General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsMSNBC now discussing licensures for police officers!
Now...As a Registered Nurse for 20 years...this concept is what I have been trying to explain...Used the Board of Nursing as the standard of practice leadership/monitoring and issues licenses used in a 50 sates for all nurses..****as a templet, use this for Law Enforcement...
Irish_Dem
(46,918 posts)But certainly any profession that can cause harm must be licensed by the state for legal and ethical reasons.
And maintaining professional standards.
I'd like to see all police officers holding at least a two year college degree as well.
Have to pass state boards and the take CEUS yearly.
(I am retired from a health care profession which required a license too.)
FirstLight
(13,360 posts)My friend is an LCSW and she has to take ceu's every year...and half are required to be in ethics
Irish_Dem
(46,918 posts)That would be great.
Yes, it is true. Continuing Ed hours require some ethics courses.
Didn't use to be that way in the past, but in last 15 yrs, states saw the need for all professions to be up to date
on legal and ethical issues in their chosen profession.
The law enforcement agencies need to start acting like professionals.
Not thugs.
(Apologies to my four cousins who are big city cops, they are good guys but you don't want to get on the bad side of them.)
SCantiGOP
(13,869 posts)During the lockdown, three women were charged with practicing hairstyling without a license.
To the best of my knowledge, we have not had any barbers or stylists killing people in recent history, but their profession requires training and licensing for the protection of the public.
FarPoint
(12,336 posts)They just can't fathom such a requirement....well...I definitely see this coming....
Heck, I have a Bachelors Degree...need to renew license every 2 years with required approved continual education...Always with a sense of paranoia about if I don't stay within the Nursing Boundaries...I can loose my license...many, many have lost them for soooooo much less than these media murdering officers I'll tell ya that much.
Irish_Dem
(46,918 posts)us do.
Those of us in the psychology/psychiatric field have always had to restrain violent patients.
And we don't kill them in the process.
ProfessorGAC
(64,995 posts)...to substitute teach, and I only work 60 something days a year!
And, that job is hardly life & death.
But, they did fingerprints, background check, proof of education (I sent them transcripts from my MBA program which was my most recent.). A FBI background check, too. Finally, I had to complete a one hour course on mandatory reporter status in child abuse. All of which the license seeker pays for.
If I need a license to teach junior high & HS students science, then cops need to be licensed.
Claire Oh Nette
(2,636 posts)and we're not required to be armed with anything but content knowledge.
Policing in America requires so little up front training at the academy. Lots of criminal justice courses at community college, but no degree requirements for policing is insane. Outside of awareness of the criminal justice system, they really need grounding in sociology, psychology, and abnormal psych, along with some social work and Emergency medical training. They need less time at the gym or the range, and more time on de-escalation and walking a beat.
Fire and paramedic both require more education. THat's not to say that police don't earn Bachelors and Masters, some do, but they all don't get promoted to Captain or Detective. Increase pay, and training, and vet our police better.
It's not rocket surgery.
Maru Kitteh
(28,339 posts)FarPoint
(12,336 posts)This Standard of Practice is tough, Nursing Board Standards....no wiggle room there! The public is always the primary focus... Which LEO needs to rise up to!
Irish_Dem
(46,918 posts)And often that is no easy task.
Then state board exams are difficult.
And then you have to maintain the license with good conduct and CEUs.
Police officers think they can get away with most anything.
It is about time LEO joins the rest of the professional world.
Phoenix61
(17,002 posts)Then I had to register with the state as an intern. That required I meet with my licensure supervisor weekly for 2 years. Then I could sit for the state exam to be a licensed clinical social worker. I have to have 30 plus hours of CEUs to maintain my license.
JT45242
(2,262 posts)Properly trained to start with. Tested. Universal standards of professional behavior.
Mandatory CEU hours related to the job.
Seems like a no brained to me.
rpannier
(24,329 posts)I'm a supporter of police officers have to carry 'malpractice' insurance
The city/state picks up x-dollars for court costs (say200k) and after that their insurance carrier is on the hook
If they can't get insurance they either agree to pay out of pocket or have to resign
mgardener
(1,816 posts)For a long time.
It is obvious that the police cannot/ will not police their own members.
They should be held to standards.