Cop Drops Dead into curvecosts 661

FF tend to work with a team of 4 (or 3) and in routine maintenance and training around station often tend to get some regular exercise. When the bells ring the adrenlin pumps, they respond and have couple minutes to get keyed up. They can attack the problem as a team and generally have a pretty good idea of what they are up against (while one driving others reviewing the maps and building blueprints etc.)

LEO work has emph. on individual incentive and couriosity. One second boredom, then suddenly one is in the middle of "it", with little knowledge of what "it" really is. Just different strain on body, mind, and soul.

Well, I have had a lot of involvement in the hiring process. Although the tests have certainly changed a lot over the years they are still pretty tough and eliminate most applicants. And with very good reasons. Heck, if the 21-29 year old (we certainly hire older, but most 'new' are in above years) who is now wanting a job, does not care about himself and his body enough to keep in good shape, what is he going to be like in 10 or 20 years when he has less incentive to work out???? I personally deeply wish to avoid the ones likely to be at age 35, fat, lazy, uninterested in getting out of the car and helping citizens. Or the ones at age 40 requesting disability retirements with bad backs, hearts, or stress. I believe a commitment to self pride and regular exercise is indicative of many good things. Good for city (or county or state), good for dept., good for supervisors, the co-workers who depend on you, and good for the citizens you are expected to defend and help. Healthier body, better able to handle work, handle stress, better self image and concept.

And another aside, I view long term costs. We put a lot of effort into selection and hiring, then we send them to a paid 5 or so month academy, then they are 'babysat' for months more in the FTO process. So the 'agency' has sunk a whale of a lot of pay into this hire before they are at all effective. And truly effective will still be quite a ways off. I 'desire' a fair percentage of them to put in a good 25-30 years. (of course, I have no ill will against those who after giving it a good shot for 2-5 years decide this career is not for them, or that want to go to a different dept.)

Frankly, that is apples to oranges. The military can require a person to do regular PT training and testing. If a person falls off or fails, mil. can not allow them to reinlist, and they are out, with no pay. It is different for LEOs (again reference laws, contract and court rulings etc.) If you tell a LEO that they are unable to physically perform, many will either say: 1. "prove it", yada yada------, or 2. "yes, I was injured on the job" with cites. Then they get a decent 'in the line of duty' retirement from agency, or workman's compensation, or Labor and Industry etc. Government is out the costs, paying, and no work done. I am not trying to say it's right, just telling you what I've seen. (again, love to hear how an agency solved this all.)

Smart alecky aside, "Face it. We train our cops to be mainipulators, and know how to work with the system. We just don't like it when they manipulate us, and the system," said the unnamed Chief. "We want them to be resourceful and solve the problems. Some put energy into solving their future."

I did above part of response while waiting for contractor to help me on project. Now, seven cold damp hours later I am pooped out. Maybe will comment on parts below another day.