Quality or Quantity?

Ben Weber

Julie G. Saul

English 1010 Weber 1

Final Draft

08/03/2010

Quality or Quantity?

In 2007, when Jared Massey was pulled over for speeding in Roosevelt, UT he refused to sign a speeding ticket and consequently was ordered out of the car. The officer then ordered him to put his hands behind his back when the man reached into his pocket and started walking back to the car the Utah Highway Patrol officer deployed his Taser. Massey had a pregnant wife in the car that became hysterical when she heard her husband crying in pain. The officer then moved Mr. Massey to his vehicle where the officer refused to read Mr. Massey his rights.

After this dramatic event Jarred Massey filed a formal complaint with the UHP. The Highway Patrol apparently took longer than he expected. After the delay Jared requested the dashboard video and dispatch audio from UHP which he then posted on YouTube in order to attract the attention of the public. It was not until the video had over one million viewers online that the UHP began the investigation of Jared’s claim that the use of a Taser was unlawful. (KSL.com web)

The video on YouTube has sparked a lot of public debate as to whether the Taser deployment was justified. It was also the main source from numerous physical threats to the police officer involved which forced UHP to place the officer on leave for his own protection. Because of the controversy surrounding the incident UHP has received thousands of letters both defending and criticizing the officer’s actions. This and other incidents have helped leaders understand and implement new ways of dealing with dangerous situations effectively.

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Jim Winder has commented on a KSL interview by Bruce Lindsey about the recently changed POST academy curriculum with its newly implemented system called “Crisis Intervention”. Mr. Winder stated that the program itself has reduced the use of force by seventy percent (though there is no real way to calculate this incredible number we can still conclude that the system has had a great effect)

The issue of hiring qualified police officers who have the education and literacy to be able to effectively communicate and deescalate situations like the example of Jared Massey in separate police agencies has always been a topic of importance for the general public as well as legislative authorities. Some things that have had an effect on the training of police officers has been the introduction of technology into law enforcement these changes have had a direct effect on our social values for example: the introduction of non-lethal force has given law enforcement new tools to resolve conflicts. These tools allow law enforcement to use communication as our primary weapon. Many steps have been taken to implement new ideas to follow a changing society however the recent issue of the economy which has affected local, state and federal agencies also has had a direct influence on the type and quality of police officers that are being hired.

Some of the more popular lesser deadly force weapons officers are beginning to use are pepper-spray and Tasers. Taser is the one and only company that own rights to the patent to mass produce these electronic pulsing devices which use carbon dioxide compression to launch prongs that are attached to copper wire which emit an electrical pulse to make a victim powerless and unable to physically move. Along with this new technology comes the ability to make

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judgments as to whether or not it is necessary to use the more deadly options. What protocols has this or will this change in the future as to the rules of engagement?

In the article will “How Will Law enforcement effectively recruit university graduates by 2007 by Kenneth C. Klassen illustrates additional qualifications that are required in a changing society in this powerful quote:

The conventional wisdom of the past decades dictated that all one needed to be a police officer was a badge, a gun and physical strength. With all of these attributes, one was effectively equipped to handle all of the issues facing a police officer. The recruitment of police officers was centered [on] this successful image, as there was only minimal need to communicate and write reports. As American culture developed, so did its technology. It was no longer enough to simply “catch and arrest”. Society began to have expectations that police officers could drive a radio equipped car and actually communicate by wireless radio to the police station. Telephone call boxes and walking beat officers were not enough for a growing and advancing society.

Communication is now in much higher demand than ever before in the law enforcement field. Because of this social change woman are now being considered more for positions in the police force because of their natural ability to effectively communicate despite the stereotypical idea that woman cannot be police officers. Today they are not only accepted but they are encouraged to join the force Kenneth C. Klassen predicted that the number of female officers will increase to fifty percent of the police force. In 1970, only two percent of all police were

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women but, by 1991, nine percent of officers were women (personal communication, Bureau of Justice Statistics, 1993)

The economy has had both a positive and negative effect on the training of police officers. One example of a negative effect is that in some cities there has been a hiring freeze on police officers and other city or state workers due to shortfalls in the budget. This has caused a measurable increase in crime in those cities. (Ted Strong) However the positive aspects of the economy are that people have realized the value and importance of job security. They have realized that law enforcement while extremely competitive with a chance of being laid off because of performance during the first year is also very secure. (Ted Strong) Therefore there has been a huge increase in applicants for police officers for example: in Toole, UT one opening for a police officer position last Oct attracted over 200 applicants. (toole.org)

Another aspect of the recession is the problem of having enough prison space For example: it has been estimated that for every one percent reduction in paroles (which is directly related to the economy because of prison space) there is a one percent reduction in crime in that area. This is significant because of growing numbers of felons being released prior to serving full sentences. (Miller/Gaines 185)

The application process to become a police officer is also very demanding and competitive and does a very good job at sorting through qualified applicants. States have their own laws that set standards for future officers also individual departments will set even higher standards for training depending on the department (Stephenson, Scott) for example some departments require a lie detector test as well as their own standards for physical agility which is

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determined by age and sex. Today about nine percent of departments nationwide require a college degree. (Miller/Gaines 165)

After the extensive applicant selection process officers are hired on a probationary period which can last from six to eighteen months depending on the department. The recruit is in jeopardy of being fired without cause if he or she proves inadequate to the challenges of police work. During this time they are also taught the basics of police work and are under constant supervision. (Miller/Gains 165)

In order to have the highest standard of police officers we need to have a new system to allow future officers to have a more direct path towards becoming a qualified. Departments need to be more active in assisting students toward becoming Law Enforcement Officer certified as well as help finance the education required. If we were able to establish government sponsored education fund for future officers those government agencies would have access to the most educated and talented officers available.

In too many cases like the example of Jared Massey the issue of being able to effectively communicate could have saved Jared Massey from going to jail and thousands of tax payer dollars. If these types of criminals are rehabilitated through the efforts of educated officers we will be able to save millions of tax payer dollars be not providing free unnecessary housing for criminals that otherwise could have been rehabilitated.

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Works Cited

Johnson, Kevin “Economy limiting services of police” EBSCO database article 05/18/2009.

Web. 07/02/2010

Klassen, Kenneth “How will Law enforcement effectively recruit university graduates by 2007”

http://libcat.post.ca.gov/dbtw-wpd/documents/cc/25-0514.pdf Web. 07/06/2010

“Man Tased for Refusing to Sign Speeding Ticket” KSL.com 07/05/2007 Web. 07/06/2010

Miller/Gains. “Criminal Justice” Cengage Learning Press, 2008.

Stephenson, Scott. Personal Interview. 29 April 2010.

Stepzinksi, Teresa “Proposed budget cuts jeopardize police training in Georgia” Ebso database, Florida

Times; 03/21/2010 Web.

Strong, Ted “Surplus of applicants, deficit of positions for Albermarle police” Ebsco database

article, August 3, 2009 Web. 07/02/2010