Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted: What's the root problem in law enforcment in the southeastern US New Orleans? How can an entire region be so screwed up? Is it low pay? Nepotism? Low standards? Affirmative action? Racial/Gender seat asides? Poor leadership? Poor supervision? Lack of quality applicants?
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That's about it.
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Yes ... but ...
Given your experience I am certain that you know better than most on this board about how frequently truely "bad cops" occur -- I am guessing that its really pretty infrequent (not counting "over zelaous" or "officious" behaviour here -- I'm talking about real bad apples).
I am also guessing that the real bad apples get noticed reasonably quickly - either before they get sworn, or not long after -- and taken care of internally.
So assuming that I am not REALLY out of line in my expectations of the police in policing themselves, how does a police force ever get into the state that NO seems to be in?
Seems to me it takes an almost deliberate policy on some level -- some relatively high level -- to foster this sort of behavior, to employ and tolerate people who (IMHO) would never hold down a job in any "normal" police force.
----------------- Edit: just looked at this with my siganture attached -- seems perhaps appropriate -- maybe a deliberate policy is not required
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You raise an interesting issue.....
As I discussed with a Police Officer friend, police officers should uphold the law. All the law.
No "winking" at minor violations. No "special treatment" for certain violations.
New Orleans police dept. was given the task of upholding the law.....some of it.
But they were expected to "wink" at the drugs, prostitution, and drunkeness in the French Quarters.
Once the line is blurred, it is hard to find it again.
When I was carrying a badge, I arrested anyone that violated the law. I didn't "wink" at any violation.
Either you uphold the law or you don't.
They don't.
Hence the problems.