911
In an era of media-dominated cynicism about law enforcement, I'd like to share tidbits of my experience. Law enforcement is wildly misrepresented in the media, which makes me wonder what the media's true agenda is.
i volunteer with a local police department. The department offers a "citizen's" police academy, which is like a class where each week a different aspect of police work is introduced.
I learned so much and have a much deeper appreciation of what it means to be an officer. I enjoyed the academy so much that I became a volunteer with the department. I can't tell you how many hard-working people there are with hearts of gold who want nothing more than the best for their society.
Of course corruption and abuse of authority exist in law enforcement at large; but this is no different from politics or corporate life or academia or any other kind of occuption. Law enforcement must not be singled out unfairly. Their decisions are difficult, complicated, and very public, and so are their occasional mistakes.
The underfunding of law enforcement is shameful, as well, as is the vehement criticism of the use of Tasers.
First of all, Tasers were never intended as "non-lethal" force, and have never been billed as such. The hope is that it's one more tool an officer has for protection before using an actual firearm.
There is risk involved with Tasers, of course, but no one said there wasn't. Anytime someone decides to become violent, there is risk of harm. The media never mention that police themselves must be "Tasered" and sprayed with tear gas themselves during training so that they know what the effect is on someone else.
People don't seem to understand that almost every time a Taser is used, it is taking the place of a gun, which is much more lethal. This is an improvement to the system, folks, not a solution.
i volunteer with a local police department. The department offers a "citizen's" police academy, which is like a class where each week a different aspect of police work is introduced.
I learned so much and have a much deeper appreciation of what it means to be an officer. I enjoyed the academy so much that I became a volunteer with the department. I can't tell you how many hard-working people there are with hearts of gold who want nothing more than the best for their society.
Of course corruption and abuse of authority exist in law enforcement at large; but this is no different from politics or corporate life or academia or any other kind of occuption. Law enforcement must not be singled out unfairly. Their decisions are difficult, complicated, and very public, and so are their occasional mistakes.
The underfunding of law enforcement is shameful, as well, as is the vehement criticism of the use of Tasers.
First of all, Tasers were never intended as "non-lethal" force, and have never been billed as such. The hope is that it's one more tool an officer has for protection before using an actual firearm.
There is risk involved with Tasers, of course, but no one said there wasn't. Anytime someone decides to become violent, there is risk of harm. The media never mention that police themselves must be "Tasered" and sprayed with tear gas themselves during training so that they know what the effect is on someone else.
People don't seem to understand that almost every time a Taser is used, it is taking the place of a gun, which is much more lethal. This is an improvement to the system, folks, not a solution.
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