the way many police are trained. That’s a shame. (Mind you, I have no problem using such less-lethal weapons on actual physical threats, but peaceful non-compliance is different.)

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And if police need to remove these students, then the police can go in four officers to one protester and remove them. Lift them up and take them away. Maybe you need one or two more officers with a threatening baton to keep others from getting involved. It really can be that simple.

People don’t hate the police for fighting off aggressors or arresting law breakers. They do hate police for causing pain—be it by dog, fire hose, Taser, or mace—to those who passively resist. And that’s what happened yesterday at U.C. Davis.

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http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/ten-miles-square/2011/11/dumbass_training_and_the_uc_da033608.php

[sharp_stick]

1. Yeah but pepper spray and tasers are easier

I've become convinced that many of our police forces have simply become too damned lazy to do anything more than the bare minimum. Part of this could be the endemic staff shortages but they need to take responsibility for their actions or have the responsibility forced upon them.

[socialindependocrat]

2. Thanks for sharing!!

It's nice to be able to talk about things with a professional.

I belonged to a pistol club and some of the police (state and local)
would come to compete with us but they always stuck to themselves.
I should have asked why tey did that...may I ask you if you have any
thoughts on this? Are they taught not to mix with the public??

[eppur_se_muova]

3. Same mentality behind predator drone strikes ...

Some cops can't wait to get their hands on those.

In WWI, they called this the "morality of altitude" ... blowing people to bits without getting your hands dirty.