Exactly that. Most police officers are poorly paid in the US so they don't get the best people applying. In this country we are lucky that ther is a waiting list of candidates so the police can afford to be picky.

I'm sure most police officers are not racist and do a dangerous job well but training is another key aspect. How much do they receive and what quality as I keep saving with tens of thousands of police departments the quality will vary from area to area.

One more point

I know you are putting forward a well meaning point. But induluge me some pushback on this position both in terms of practicality and in terms of recognition of a significant 'problem' requiring large amounts of extra expenditure.

Firstly, in response to your suggestions of 'better type of person'. What better paid profession is there where incompetence isn't happening?

I would agree with you that this incident should result in certain holds and restraints being removed from training manuals.

However, I take the view that there isn't a 'real' problem in US policing that is different to anywhere else. I think 'selective' isolated incidents with their resultant protests convince people that there are.

In a country of over 300 million, with an enforcement arm in proportion to it, you are always going to get cases of incompetence or what you call 'racism'.....the only realistic thing 'better training' does is cover the arse of the managerial arm.....to the tax payer's even greater cost.

While there are incidents of Police being murderers, these incidents are rare, but they are presented as otherwise. In most cases people are human and make mistakes.....especially under stress, which is what enforcement on the street involves.

I wager that the amount of money paid isn't going to see these incidents stop.....whether it was racist or not. The idea that 'professional' people who could have nice safe comfy careers are going to turn around and deal with criminals all day long for a bit more money isn't realistic.

But hopefully we can stop knees on necks or holds that induce unnecessarily long periods of significant physical stress.

Edited by Stirlingsays (07 Jun 2020 11.12am)

'Who are you and how did you get in here? I'm a locksmith. And, I'm a locksmith.' (Leslie Nielsen)

Like you I don't believe there is a widespread problem with racism in the police forces. However I do believe that the police are often aggressive when it is not required, Black people call it racism white people would just say the police officer went over the top. I also get that it is a far more dangerous job than over here 100 officers a year are murdered by the public.

All I was saying is that if people really want to change the culture of policing in their neighbourhood defunding is not the answer.

By the way qualifications to join the police are a lot lower in the US than here where it is now degree or equivalent. I believe for most people thinking of joining the police in the US the alternative is the military where you get a lot more respect from the public.

Some police forces are so small or badly funded the officer on the beat is basically a mall cop with a gun. You do not want to be accused of murder in a small town.

Bottom line is the public get the police force they want. Beverley Hills Cop may be fiction but is based on a truism you get what you pay for.

Edited by Badger11 (07 Jun 2020 11.28am)

One more point

One more point

Those fine upstanding gentlemen the Proud Boys are eager to add guns to the mix in the current protests. That'll end well.

Facebook removes 200 hate group accounts, some that urged people to attend protests with guns

[Link]

Zuck has been treading a more sensible line than Twitter's approach of late, even getting nods of approval from Trump. Clearly though, they don't want to get caught up in anything that could escalate the current protests by magnitudes.

It's hilarious that the Proud boys are deemed to be worthy of criticism when all this crap is coming from black lives matter nutters.

If the Proud Boys were even doing even one in a hundredth of this destruction and violence these people would be foaming at the mouth.

Yet even when it isn't that one in a hundred they still find their way into their commentary.

Edited by Stirlingsays (07 Jun 2020 4.36pm)

'Who are you and how did you get in here? I'm a locksmith. And, I'm a locksmith.' (Leslie Nielsen)