Queso wrote:Yeah, but most rookies with the Texas Department of Public Safety are just as bad.
I think that is the way in most departments of first choice. Most of the Texas troopers I have encountered have been older, more mature, and decent guys. I don't run into many of the n00bs. I know Ohio's highway patrol needs about half their n00bs taken out and shot, same with SAPD. They are arrogant, no-neck control freaks who think the solution to EVERYTHING is to kick someone's ass, then write a lousy report (complete with spelling errors) about it.
Bottom line, that is a hiring problem. They are taking the football players who may have college, may not. They kind of mumble the answers about how they feel about public service, helping people, etc. but their eyes light up like spotlights in the interview board when they get asked if they could take a life. Letting them thin the herd on the streets is a double edged sword. Most of the really hard-headed ones will screw up bad enough to get fired or taken off the street. However, they will have ruined the image of cops in the eyes of who knows how many people before they finally screw up bad enough to go away.
A good sense of humor and thick skin will save you a mountain of paperwork and helps avoid taking people to jail who wouldn't have gone if you weren't an asshole.
I like my coffee how I like my women: Black, bitter, and preferably fair trade.