LANCASTER – Lancaster Station Captain Bob Jonsen and Sgt. Theresa Dawson held an open and candid conversation with about a dozen residents Thursday morning as part of ‘Coffee with the Captain,’ an event aimed at bridging the gap between the Lancaster Station and the community.
Some residents brought specific problems to the captain’s attention, while other residents questioned Jonsen on broader public safety issues, like rising crime rates and the public’s perception of law enforcement.
One lady said she lived near Cedar Avenue and West Avenue J, and cars were speeding through her neighborhood at all hours of the day.
“They’re treating my street like a freeway,” the woman said, adding that she worried for the safety of youngsters playing football in the street.
Jonsen said he would have his traffic unit look into the issue.
“All you need to do is let us know where the problem is, and we’ll allocate the resources,” he said.
Another resident worried about the recent rise in crime.
Jonsen said crime trends were still way below where they were five years ago. He said many of the crimes reported, as of late, were lower level thefts or crimes of opportunity.
“People breaking into your car, that’s a crime of opportunity,” Jonsen said. “We’re asking residents to take the necessary precautions to secure their property.”
Jonsen said crimes of opportunity were especially prevalent in high density commercial areas, like the shopping plazas that house the two Walmarts – on Valley Central Way in west Lancaster and on 20th Street and Avenue J in east Lancaster.
He said the station had beefed up its presence in those areas recently, and now dedicated officers were working fulltime to police those zones. Jonsen said foot patrols on The Blvd were a deterrent to crime, as well. He said he would be deploying bike patrols in targeted areas throughout the City within the next two weeks.
“You’ll be seeing a lot more of us, a lot more visibility,” Jonsen said.
Lancaster resident, Marshall Dymowski, said people in his neighborhood were reluctant to report suspicious activity, because when they did, they were interrogated by deputies and made to feel like criminals themselves.
“The process seems unwelcoming,” Dymowski said. “It hasn’t deterred me, personally, but a lot of people I know said they’re just not going to bother anymore.”
Dawson explained that deputies needed to ask several questions to establish a witness’ relationship to the victim or the suspect in any given incident.
“This helps us in determining your credibility about what you’re telling us,” Dawson said. “So that sometimes can feel like an interrogation, but it’s really just us establishing who’s who and the motive for your telling us.”
Jonsen said, in any case, his deputies were taught to always be respectful and to always be professional.
“If you don’t feel you are being treated with respect or there is a lack of professionalism, those are the things I want to know about,” he said. “Those are the things we can change… we can hold our own accountable and we have been doing that quite a bit over the past 12 months.”
Jonsen said the Lancaster Station had met with the Justice Department as part of the federal investigation into alleged discriminatory policing by law enforcement in the Antelope Valley. He said the Justice Department gave him some feedback, which he took to heart.
“The feedback was that we need to be more engaged in the community, because there’s a perception out there that we’re not connected…” Jonsen. “I agree there’s room for improvement, there always is, and that’s what we’re trying to do.”
Jonsen said respect is a two-way street, and the community had to do its part in giving deputies the necessary respect as well. He said there was a misperception that Lancaster deputies routinely used excessive force when, in reality, the station used the least amount of force in the region.
“I think it was over 400 uses of force in the last three years that this station has used,” Jonsen said. “Only about 20 of those resulted in people having to get medical treatment, that’s a small number.”
He said Lancaster handled more calls for service and arrested more people than any other station in the north region and had more than 250,000 calls for service in the last three years, yet there were only two cases where someone was shot in a pedestrian stop or a vehicle stop. Jonsen said the other three deputy-involved shootings happened during the service of a search warrant.
“So [for] a general citizen walking down the street, the probability of them being shot by a deputy sheriff is probably less likely than winning the lottery, it’s that low,” Jonsen said.
Residents who attended Thursday’s Coffee with the Captain said they were impressed by Jonsen’s candor.
“I believe his honesty in trying to really reach out and make a difference in our community,” said Antelope Valley NAACP President Juan Blanco.
“I really like what this captain is doing with the department,” said Lilia Galindo. “They are paying attention to us.”
Jonsen said he hopes to hold similar meetings in the future. The Lancaster Station’s monthly ‘Coffee with a Deputy’ meeting is held on the second Thursday of every month. A location for the May meeting has yet to be determined.
Abdul Majeed Askia says
Capatain I want to share my life story in away that it can help others
overcome negativity. I want to take the bitter with the sweet and lay
it on the line. I would like to talk to all adults from eighteen to
whatever,from every background.I want to share what it means growing up
in the ghetto,the good,the bad,and the ugly!!! As you may know by now
if you googled my name I have had twentfour years of coverage in the
Antelope Valley Press.
I would like to share this experience with whomever will listen,the
local community,jails,prisons,mosque,churches,sysnagogues,centers,
seminars with anybody. Cause Captain when I was just a young boy growing
up in the ghetto and than prison had atremendous affect on me!!!
I am doing mental push up, I am fired up to reach the masses. Capatain
because when I was just a young boy the police broke my arm in
three places and they use to take me and my friend in the alley
and pull out their shot gun and tell us to run!!!Captain I am not mad
or upset, I just simply understand the situation. A good captain or
a good general wants somebody to speak straight to them don’t they?
A team of yes men will cause everybody to crash!!!Especially if the
whole purpose is the lime light or money.
I am going call it like I see Captain because when I was just a young
boy I ended up in prison and it was earth shaking,it raddled me,until
this very day I have to share with this nation.I am an Ameican,
I love America,America needs free minded people to solve problems.
Not folks just shinning and grinning and but problem solvers.
People who love people and people who love America. I am all that
and more.Capatain,I have no anomosity toward anyone at all but in order
to make a difference a person has to be honest and speak straight.
I was to share when I was just a youg boy growing up in the ghetto,
the prison and transition to society alway up to this moment and time!
abdulaskia@yahoo.com/323-9459589
North County says
@ Just the facts;
Thanks for the invite; However I have to respectfully decline. If I go North it’s going to be out of state lol … Idaho perhaps …
Just the facts says
I hear you! Lots of people moving up there after they retire. I’m thinking the same…
... says
80 Billion Dollars a year, paid to well educated Doctors who defraud the Medicaid system.
dealwithit says
WTF does that have to do with this story??
McFly! wrong blog…again!
Abdul Majeed Askia says
Cause and effect. I repeat,there is a method to the madness! We have
scientific knowledge in every field of endeavor.Nothing is happening
haphazardly.
kristie says
Hello,
Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Kristie, and I am Captain Jonsen’s wife.
On January 31, 2012, I retired from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department after 22 years of dedicated service. At the time of my departure, I was working at the North County Correctional Facility as a Lieutenant. I would like you and anyone else who reads this comment to know that I really loved the Department and the community we serve. Bob and I had so much to share with each other at the end of every workday, and I miss that aspect of our relationship immensely. Each night, as much as we may have wanted to ignore our work and focus on our own lives, ultimately, Bob and I knew we would discuss the day’s events, the people we met, and the ideas and solutions we had to better our communities. Thankfully, by nature, Bob and I are optimistic people (and always will be!), but we are also smart enough to know that change — for the better — does not happen by chance. Good change only occurs as the result of people — good, community loving people — coming together in support of a better future for all.
I am so thankful to the staff of Lancaster Station and the citizens of Lancaster for opening their minds and hearts, not only for a better tomorrow, but to me and my husband as well. This past year has not been easy for my husband, as we have come to realize my Parkinson’s Disease requires a little more care and attention than what we had expected.
I wrote this comment because I want you to know “who Captain Jonsen is.” He’s not a title, nor is he a one-man show. He’s a son, a brother, a father, a husband, and a deputy sheriff. And I bet if you cared to know him better, he just might show up for a cup of coffee.
God Bless Lancaster!
Mrs. Jonsen
Sammy says
Nice of you to come on here Mrs. Jonsen. But please understand that many who have been here for years have had problems with the local sheriffs. Way before your husband came to be the captain. And I’m not just talking people who are unemployed, with criminal records or minorities. I am white, have worked my entire life, have been burglarized, and have had neighborhood problems of all kinds. Issues from near by businesses, troubled kids, neighbors causing problems, petty theft, property destruction, etc. Along with others, we have stopped calling the sheriffs.
I think if we were talking great bodily harm, murder or rape, or crimes against children we would still call. But for the most part anything else? We don’t call anymore. Why? Because of the not just disrespectful, but down right insulting attitudes from the responding officers. Or those behind the counter when showing up for reports for our insurance or just following up on crimes we used to report. We’re not talking about once or twice, but years of this. The times where we get a “good” deputy were very rare. I respect that your husband is new. But he is fighting an entrenched mindset. Of “us against them”.
Being in a high tech service industry for years, one gets a bit of wisdom in the area of “customer service”. After meeting one officer years ago who not only was insulting to my self and other neighbors over a few years of bike losses in our neighborhood, he not only made us aware the he could care less, but was terrorizing to the local kids whose bikes were taken. A small example, but one that left a bad memory in those kids minds for years to come.
We noticed we would get youngsters themselves showing up. And we had one neighbor who was insulted by one of these younger guys, we asked for him to come back and apologize for his behavior. It was treated like a request that had never been thought of, and was answered by a hang up.
If this is a training ground for these young men and woman, maybe your husband could make these kids show up and admit when they are out of line. By looking the people at the receiving end of their rude behavior in the eye with an apology, they may learn better behavior. It has certainly worked for my kids. I have always made my children own and make right any bad actions they were responsible for against others. And lets face it. Many coming into our area as deputies are still for the most part kids.
It would be a small action that would go a long way in making things better on both sides. The deputies in training, like all youngsters, would think twice the next time they felt like taking out their bad days on those who will depend on them for years to come. And teach them a little humility. And would help the populace see them as humans that make mistakes. But are man (or woman) enough to own up to bad behavior.
Who knows? It might even save the tax payers a few lawsuits. And help develop mutual respect.
As I said before, I know your husband is new, and not directly responsible for the bad actions of the past. But lets face it. There are very real reasons your husband has “been asked” by the DOJ to make changes. Because they are needed. Because they are long over due. And because the relationship between the sheriffs here and the general population are for the most part bad.
I’m also sorry to hear of your health problems. I imagine they put a lot of stress on your lives, jobs and relationships. I hope you beat this debilitating disease. But many of the people your husband’s deputies come into contact with everyday have the same stresses and tragedies they also must deal with daily. We all need to realize that we need each other. And we all need to remember our humanity. We all need to be able to feel empathy for each others struggles. We all need to strive for wisdom in our daily struggle.
If we don’t, we all are doomed. Because without our humanity, empathy and wisdom, the world, regardless of our place in it, will get uglier. And it’s gotten ugly enough.
I also hope that your husband ignores our mayors request to criminalize as much of what he considers “undesirables” as possible. But that is another conversation for another day. Remind him that our local court is nothing more than a investment opportunity for a few. And ask him to help change it to what it should of always been. A place to dispense justice.
Not a cash cow for stockholders.
I truly wish you and your husband the best. He seems like a man who truly wants to turn things around for the better. I hope he succeeds!
Facts says
Wow Sammy, thanks for sharing your years of dissatisfaction with all of the Lancaster Sheriff’s personnel who because of a couple of poor interactions with you, means that all of them must be young, immature, lackluster performers.
I would think that with your “High Tech Service Industry” background and your many years of experience, you would have known better on how to properly handle your individual complaint of poor service. All you had to do is call the station and ask to speak with a supervisor and lodge a formal complaint. They would have researched your call, identified the deputy, obtained both sides of the story (very important to do, as we all know some people do not always share all of the facts) and then make a determination on the appropriateness of the deputies actions and whether any policies were not followed. That’s all you had to do to hold the individual you spoke of accountable.
I would think and individual of you age, maturity, life experience and background would have known how to handle a poor service complaint, instead of broad brushing the whole station with your negative opinion for all that work hard every day, deal with some of the worst that society has to offer, and at times put their lives on the line in the face of many unknown dangers, just so people like you and your families can CONTINUE to live in relatively peace and security.
I would like to also thank Captain Jonsen for leading the brave men and women of the Lancaster Sheriff’s station as they serve our difficult community in the face of those that despise them, those that would attack or harm them, those that are looking to sue them, and those that simply have nothing better to do than to criticize them for every action they take, whether it be a much needed coffee break, or the need to take down a dangerous individual by using force to take them into custody.
Thank you for doing your job in protecting and patrolling our streets and neighborhoods, 24/7, in the middle of the night while we sleep safe and sound in our warm beds while the temps drop into the teens, or during the day when we leave for work in our air conditioned offices, while you make car stops our handle traffic accident scenes in the pouring rain, high winds or the scorching summer heat.
Thank you for working during our holidays, during our kids sports games, practices, and school recitals that you probably had to miss. And thank you Mrs. Jonsen for keeping your husband strong and invigorated enough to care and provide the kind of leadership our brave deputies need as they deal with not only their own personal life challenges, but with all of ours too.
I wish you well in your health battle and fully support you, your husband and all of the hard working members of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
five0 says
@ Facts,
great points. Sammy, you sound like one of the small percentage of folks here in the AV that take up 90% of the sheriff’s time. Get a police scanner and track the neighborhoods (heck the exact addresses!)of the jackasses who waste our deputies time. It’s mostly the same streets/players/address each time. It’s the same women getting beat, wanting their man to go to jail, then taking him back next week after lying in court that it never happened. it’s the same neighbors complaining that the other neighbor’s sprinkler touched his grass. Most of the honest people in the Valley have had very few interactions with the police, yet you say you’ve had numerous interactions. Why? It’s one thing being a victim, but you sound like a professional victim. Let me take a stab in the dark here: a bunch of bikes got stolen from your neighborhood, but you didn’t have a serial number, or any possible idea who stole them, but you wanted the cop to do some follow up right? What follow up did you want exactly? Most people get their idea of what cops should or could do from TV, then you’re mad when it doesn’t happen for you. Your complaint about the AV being a training ground for deputies that are too young is ridiculous. Do you think there are no youngsters at other police stations? Maybe you need to lobby for new hires to be at least 30 years old. Oh wait, the you’ll complain that they retired at 55 making too much money after “only” 25 years of service. Like Facts said above, all you have to do is pick up the phone and call the local station and speak to a supervisor. It will be investigated. But I understand it’s easier for you to slam an entire group of people instead. We could go on for hours about OUR experiences with those in the “high tech customer service industry!” Grow up Sammy, you don’t need papa police for your everyday life.
Sammy says
Well gosh darn. I didn’t realize we weren’t supposed to talk about where our local sheriff’s might need improvement.
I see we are only supposed to play cheer leader for them. Looks like you all have that covered.
Facts and five0 need to go back and read what I wrote. Instead of what the think they heard.
I give one example of what happened when a complaint was called in, and you base all your comments on what you heard in your head.
I give a suggestion on some behavior modification for the younger deputies, and you all hear that I want age limits. (I’m glad facts and five0’s kids don’t live near)
I say we don’t call the sheriff’s anymore, and am accused of being a regular.
And the bikes? Not only serial numbers, but video and addresses. And yes, when they moved, there was a bike mountain in their backyard. Sheriffs would of never even had to knock on their door, since there was a public access road behind the house, and the wall was only 5 ft.
But with you two brain surgeons and your brilliant deductions, guess we should consider ourselves lucky you two aren’t on the force. It’s obvious that you two (or is it 1 since you sound the same) where found unfit to serve.
My neighborhood now takes care of our own. If we know our homeowners will need a report, or bodily harm is involved, we call.
Facts says
Sammy, take a deep breath, relax your pulse rate, and try re-reading the original story again. The re-read Mr.s Jonsen’s post. Then your original post again. Then you might better understand what I wrote and why.
I’m not a cheerleader, just sharing my thoughts and perspective. Sorry they don’t match up with yours but I prrefer to keep it real and support those who actually serve and protect us every day, over those who do little for themselves or others.
Sammy says
Facts/five0. Is it you running from one name here, spewing vile and running down anyone who questions how you think it should be?
Look at the same responses, over and over. No facts, no intelligent back and forth. No comparing notes.
Just the same bitter, nasty remarks, full of hate.
Someone says something pointing out that there are bad apples in a group you like, and anything they say is marginalized. Accusations of fast pulse rates and beating hearts. Of things never said. Request never asked. Actions never done.
Say something for people you’re against, and they are members of some nefarious groups with ulterior motives or criminal intent.
You are a PERFECT example of the attitude our neighborhood got when we tried taking our complaints to the local sheriffs. ABSOLUTELY PERFECT! And the EXACT reason we go out of our way to avoid interacting with them.
They are about as polite and willing to listen as you are. Thanks for explaining/proving the issue better then I ever could.
And to Mrs. Jonson. Unlike those responsible for these remarks to me, I realize there are more then one kind of officer at our sheriff’s station. It’s getting through the gauntlet of arrogant idiots like this F/or F or whatever name they post under that keep us from interacting with the local law. Your husband’s front line has about the same attitude to us. The regular guy in the neighborhood.
Your husband has more than one of them.
And like many of his officers, we also make sacrifices for our families and or communities.
But if the sacrifices of his officers always trump our sacrifices, especially when we have legitimate complaints concerning those same officers, nothing will ever change. I wish him luck.
... says
Thanks for that insight.
Karen says
@Mrs. Jonsen
Thank you for sharing with us who Captain Jonsen. It’s assuring to know that my first impression of him was right on target – that he is an honest and caring individual with a sincere desire to make the streets safer in Lancaster. I didn’t know about Coffee with Captain, but I just so happen to be at Bandstand that morning picking up breakfast and eavesdropped on the meeting as I waited for my order.
A woman was asking Mr. Jonsen about the perception that certain types of people are not welcomed in Lancaster. Jonsen said he welcome all types of people no matter the race or economic status as long as they were not breaking the law. Even ex-gang members were welcome as long as they were committed to doing right and contributing to society. This info. didn’t make it into the news story but it had a profound effect on me.
I was not able to stay for the rest of the discussion because I had not planned to be there in the first place, but I would really like it if Captain Jonsen would have more informal meeting with the community. It would go a long way to change the mindset of how people think of the cops in Lancaster.
AV Town Crier says
Good post Mrs. Jonsen. I wish you the best. My dad suffered from Parkinson’s.
Your husband is doing the best he can and my hat’s off to him and all the good deputies that work under him. Like I stated previously, I’m a reporter and I deal with the deputies all the time. I’ve seen them put their lives on the line.
Yes, there a few deputies that should be employed elsewhere. I’m sure in due time, they will. But those few shouldn’t tarnish the good work the rest are doing, including your husband.
Ed says
“Coffee with the Captain” is a step in the right direction. Perhaps this will lead to a townhall type of assembly, on a Saturday, when working people can attend.
An introduction to the officers on duty in our community might reduce the “Us against them” attude that currently prevails.
S. Parker says
If Jonsen posted here you would ATTACK him the way you attack everyone else (i.e. Abdul, Warford, Hearns, Parris, et al) and now me…
You seem to be so bitter. Everyone has a grumpy day now and then, but every day for you seems to be grumpy day. What has anyone ever done to you to make you this way?
The thing is, you sometimes have some very insightful comments, but they are drowned out by your bitterness and sarcasm.
Why don’t you try to be a little nicer?
James says
Ace is a bitter old man so that alone should explain EVERYTHING. He is a failed pet detective and would love to knock on anyone that has the authority he always wished he had. Most likely couldnt make it past the LASD’s LOW hiring standards in the past and makes up for it by attacking EVERYONE, including Captain Jonsen.
James says
Lmao. The fact that you THINK I am Mr. Barcelona shoes what a failed “detective” you are. I might just be a 21 year old AV resident.. haha. You are all BARK and no BITE Johnny Boy Carter.
.. says
500,000 hits per month does not equal 500,000 people.. Its the same small crowd over and over. Are Bots included in that hit count?
Besides, I don’t blame him for not coming here. There are some strange people who post here. Most, are anonymous. Some don’t even live in Lancaster.
William says
I resemble that remark, April. You seem to be anonymous yourself. Lancaster’s leaders, especially Parris, have been bad neighbors to Palmdale and Quartz Hill and this is a good place to express our views on his public statements and actions.
I feel for Lancaster residents who are ‘stuck’ with him and his compliant council members and who would like to move from the city but can’t because of the economy. I don’t think all Lancaster residents are as obnoxious and arrogant as Parris but they should speak up so he gets the feedback. It’s their city not his alone.
AV Town Crier says
As a reporter I’m on mean streets of Lancaster and I can tell you that 90% (or more) of the time the deputies are doing their jobs. Like any organization, you have a few bad eggs that need to be weeded out. But on the whole, the AV has the best deputies in the state.
It’s a dirty job and most people have an attitude right off the bat, so that’s where the problems start. With that said, that’s not one of yo out there that a deputy wouldn’t place his life on the line to save your sorry ass (mine too).
If you don’t believe me, call the station and schedule a ride-a-long. Go out on a Saturday night like I do and see what’s really going on. Get a police scanner. I think you’d develop a lot more respect for what law enforcement has to deal with on the street.
My only gripe is the political side in which Mayor Parris effects how law enforcement is handled. He likes the heavy-handed approach. If you keep him and Ron Smith away from law enforcement and keep politics out of it–things would be a lot smoother. You can tell the difference in that regard by how law enforcement between Palmdale and Lancaster is handled.
But that’s really just a minor point. over all, I give law enforcement out here in the AV an A+. If you don’t believe me, go spend time with the LAPD.
... says
This appears to be a start, as one citizen stated…you make the call and are questioned as a suspect. Some of the officers often lack interpersonal skills, which could make a big difference in community relations. I think if at least an
Associates Degree was needed to become a sheriff along with emphasis in psychology and sociology things would improve greatly. I do not believe a young gun in his twenties, is able to deal with certain issues and is not well rounded yet.
five0 says
@…
an associates degree with emphasis in psychology and sociology?? Are you serious? We already have social workers and psychologists. That is not the job of the police. You see …, you are one of the fools who’ve made police work nearly impossible nowadays. You want the cops to be your babysitter, your lawyer, your mental health specialist, your paramedic, your marriage counselor, parent to your children (since you won’t do it), and a host of other jobs. THAT IS NOT THEIR JOB! If you want DCFS or a shrink in their dress or shirt and tie to come capture the boogie man pounding on your front door, then call them instead! Stop asking the cops to hold your hand while you pee!
... says
You obviously are the fool and lack interpersonal skills your self. People with jobs interacting with the public need to know how to deal with different people. If they obtain an AA, we could get the better qualified officers. I have no problem raising my kids you jerk!
... says
If you are five O you must be one of the jerks I am talking about. I’ll call the public servants when ever I need to. That’s what I pay taxes for. I’m not living in fear so I don’t need anyone to hold s%$# for me since you are assuming I am a male you jerk
North County says
Come on, really? Pause the Harry Potter DVD; A freakin’ AA is the college equivalent of a high school GED, it’s not some magic wand that gives a cop mystical powers, nor does it separate the good from the better. Now before you get all bent at me, put down the axe; Let’s engage in a civil discussion here; Why is it that you think an AA with emphasis in psychology and sociology should be a requirement for a cop? Do you feel the same way about our nation’s soldiers? We send 18 year old kids barely out of puberty to the other side of the globe to fight battles without giving their educational background a second thought. Yet right here in your own backyard you think cops should have a degree? Or at least in order to be a good cop? I know plenty of people who suffer from a severe shortage of interpersonal skills – And their den walls are shrines to various degrees in cool fancy frames. Interestingly, some are psychology majors who are total social cripples. Kind of like a cardiologist who preaches healthy living, yet he chain smokes and lives on nothing but fast food and booze. Hypocrisy at it’s finest. Education is a good foundation for every person, but it’s not the gate code to unlocking police telekinesis. You’re right that there are some 20 year old “young guns” out there that shouldn’t be, but it’s very prejudice of you or anyone for that matter to see a young cop and automatically assume that he is an under-educated hot head lacking life experience and that AA you speak of. A high percentage of these 20 something year old cops have done multiple tours in the Middle East and you can bet that in the midst of battle nobody was asking each other about their educational backgrounds. A rude cop might just be having a bad day. Maybe he just wrapped up a call where he had to put 3 kids into protective custody because their mom had been up for 5 days strung out on meth and in order to keep the dope flowing the mom was allowing random scumbags to take advantage of her daughter’s innocence. Still think an AA would keep your spirits up? The other 2 kids are dirty and covered in feces because mom hasn’t bathed them in 2 weeks. Imagine the restraint needed to not be a tad short when the next call is to mediate a dispute between 2 neighbors over their sprinkler timers. Most people can’t imagine changing hats at the drop of a hat like that, but it is done all the time. And it gets done without an AA.
A few rogue cops aren’t suffering from a lack of education, they’re suffering from a lack of good character, morals and mostly they have a shady personal value system. All of those traits are not learned at some college or in the academy, they are traits that you either have or don’t, and yes some bad apples do slip through the cracks, just like at any job. We always hear about the bad cops and scandals, yet the media rarely focuses on the good, because it’s not good press. A scandal grabs the front page or top story in the news; Yet a heroic deed above and beyond the call of duty might make it on the back page or be segmented on the TV somewhere between sports and tomorrows weather forecast. I urge you to schedule a ride along with a Deputy some night. Go see and hear what they deal with day in and day out. There is never nothing textbook in law enforcement.
Experience is the best teacher and it’s experience that makes a good cop better. FiveO is right on the money; Everyone expects cops to be these jack of all trade robots. Unfortunately they aren’t robots, they’re human too. They have to do their jobs with one hand tied behind their backs. It’s a horrible cycle where the customer is always pissed. Imagine working in that type of environment? No matter what you do, nobody is happy and they usually hate and blame you. One side thinks you should of done more, the other thinks you should of done less. The very same person who calls the cops and curses the dispatcher out because someone is speeding up and down their street will turn around and curse out the cop that pulls him over for speeding. Enforce the law, except when it applies to you is the common mentality of most people. After you do a ride along I’m quite certain you will have a different outlook and perspective on law enforcement and it might just change your mind on your proposed minimum educational requirements.
Regards!
Just the facts says
Well said North County. Now come work north of Avenue A…
.. says
The blame rests with the citizens who complain, but do nothing to make things better… like actually participate in things like this. Same for the citizens who complain, but don’t bother to vote.