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Brian's avatar

Great analysis. I have a brother-in-law who’s retired SWAT Sgt for a city in DFW, TX. He has said he would not join PD anywhere anymore with all of the restrictions and anti-cop rhetoric from politicians now.

I have been to countries with “national police”. It is what Obama professed years ago and that is a bad idea. It is centralized law enforcement and whatever the current administration wants done gets controlled at the local level to the specific citizens. Control law enforcement and you control the population. Think Hitler’s “brown shirts” in the 1930’s.

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Sean Panza's avatar

I lived in a county that had 2 sheriff deputies on duty during the night. We prepared for the time that we needed that defense because we knew for a fact no one was coming till it was too late. On the other note about crime statistics. If people are unaware that they have been fudging the numbers for a long time then you really haven’t been paying attention. We noticed it during Trumps first term and then I talked to a local officer at that time and he said that started during Obamas last term. Mostly in Democrat lead cities.

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Gary F Vick's avatar

Keith, I was a deputy sheriff in Bernalillo County, NM (the county that surrounds Albuquerque) for over 2 decades. Like you, I served in tactical, gang and sex offender units. Crime there, especially in the south valley has always been bad, but it has "progressively" become worse. Liberal politicians, judges and residents, the massive influx of illegal aliens and increase in the gangs has made it even worse. I know when we moved away from NM in 2011, it was reported that over 80% of violent crime involved illegal aliens. We still have family and friends in NM and they share what is happening with me fairly often. I would not want to be a LEO in these times. It was bad enough in the 70's 80's and 90's. In the past 10 years, it has become a nightmare in many parts of this country! I was also involved in leadership in the security ministry for the largest church in Albuquerque for many years, as well. I am glad we moved to a conservative "red" state in the SE USA, that is governed by a (mostly) conservative governor and legislature, but it has it's share of violent crime, as well, especially in and around the larger (progressively run) cities. It would be worse if the state leadership was progressive, however. I'm a big believer in situational awareness and train (& do some selective instruction) at a local outdoor range a couple of times a month. I am also somewhat involved in the security ministry at the church we worship in here in GA. Most churches seem to understand the need for security, but don't really follow through with the mission in a serious fashion, it seems to me. I've observed that they get more serious about security after a bad event happens at that church or one nearby, however.

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Darrell Isaacs's avatar

Keith, Great article your work is amazing thank you.

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Jason m's avatar

Great article,Keith! You are a gifted writer and communicator. Thank you for all the work you do.

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Donald G's avatar

And this police shortage is in spite of the US having the least required hours of training of countries studied - by far (see link).

As you said, "That desperation leads to lowered hiring standards."

https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/police-training-requirements-by-country

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Scott Hansen's avatar

🙏👍👏

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Beau's avatar

Unfortunate that that they are so busy.

Our Churches do need a security team

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