I get a different vibe from cops in Europe, and I wonder if it has to do with countries where they have mandatory military conscription / civil service.

I sometimes wonder if in the US, we had some kind of system where everyone was forced to serve as a police officer, say between the ages of 18 and 21, we would have an entirely different system. Instead of attracting power hungry psycho killers, you would have normal people who understood they were performing a required service for their community and society in general. You might then get more mutual respect between cops and civilians since everybody will have been on both sides.

Also, it’s almost as if anyone who wants to be a cop should be immediately disqualified. Same with politicians.

[–] breakingcups@lemmy.world 18 points 3 months ago (2 children)

No, no. Many European countries don't even have mandatory service. The real difference is we don't have a gun fetish and we don't view cops as warriors that need to be armed to the teeth with military surplus to be able to stand a chance against ~~civilians~~ criminals. We also don't teach courses on how it's us vs. them and how you should always have killing on your mind in encounters with the public.

[–] RinseDrizzle@midwest.social 6 points 3 months ago

Our training is fucked.

[–] jaybone@lemmy.world 2 points 3 months ago

Maybe so. But I still like my idea too.

[–] snekerpimp@lemmy.world 8 points 3 months ago

Retail customer service. Every American should serve mandatory minimum of five years in retail customer service.

[–] Nutteman@lemmy.world 3 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Let's arm and load power onto every 18-21 year old in the country! Genius idea!!

[–] jaybone@lemmy.world 1 points 3 months ago (1 children)

You wouldn't arm them necessarily.
They might serve unarmed to enforce traffic laws, write tickets, deal with non violent offenders, operate 911 call centers, etc.

We already "arm and load power" onto 18-21 year old kids by signing them up for the military and sending them overseas.

Do you not trust those same kids in your own neighborhood?

[–] Nutteman@lemmy.world 3 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago) (1 children)

I do not. I don't trust those same kids when they are deployed in other countries, either.

[–] jaybone@lemmy.world 1 points 3 months ago

Ok fair enough. Then I think I made some bad assumptions about where you were coming from. Sorry about that.