Story here.

"We would like, in an ideal world, to see every applicant with a clean record, but obviously that’s not reality," said Atlanta police Lt. Elder Dancy, who runs the department’s recruitment unit. "I don’t think you’ll find any departments who hire only applicants with squeaky-clean records."



OK, WTF am I missing here?! Is someone pining for a Darwin Award, or have our public officials become so desperate that they're willing to throw out the most basic values upon which our society is based?

 

I am surprised of you being surprised.

Lowering standards and principles across the board is supported by half of our population on many social issues. Besides, if big time cities such as New Orleans, Miami, New York, and others enjoy a little police corruption case every other year, why shouldn't Atlanta join the party?

 

it`s long been stated that if guns were outlawed then only outlaws would have guns .. we`re headed that way fast in todays society . too many police want to "be" the law rather than " enforce " the law..

 

maybe they are trying to turn their lives around and be do gooders now??

 

I know, I know...but can't they at least hire law abiding citizens and then corrupt them AFTER they join the force? Do they have to seek out the corrupt ahead of time? ["Congratulations, you've been pre-approved to join the Police Academy thanks to the three years you spent in jail for that mugging."]

I mean, it just doesn't look good.

 

And just because they have a squeaky clean record, doesn't mean they won't stay that way. Recently in the small city I am from, 2 officers were arrested for break and enter as well as possession of stolen property. Both have been on the force for over 12 years with no priors.

However, I still can't believe they hire people with a record. How does the interview go

"So dude, it says here you have been arrested twice for drug possession. Sounds like you know a thing or two about that department so we are going to put you on the undercover drug squad. Makes us proud man, make us proud".

 

Hopefully his prior associates will not be aware of his career change.

 

Houston Police Department doesn't... with caveats.

You can't have any felonies, or Class A charges. You can't have any Class B for 10 years. Class C is not listed. Class C is, oh, "accidentally" taking a bottle of aspirin without paying for it and getting caught.

Not that I'm an advocate for them taking a non-clean person... but even though those are the requirements, HPD isn't gonna take just anyone. They didn't take my brother in law for 3 years before he finally got in. My brother somehow got in in a year. It doesn't mean that you can't turn your back on your aspirin habit, but if you can somehow get off the Bayer habit, you can get in.

re: My brother and brother in law... I admire their temerity and dedication to getting on, and succeeding. They're both good guys on the force, truly. Unless you're breakin' the law, in which case, yeah, they're pretty much jerks towards you. Don't break the law. 'nuff said.

 

Atlanta's challenge is finding qualified applicants who are willing and able to perform what can be a thankless and demanding job. Georgia does not have collective bargaining. There are no effective police unions in Georgia. Entry level pay is low and it's not a whole lot better with time in grade or rank. Even states with collective bargaining are hard pressed to fill positions. Atlanta is broke so they're not increasing salaries. They are lowering hiring standards. And, yes, that's very bad.

 

Sounds like a rerun of Police Academy 1.

 

plus 2 out of 3 people in atlanta probably have criminal records anyway

 

 

Can you say Marion Barry?

 

Perhaps walling in Atlanta and electing major Snake Plisken is the answer...?