If the shortages are as you imply due to potential recruits turning it down due to a fear of being held accountable for abusing their position of authority, then it is actually relevant. OTOH, I’d say it’s not a bad thing, better to be short than to have bad cops on the force, IMHO.
As someone in the civilian world, I’m somewhat jealous of fat pensions like that. I’m about ten years into a job with a traditional pension plan (the first job I’ve ever had with a traditional pension), in addition to a 401(k)-equivalent. And looking at the pension plan statement, it looks like the balance amount increases by roughly five percent of my salary each year.
I worked part time at this department from 1982-2007 when a part-timer could still get on the pension plan. Then when I retired as a Sheriffs Deputy in 2007 they offered me full time and I took it. Pension is 2.5% of highest average salary X years served. So 40 years is 100%. Unless they offer me some ridiculous package I’d be a fool not to take it. It would be like working for free. Plus it’s a different pension system than my county pension, so I won’t run afoul of the double dipping law.
I worked in customer service positions for several years when I was younger & had no problems. But worked with a number of people who seemed to have problems with every other customer. One difference was customer comments/issues were never personal for me – Mrs X wasn’t screaming at me, she was screaming at my position/employer – while those who had endless customer confrontations seemed to take everything personally. I also never felt that service jobs mean subservience – they are necessary & perfectly respectable employment. (And I, for one, very much appreciate good customer service). Many of those for whom it was personal viewed service jobs as demeaning, something they were working at only until a job worthy of their training & skills appeared.
But… after watching numerous clips of anti-maskers attacking $8/hour door staff my youthful experiences may be completely outdated – these attacks were personal, the customers clearly felt rudeness, racism & classism were perfectly acceptable behavior, and staff should be subservient.
Many years ago I spent a terrific afternoon wandering alone through a New Orleans cemetery. A week later, I got around to reading the guidebook & found out I really shouldn’t have done that – the cemeteries are dangerous places. I was neither aware nor prepared, I was just lucky. (And, of course, not the least bit afraid since I was completely unaware.) But I would never encourage anyone else to do the same because that reputation is well-deserved & not everyone gets lucky.
I’ve done that. My wife was terrified. She clung to me like glue. But she hides under the covers during some scenes on Criminal Minds.
Those cemeteries are creepy as hell and more so at night. The night walkers don’t help matters. Heh. I thought it was a ball.
We went to them last spring but in the day time.
For a bigger thrill go into Juarez at night. You’ll love it!