Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search
 

Logical

(22,457 posts)
Tue Apr 9, 2013, 08:35 PM Apr 2013

Radley Balko: Why We Need To Stop Exaggerating The Threat To Cops

The recent killings of two prosecutors in Texas, a Colorado Department of Corrections official and a sheriff in West Virginia have law enforcement groups and the media once again buzzing about an alleged "war on cops" or, in some instances, a broader trend toward violent anti-government sentiment. Over at The Atlantic, Philip Bump does a good job debunking that idea. (He also quotes me.)

Unfortunately, thorough and skeptical analyses of police fatality statistics like Bump's are rare. The "war on cops" talk heats up every time that one or more high-profile police killings hit the news. But there's just no evidence that it's true.

I've pointed out a number of times that the job of police officer has been getting progressively safer for a generation. Last year was the safest year for cops since the early 1960s. And it isn't just because the police are carrying bigger guns or have better armor. Assaults on police officers have been dropping over the same period. Which means that not only are fewer cops getting killed on the job, people in general are less inclined to try to hurt them. Yes, working as a police officer is still more dangerous than, say, working as a journalist. (Or at least a journalist here in the U.S.) But a cop today is about as likely to be murdered on the job as someone who merely resides in about half of the country's 75 largest cities.


More at....
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/09/police-shootings_n_3038938.html
8 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Radley Balko: Why We Need To Stop Exaggerating The Threat To Cops (Original Post) Logical Apr 2013 OP
Yeah, cops have it so safe and easy coldmountain Apr 2013 #1
LOL, didn't read it did you. n-t Logical Apr 2013 #2
Trolls don't know how to read. eom Th1onein Apr 2013 #7
yeah, apparently they do frylock Apr 2013 #4
Cops have NEVER had as much of a safety problem as a lot of other jobs.......... socialist_n_TN Apr 2013 #5
+1000! n-t Logical Apr 2013 #6
..."Even" firefighters? Donald Ian Rankin Apr 2013 #8
Good article. And good point. Comrade Grumpy Apr 2013 #3

socialist_n_TN

(11,481 posts)
5. Cops have NEVER had as much of a safety problem as a lot of other jobs..........
Tue Apr 9, 2013, 10:55 PM
Apr 2013

Even back in the 60s and 70s, cops ranked somewhere like tenth on the scale of most dangerous jobs. Mining and construction were first and second as I recall as far as people killed on the job. Even firefighters have a more dangerous job. As the article excerpt said, it's more dangerous than being a journalist, but the danger is overblown and always has been.

They get the press for danger because it suits the ruling class to turn them into heroes because the cops are the ones that PROTECT the bosses.

Donald Ian Rankin

(13,598 posts)
8. ..."Even" firefighters?
Wed Apr 10, 2013, 03:50 AM
Apr 2013

I don't think that "safer than deliberately running into burning buildings" merits an "even"...

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Radley Balko: Why We Need...