Residency requirement is lifted for city police (Pittsburgh: gated, live in)

[wpipkins2]

Originally Posted by I_Like_Spam

Since it was passed by the electorate in a public vote, it seems proper it should stand.

But the city is putting itself on the hook for more training expenses at the academy as this will hurt retention rates as police officer parents look to better school districts

Further, its a blow to collective bargaining, as the decision was about the union contract.


On the plus side, it should help the real estate market in Summer Hill, Lincoln Place and other locales that police officers traditionally favor.

This should help the city police to diversify as well. The police force should reflect the community and the officers should be part of the community.

[Moby Hick]

Originally Posted by I_Like_Spam

Further, its a blow to collective bargaining, as the decision was about the union contract.

I think it's a help for collective bargaining. The court removed the unilateral decision of an arbitrator and did not overturn any bargain at all. This puts the issue back into bargaining between the union and the elected government.

[ferraris]

Originally Posted by erieguy

While imo city police don't get paid enough, with all of the complaints that get made about them, one would think the best man/woman for the job would make much more sense than having them have to live in the city.

Living in the city or being willing to live in the city will always make you the preferable candidate over one who is unwilling to live in the city.

[erieguy]

Originally Posted by ferraris

Living in the city or being willing to live in the city will always make you the preferable candidate over one who is unwilling to live in the city.

In this case that's obvious...however, the best man/woman should be the most important factor in any job, even more so in law enforcement. Choosing a lesser candidate because of where they live isn't hiring the best and not wanting the best makes no sense.

[I_Like_Spam]

Originally Posted by wpipkins2

This should help the city police to diversify as well. The police force should reflect the community and the officers should be part of the community.

If you define the "community" as the city as a whole, it would seem to, sure. The city has a higher percentage of African Americans than the region, picking candidates from the smaller pool certainly does that.

But the city already does that, the question seems to be whether police officers should be allowed to move outside the city limits, after they are hired.


If you define "community" more narrowly, more on the line of neighborhoods, you'll still have the majority of police officers walking the beat in Homewood as white officers as whites are still in the majority and police assignments aren't made by race.

[wpipkins2]

Originally Posted by I_Like_Spam

If you define the "community" as the city as a whole, it would seem to, sure. The city has a higher percentage of African Americans than the region, picking candidates from the smaller pool certainly does that.

But the city already does that, the question seems to be whether police officers should be allowed to move outside the city limits, after they are hired.


If you define "community" more narrowly, more on the line of neighborhoods, you'll still have the majority of police officers walking the beat in Homewood as white officers as whites are still in the majority and police assignments aren't made by race.

I am fully aware of the city demographics. The police force should reflect the community. The current police force is approximately 6% black and should be in the 25% to 30% range. The recent court ruling and this residency requirement should help to diversify the pool of candidates.

[erieguy]

Originally Posted by wpipkins2

I am fully aware of the city demographics. The police force should reflect the community. The current police force is approximately 6% black and should be in the 25% to 30% range. The recent court ruling and this residency requirement should help to diversify the pool of candidates.

Color of ones skin should never determine who gets the job. Interesting that one would choose that and ones address before quality of an applicant.

[WhoIsStanwix?]

Originally Posted by erieguy

Color of ones skin should never determine who gets the job. Interesting that one would choose that and ones address before quality of an applicant.

I would ordinarily agree with this, but in a civil service job, especially one that is meant to keep the public safe, should instill trust. Like it or not, citizens are more likely to trust and respect people of the same race, especially those that are of races that have traditionally been marginalized.

Point to wpipkins on this one.

[erieguy]

Originally Posted by WhoIsStanwix?

I would ordinarily agree with this, but in a civil service job, especially one that is meant to keep the public safe, should instill trust. Like it or not, citizens are more likely to trust and respect people of the same race, especially those that are of races that have traditionally been marginalized.

Point to wpipkins on this one.

Great way to get a second rate force. Remember your point system the next time something goes awry.

I'd be more concerned with who does the better job to keep one safe, especially since not many have much trust in police as it is.

[I_Like_Spam]

Originally Posted by erieguy

Color of ones skin should never determine who gets the job. Interesting that one would choose that and ones address before quality of an applicant.

The civil service scoring system was devised by bureaucrats, and is therefore imperfect in determining who would make a good cop.


Having a bit of flexibility in choosing who to hire isn't that bad, and doesn't seem any more likely to bring subpar cops aboard.