What's up with SAPD? (San Antonio, Anton: how much, house, college)

[L210]

I've worked with and have done ride-alongs with many departments in the South Central and Central Texas areas. While I think that SAPD is one of the most unprofessional of the bunch, I'm still surprised that they've had so many scandals in the past couple of weeks.

https://m.sacurrent.com/the-daily/ar...med-police-say

https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/lo...o-13320936.php

https://www.ksat.com/news/sapd-comma...l-investigator

https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/lo...s-13320730.php

[L210]

BCSO is not doing any better. So far this year they've had problems with inmate escapes, pre-arranged fights between inmates and deputies, and 22 deputies have been arrested.

[elnina]

I think police scandals happen everywhere, we just don't read the local news of other cities.
The morale is low, the training and the selection to their force inadequate.
Over the years we had many cops in our psychiatric hospital with all kind and severity of mental illness. From depression to bipolar to schizophrenia, suicide and homicide ideations, all levels of psychosis, hallucinations, drugs dependency, you name it. Many in complete denial as to their mental condition.
They came for a treatment, stayed for several days to two weeks, got their medications adjusted and went ... back to work.
Go figure...

[L210]

BCSO just changed their hiring standards, so they're now stricter than SAPD's. Instead of only disqualifying applicants for convictions, they're now disqualifying them for past arrests. The head of the jail recently resigned; rumor has it that he wasn't a good fit for the job.

Most of the psychiatric disorders you listed should be disqualifying. I don't know how often BCSO and SAPD conduct psychiatric testing. Most departments only conduct testing during the hiring process.

I don't know if you can blame cover-ups by high-ranking officers on mental health. SAPD needs to clean house and probably replace McManus.

[RedNeckRick]

The fish always stinks from the head. SAPD has been going downhill ever since they hired chump magnovox, the first time. They never should have rehired him after he "retired".

[sapphire]

Dearest OP: So apply and suit up. Or please tell us your occupation so that we can pick it apart. Probably lots of people suffering with mental illness and/or bad character in every profession, dontcha think?

[L210]

Originally Posted by sapphire

Dearest OP: So apply and suit up. Or please tell us your occupation so that we can pick it apart. Probably lots of people suffering with mental illness and/or bad character in every profession, dontcha think?

Most occupations don't require psychological testing or extensive background checks because they neither carry guns nor have the power of arrest. There's a reason why standards are higher for peace officers and county jailers.

I've worked for three law enforcement agencies, taught criminal justice, and I'm earning a PhD in criminal justice. I've taken multiple psychological tests. You want to pick apart my field? Go ahead. You can start with BCSO.

[sapphire]

Well, maybe you will have all the solutions then. I'm sure you're not just cop-bashing, in spite of your negativity towards San Antonio police. So we'll all be happy to hear your ideas, besides replacing McManus and "cleaning house."

[Azure110]

McManus does need to go, I have felt that way ever since he just let a trailer load of illegal immigrants go free.

[L210]

Originally Posted by sapphire

Well, maybe you will have all the solutions then. I'm sure you're not just cop-bashing, in spite of your negativity towards San Antonio police. So we'll all be happy to hear your ideas, besides replacing McManus and "cleaning house."

I'm an advocate for increasing educational requirements for police officers. A study done in Florida found that officers with college degrees had fewer disciplinary actions taken against them. I'm also an advocate for raising pay at BCSO. It's hard to recruit and keep top talent when there are other sheriff's departments that pay significantly more. SAPD's civil service contract limits how much merit factors into promotions. But, sometimes, the problem really is leadership.