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A Disturbing Trend in Local Law Enforcement
By Bill Marchand
Everyday people are overlooking local law enforcement now that national security is of the highest priority. Now, in the eyes of the public, all the heroes are only in New York or Afghanistan, protecting American freedoms. It came to my attention that local law enforcement has recently been very active and efficient in many areas, and distinctively different in others.
It is the person behind the badge who makes this difference, as I found out on a ride-along with officers in the Avon Police Department. Watching from the passenger seat of a cruiser manned by Officers John Chevalier and Kevin Fleming, I had the opportunity to observe a variety of different calls and to witness the motivation and skill level of these officers. I observed firsthand the enthusiasm they show for their jobs and for their role helping and safeguarding the public—whether they are running radar surveillance on a back road that has had a recent streak of speeders or arresting a man for disorderly conduct.
What are some current problems facing police departments in small Connecticut towns such as Avon? According to Fleming, when his father was on the job, there were many more citizens applying to take on the responsibilities of an officer. He remarked, "Generally as the number of applicants drops, so does the quality of the people accepted to the academies."
A disturbing trend, as many would call it, this problem affects everyone, as it could mean less competent officers who cannot perform to the high standards that are required in order to protect the public’s constitutional rights and freedoms.
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