I’d like to know what’s so “elite” about them? What are they doing when they aren’t busting heads?
“I’d like to know what’s so “elite” about them? What are they doing when they aren’t busting heads?”
The article claimed they were the city’s “premier” squad made of experienced officers with extensive training in crowd control.
Maybe their training could be improved. I don’t know. But the reference to experience caught my eye.
Personally, if it were up to me, I’d select for temperament, not experience. It takes tremendous courage, discipline and self-control to remain professional when faced with a crowd in the tens of thousands and having rocks and bottles of urine thrown one’s way. A police officer who’s distinguished him or herself in every other way and over the course of many years might not have the right temperament to pull it off. An officer who’s only been on the force a few years might do far better.
But let’s face it. It’s a lousy and thankless job and our only realistic option is to aim for “better”, not “perfect”.
All IMHO. I could be wrong and I’d be interested to hear back if you thought otherwise. I figure days I don’t realize I’m wrong about something are days I don’t manage to learn anything, and I like to learn.