Good points! These are of course generalizations. But my very broad read on this is that big city departments tend to have better *policy* when it comes to use of force, deescalation, profiling etc. NYPD and LAPD, for example, both have relatively decent policies when it comes to the use of SWAT teams. They're well-trained, professional, and generally governed by a threat matrix that limits their use. (Although Chicago is a notable counter-example.)
In small town departments and sheriff's offices, the SWAT teams tend to be much more cowboyish, part-time, untrained, and used inappropriately.
But as you say, because of union power, when cops in big city departments do violate those policies, it can be difficult to hold them accountable. Which of course undermines the whole point of having those policies in the first place.
But I also think we probably hear more about problem officers in big cities because there are more media outlets in those places to report them, and because those outlets tend to me more skeptical than small town newspapers and local TV news.
Oh I didn't know that about NYPD and SWAT, that's interesting. I think you're totally right about media location bias. But also it feels like you come across a story that's like I don't know, "Florida officer fired after making racist statements" and I'm like, hmm, ok, because NYPD detectives can break a teenager's arm and the only repurcussions are to taxpayers from the resulting lawsuit. idk, maybe too NYC obsessed and as I discovered personally Tennessee cops are no joke! I do think there's a really interesting dynamic is blue cities in red states.
Good points! These are of course generalizations. But my very broad read on this is that big city departments tend to have better *policy* when it comes to use of force, deescalation, profiling etc. NYPD and LAPD, for example, both have relatively decent policies when it comes to the use of SWAT teams. They're well-trained, professional, and generally governed by a threat matrix that limits their use. (Although Chicago is a notable counter-example.)
In small town departments and sheriff's offices, the SWAT teams tend to be much more cowboyish, part-time, untrained, and used inappropriately.
But as you say, because of union power, when cops in big city departments do violate those policies, it can be difficult to hold them accountable. Which of course undermines the whole point of having those policies in the first place.
But I also think we probably hear more about problem officers in big cities because there are more media outlets in those places to report them, and because those outlets tend to me more skeptical than small town newspapers and local TV news.
Oh I didn't know that about NYPD and SWAT, that's interesting. I think you're totally right about media location bias. But also it feels like you come across a story that's like I don't know, "Florida officer fired after making racist statements" and I'm like, hmm, ok, because NYPD detectives can break a teenager's arm and the only repurcussions are to taxpayers from the resulting lawsuit. idk, maybe too NYC obsessed and as I discovered personally Tennessee cops are no joke! I do think there's a really interesting dynamic is blue cities in red states.