Police Training in the USA: Fact or Fiction?
The claim that nearly everyone who applies passes police training in the USA and this explains the level of police violence or misbehavior is a misconception. Let's explore the truth behind police training and recruitment in the United States.
Police Recruitment and Training: Rigor Beyond Initial Screening
Contrary to popular belief, the wash-out rate for police training in the USA is around 30 percent. Before undergoing training, candidates are screened through a rigorous process that includes background checks, psychological evaluations, and assessments of physical fitness.
Post-recruitment, the journey to becoming a police officer is not a cakewalk. The training itself is intensive, typically spanning about 16 weeks, and is directly supervised. This is followed by a lengthy probationary period, during which officers are closely monitored and evaluated for readiness to perform their duties independently.
Generational Issues and Family Traits
The idea that the son or daughter of a former police officer will inevitably follow in their family's footsteps is often fueled by urban legends and personal anecdotes. While it's true that some families in the United States have a history of law enforcement, this doesn't necessarily mean that every member of a police family will choose this career path. Additionally, not all officers are created equal; some may have a more rigid moral compass or a stronger dedication to serving the public without resorting to excessive force.
To illustrate, consider the author’s family history: 'My grandfather was a bad cop, my father was worse, and I’m shooting to set a new record for bad cops in this family. Whatever my son does, he will do even worse.' This narrative is not representative of the majority but rather an exception that proves the rule. The majority of police officers are well-mannered and gentle, even by international standards.
Data-Driven Insights: Police Enforcements and Violences
Let's turn to the numbers. According to credible data, the level of police violence is actually quite low. In 2020, there were 7.63 million arrests made by law enforcement, out of 61,542,000 police-citizen interactions. Among these interactions, 1.2 million incidents involved some level of force, from empty hand control to deadly force. Tragically, 1,000 people were killed during these encounters. Considering that the majority of these interactions involved violent encounters initiated by the citizens, the proportion of fatal outcomes is around 0.0016 percent.
While it's true that the media often sensationalizes these incidents, it's important to provide context. The narrative of constant police brutality doesn't accurately reflect the reality and can sometimes lead to a misunderstanding of the challenges faced by law enforcement.
The Training Process: A Rigorous Journey
A police academy training course is typically around five months long. During this time, future officers learn essential skills, including legal procedures, firearm training, communication, and physical conditioning. It is a standardized educational program designed to prepare individuals for the diverse and demanding tasks of law enforcement.
While the academy pass rate is relatively high (around 90 percent), it's essential to understand that this is similar to a community college's pass rate. It does not necessarily indicate a rigorous weeding-out process but rather is an initial level of education and training.
After completing the academy, officers often undergo additional training known as 'hold over' classes, which can last from weeks to months. This phase further hones their skills and prepares them for the complexities of real-world scenarios.
The final phase involves field training, where new officers work closely with seasoned officers. This phase is critical, as it provides the opportunity for hands-on experience and immediate feedback. The failure rate during this period can be quite high, with officers who don't meet strict safety and performance standards being fired.
Following field training, officers enter a one-year probationary period. During this time, they are closely monitored for their ability to perform their duties safely and effectively. This probationary period is a crucial time to establish whether a newly trained officer is ready to work independently as a full-fledged police officer.
In conclusion, the myth of easy police training and its correlation to high levels of violence and misbehavior is not supported by data. The training process is rigorous and comprehensive, with multiple stages of evaluation and training. By understanding the real process of police recruitment and training, we can gain a more accurate perspective on the work of law enforcement in the United States.