REALLY Officer? Are you insane?

[mrsxsparrow]

Last week a school police officer was shot just outside of my old high school. Supposedly he was questioning a suspect about some recent car break-ins (not technically on school property), and the suspect managed to get loose and shot the officer. The suspect then fled into the neighboring community.

The officer was wearing a vest and only had some mild bruising and a concussion (from falling to the ground). Meanwhile, the whole community was shut down as the police went on a manhunt. Seven square miles were shut down, and over 350 police and dogs were trying to find the suspect. My street was one of two that were the main focus -- we weren't allowed in from 11:30AM until about 10PM. Nine schools in the area were on lockdown until 5:00PM -- so serious the cops told kids to designate a corner of their room as the "pee corner." They didn't end up finding the guy.

Well tonight the officer himself was arrested because HE MADE THE WHOLE THING UP. He shot himself in the chest (via the vest) -- it isn't clear if that part was an accident or he did it on purpose. Then he made up the story about the guy breaking into cars which caused the whole lockdown hoopla.

How completely ridiculous is that guy?? He wreaked havoc on a whole community because why? To be on TV? So people would think he was a hero?

 

[momrek06]

Last week a school police officer was shot just outside of my old high school. Supposedly he was questioning a suspect about some recent car break-ins (not technically on school property), and the suspect managed to get loose and shot the officer. The suspect then fled into the neighboring community.

The officer was wearing a vest and only had some mild bruising and a concussion (from falling to the ground). Meanwhile, the whole community was shut down as the police went on a manhunt. Seven square miles were shut down, and over 350 police and dogs were trying to find the suspect. My street was one of two that were the main focus -- we weren't allowed in from 11:30AM until about 10PM. Nine schools in the area were on lockdown until 5:00PM -- so serious the cops told kids to designate a corner of their room as the "pee corner." They didn't end up finding the guy.

Well tonight the officer himself was arrested because HE MADE THE WHOLE
THING UP. He shot himself in the chest (via the vest) -- it isn't clear if that part was an accident or he did it on purpose. Then he made up the story about the guy breaking into cars which caused the whole lockdown hoopla.

How completely ridiculous is that guy?? He wreaked havoc on a whole community because why? To be on TV? So people would think he was a hero?

How sad. The officer obviously has some serious issues.
Really a 'pee corner'.

 

[Tiger926]

Last week a school police officer was shot just outside of my old high school. Supposedly he was questioning a suspect about some recent car break-ins (not technically on school property), and the suspect managed to get loose and shot the officer. The suspect then fled into the neighboring community.

The officer was wearing a vest and only had some mild bruising and a concussion (from falling to the ground). Meanwhile, the whole community was shut down as the police went on a manhunt. Seven square miles were shut down, and over 350 police and dogs were trying to find the suspect. My street was one of two that were the main focus -- we weren't allowed in from 11:30AM until about 10PM. Nine schools in the area were on lockdown until 5:00PM -- so serious the cops told kids to designate a corner of their room as the "pee corner." They didn't end up finding the guy.

Well tonight the officer himself was arrested because HE MADE THE WHOLE THING UP. He shot himself in the chest (via the vest) -- it isn't clear if that part was an accident or he did it on purpose. Then he made up the story about the guy breaking into cars which caused the whole lockdown hoopla.

How completely ridiculous is that guy?? He wreaked havoc on a whole community because why? To be on TV? So people would think he was a hero?

Because he's mentally unstable. Police officers are not immune to emotional or mental stress, and by the nature of their jobs, they have a boatload of that.

There was an amazing study done in my area on police officers, and it found that many of them had serious emotional/mental issues. The higest rates of: domestic abuse, substance abuse issues, manipulation/cover ups were rampant, bullying behaviour, etc. amongst emergency personnel. We studied it in our criminology program, and it was done with the university, as well as police department.

Some officers complied without doing so in an anonymous manner, but many were anonymous, and the results were not surprising at all. Police officers, just like any other group of people, can and so struggle with emotional and mental issues. Maybe this officer has a drug or gambling problem, and was trying to cover something up?

It is a high-risk field, from the study, they found that many officers exhibit impulse control issues. My at-risk highschoolers are repeatedly beat up, questioned and threatened by officers, and it's getting to be a problem, as many of them don't trust the officers around here anymore. We keep reminding them not to go looking for trouble, but that is difficult as they really struggle in many areas.

Of course, not all officers fall into this category, this can be exhibited across many other professions. I have to say though, that it's difficult to see officers bend the rules or flash a badge to get out of stuff. Of the few officers I know personally, they have no issues with breaking minor rules and bending the law to suit them. I don't know about abuse and criminal actitivites, but my neighbor officer frequently breaks parking and noise bylaws on our street.

So sorry this happened to you. Clearly, he needs a mental evaluation.

Tiger

N.B. Edited to fix up my post due to confusing info. I don't want anyone to be offended or hurt by any remarks that may have been taken out of context, or, not explained in a better fasion. So sorry.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

I would be more concerned about the over-reaction during the "manhunt" than the officer who made it up.

 

[bicker]

I would be more concerned about the over-reaction during the "manhunt" than the officer who made it up.

Abso-friggen-lutely! How often do we see this sort of thing happen? No wonder unstable folks seek to exploit the tendency of so many Americans to overreact, leap to judgment, and climb on board bandwagons to lynchings. We Americans have, for decades, been fed a daily diet of sensationalistic "journalism" by newspapers, radio, and television, and now we even make up our own yellow journalism, through social networking sites and online discussion forums on the Internet. These powerful institutions all have the capacity for great good, but also are now applied to bring about evil as well.

 

[LSmith]

Because he's mentally unstable.

There was an amazing study done in my area on police officers, and it found that many of them had serious emotional/mental issues. The higest rates of: domestic abuse, substance abuse issues, manipulation/cover ups were rampant, bullying behaviour, etc. We studied it in our criminology program, and it was done with the university, as well as police department.

Some officers complied, but many were anonymous, and the results were not surprising at all. Maybe this officer has a drug or gambling problem, and was trying to cover something up?

It is a high-risk field, and many officers exhibit impulse control issues. My highschoolers are repeatedly beat up, questioned and threatened by officers, and it's getting to be a problem, as many of them don't trust the officers around here anymore.

Of course, not all officers fall into this category, but I have to say, of the ones I know personally, they have no issues with breaking rules and bending the law to suit them. I don't know about abuse and criminal actitivites, but my neighbor officer frequently breaks parking and noise bylaws on our street.

So sorry this happened to you. Clearly, he needs a mental evaluation.

Tiger

Ridiculous generalization of police officers. Coming from a teacher you should know better!

 

[need2cruise]

Because he's mentally unstable.

There was an amazing study done in my area on police officers, and it found that many of them had serious emotional/mental issues. The higest rates of: domestic abuse, substance abuse issues, manipulation/cover ups were rampant, bullying behaviour, etc. We studied it in our criminology program, and it was done with the university, as well as police department.

Some officers complied, but many were anonymous, and the results were not surprising at all. Maybe this officer has a drug or gambling problem, and was trying to cover something up?

It is a high-risk field, and many officers exhibit impulse control issues. My highschoolers are repeatedly beat up, questioned and threatened by officers, and it's getting to be a problem, as many of them don't trust the officers around here anymore.

Of course, not all officers fall into this category, but I have to say, of the ones I know personally, they have no issues with breaking rules and bending the law to suit them. I don't know about abuse and criminal actitivites, but my neighbor officer frequently breaks parking and noise bylaws on our street.

So sorry this happened to you. Clearly, he needs a mental evaluation.

Tiger

It is actually this way among MANY jobs. The worst case of bullying I have seen in my life though was from teachers who had that mentality. I've personally witnessed it over and over again.

I watched the below Dr. Phil show and it did the best job I have ever heard on describing the dynamics of being married to someone who is in emergency services. Instead of just coming on here and badmouthing the people who would die for you, learn about what causes the emotional roller coaster in their lives. When your spend your entire work day (and then some) dealing with the worst of society nonstop every day-day in and day out, it is hard to change that mentality that there is good in the world. That plays on a person's brain more than you can even begin to imagine or understand. A lot of cops do a great job communicating with other co-workers and their families are able to juggle the transition, however there are the ones who do not know how to communicate or may not have any to communicate with that ends up having issues. However, that doesn't make them these awful drunk spouse beaters as you portrayed.

http://www.drphil.com/shows/show/1130/

 

[DisneyScraps]

The fact that this officer had a gun and a BADGE is truly chilling.

Lisa

 

[Tiger926]

Ridiculous generalization of police officers. Coming from a teacher you should know better!

Did you read my post? I said a study was done in my area, and it found that a huge proportion fell into this category, in my area.

I didn't say it only pertained to police officers, and that only police officers fell into this category. Of course, it happens in all facets of the population, but when you have people whose sole job it is to uphold the law, and they struggle with impulse control and abiding by rules themselves, it makes for serious issues. The study was massive, and the results were staggering to many in the community. It certainly didn't imply that all police officers are mentally unstable, far from it! But it did show that they can and do struggle with some serious emotional and mental issues because of the high risk nature of their jobs. They put their lives on the line everyday, but that can't excuse them from breaking rules or bending rules to suit themselves. And this absolutely can go across any job sector, but the OP is only reporting on a police officer in her community.

You or I more than likely wouldn't have been able to know all of the ins and outs of police protocol to have a manhunt or lockdown declared, but since this officer lives this each and everyday, he knew exactly what emergency protocol would be followed.

Hopefully, he gets help, as I'm sure there are some seriously angry and freaked out citizens in that community.

It is actually this way among MANY jobs. The worst case of bullying I have seen in my life though was from teachers who had that mentality. I've personally witnessed it over and over again.

I watched the below Dr. Phil show and it did the best job I have ever heard on describing the dynamics of being married to someone who is in emergency services. Instead of just coming on here and badmouthing the people who would die for you, learn about what causes the emotional roller coaster in their lives. When your spend your entire work day (and then some) dealing with the worst of society nonstop every day-day in and day out, it is hard to change that mentality that there is good in the world. That plays on a person's brain more than you can even begin to imagine or understand. A lot of cops do a great job communicating with other co-workers and their families are able to juggle the transition, however there are the ones who do not know how to communicate or may not have any to communicate with that ends up having issues. However, that doesn't make them these awful drunk spouse beaters as you portrayed.

http://www.drphil.com/shows/show/1130/

Again, you didn't entirely read my post. I said in my area, a large scale study was done, and the results were compelling, in that it showed in an anonymous fashion, just how many officers struggle in these areas. The officers themselves willingly took part in the study, because the heart of it was to show how difficult it was to do this job, and to put the proper supports in place. They admitted serious addictions, abuse and impulse issues, because they were hoping that it would help them. The study did a lot of good, as new programs and supports were put in place to help the officers and their families.

The example from the OP proves what a serious job it is, and the serious toll it takes on people. So many people feel that officers are immune, and as the study proved, and the actions of the officer in this story, it is in fact the exact opposite.

Sorry for any misunderstanding. I wrote my initial post very quickly this morning. Regardless of whether you agree with the results of the study or not, I was only speaking about the study, and the fact that it was done by actual officers themselves, proved how valuable the data was.

Hopefully, this better explain, Tiger

 

[Magpie]

I think the answer is yes. Yes, that officer is insane.

This is likely the end of his career, but hopefully he'll now get the psychiatric help he so obviously needs. It's a shame no one noticed he was in trouble before it got to this point. But it's fortunate for everyone that all he destroyed was his own reputation, and he didn't get anyone hurt or killed. I hope his department will be taking a closer look at all their officers' mental health.

 

[AKL_Megs]

Ridiculous generalization of police officers. Coming from a teacher you should know better!

I agree.

Have YOU ever been shot at at work? Do YOU wonder every day at work if you will come home tonight, with the answer "no" being a daily possibility? Do YOU turn on the news and see a co-worker who's been killed EVERY WEEK and wonder if it'll be you next?

Maybe if you did, you'd have a different "mental" outlook as well.

Everyone should walk a mile in a LEOs shoes before they make such generalizations.

So far this year, an officer who was just doing his JOB, selflessly protecting YOU and YOUR FAMILY was KILLED. I highly doubt their wives, children, patents, family and friends would appreciate your generalization.

Your area or not, this is ONE crazy out of THOUSANDS, and ON THE JOB, most who would take a bullet for SAFETY.

You should be THANKING a police officer, not spitting all over them.

 

[need2cruise]

I agree.

Have YOU ever been shot at at work? Do YOU wonder every day at work if you will come home tonight, with the answer "no" being a daily possibility? Do YOU turn on the news and see a co-worker who's been killed EVERY WEEK and wonder if it'll be you next?

Maybe if you did, you'd have a different "mental" outlook as well.

Everyone should walk a mile in a LEOs shoes before they make such generalizations.

So far this year, an officer who was just doing his JOB, selflessly protecting YOU and YOUR FAMILY was KILLED. I highly doubt their wives, children, patents, family and friends would appreciate your generalization.

Your area or not, this is ONE crazy out of THOUSANDS, and ON THE JOB, most who would take a bullet for SAFETY.

You should be THANKING a police officer, not spitting all over them.

11 killed in the past week and 8 injured AKLMeg! My dh is an officer (like yours) and we just lost one in our community and it has been staggering to everyone. He was shot 2 times in the face and died doing his duty. No one understands the job until they are doing it. I would love to see this study and the location of where it was done.

 

[AKL_Megs]

11 killed in the past week and 8 injured AKLMeg! My dh is an officer (like yours) and we just lost one in our community and it has been staggering to everyone. He was shot 2 times in the face and died doing his duty. No one understands the job until they are doing it. I would love to see this study and the location of where it was done.

I mwant to say one every other day... Stupid iPhone.

Yes, everyone is so quick to judge.

The only career where you can spit in an officers face, call him names one day, and need his help the next. Totally thankless.

 

[need2cruise]

I mwant to say one every other day... Stupid iPhone.

Yes, everyone is so quick to judge.

The only career where you can spit in an officers face, call him names one day, and need his help the next. Totally thankless.

Yep, cop killing is on the rise. Last year was an all time low for cop fatalities however it is already at a 40% hike this year and we are still in the first month!

Everyone is quick to cop bash, but first to expect them to die protecting them when they need it. As with any job, there are the bad that is in the dept--would be silly to think otherwise. However, after 12 years, I can honestly say, I know that number is actually pretty low! I think the worst I see is the drinking by police officers. I do agree substance abuse is high among police, but I think it is their way of dealing with what they encounter and the stresses they endure. Doesn't make it right--but neither does it make it right when person has retail therapy to feel better or eats a whole gallon of ice cream when they are upset.

Police work is one of the only jobs where even after their shift, they are still on duty. Their call to serve is 24/7 even through the holidays. They can not just be off work and not respond. And they are held to a very high standard that most American's can't live up to. In one county where I live, one was drug through the mud because after his shift he stopped to by a pack of cigerettes and was in his uniform. He was off duty on his way home. I guess someone thought he should go out of his way to run home and change and then leave again. Maybe I think its gross seeing scrubs out in the grocery and at restraunts.......but I wouldn't expect them to go out of their way to go home and change!

 

[LSmith]

Did you read my post? I said a study was done in my area, and it found that a huge proportion fell into this category, in my area.

I didn't say it only pertained to police officers, and that only police officers fell into this category. Of course, it happens in all facets of the population, but when you have people whose sole job it is to uphold the law, and they struggle with impulse control and abiding by rules themselves, it makes for serious issues. The study was massive, and the results were staggering to many in the community. It certainly didn't imply that all police officers are mentally unstable, far from it! But it did show that they can and do struggle with some serious emotional and mental issues because of the high risk nature of their jobs. They put their lives on the line everyday, but that can't excuse them from breaking rules or bending rules to suit themselves. And this absolutely can go across any job sector, but the OP is only reporting on a police officer in her community.

You or I more than likely wouldn't have been able to know all of the ins and outs of police protocol to have a manhunt or lockdown declared, but since this officer lives this each and everyday, he knew exactly what emergency protocol would be followed.

Hopefully, he gets help, as I'm sure there are some seriously angry and freaked out citizens in that community.



Again, you didn't entirely read my post. I said in my area, a large scale study was done, and the results were compelling, in that it showed in an anonymous fashion, just how many officers struggle in these areas. The officers themselves willingly took part in the study, because the heart of it was to show how difficult it was to do this job, and to put the proper supports in place. They admitted serious addictions, abuse and impulse issues, because they were hoping that it would help them. The study did a lot of good, as new programs and supports were put in place to help the officers and their families.

The example from the OP proves what a serious job it is, and the serious toll it takes on people. So many people feel that officers are immune, and as the study proved, and the actions of the officer in this story, it is in fact the exact opposite.

Sorry for any misunderstanding. I wrote my initial post very quickly this morning.

Hopefully, this better explain, Tiger

Actually I am very literate and did read your post. Also, I believe we live if not in the same city, very close. Toronto? My husband is a police officer and has been for 24 years.

He is not an alcoholic or drug addict, has never laid a hand on me, does not struggle with impulse controls, is FAR from a bully, has NO mental issues.

We have tons of friends that are police officers and they are just as stable.

Has he ever mowed the lawn a bit too early in the morning? Probably, but he doesn't have the luxury of a 9 - 3 job with three months off a year. He usually works 16 to 18 hours a day. Has he ever parked somewhere he shouldn't have? Yep and if you live in Toronto you know that a ticket will be on your windshield in 20 seconds and your darn right he has to pay it. Ooo, they should take his badge!

As for the "massive study" give me a break! First of all do you really think that if there is, as you say, a local massive study done in your community that the police officers are going to mark yes to being a bully, drug addict, shady cop, wife beater, etc, etc. Come on, even if they were these things and the study was done anonymously it's highly unlikely they would take that chance.

I worked in a field that led me to work closely with medical researchers. Trust me when I say all studies are biased and can be tweaked anyway the researchers want.

Furthermore, there is a certain major local newspaper here that has been brainwashing people for years against the police. One sided bad journalism and many times outright lies. I can clarify many of the lies if you want to pm me. They are what I call the "Fox News" of Toronto.

Are there some bad cops? Sure, and there are just as many bad teachers, secretaries, dentists, cashiers, doctors, nurses, etc.

Cops are human not robots and they are held accountable like everyone else.

 

[crashbb]

Because he's mentally unstable.

There was an amazing study done in my area on police officers, and it found that many of them had serious emotional/mental issues. The higest rates of: domestic abuse, substance abuse issues, manipulation/cover ups were rampant, bullying behaviour, etc. We studied it in our criminology program, and it was done with the university, as well as police department.
HIGHEST compared to what/who? What were the other groups being studied? You cannot say that police officers had the highest rates of these crimes, without stating the comparison groups. Or do you mean that, among crimes committed by police officers, the rates of the crimes you listed were the highest?


Some officers complied, but many were anonymous, and the results were not surprising at all. Maybe this officer has a drug or gambling problem, and was trying to cover something up?
Complied with with what? I should hope the study was anonymous, otherwise it is a useless study.

It is a high-risk field, and many officers exhibit impulse control issues. My highschoolers are repeatedly beat up, questioned and threatened by officers, and it's getting to be a problem, as many of them don't trust the officers around here anymore.

If they are being taught by you that police officers are all mentally unstable criminals, I don't doubt that they don't trust the officers.
Of course, not all officers fall into this category, but I have to say, of the ones I know personally, they have no issues with breaking rules and bending the law to suit them. I don't know about abuse and criminal actitivites, but my neighbor officer frequently breaks parking and noise bylaws on our street.

I'm going to assume that no teachers ever break parking and/or noise bylaws. Otherwise, this statement is entirely pointless.
So sorry this happened to you. Clearly, he needs a mental evaluation.

Tiger

I have read your post (see my comments in red) and still think it was ridiculous.

Are there "bad" cops? Of course. Same as there are "bad" anything else (admittedly, given the nature of the job and access to firearms, a "bad" cop can have a more drastic outcome than in other professions). However, to take this one incident and try to portray all cops as mentally unstable (or even a large proportion of them) is ridiculous.

I'm also with Bicker and DisneyBamaFan - the response (lock down) seems a trifle overdrawn.

mrsxsparrow - sorry you had to go through it.

 

[Disney Doll]

As the daughter of a police officer I have been living with this disdain of the profession for literally my entire life.

My response is usually "Next time you're in trouble, how about calling a researcher".

 

[need2cruise]

As the daughter of a police officer I have been living with this disdain of the profession for literally my entire life.

My response is usually "Next time you're in trouble, how about calling a researcher".

 

[Tiger926]

So sorry for the misunderstanding, let's try again:

- not all police officers are mentally or emotionally unstable, never implied that, but this one more than likely has had some emotional break of some kind, based on the seriousness of his actions. Police officers are not immune to personal issues, yet I find so many people think they are (that’s kind of what I thought the OP was implying, sorry), and of course there are unstable teachers, doctors, mechanics, etc. never implied otherwise, but we aren’t discussing those.

- the study was a massive undertaking in cooperation with the police, for the purposes that I described.

- in our community, the officers had the highest rates of issues based on other emergency personnel (fire, ambulance, nurses, doctors), but again, this isn’t as valid a factor as this study was specifically done with police officers, so it just showed that officers weren’t immune to abuse or addiction problems, like many people think.

- if anyone honestly believes that I would teach my students that police officers are not valuable members of society, than you have some serious issues. My students have their own opinions, based on the treatment they give to the officers, and how the officers treat them back, it has nothing to do with us as teachers. We are struggling each and everyday to squash these stereotypes, and remind them that they need to stop breaking rules and bothering the police in the first place, but it’s difficult as our students deal with officers a lot, and this forms their opinions.

- nowhere did I imply that I don’t value officers, quite the contrary. I have no disdain toward that profession at all. I think they are highly selfless in protecting the rest of us, but many people think that the police are immune to any personal issues, and that was the focus of the study I spoke about. We got to speak to some of the officers, and our professor was the police psychologist/criminologist, and they all told us it was helpful as there is a certain stigma with officers, and emergency personnel in general, and that is why they were happy to participate.

Again, sorry if anyone misunderstood my initial post. I was only commenting on that officer, and provided evidence of a study that showed that some officers do deal with some major personal and emotional issues. The officers who spoke to us, said a lot had to do with the seriousness of the job, but a lot of them also said they had been dealing with those issues before their jobs as officers. They truly seemed grateful, as the end result was a better understanding of the risks involved in their jobs, and new programs and procedures had been put into place to help them when they displayed personal issues.

Absolutely nowhere did I say I don’t value officers, or, that they are all mentally unstable, so for those who were hurt with my post, I greatly apologize. I was only speaking about the group in our community, who participated in the study.

The OP's post title seemed to suggest that she can't imagine an officer not being mentally unstable, and so that is what I was addressing. It's just like people who can't believe that teachers, lawyers or doctors can display major personal issues, of course they can, just like anyone can.

Tiger

 

[Minnesota!]

Abso-friggen-lutely! How often do we see this sort of thing happen? No wonder unstable folks seek to exploit the tendency of so many Americans to overreact, leap to judgment, and climb on board bandwagons to lynchings. We Americans have, for decades, been fed a daily diet of sensationalistic "journalism" by newspapers, radio, and television, and now we even make up our own yellow journalism, through social networking sites and online discussion forums on the Internet. These powerful institutions all have the capacity for great good, but also are now applied to bring about evil as well.