Is the standard of Police officers better, worse or the same as 20 years ago?

Northern Lad

I have respect for the police, but only a very small minority of them.
The rest act like little gods, and the way some of the police speak to members of the public is a disgrace.
The police should take a step back and remember they are paid to `serve` the public, NOT the other way round!

old_woman_84

Due to population increase, increase in murders, increase in drugs and in general the increase in bad guys, no, it could not possibly stay the same. Fair??? Basically, that is life. Nothing will ever be the same as 20 years ago. for me, nothing will ever be the same as 50 years ago. lol

rebel

far worse

Annie

I think it depends on where you are. I notice in the city where I live, the police are alright. But then you go to the suburbs and you can get pulled over for going 2 miles over the limit.

Tom M

It depends on a lot of things. First of all, the standards as far as education level has changed dramatically. When I joined the Police Dept in 1967 all I needed was a High School diploma, clean record and background check. You also had to score high on a difficult written test. Now you need at least 64 college credits for most major Police Dept's. I don't mean to sound like a racist and please don't think that I am but the standard went way down when Police Dept's were forced to create an equal opportunity for minorities. The height requirement was removed and the written test was designed so that a person with a 9th grade education could pass it. Applicants with Misd arrests can now be Police Officers. One positive move today is random drug testing which was not the requirement years ago. The other factor that may make you think that the level of service and dedication is lacking is the fact that we live in a society that wants to sue over everything that the Police (or any other city agency) does. If you arrest a teenager, lets say, for Felony assault with a weapon, Mommy shows up with a lawyer and wants to sue the Dept for Police Brutality. It is difficult to do your job when you know that people have video cams and cellphone camera's watching everything you do. Liberal Courts add to the problem today. You get a little pissed off when you see a real dirt bag plea bargain and walk. Years ago everyone supported the Police. Today everyone thinks they can do the job better. Today the Constitution is a shield for the criminal. It should be a sword for the victims. I am glad I retired. I don't think I would have the same dedication that I had when I was sworn in so many years ago.

*****

In my area, a resounding WORSE.

atiqueflorida1947

I think it's beter.

Joshua G

All police are not bad.

Just watch this.

ejb199

i think the media give the police a bad name. people forget that alot of the time it is the actual Justice System that isnt doing a good job - the police are catching criminals, yet its the law that says we cant punish youths or the law that doesnt give reasonable sentences!

sherlock

The copper on the beat is probably about the same.
What has changed is the conditions under which they have to work- a system designed for the welfare of the the lawbreaker-lack of support from the Government-public abuse-more danger-paperwork paralysis-diminished power-toothless courts-bursting prison resorts.

DaDill51

Although the service level has dropped, overall as a nation the police officers are getting much better. They have been integrated with new technologies, more effiecent in what they do, and have more regulations on officer's education. Twenty years ago, anyone with a decent criminal record could be a cop. Now, mostly all cops need a bachelors degree. Im assured in that all officers who would see a dangerous threat are highly trained though. Although cops in my town, which is very small with no crime, may just seem like they arn't qualified, they really don't need to be. But if you look at the NYPD, the have made leaps and bounds to get ready for the new threat of terrorism. They are way more effecient and confident in what they do, although sometimes they might seem lazy.

California Street Cop

Here is my take:

People are pissed at the current state of world affairs and who can they take their anger out on?

That's right, the long arm of the law. People want safer homes, but when the police do their job trying to keep them safe, they cry "police state!! BooHoo!!"

The police are the physical representation of the government people see everyday. People are pissed at the government, no matter if you're left or right, so they are pissed at cops.

Doesn't matter if the officers today are better or worse, they're still pigs to the ignorant.

lisa4rugby

I think its gone downhill!
I think a lot of police are very disheartened by the lagal system and think, whats the point! Those that do there jobs get let down by the courts...

Brian R

As in all aspects of life, the 'increase' in Educational Standards betrays the bollocks when you actually speak to them.

missdiddy2002

The standard of officers is no different. what you have to take into consideration is that these days there is twice as much crime as there was 20 years ago with less officers than there were 20 years ago.
The government will not give the polive forces anymore money to recruit more officers to help this problem so it is a viscious circle.
There is also a record number of probationers joining the forces then leaving after 2 years become they are disillusioned with the police force.
They are only human at the end of the day but at times they are expected to perform the superhuman, and work 10 hours a day chasing their tails.
most of the time nowadays there are not enough coppers to be partnered up so there are coppers driving around to violent jobs on their own.
and to add to their troubles, once the officer has arrested someone he/she spends hours completing paperwork keeping that officer off the streets (therefore if 3 officers arrest 3 people that means 3 less on the street for anything upto 8 hours).
Once all the paperwork is completed the officer has to deal with the cps who then 'decide' whether it is in the public interest to charge the suspects.
Then should they get charged and go to court they are usually sent away with a slapped wrist and back out on the street to commit crime all over again, just adding to the officer who spent 8 hours writing's frustrations.

londongirlie

i think it is fair.

Police used to be very approachable, and helpful..

I find SOME of them, not all, to be rude and extreamly disinterested.

old fuzz

Standards of 1987 compared to standard of 2007? More departments now want officers with college degrees. Police academies are now actually harder to get through. Mental health exams are better and more thorough. Physical fitness standards are higher at the start and many departments require fitness tests throughout the employment. More and better counseling services are available to the officers in trouble.

Generally speaking, the quality of the officer in 2007 is higher; he or she is better educated, physically healthier, and more attuned to people he deals with.

You should have seen some of the officers I started with in 1964. . .

joseph m

The standard of policing has detiorated ,we have fat coppers running around in flash motors doing motorists at pub closing time rather than attend disturbances outside pubs,they cant catch burglars unless somebody shops them ,grannnies getting muggged while they are fillling in forms ,compo for stress after attending accidents ,bombings etc .Add to this the inherrent cowardice to face the thugs ,the backhanders from the drug dealers[do you really believe we pay them enough to afford flash mercs and beamers on a sergeants pay ,look at todays figures ,robberies up ,burglary down thats because minor burglaries of uninsured homes are not include,they dont even take fingerprints if its a council house.

francis f

a lot worse judging by the morons you see patrolling the streets but thats down to the government not the guys in uniform.

wild-man of Borneo

Without "The Alpha and Omega" from police officers to Robocops in planet of apes.
What do you think?
Ever wonder what is the missing link in planet of apes?

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