Oh yes, there are some top notch guys out there doing the job. Problem is, the newer generation of "me" types have infiltrated, and there are problems... I went through one of the toughest State Police Academies in America. There were Air Force guys in my class literally crying at times, and saying they wished they had stayed in the USAF, as "this is ten times harder than basic training." When we finally graduated, we had little to no issues. Today, the issues are much more pronounced, even though much of the training is still the same general principle.
One thing I'll note is the police departments have accepted billions of "free $" from the gubment, and have also been training with the military side by side doing scenarios, and I don't necessarily agree with that. I completely disagree with the militarization of police depts today, as it wasn't that way when I did it, and shouldn't be what it is today. We had a local news story about a small town here in FL than annexed a part of a highway just to set up speed traps. Yes, the dipshits would get out of their cruisers on traffic stops, with M4's strapped across their chest. The local Sheriff was interviewed, and was flabbergasted over the Gestapo tactics. When I did he job, we were issued M16's for major problem stuff such as wooded manhunts, and yes, these rifles were required to be kept in the trunk. I couldn't imagine approaching a mini van with kids in car seats with an M4 strapped across my chest, wearing knee/elbow pads, etc.,
