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People don't give cops free coffee because they think police are so underpaid they can't afford a cup out of their own pocket. They do it because they know that
by giraffe_lady 4y ago
People don't give cops free coffee because they think police are so underpaid they can't afford a cup out of their own pocket. They do it because they know that police enforcement and assistance is inconsistent and based largely on mood and favoritism, and are doing what they hope will put them on the right side of that.
- matthewdgreen 4y agoWhen I say I'm willing to pay police more, it's not because I'm worried they can't afford donuts.* I'm saying this because I would like to have a more professional police force and I'm willing to raise compensation as a carrot in exchange for enforcing higher standards (i.e., basic standards of ethical behavior that are table stakes for white collar employees in large corporations.) Right now most police pay is bad, but police get a basket of official and "unofficial" benefits to make up for it. We should eliminate the unofficial ones and offer real compensation in exchange. * Although, yikes, I paid $7.50 with tax for 1/2 dozen donuts at Dunkin yesterday, so maybe this isn't trivial.
- giraffe_lady 4y agoAh I see, that does make sense. I would offer that they already are very professional and effective at their purpose, it's just that their actual purpose is very different from their stated purpose. Paying them more won't bring them more in line with what we wish the police did though. They will just continue to terrorize the vulnerable and protect capital because that is their actual role.
- s1artibartfast 4y agoWhy do you think police make? How much would be required to align incentives? Looking at my city, Most officers make more thank 300K. Sergeants and Lieutenant make more than 400K, and the chief makes more than 550k https://transparentcalifornia.com/salaries/2020/ https://transparentcalifornia.com/salaries/2020/