Any EDC CCW'ers?

[brian64]

That wasn't directed toward Warren. It's just a statistic that stuck in my head from some time in the past.
I didn't post it "gleefully"; it's sad.

Oh yes, I understood all that completely.

And I was really just joking around of course...but I do expect those comments won't sit well with him, regardless of how accurate they may be. He'll probably want you to post peer reviewed studies on that...or maybe just some CNN fact checking or something lol.

My two cents: a lot of cops probably have some degree of PTSD, either from police experiences or because many of them are probably combat vets.

And then some are just bad apples. There's also sometimes a culture of corruption within LE...especially some big city depts. Primarily a result of the "war on drugs".

See, now you've got me to comment, so Warren will likely bypass you guys and go straight for me.

Well played.

 

[warren]

I can only respond with the observation, certain professions, teaching, law enforcement, banking, medical, politics, judges, to name just a few, attract people who want to dominate others, not serve them. Some localities do a better job of excluding these folks than others. It's simply a fact of life.

"Pre-hire" screening steps, psychological testing being a primary one, can detect many applicants who are applying for all the wrong reasons. But, such screening must be rigorously applied. Some, smaller jurisdictions have little to no screening procedures in place due to costs or lack of interest. That is indefensible. So, I can't defend that cited anomaly, and they are such.

 

[Brad H]

My two cents: a lot of cops probably have some degree of PTSD, either from police experiences or because many of them are probably combat vets.

indeed you are correct. 86%ish?? was a study I saw from last year I believe.
In a given 3 year period of employment the PTSD manifests in most officers. 5 Years in, is about when a lot of officers become numb and lose their sense of caring. Get 20 years in, you become numb to almost everything including death.

 

[warren]

There is probably some truth in the above. I prefer cynicism or jaded to PTSD. Very few death investigations affected me. Death is simply a fact of life for all of us. Child involved deaths made me sad, sometimes angry but, a birth simply means a death is owed. My upbringing allowed me to, many times, attribute much of what I saw,experienced to, "God's Will". An escape mechanism to be sure but, useful for one's sanity.

But, as I've said before, I keep/kept my expectations of humans and our behavior low. I find the people most susceptible to PTSD, a term very easily and generally (indiscriminately?) applied these days, the psychological fad of the day as it were, are people who are faced or experienced situations totally opposed to the beliefs/expectations they were brought up with. (God! That was clumsy sentence!) All of my observations on the subject are based solely on anecdotal evidence based only on personal experience and observation. My reality as it were. Studies rarely attract more than a passing interest. TMI? I'm guessing ... yes!

 

[brian64]

I can only respond with the observation, certain professions, teaching, law enforcement, banking, medical, politics, judges, to name just a few, attract people who want to dominate others, not serve them.

100% correct...unfortunately.

What percentage of cops are of that type, I have no idea.

There is probably some truth in the above. I prefer cynicism or jaded to PTSD. Very few death investigations affected me. Death is simply a fact of life for all of us. Child involved deaths made me sad, sometimes angry but, a birth simply means a death is owed. My upbringing allowed me to, many times, attribute much of what I saw,experienced to, "God's Will". An escape mechanism to be sure but, useful for one's sanity.

But, as I've said before, I keep/kept my expectations of humans and our behavior low. I find the people most susceptible to PTSD, a term very easily and generally (indiscriminately?) applied these days, the psychological fad of the day as it were, are people who are faced or experienced situations totally opposed to the beliefs/expectations they were brought up with. (God! That was clumsy sentence!) All of my observations on the subject are based solely on anecdotal evidence based only on personal experience and observation. My reality as it were. Studies rarely attract more than a passing interest. TMI? I'm guessing ... yes!

I agree "PTSD" is over-used, as are many other alleged psych terms and conditions these days...but in my view the legitimate PTSD issues are the result not of just observing things, but of direct physical involvement in extremely violent situations resulting in severe physical trauma or loss of life...such as war combat or some police experiences. I'm sure it doesn't affect everyone to the same degree.

My perception is that most cops probably never experience these things to that degree...I don't know what percentage actually do...but I suspect the ones who suffer from legitimate PTSD are more likely the combat vets than those who got that way from police work.

 

[warren]

A very respected Criminal Psychologist advised my class at the FBI National Academy that, "psychology is not an exact science, more of an art form." An observation which has stuck with me for many years. One which I've found no reason to doubt.