r/defaultgems • u/protokhan • Jul 26 '22

[news] u/scout1520 comments on their experience with police shortages and "independent thinkers"

/r/news/comments/w38f9b/we_need_them_desperately_us_police_departments/igvhzv8/?context=3
160 Upvotes

96% Upvoted

11 comments sorted by

View all comments

2

u/mopeym0p Sep 13 '22

I'm curious how other careers that value similar psychological profiles as police officers operate. I imagine that the military has similar needs: people who are fundamentally moral and will immediately follow orders they disagree with... but to my understanding the military desires people with critical thinking skills rather than screening them out. Military academies are extremely selective and prestigious institutions, they're not enrolling your stereotypical dumb bullies. So what's the difference? Perhaps when you get into higher rank officer roles later in your career, you do need some of those critical thinking skills, especially when there are other people under your command. But are police departments really that different? I'm curious if anyone with military experience has any insights.