When is Enough ,Enough?

[Buffalo Bob]

Originally Posted by MTK

I don't get into victim blaming sorry

So are you saying everyone killed by police is a "victim"?

George Floyd was obviously a victim of a cop that should have had his badge taken ages ago. Pretty sure incidents like his are a small percentage of the cop killings. They are just the ones that get all the publicity. Police average almost 1,000 killings a year we only hear about the ones that are obviously unjustified or questionable.

[Buffalo Bob]

This is just as disgusting as George Floyd and then some as there were more participants.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_of_Kelly_Thomas

There were only a handful of local protests. That is the town I went to High School in. I don't remember this getting much coverage as the victim was a small white homeless man. Most bad cops are equal opportunity victimizers but if it happens to a minority every Democrat immediately screams racism.

I always wonder what the root cause of bad cops is. Is it the type of person attracted to the job or does the job turn good people bad?

[BigHairedAristocrat]

Originally Posted by Buffalo Bob

This is just as disgusting as George Floyd and then some as there were more participants.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_of_Kelly_Thomas

There were only a handful of local protests. That is the town I went to High School in. I don't remember this getting much coverage as the victim was a small white homeless man. Most bad cops are equal opportunity victimizers but if it happens to a minority every Democrat immediately screams racism.

I always wonder what the root cause of bad cops is. Is it the type of person attracted to the job or does the job turn good people bad?

Probably some of both. Cops generally don’t make a ton of money, but it’s something you can get without higher education and you get to carry a gun and boss people around. That’s going to attract a lot of stupid, ignorant people who want power.

I can also see many good well meaning people being worn down by being surrounded by so many officers who fit into the previous category.


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[Buffalo Bob]

Originally Posted by BigHairedAristocrat

Probably some of both. Cops generally don’t make a ton of money, but it’s something you can get without higher education and you get to carry a gun and boss people around. That’s going to attract a lot of stupid, ignorant people who want power.

It depends where you work, small town police don't make squat, but with overtime cops in large cities can easily make $100k+ a year with great benefits, and pensions that can pay them up to 75% of average pay of their last 3 years of service, for life, for being on the job 25 years or more.

They make a lot more than skilled tradesman.

[Giantone]

Originally Posted by BigHairedAristocrat

Probably some of both. Cops generally don’t make a ton of money, but it’s something you can get without higher education and you get to carry a gun and boss people around. That’s going to attract a lot of stupid, ignorant people who want power.

I can also see many good well meaning people being worn down by being surrounded by so many officers who fit into the previous category.

Your post is borderline ignorant! Many ,many Police are former Military and go to the job becuase it's been what they trained for and for many it's what they are good at skill wise , they can't determine the difference in the enemy.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by Buffalo Bob

So are you saying everyone killed by police is a "victim"?

George Floyd was obviously a victim of a cop that should have had his badge taken ages ago. Pretty sure incidents like his are a small percentage of the cop killings. They are just the ones that get all the publicity. Police average almost 1,000 killings a year we only hear about the ones that are obviously unjustified or questionable.

Even if it's a small number of unjustified acts, it's still a big issue.

Cops can do better. The justice system can do better. Racism continues to be a problem. I hope we can all agree on that.

[Buffalo Bob]

Originally Posted by MTK

Even if it's a small number of unjustified acts, it's still a big issue.

Cops can do better. The justice system can do better. Racism continues to be a problem. I hope we can all agree on that.

I am not disagreeing. I believe the media fans the flames of unrest & makes matters worse, not better. What I have trouble believing is how people think the situation with police has not improved with modern technology.

My father was a city cop and then a CHP (California Highway Patrol) from the early 60's to early 80's. Trust me they got away with crap they would not get away with today. Fortunately for most my dad was more into abusing his family and not the general public.

When I was 12 my grandma came and rescued us. My dad didn't hit my 10 year old sister. I got the worst of it. I heard my dad tell my mom don't ever waste your time calling the police on him as he knows them all. My dad bragged about being able to inflict pain and not leave marks. When I was 18 during a visit he said something to my girlfriend behind my back that made her cry. I invited him to step outside as I am bigger and stronger than him now and don't have to take his crap. He just said he could shoot me and get away with it.

Today thanks to cell phones people like my dad end up in jail, spousal abuse seemed to be pretty common among his peers back then. The fear of being caught on audio or video has to get some of the cops otherwise prone to overstep their bounds in check.

As for the rest of them I am afraid better over site and pay could improve law enforcement. The last cop I had personal contact with was about a 15 years
ago, a cousin who was a county sheriff in So Cal. As of then they still were only psychologically evaluated post academy if there was a major incident.
Since people can develop mental issues at any stage in life I believe a mental evaluation of a law enforcement officer should be done on a yearly basis.
While the cop that killed George Floyd had a history of complaints, I believe the job does turn good people bad, and those guys need weeded out.

I find it perfect comedy how on shows like cops all policemen say they were attracted to the job due to wanting to serve the community. Not only did I meet many a cop from my dad. I used to go to a fitness center where cops and fireman got free memberships. The majority said it was great pay and benefits for a job not requiring college education or specific skills. A few others said they had relatives that were cops, the old family tradition. Possibly raising the pay rates more would even attract better people.