Wisconsin Shooter 6 dead,, 20 YO deputy sheriff? is that right? how is that?

Question

I feel really bad for the familys, my deepest sympathy goes out them.

But back to the question,
How is it that this guys was a deputy sherriff at the age of 20? Don't they have to go to training and or school for years? and do psychological analysis?
I mean this guy only had his drivers license for a few years? Just started dating? Isn't even old enough to drink?

I think that type of JOB and responsibility should only be given to people that are a little more mature and trained, this is a perfect example..

Does anyone else know how this individual slipped through the cracks?.. Is this normal to promote law enforcement people into this massive responsibility at such a young age??

To me it seems like a horrible idea.

anyone else?

I think this should set a precedent to set the bar a bit higher for these individuals in the future?

Answer 1

Each state has their own individual hiring age minimum. I started in a small New England town at 19 years old as a full time officer while working my way through collage full time. I later went to work for a major city.

But, I must agree that this guy was obviously nuts. I know many small towns do not put the people they hire through as many and as compressive testing as major cities. But, they should have seen this one I would think.

I hope in the next few days more is revealed. Its sad when a cop goes bad... It is a huge black eye for us good and honest ones.

Answer 2

Well- I have seen officers, deputites, jailers, dispatchers- all sorts of people in the field who are young. many agencies do not force a college degree, especially small ones like that agency. HOWEVER- many agencies will require a psych eval prior to employment. This kid is a new deputy- he served as a part time or reserve officer prior to that. Due to his age- he obviously hasnt been in the field long- with the exception of the chance of some sort of explorer program or something.

The size of the agency is a pretty big factor. Sometimes there are simply no resources or a job pool for such a job. I think the situation would have been different if he were ON DUTY when the event occured. It is tragic none the less.

You would be surprised at how many individuals "slip through the cracks". I want to know what you mean by slipping through. Did he slip through psychologically or do you consider the age the "slip"?

Also- this is not a new concept- violence in law enforcement. Many cops will "snap" and things happen. Look at that cop a little while ago who killed his pregnant lover in Ohio? Law Enforcement is a VERY stressful job, and many people dont realize it. We all work hard to care of each other- but sometimes you cant help everyone.

Answer 3

How do we make sense of the senseless ? How do we comprehend the incomprehensible ?

It may not be the smartest policy to hire young people in positions of authority, but then again, they are at the age of majority as dictated by our society. There is quite a bit of hypocrisy in our society, some of which was outlined by previous posters. Some additions, eighteen yr olds can vote, thereby putting into power those that run the world's only superpower left. Eighteen yr olds can go off to war and be entrusted to not shoot people indiscriminately. So, why would anyone question whether a 20 yr old can be a deputy ? They are legally adults as dictated by our society. To NOT do so is age discrimination. (Assuming they can perform every other aspect of the job and pass all the tests).

Herein lies the rub. Test can only see hypotheticals. Think about it; people that kill in a passion are even looked at differently under the law. They have 'a moment of craziness' spurred by a passion. ANY person who has not gone through severe emotional pain (and a breakup could certainly be severe emotionally for a 20 yr old) cannot totally tell how they will react in that situation. It is quite different to be asked the question, "Would you kill someone out of passion ?" and actually experience that passion and have the mental strength to get through it. It is called 'Experiential Learning" as opposed to "Book Learning".

We as a society have to have standards that apply to everybody. The problem is, everyone is different. People can lie on tests; they are not foolproof. And they certainly can't tell what someone will do with an (as yet) unexperienced emotion.

Answer 4

My husband went to school for police science and went through academy. Was finished after two years. This deputy probably did the same and had probably just recently been hired on as a deputy. Even if the psychological exam would have been done it probably would not have found anything though, right? Everyone said he was a good kid and was well liked. Very nice boy everyone keeps saying about him. Everyone is confused about why this happened. Maybe we will have some answers soon after the investigation is complete.

Answer 5

I don't know in which state this tragedy took place, nor do I know 'how and why' this young man became a 'deputy sheriff' or 'deputy police person' ... but while this person was 'young' and possibly should not have been 'hired' or 'elected' or whatever ... he should NOT have been a 'deputy anything' at any time in his life.
I'm a psychologist, and I know that some people can successfully hide their 'mental health problems' ... but in a case like this, we are seeing the WORST that can happen when a person 'applies' for a job of responsibility and can 'escape detection' of their 'mental instabilities' during the 'hiring' process. There was obviously something 'wrong' with this young man, and he SHOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE to get 'help' and not be 'punished' for it ... but he felt it necessary to 'hide' his problem, and then he 'went off' and committed a 'mass murder' for some 'unknown reason.' AGE doesn't really matter ... the 'selection process' does.

Answer 6

In most sitations, yes. I was a police officer at age 20, I turned out alright. (As far as I can tell)

Training is typically in academy form and lasts 12-26 weeks, sometimes longer, sometimes shorter depending on the state and agency. Most agencies statewide require your high school diploma, or a GED for employment.

For the most part, no, someone that young isn't usually employed as a law enforcement officer, I don't believe he slipped through the cracks. I'm willing to bet he was an explorer or cadet, they saw promise in him, and gave him a job.

Don't assume automatically his age had something to do with it, he might've just gone off the deep end for reasons unrelated.

Answer 7

I was a reserve police officer at age 18, and went through the battery of psychological tests and all that. I could clear out a bar but could not drink; I could carry a weapon but could not buy ammo. It all worked out though...

To answer your question, it all depends on the state and policy of the agency. Most but not all places hire at 21+.

Answer 8

This provides more evidence to support the idea that it's not guns that are the problem, it is irresponsible people who use them. It wasn't a random, supposedly innocent citizen who purchased the gun and shot someone. It was a police officer who was supposed to carry a gun.

You're right. There should have been more of a psycho-analysis done.

Answer 9

I was wondering the same thing myself as I read that story this morning. I think the only training they have to go to just takes a year or two. I am very interested to find out if he had to pass a psych evaluation before he was hired!

Answer 10

NBC news gave it about 5 seconds in the middle of their news tonight. Any other mass murder would have been their lead for at least a week, perhaps a month.