Residency requirement is lifted for city police (Pittsburgh: city hall, school)

[erieguy]

Originally Posted by I_Like_Spam

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.

The first point is dead on. The second is not. Limiting your applicants to those that will only have a city address is limiting the amount and choices to hire the best person for the job. Obviously some are not concerned with not having the best. Makes no sense, especially if you can have the best.

[wpipkins2]

Originally Posted by erieguy

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.

The courts have decided that the best (black) candidates were denied the opportunity to protect and serve. It has been proven that white applicants were chosen with more serious infractions than their black counterparts. The city admitted its short comings and is legally obligated to correct the system. Based on your response it appears that the police force should remain lilly white. That is some 1950s bs.

The distrust comes from jim crow policies such as this. A black officer with black children would be less likely to stereotype black males. A black officer with black children can recognize a true threat and bypass an innocent child walking to his grandmothers house.

[erieguy]

Originally Posted by wpipkins2

The courts have decided that the best (black) candidates were denied the opportunity to protect and serve. It has been proven that white applicants were chosen with more serious infractions than their black counterparts. The city admitted its short comings and is legally obligated to correct the system. Based on your response it appears that the police force should remain lilly white. That is some 1950s bs.

The distrust comes from jim crow policies such as this. A black officer with black children would be less likely to stereotype black males. A black officer with black children can recognize a true threat and bypass an innocent child walking to his grandmothers house.

You should go back and read more carefully before playing the race card since I repeatedly said no job should be filled per skin color. In simpler form:

The best applicant should get the job.

The best applicant should get the job regardless of skin color.

The best applicant should get the job regardless of their address.

[wpipkins2]

Originally Posted by erieguy

You should go back and read more carefully before playing the race card since I repeatedly said no job should be filled per skin color. In simpler form:

The best applicant should get the job.

The best applicant should get the job regardless of skin color.

The best applicant should get the job regardless of their address.

The best applicants did not get the job. Race was definitely a factor and it has been proven. Allowing suburban applicants would further dilute the police racial makeup. No race card needed.

[erieguy]

Originally Posted by wpipkins2

The best applicants did not get the job. Race was definitely a factor and it has been proven. Allowing suburban applicants would further dilute the police racial makeup. No race card needed.

Again, the best applicant should get the job. Get out of the past. If a suburban applicant no matter what their race is chooses to move to the city then he/she can get the job. That will have zero to do with racial makeup. You want black officers whether they are the best applicant or not. That's discrimination and it's wrong. If they're the best applicant they should certainly be hired. If they're not then they shouldn't.

[eschaton]

I think an important job requirement for a police officer is to be able to form a relationship of trust and friendship with the residents on his beat, and not treat it as if he's an occupying force in a war zone.

I'm not saying that a white officer couldn't do this in a black neighborhood. But I do think that if you want to rebuild community-police relations in black Pittsburgh, more black officers would be a big help.

[erieguy]

Originally Posted by eschaton

I think an important job requirement for a police officer is to be able to form a relationship of trust and friendship with the residents on his beat, and not treat it as if he's an occupying force in a war zone.

I'm not saying that a white officer couldn't do this in a black neighborhood. But I do think that if you want to rebuild community-police relations in black Pittsburgh, more black officers would be a big help.

I don't care if every officer on the police force is black. If they're the best applicants for the job they should be hired...but hiring based on race is discrimination in every sense of the word.

[wpipkins2]

Originally Posted by erieguy

Again, the best applicant should get the job. Get out of the past. If a suburban applicant chooses to move to the city then he/she can get the job. That will have zero to do with racial makeup. You want black officers whether they are the best applicant or not. That's discrimination and it's wrong.

I do not live in the past. I want the police to reflect the community. So yes I do want qualified black candidates policing my city. Discriminating against qualified black applicants is wrong. Choosing less qualified white applicants over black applicants is wrong.

[erieguy]

Originally Posted by wpipkins2

I do not live in the past. I want the police to reflect the community. So yes I do want qualified black candidates policing my city. Discriminating against qualified black applicants is wrong. Choosing less qualified white applicants over black applicants is wrong.

Exactly what I've been saying. The best applicant should get the job. You however, want black officers even if they're not the best applicant. That's the definition of discrimination.

[Moby Hick]

Is this a Pirates thread?