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A lot of talk today about police training today in the wake of #DuanteWright& #39;s death.
Well, here& #39;s a short #Thread from someone who served as an officer. It& #39;s worse than you think. /1
Well, here& #39;s a short #Thread from someone who served as an officer. It& #39;s worse than you think. /1
My knowledge:
Firearms instructor in the military.
Us Army Infantry
Criminal justice degree
A handful of different public safety positions including jailer and patrol officer....
Now, let me tell you what I& #39;ve experienced. /2
Firearms instructor in the military.
Us Army Infantry
Criminal justice degree
A handful of different public safety positions including jailer and patrol officer....
Now, let me tell you what I& #39;ve experienced. /2
I was hired by a small dept. In Oklahoma. I received 2 days training with a fellow officer before being allowed on solo patrol (I had not had their academy training yet and could be allowed up to 11 months work without it).
During this time - /3
During this time - /3
Day 1: racist group rant directed toward indigenous persons. "Taught" how to manipulate a traffic stop in a warrantless search that would "hold up in court."
Day 2: manipulated into arresting a man. I later learned it was a hazing incident because the man was black and gay. /4
Day 2: manipulated into arresting a man. I later learned it was a hazing incident because the man was black and gay. /4
Day 3: spent 1 hour riding with chief and then given clearance to solo patrol based on my previous experience (military, college, and park ranger) and my "demonstrated" capabilities.
Day 5: called in by my "training" officer (a state certified academy instructor) early... /5
Day 5: called in by my "training" officer (a state certified academy instructor) early... /5
Day 5 cont.: they suddenly realized they had no firearms training or qualification record for me.
I was taken to a makeshift range and provided 15 minutes of training and 2 qualification runs. I passed (thank God I already knew firearms). /6
I was taken to a makeshift range and provided 15 minutes of training and 2 qualification runs. I passed (thank God I already knew firearms). /6
A week or so later: I was finally sent for my "psych eval" - a 2 page questionnaire and then a 10 minute meeting with a state psychologist. I was cleared to work the street that I was already working.
Note: There was no POC in the dept. /7
Note: There was no POC in the dept. /7
This is just the tip of the iceberg, and not an anomaly. States all over have a various time allowance allowing officers to work prior to a academy training; between 3 months and 1 year.
Most places non academy officers are supposed to be partnered up with a senior officer. /8
Most places non academy officers are supposed to be partnered up with a senior officer. /8
In reality that doesn& #39;t always happen.
Firearms training is woefully inadequate and qualification standards are of a minimum needed to show competence.
1 to 2 times a year are the requirements for range quals.
My dept. Had no implicit bias or equality training. None. /9
Firearms training is woefully inadequate and qualification standards are of a minimum needed to show competence.
1 to 2 times a year are the requirements for range quals.
My dept. Had no implicit bias or equality training. None. /9
I& #39;m not an officer today because I realized I was wrong for the job. My then untreated PTSD made me wrong for the job (amazing how the psyche eval noticed nothing).
Now let me add what has happened since.......... /10
Now let me add what has happened since.......... /10
In treatment for PTSD I once had a med change that caused a manic episode. I was suicidal. I had a run in with officers, who knew I was unarmed, a PTSD suffering vet in crisis, and I was approached by 4 cars, 6 officers with guns and tasers. /11
The 1st officer who went for his gun (I was across the street and not physical) claimed later he was reaching for a taser (sound familiar?).
My physical exhaustion and my skin color is the only reason I& #39;m alive today, though I was face planted, had my shoulder messed up, /12
My physical exhaustion and my skin color is the only reason I& #39;m alive today, though I was face planted, had my shoulder messed up, /12
and was taken to jail, not a hospital.
My hometown gives volunteer reserve officers 1-2 week training, a gun, a car, and allows them to patrol solo.
I know a sheriff in Oregon who refuses to obey or enforce the no guns in school or federal bldg. laws, and has even made a. /13
My hometown gives volunteer reserve officers 1-2 week training, a gun, a car, and allows them to patrol solo.
I know a sheriff in Oregon who refuses to obey or enforce the no guns in school or federal bldg. laws, and has even made a. /13
Blanket challenge to any other LEO to try and enforce that on his watch.
I know officers who& #39;ve sold drugs from their cars. I& #39;ve seen officers mishandle firearms on the daily.
Are there good cops? /14
I know officers who& #39;ve sold drugs from their cars. I& #39;ve seen officers mishandle firearms on the daily.
Are there good cops? /14
Are there good cops?
I used to think so, but until they stand up against bad policies, bad training, bigotry and implicit bias, and bad cops, then no, there doesn& #39;t appear to be any left.
We need to overhaul the system. We need accountability & proper training. Now. /end
I used to think so, but until they stand up against bad policies, bad training, bigotry and implicit bias, and bad cops, then no, there doesn& #39;t appear to be any left.
We need to overhaul the system. We need accountability & proper training. Now. /end
P.S.:
I could keep going with examples of failings in attitude, policies, and training.
I have numerous suggestions and have heard even better ideas.
The point is this thread shouldn& #39;t exist, and my story is not an aberration in a vacuum. This is America. #PoliceReformNow
I could keep going with examples of failings in attitude, policies, and training.
I have numerous suggestions and have heard even better ideas.
The point is this thread shouldn& #39;t exist, and my story is not an aberration in a vacuum. This is America. #PoliceReformNow
