Why do you believe there is such a big shortage in Law enforcement? I think the long hiring process and the dangers of the job are one of the main factors. I do believe that agencies should be more lenient in background investigations. Even if an applicant does have any prior drug use, felonies, or misdemeanors, there are many other factors that contributes to that person getting DQ'd.
2007-08-26 14:08:19 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
Good thinking. Let's relax the standards to allow dopers, criminals and felons to start enforcing the laws. Nothing can go wrong with that plan!
I think a better solution is to offer a higher salary and benefit package to attract more QUALIFIED applicants.
2007-08-26 14:15:12 · answer #1 · answered by Citicop 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Many agencies have already done away with minor drug use such as marijuana use, if you haven't done it in years or did it in high school or college. I believe the biggest reason law enforcement agencies have a shortage of officers is purely financial. Look at the starting salaries for many police agencies and you'll find that they are very low. How many people want a job where you have to be concerned with getting shot at every day when they can work in a factory or other job for the same or more money. Another reason for the shortage is that people who truly desire a career in law enforcement are employed by a law enforcement agency at a low salary and once they have attended the academy and built a fair resume by attending specialized training they jump ship to a state or federal agency who have much more competitive salaries and benefits. They basically become a training ground for higher paying agencies but are always looking for people to fill the void until the next batch of new officers jump ship.
2007-08-27 14:14:13 · answer #2 · answered by Keith 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its NOT the long hiring process, and agencies should NOT be more lenient. Why sacrifice integrity ?
The problem IS local governments refuse to pay for law enforcement, period. It is historically a tough issue for local politicians. Jails, and law enforcement can get a politician in trouble (they are expensive) when it comes to public opinion. Why spend that money in an area that will not help re-elect. Clinton began the massive law enforcement officer hiring program, back in the day, but the agreement was local agencies had to agree to take them on after 3 years... No such luck, thousands on layoff. Seen it and experienced it first hand.
2007-08-26 21:51:18 · answer #3 · answered by Robert S 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Three reasons I believe there is a shortage:
1. Education requirements, many police agencies are now requiring applicants to have at least an associates degree. Most people can take an associates degree and make more in the private section
2. Tougher hiring requirements. More and more agencies are turning down people who may been unstable or have poor backgrounds
3. The military is soaking up and retaining potential police recruits.
2007-08-26 22:11:30 · answer #4 · answered by Kenneth C 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They HAVE relaxed the background investigations. Large departments like the NYPD and LAPD take younger people, and will accept you even if you have used drugs in the past but didn't make a habit of it... As for relaxing them anymore than that, it'd be a bad idea...I mean really...Do you really want a bunch of drug addicts with guns enforcing the law? Maybe the problem is that we need people to stop doing bad things so we can hire more decent people into LE...
2007-08-27 00:09:04 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have already mentioned the two big reason why people shy away from law enforcement work. One you failed to mention is the departments loyalty to you. If you get involved in a controversial situation which creates a loud public outcry for someones head, who do you think will be offered up as the sacrifice? The mentality here in most depts, is, better one many sacrificed than to have this black eye drag on and on.
2007-08-27 07:42:11 · answer #6 · answered by WC 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely NOT. How many crooked Cops do we need?
Can someone who can't avoid drugs on the street avoid them when he is logging them as evidence.
The problems hiring are
#1 Education, look at this site, half of the questions are unintelligible. Police Work is report writing and lots of it.
If you can't articulate the reasons for your arresting a suspect how will you get a conviction.
#2 Heroes and Wannabes, about half of all applicants turn out to be unsuitable, the problem is that you can't tell in advance.
2007-08-26 21:22:38 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Read the comments here and just take a look at the media. People already believe the police to be a bunch of dolts and self serving criminals. They have some misconceived notion that we all failed at any other career and we all want to steal all we can.
By lowering standards we are only inviting more criticism to our profession. We should not allow that.
2007-08-27 03:06:20 · answer #8 · answered by California Street Cop 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The military is taking alot of potential applicants.... plus a good chunk of current LEO's are in the military in someway like Reserves or National Guard and are getting deployed like crazy...
2007-08-27 19:56:38 · answer #9 · answered by AirAssaultMP 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
sounds good time to let the fox guard the henhouse.
they end up becoming crooks anyway.
2007-08-26 21:13:00 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 4⤋