John Oliver On Charlie Hebdo

Nailed it. Image courtesy of Imgur

Has The U.S. Created Its Own (Violence) Monster

English: A policeman carrying several pairs of Plasticuffs (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Don’t be hatin’ me on this post.  I stumbled across this video (below) of L.A. police Captain Peter Whittingham where he visited law enforcement officials in Finland, Sweden and Norway on a quest.  What do they do differently than police in the U.S.?  How are suspects treated? What equipment do Nordic police officers carry, and how are they allowed to use it?  What role does the police have in the Nordics?

I initially dismissed the stark differences because clearly they don’t have the high level of violence which we enjoy (sic) here the U.S.  Then my mind got to thinking……….which is usually not a good thing.

Here what stood out to me:

• In Nordic countries, police cadets attend school for two years – not just six months as we do in the U.S.  That always did strike me as strange to be honest with you.  Really?  Any schlep with a decent physique who can pass the six month training course gets a badge and is “fit” for the job?  That sure doesn’t seem like much.  Even a Jr. Welder needs two years for an Associates degree and he doesn’t carry a weapon or make life or death decisions.  Are we truly producing the best candidates suited for the profession?  Is it possible to determine that the cadet is emotionally stable, well balanced (not a flaming racist) and capable of making good decisions within seconds, within a six month training period?  It is a “profession” after all with high risks to their (and others) life and much temptation from the darker elements they encounter.
• They call possible offenders “customers” rather than, well “suspects”.  It struck me “well, they are supposed to be serving and protecting” but using the friendlier terminology sends a completely different psychological message.  The suspect is innocent until proven guilty.  Think about it, seriously.
• Their cadets also are dressed in casual attire and facial hair is not restricted.  I noticed the Captain state “it is expected from day one, when you report for duty in your suit and tie, that you see yourself in a changed environment and you see yourself as a Los Angeles police recruit”.    In other words, they’re promoting that you, the new cop, are now above what you were as a person yesterday.  Again, psychology can be subtle but have impact.
• Use of guns is not an every day thing.  Yes, they have them but their first approach is to be cautious, use a baton, stun gun mike, taser, pepper spray and talk (reason) with the “customer”, etc.  My knee-jerk reaction was, well their crime rate is (sadly) nothing compared to ours but deep in my brain, this got me to thinking “well, why?”  Guns are not restricted there.  People do own them but why are gun-related offenses to sky high in America and not in Nordic countries?