skycop

http://www.wistv.com/story/30393934/spring-valley-students-stage-walkout-in-support-of-ben-fields This speaks volumes, A good SRO develops positive relationships with the students they serve. Looks like he did just that, and believe me, good kids are sick of little shits interrupting class and affecting their classrooms. I was an SRO for 2 years at a large high school, it was a very rewarding, but at times a very challenging job. A good SRO works at building relationships with every type of student, the jocks, the geeks, the nerds, and my favorites were the "frequent fliers" to the office. I developed a great rapport with most of them, my desk was in the main office. I was right there with the little darlings right before they were hammered by administrators. We had a lot of interesting conversations, kids will be very open with you if they trust you. These kids knew what was going on, and if something really bad was going on they'd take me off to the side and tell me most things. It prevented a lot of things from happening before they did. There are always knuckleheads, most are a direct reflection of their parents. We had a gang start with a kid who came from another school. They called themselves the "Lucky 13", in about two months I had those little fuckers whittled down to the "Lucky 8 or so", the rest just kind of gave up. I firmly believe inside almost every kid, there is a good kid trying to get out. But life and circumstances get in the way. The ring leader was the exception, he was a bad kid. As it turned out, I had arrested his father on numerous occasions years before, for some fairly serious things. The apple didn't fall far from the tree. When his mom came into complain that her little Johnny wasn't being treated fairly. She stopped dead in her tracks once she saw me. I'd taken her side and stood up for her in several domestics years ago. She just looked at me and said. "okay man, I'll take care of it". This officer evidently was liked and respected at the school where he worked. It's refreshing several kids would stand up for him, and I bet there was a couple of "frequent fliers" that stood up for him as well. "Just 'cause I'm simple, don't mean I'm stewpid!"

I intentionally put the word FEAR in there to see what kind of response I'd get, the responses were predictable. When I said fear, it didn't necessarily mean the cops and use of force alone. It also meant the consequence, some of these kids have no fear of consequences what so ever. I FEARED my 9-10 grade WWII Merchant Marine veteran science teacher, and not because he was a bad person or a bad teacher. But because he would kick your ass if you messed with him passed a certain point. I watched him body-slam, and I mean full-on WWE body-slam a kid who messed with him a little too much. It made the current video look like a love tap. This kid was a straight-A student, but he knew he crossed the line, so did his parents, so nothing was ever said. Doc was a great teacher, but we screwed with him mercilessly, he was the nutty professor type, so it was really fun. But when the line was crossed we knew it, you never really knew where the line was, but you sure knew when you crossed it. Today he'd be fired, and helicopter parents would be all in a tizzy about how 'lil Johhny was mistreated after acting like a dumbass. It's interesting, no one even commented about the videos, and what they'd do, or just how out of control some schools can be. "Just 'cause I'm simple, don't mean I'm stewpid!"

Does it ever get old regurgitating the same old stuff? Something to ponder................ "Just 'cause I'm simple, don't mean I'm stewpid!"

And then Bob said "what do you think, I'm a radio?" "Just 'cause I'm simple, don't mean I'm stewpid!"

Very true, among other things as well. This kids do not respected any authority figures, and given the current environment they don't have to fear them either. "Just 'cause I'm simple, don't mean I'm stewpid!"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYgGW5UatNA This is what happens when you lose control, but I know, they are just kids being kids................... Educators no longer have the authority or control they once did. This is the main reason there are School Resource Officers, and their authority (whether you like it or not) has been seriously undermined by spineless administration, both school and LE. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRrU0R6pew0 "Just 'cause I'm simple, don't mean I'm stewpid!"

If my little Johnny ever acted like that, where a cop had to remove him from the room, the cops would be the least of his worries................. "Just 'cause I'm simple, don't mean I'm stewpid!"

The best way I've heard a cop describe trying to control and take down an angry woman is, "it's like trying to throw a cat in a bathtub, and it's never pretty". So was mine, and mean as a snake if you pissed her off. "Just 'cause I'm simple, don't mean I'm stewpid!"

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=26f_1445973785 Another angle. "Just 'cause I'm simple, don't mean I'm stewpid!"

I've tried to explain this ad-nauseam, Police work isn't in the top ten of dangerous occupations I agree, HOWEVER there is no other occupation that has the inherent risks that police work has. Threats conspire and plan to hurt or kill you, machines don't. The human factor. Dangerous situations can come at ANY TIME, ANY PLACE. While you are eating lunch, while you are at the office, while you are driving around, while you are walking, riding a bicycle or motorcycle, flying in an airplane, while you are driving home, while you are home, at the mall and the list goes on. These are dangers related to police activities, not just the activity listed. I used to tell recruits that this job is mainly driving around being visible, taking reports, and conducting enforcement activities. When stuff goes bad, it can go bad fast, without warning and they better be able to deal with it by using sound tactics and safety habits. Like the sign at our DZ said, "you can do everything right, and still end up dead". Accept that fact, treat people the way you want to be treated, use sound tactics and you should be fine. If you go around your career thinking you are walking the line of death everyday, you'll drive yourself nuts and you should probably look for another job. I've been in this for almost 30yrs, all on the operational side of the building. Most of my career was spent in the inner-city. "Just 'cause I'm simple, don't mean I'm stewpid!"

No apology needed. This isn't just one politician trying to save his skin, it's several inner-city areas where the cops have backed off and the criminal element filled the vacuum. Baltimore, Cincinnati, St. Louis, Chicago, and the list goes on. It's interesting, ask the "experts"= talking heads, the cops really had nothing to do with the dramatic reduction in crime over the last 20 years. However, those same people blame the cops for the uptick in shootings and other violent crimes, then blame them for not doing anything. Controlling and preventing violent crime and dealing with the criminal element ain't pretty sometimes. In many cities cops don't want to be the next officer thrown under the bus by political leadership. Just because something is unpleasant and ugly doesn't mean it's wrong. That is the paradox in modern police work. Answer your radio calls and go home, meanwhile the most vulnerable suffer. "Just 'cause I'm simple, don't mean I'm stewpid!"

Yes, an edited "video" with no context of the actual situation or explanation as to the resolution of the situation. But he sure got one over on the man! "Just 'cause I'm simple, don't mean I'm stewpid!"

Please stop using reason and physiological stuff. I've tried, it can't beat the 24 hour news cycle and the internet armchair experts. "Just 'cause I'm simple, don't mean I'm stewpid!"

Really............... I've met a few Polizei over the years, good guys, they said the same thing almost every European officer said when they found out I was an American LEO. They said it was crazy and they'd never do it. Mainly because our society is so heavily armed and the criminals have so many rights. I'm pretty confident in saying if someone was shooting at them in a prolonged stand-off, they'd shoot back. "Just 'cause I'm simple, don't mean I'm stewpid!"

Cops don't need armored vehicles. Nope, no way............. IED's you say? Nope, no way. Oh wait, The guy who did this had several long guns, shot a paramedic/cop, and had...........wait for it..........IED's. But I know actual proof, of actual uses of the these vehicles confuses many here. Not to mention an MRAP in our area took numerous rounds, and helped end a dangerous and potentially deadly stand-off, had it not been for the MRAP. It's really interesting since that happened, the MRAP has stayed in the garage and has not hurt anyone. Although that would be difficult to do, because it's just an armored capsule, sitting on a truck frame. It's much easier to listen to talking heads on the 24 hour news cycle opine about these (unarmed) and evil things..... But according to you, I'm supposed to just get shot, for the sake of getting shot. "Just 'cause I'm simple, don't mean I'm stewpid!"

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2015/07/09/us-cities-homicide-surge-2015/29879091/ Major cities are experiencing double digit increases in violent crime, St. Louis, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Chicago, and on....... http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/01/us/murder-rates-rising-sharply-in-many-us-cities.html?_r=0 Of the numbers you quoted, many were 2013 and before. These spikes have just started (by statistical standards), and will continue until communities say enough. Whether you like it or not, proactive policing reduces crime, hence the drops you noted. It's now up to the cities involved to determine what kind of proactive policing they want and need. No, I live in the real world, where someone has actually tried to kill me. I'm sure you never practice your emergency procedures, because your gear will never malfunction, and you'll never have to deal with it. It may only happen once, oh wait, it only takes once........... "Just 'cause I'm simple, don't mean I'm stewpid!"

The "blue wall" you speak of isn't nearly what you think it is, believe me. How about the bikers who showed up, started a gang fight which turned into a gun fight in a crowded area. The cops are the ones who have to unfuck that mess, and a mess it is. They are playing hardball as they should, it will take years for this to shake out. I used to have respect for bikers, when I started in the 80's many 1%ers were Vietnam vets who had a reason to be mad at the world. I never trusted them, but they were usually very respectful and realized a lot of attention was bad for business. Most of the newer ones are just anti-social criminals for no apparent reason other than being assholes. "Just 'cause I'm simple, don't mean I'm stewpid!"

That's the best you've got............. A smart guy like you? There is no denial, either stated or implied. But again, since you apparently have all the answers, you should apply, suit up, and have at it. I'll get the popcorn. "Just 'cause I'm simple, don't mean I'm stewpid!"

Don't let them get to you, secondly don't give them the satisfaction of you getting angry. This stuff is cyclical, although this time is worse, longer, and more violent then the post Rodney King era. Crime rates will continue to trend significantly upward, mainly because the police have backed off. Backing off because of being concerned they will be the next cop thrown under the bus by the media and political leadership. Thrown under the bus even though their actions were justified and the facts reported are incorrect or flat out lies. But it looked bad, so it must be bad. The cops own some of this too, no doubt, but there are hundreds of thousands of cops doing great stuff everyday. Mundane things, routine things, dangerous things, very dangerous things under difficult circumstances you will never read about in the paper, watch on TV, or see online. Quite frankly I've experienced more support in the last year then at any other time in my career. I've had my meals picked up on numerous occasions, one time twice in one day (while working a double shift). I've had more people come up and express support than I can count. The negative contacts I've had regarding the recent issues, were people engaged in criminal behaviors, go figure. Even then it was only two, out of hundreds of contacts. People will eventually get sick of the rising crime rates, and stop listening to detractors and talking heads who have no idea what they are talking about. I just don't talk about this, I live this, so I have a larger stake than most here. Even the detractors will get the same service if they pick up a phone and call when needed. Body cameras are a good thing, I've always said that, you'll see more and more extraordinary things cops do DAILY. But the 24 hour news cycle and chronic complainers will slow the process, because it doesn't meet their agendas. "Just 'cause I'm simple, don't mean I'm stewpid!"

Where I work the hiring process from off the street to getting hired is 6-9 months after passing the initial test, background investigation, psychological testing, physical agility test, and interviews. This is to get hired and go to the academy, the state where I work you have to be hired and sworn before you can go to the academy, and the agency pays for the training. The academy is 22 weeks long, after passing that, there is at least a 16 week Field Training Officer (FTO) training program. The trainee rides with several senior FTO certified officers on different shifts, the trainee is evaluated daily. If the officer passes FTO training, the officer is on his/her own. It's not unusual for the training to last longer, based on instructor input. The entire process usually takes about 18 months from the street to a certified officer working on his/her own. In some states you can pay for the academy on your own, get certified, then apply to departments. The normal hiring process in these cases is about 6 months from my understanding. The academy length varies by state. Most agencies minimum requirements are a high school diploma. But unless you have prior military experience, its hard to get hired with just a high school education. There is virtually no chance to advance your career without a degree. I work with guys who have masters degrees, and one that has a law degree. It's a difficult and very competitive process, unlike what the uninformed or media would lead you to believe. "Just 'cause I'm simple, don't mean I'm stewpid!"

When one is not striking initially someone with the "club", and it is held against a combative subject, it is a control device. When it is swung and strikes a combative subject it becomes an impact weapon. If the guy was swinging for the fences initially, I'd agree with you. He wasn't, and didn't impact the kid until he grabbed for the baton. Even then his hands were still holding on to the baton. That's using a retention technique while striking. Once the kid stopped grabbing at the baton, the blows stopped. Google the use of force continuum, this went by the numbers even though you (and others) may not like it. It's appears to be an ASP or similar collapsible baton, which can be used to control arms and legs without striking them. Again, you or I don't know what happened before the video started. But it isn't in dispute that the kid was not in compliance initially or anytime during the entire incident. "Just 'cause I'm simple, don't mean I'm stewpid!"

Early in the video the baton is never swung, it is being used as a control device. The kid continues to refuse to comply, then grabs at the baton. The force level escalates again, it's not pretty at all, but compliance stops the situation at any point. "Just 'cause I'm simple, don't mean I'm stewpid!"

Facts are difficult for the easily offended......... "Just 'cause I'm simple, don't mean I'm stewpid!"

You are seeing the alternative in many major cities, the cops back off and the violent crime rate spikes. There are three steps; Ask Tell Make Once it makes to the "make" stage, things are seldom pretty, sad but true. Like I said before, enjoy the higher crime rates, they are going to be around a while. Comply or die..........hmmm............... Hyperbole much...............? "Just 'cause I'm simple, don't mean I'm stewpid!"

I've stayed out of this, and haven't read every thread, but here goes............ It's really easy, if the kid complies with a lawful order, it's over, done, a non-event. It's now quite the thing to disregard lawful orders, then record the ensuing provocation of the cops. There is no nice or pretty way to use force on someone, even empty handed force or control techniques. Once resistance is encountered the use of force continuum applies. The kid takes it a step further by grabbing the baton. Just because something is ugly, doesn't mean it isn't justified, see statement above. I would bet there were problems reported in this area, that's why the cops were there in the first place. We have not idea what happened before the video started rolling, or what caused the situation to start. Once the fight starts the cops are going to finish it, regardless if it's pretty or not. It's never a good idea to fight an armed guy............. Now flame away. "Just 'cause I'm simple, don't mean I'm stewpid!"