No they are not too young. But they've had more training, and have been instilled with more discipline. They also operate under the close supervision of their NCOs. A small department deputy and/or town cop is much more likley to have to operate on their own. Make a big difference. A larger department would have both more extensive training and would have the green guys, of whatever age, ride along with a more mature training officer, and probably for alonger time.
I recently had occasion to interact with and observe a young MP right out of training. He was operating on his own, but support, and his NCO or supervisor (they worked with civilian post police) was right at the other end of the radio, and much closer than would be the case for a small department, with a big county to cover, deputy . He still was a pretty nervous troop, unsure of himself, but friendly. And that only to take a report of minor fender bender.
No they are not too young. But they’ve had more training, and have been instilled with more discipline. They also operate under the close supervision of their NCOs. A small department deputy and/or town cop is much more likley to have to operate on their own. Make a big difference. A larger department would have both more extensive training and would have the green guys, of whatever age, ride along with a more mature training officer, and probably for alonger time.
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Sometimes the LT. and the NCOs and Doc go down,,,
Then you got a 19 year old(with some salt) with a PRC\25
that runs the show(olden days),,,
You are spot~on about the training and the ride~alongs...