Hello officers of reddit. In an associates program for Conservation Law Enforcement and writing a college essay on physical standards in law enforcement and how standards should be more strict. My criminal justice teacher is a former Game Warden so I thought this would be a good topic since he likes to emphasize on officer presence and being fit. Been making efforts myself this year to work out and exceed the standards of my state’s game warden requirements.
Now I understand most departments have relaxed on physical standards for the sake of needing warm bodies on the force, but what do you guys think? Is it better to have a small force consisting of competent officers or a larger force with less competence?
If you got anymore input on the subject it would also be appreciated as well.
Thanks!
Comments
> Is it better to have a small force consisting of competent officers or a larger force with less competence?
Most of the day-to-day work of a cop can be handled by the less competent officers, so you’re doing the community a disservice if you have really high standards and a really competent workforce. Unfortunately, there’s no way to predict when and where the stuff that needs the really high speed guys and gals is going to occur, so you also might end up doing the community a disservice by employing a lot of only mildly reliable people. Balancing those two concerns is the continuous juggling act all departments are trying to nail.
Sorry that’s not really an answer to the question, but it’s more or less reality as I read it. Reasonable minds can differ on the subject though.