The LEO's around where I grew up must do mandatory time working in the regional jail before they can be considered for police jobs. They come out worse for the wear, dis-trustful, and automatically treating people as the opposition or criminals. Seems almost like a mild form of PTSD, or something.
I now live in a different town where officers are hired directly through the department from all over. The difference is night and day. There's no "us vs them" mentality even in simple traffic stops, and they don't move around you like you are likely going to hurt them unless you do stupid things.
Did you feel your stint in the correctional facility changed you as a person?
I did come out of that experience somewhat worse for the wear.I did grow up on the streets,in not the best neighborhood,that did have several gangs,so I wasn't without "street smarts".For the most part,you're dealing with the armpit of humanity in the jail.It turns out,even seasoned veteran CO's felt the same way.You're not armed and stuff happens all the time,as the population,except overnight,is locked out,as not in their cells, all the time.I worked in HDM,the House of Detention for Men.Block census was 240 inmates.That's 120 on each side of the block,and 1.....yes one officer to supervise 120 inmates.If they wanted to take you,which did happen on occasion,you didn't have a chance.Rikers is full of the worst and most dangerous humanity has to offer,......period.Some kill each other over a slice of cheese.
In the NYPD police academy.I was made my company sergeant, because of my previous experience in law enforcement and supervising inmates,so I was in charge of my company of 45 probationary police officers.I was also given a choice of assignments after graduation.Upon graduation everyone is assigned to a Neighborhood Stabization Unit or NSU.which is located in a precinct .You're expected to remain in field training for 6 months ,but I was transfered to a permanent command 2 months earlier due to my previous experience,as there was a manpower shortage in regular patrol precincts.By that time,I'd learned to not be as cynical as I was in Corrections,and be as even handed and fair as possible with civilians.I think I did a pretty good job of it.In general,I was human again.
But there's some cops that do adopt that us against them attitude,depending where you work.Some commands like those in the south Bronx are just hell holes,and the us against them is true for the community as well,who hate cops.
So it's a two way street.Some of that changed after 9/11 but it's come full circle again.Some people hate cops that are just doing their job,like giving out parking tickets or moving violation tickets.That's part of the job,and police superviosers require that you do that.You don't have a choice.Comply,or lose your job,benefits and pension.Besides....this is NYC,there's PLENTY of drivers who run red lights and stop signs,and just reguard them as a suggestion,and not the law.Almost everyone is in a rush to go nowhere.
My uncle Ed once told me,"if you want to serve the public,and care about what they think of you,then become a fireman,....if you don't care what they think of you,and still want to serve the public,.....become a cop."
Steve B
