I’ll try to jump on a few things here as a Marine turned cop in a fairly large southern CA city. My academy was a 6 month high stress “paramilitary” type that through the first three months was as physically as hard as boot camp. Also included stress inoculation and force on force stuff. Field training was about 5 months at my first department and 7 months at my second (changed for better pay).

I have received additional deescalation and mental health crisis training and much rather take the deescalation route than use force. For a multitude of reasons. My department preaches platform...example being do I want to get in a foot pursuit and use of force over a stolen candy bar? Generally not worth it. I spend more time finding ways not to arrest people than reasons to. My Department is relatively well funded compared to some and are already doing some form of the things people are asking for in this “defund” movement.

I still feel like my training is severely lacking. A big reason we don’t have military levels of training is money and staffing. Most departments barely carry enough people to cover calls for service. To train means pulling guys off the street and having someone come in on OT. This adds up and the money counters at city hall don’t like the bills. So generally speaking training is the first thing cut or reduced. Covid will make this worse. I have never heard of “warrior training” where I’m at. I’ve read the Grossman books and have been in his class. Not a huge “sheepdog” fan, but the physiological reaction stuff is worth knowing.

Generally speaking bachelor degrees are pretty common and masters degrees are not uncommon. I work with several guys who are also business owners and one is an attorney (does not take clients from my dept lol).

These riots and protests have exposed deficiencies in quality, training, and decision making from cops. Some are straight up fucking idiotic and embarrassing.

Here and open for flames, critiques, or questions. Send em.