Civilian Police officers in Denver?

[KevDen2005]

Nothing like a bunch of people getting upset about the wording of an article. Jesus. I think the point is they are giving jobs out to non post certified positions for certain jobs in the department like desk jobs that don't need to be criminal investigators which save the department and tax payers money while putting more officers back on the street. In DO CO those non post certified volunteers help block traffic on accidents, wait for tow trucks after accidents, DUI's, and other times when a vehicle might need towing to put the officer back "into service" to respond to the next call. Lone Tree also uses volunteers similarly. And yes, most officers get to sleep in their beds when they do sleep, but may not being doing it at night or on holidays like most other professions.

[Lyon]

I think it's a good idea, personally. It'd be nice to interact with people that don't see you with a floating "possible suspect" bubble above your head. I've heard tell of a time when police officers were polite, and just human beings doing their job, but I think it's a myth. It's true that civs aren't going to have the "street" experience of a police officer, but they'll have different perspectives and ideas for that very reason, and sometimes that's what it takes to catch a break. PD's have become too much of a club/clique, and interacting with some normal, non-paranoid people could be good for them.

[TFOGGER]

There's an awful lot of jobs being done by POST certified officers that could easily be handled by "civilian" employees with specialized training. I'm thinking computer analysis, forensics, administrative/PR, just to name a few. Freeing up trained officers to do their jobs instead of dealing with the non-law-enforcement bullshit could only improve their attitudes and their efficiency.

[MrPrena]

Know a kid who is a volunteer for Denver Police.
He does not get paid, and he does more finger printing stuff.

It might be good for people who wants to have a career with Police department. OR
It might be good for a guy who is running for a city counsel who has a zero community service experience? haha

[Irving]

And yes, most officers get to sleep in their beds when they do sleep, but may not being doing it at night or on holidays like most other professions.

I think there are plenty of other reasons to respect police officers for what they do, other than the hours they work. Everyone who works at a restaurant or call center works weekends and ALL holidays as well.

[T-Giv]

The majority of suburb departments already do this. Positions that take walk-in reports, anything dealing with the media, evidence, records, animal control, code violations, the courts, etc. are all usually non-sworn positions. In my book there are two paths you can take. You are either military or civilian. Cops are civilian but their job requirements and abilities put them into a separate category from virtually any other civilian jobs. Having jurisdictional authority does not equate to a civilian job. So in a way everyone is wrong. Cops get butt hurt because they feel special and want to feel elevated for their career status from "normal citizens." While normal citizens attempt to lower Cops to their level because they feel that Cops don't have any reason to be elevated above them.

[SA Friday]

LE agencies are para-military organizations by definition.

Most agencies are going to specialized crime scene techs in larger metro areas. Most of these positions require a 4 year degree, typically forensics or criminalistics minors with a bio or chem major.

I don't know of any agency hiring new people for lab positions without a 4 year degree.

[Byte Stryke]

Nothing like a bunch of people getting upset about the wording of an article. Jesus. I think the point is they are giving jobs out to non post certified positions for certain jobs in the department like desk jobs that don't need to be criminal investigators which save the department and tax payers money while putting more officers back on the street. In DO CO those non post certified volunteers help block traffic on accidents, wait for tow trucks after accidents, DUI's, and other times when a vehicle might need towing to put the officer back "into service" to respond to the next call. Lone Tree also uses volunteers similarly. And yes, most officers get to sleep in their beds when they do sleep, but may not being doing it at night or on holidays like most other professions.

<<< This Guy worked 17 hours on Veterans Day.

and I think the wording Smacks of thievery, When I Hear a Cop try and include himself among the Military personnel that have Raised their hand, taken the oath defended this nation spending YEARS overseas in combat zones it makes me think of These Guys:



this is not a slight to all Police officers, just the ones trying to ride coat tails

[OneGuy67]

Nothing like a bunch of people getting upset about the wording of an article. Jesus. I think the point is they are giving jobs out to non post certified positions for certain jobs in the department like desk jobs that don't need to be criminal investigators which save the department and tax payers money while putting more officers back on the street. In DO CO those non post certified volunteers help block traffic on accidents, wait for tow trucks after accidents, DUI's, and other times when a vehicle might need towing to put the officer back "into service" to respond to the next call. Lone Tree also uses volunteers similarly. And yes, most officers get to sleep in their beds when they do sleep, but may not being doing it at night or on holidays like most other professions.

I agree Kevin. They get all riled up when an article uses the word "civilian" verses "citizen". It is interesting that most agencies refer to non-police as citizens as in citizen complaint, but it doesn't stop the howling.

I think it's a good idea, personally. It'd be nice to interact with people that don't see you with a floating "possible suspect" bubble above your head. I've heard tell of a time when police officers were polite, and just human beings doing their job, but I think it's a myth. It's true that civs aren't going to have the "street" experience of a police officer, but they'll have different perspectives and ideas for that very reason, and sometimes that's what it takes to catch a break. PD's have become too much of a club/clique, and interacting with some normal, non-paranoid people could be good for them.

You DO realize that the people whom would be hired into the positions the article is discussing, you would not have any contact with? They are not going to be out contacting or interviewing people; they will be riding desks and pushing paper somewhere.

The majority of suburb departments already do this. Positions that take walk-in reports, anything dealing with the media, evidence, records, animal control, code violations, the courts, etc. are all usually non-sworn positions. In my book there are two paths you can take. You are either military or civilian. Cops are civilian but their job requirements and abilities put them into a separate category from virtually any other civilian jobs. Having jurisdictional authority does not equate to a civilian job. So in a way everyone is wrong. Cops get butt hurt because they feel special and want to feel elevated for their career status from "normal citizens." While normal citizens attempt to lower Cops to their level because they feel that Cops don't have any reason to be elevated above them.

Agreed. My former agency had non-sworn personnel to take walk in and telephone reports, non-sworn evidence techs and crime scene investigators, records techs, etc. I know Denver has sworn officers in their dispatch, which I can't think of any other agency that also does that.

<<< This Guy worked 17 hours on Veterans Day.

and I think the wording Smacks of thievery, When I Hear a Cop try and include himself among the Military personnel that have Raised their hand, taken the oath defended this nation spending YEARS overseas in combat zones it makes me think of These Guys:

this is not a slight to all Police officers, just the ones trying to ride coat tails

So Guy, what then do you make of people like KevDen and I (and others) who have done both; that is, raised our right hand both as part of enlisting into the military and again as law enforcement officers. I've put up with crap doing both jobs, dealt with stupid people, slept in foxholes and backseats, worked long hours and been away from my family for extended periods, missed out on birthdays, anniversaries, special events for both jobs.

[strm_trpr]

As a Law Enforcement Officer in Colorado, it bothers me when fellow LEOs refer to the general public as civilians and they imply they are not. These positions will simply be non P.O.S.T certified positions. I have always been a civilian and will always be a civilian unless we secceed from the union .....