The massive epidemic of domestic violence in police forces.

[Since I'm the mad scientist proclaimed by myself]

http://womenandpolicing.com/violencefs.asp

You must be logged in to read this quote.

Note that the 24% is specifically among more experienced officers and not all of them.

[The Dowager Mod]

My first husband was a cop, the mental abuse was pretty much non stop, telling me I'm ugly, stupid, etc. when he finally hit me and broke my jaw i was out of there that night and never went back.
I knew several other cop wives in the same situation.

[JA]

My first husband was a cop, the mental abuse was pretty much non stop, telling me I'm ugly, stupid, etc. when he finally hit me and broke my jaw i was out of there that night and never went back.
I knew several other cop wives in the same situation.

That's an incredibly unfortunate situation you were in. I'm just glad that you were able to escape it and not return.

Do you believe this epidemic of domestic violence by police forces is attributable to (a) the difficulty and stress of the job, (b) that the type of people who'd be inclined to domestic abuse are disproportionately likely to become police officers, or (c) a good mix of both?

[The Dowager Mod]

All of the above.

[Progressive Pessimist]

Committing domestic violence should set off a red flag about anyone in any profession. But it's especially unsettling to see it in a profession like this.

[Fuzzy Bear]

At a certain point, this is probably unavoidable.  We require Police Officers to possess the necessary strength and aggression to subdue relentless, violent criminals.  They are, effectively, on duty 24/7.  Domestic Violence by Police Officers should not be tolerated, and it should not be covered up, but what we ask of Police Officers in the name of Public Safety is more than most folks are capable of giving.

[MasterJedi]

At a certain point, this is probably unavoidable.  We require Police Officers to possess the necessary strength and aggression to subdue relentless, violent criminals.  They are, effectively, on duty 24/7.  Domestic Violence by Police Officers should not be tolerated, and it should not be covered up, but what we ask of Police Officers in the name of Public Safety is more than most folks are capable of giving.

Or maybe they need better testing to weed out the psycho/sociopaths that the job draws?

[Wisconsin SC Race 2019]

Sucks, they need better psychiatric care...and honestly, being a cop now is much harder than being a cop 60 years ago. Inner city crime is out of control.

[America's Sweetheart ❤/𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝕭𝖔𝖔𝖙𝖞 𝖂𝖆𝖗𝖗𝖎𝖔𝖗]

I think there is a, perhaps small, subset of police officers who think that just because they're cops they can do whatever they want and get away with it, along with extreme masculinity that probably explains this.

[Devout Centrist]

The consensus reaction seems to be, “OH WELL THAT’S THE WAY IT IS.”

[Since I'm the mad scientist proclaimed by myself]

I think there is a, perhaps small, subset of police officers who think that just because they're cops they can do whatever they want and get away with it, along with extreme masculinity that probably explains this.

TIL 40% is "perhaps small".

[Mad Deadly Worldwide Communist Gangster Computer God]

I think there is a, perhaps small, subset of police officers who think that just because they're cops they can do whatever they want and get away with it, along with extreme masculinity that probably explains this.

There is a "perhaps small" subset of police officers that are decent.

[America's Sweetheart ❤/𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝕭𝖔𝖔𝖙𝖞 𝖂𝖆𝖗𝖗𝖎𝖔𝖗]

I think there is a, perhaps small, subset of police officers who think that just because they're cops they can do whatever they want and get away with it, along with extreme masculinity that probably explains this.

lol nah

I mean 40% is 60% less than 100%, so that doesn't seem like a huge problem to me. 60 <40

[Nyvin]

Sucks, they need better psychiatric care...and honestly, being a cop now is much harder than being a cop 60 years ago. Inner city crime is out of control.

No, crime rates in most cities have been declining for decades.    A few exceptions like Baltimore and such exist, but for the most part it's a lot better.

[🐒Gods of Prosperity🔱🐲💸]

According to the footnotes those figures are over 25 years old, when violent crime in the US was at its high point.   Hopefully things are not as bad now.

[Fuzzy Bear]

Police used to cover for each other in these matters, and were fairly shameless about it.  Yes, a few cops might give a partner a beat-down for being stupid, but that was keeping the matter "in house".

It's harder, however, for police to keep these matters in house, because battered police spouses have sued municipalities for not enforcing domestic violence laws and won major verdicts.  Police are also scrutinized far more than ever before, and far more effectively. 

Civil liability has been the catalyst for most of the progress made on the domestic violence problem over the years.

[GlobeSoc]

Dark triad attracted to powerful profession. News at 11.

[DavidB.]

I think there is a, perhaps small, subset of police officers who think that just because they're cops they can do whatever they want and get away with it, along with extreme masculinity that probably explains this.

There is a "perhaps small" subset of police officers that are decent.

This attitude is why Middle America will continue to prefer Republicans, despite them not actually caring about ordinary people.

[Wisconsin SC Race 2019]

If you're anti-cop, that reveals more about yourself and your views on crime...than about them.

[Mad Deadly Worldwide Communist Gangster Computer God]

I think there is a, perhaps small, subset of police officers who think that just because they're cops they can do whatever they want and get away with it, along with extreme masculinity that probably explains this.

There is a "perhaps small" subset of police officers that are decent.

This attitude is why Middle America will continue to prefer Republicans, despite them not actually caring about ordinary people.

My opinions are my opinions.  I don't care who they offend or don't offend.

Maybe the police in this country should stop acting like little kings and start acting like public servants.  Then they wouldn't be criticized as much.

If you're anti-cop, that reveals more about yourself and your views on crime...than about them.

maeks u think

[JA]

If you're anti-cop, that reveals more about yourself and your views on crime...than about them.

Define "anti-cop" for us, please.

[publicunofficial]

I think there is a, perhaps small, subset of police officers who think that just because they're cops they can do whatever they want and get away with it, along with extreme masculinity that probably explains this.

There is a "perhaps small" subset of police officers that are decent.

This attitude is why Middle America will continue to prefer Republicans, despite them not actually caring about ordinary people.

Much like the police.

[President Punxsutawney Phil]

Many cops are perfectly decent, hard-working, good-natured individuals who are driven by good motivations and seek to earnestly help their communities.
The problem is, many aren't like that; and it's folks like these who are steering the wheel. Cop culture is hostile to reform and the since the good cops don't raise up their hand or aren't forceful enough, the bad cops rule the roost unchallenged.
We need to get sympathetic and sensible members in the law enforcement community on the same page as activists in order to make things better for everyone. If you remove either, then no big, lasting change is possible.