(Ronald) Donat is among at least 29 recruits who died during basic training at law enforcement academies around the country in the last decade, an AP investigation found. Most died of exertion, dehydration, heat stroke and other conditions tied to intense exercise — often on the first day of training, like Donat. Others died several weeks in, sometimes after suffering trauma during boxing or use-of-force drills or collapsing during high-stakes timed runs on hot days.

Experts and police advocates were surprised by AP’s findings — based on an extensive review of lists of law enforcement deaths in every state, workplace safety records and news reports — and said many of the deaths were preventable. No federal agency or outside organization comprehensively tracks recruit deaths, unlike officers who die in the line of duty.

Black recruits represented nearly 60% of those who died, a striking disparity given that federal data show Black officers make up 12% of local police forces. Many carried sickle cell trait, a condition most prevalent among Black Americans that increases the risk of serious injury following extreme exertion.

    • HellsBelle@sh.itjust.worksOP
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      7
      arrow-down
      3
      ·
      3 days ago

      How is demonizing someone for their profession any better than demonizing someone for their sexual orientation?

      Because you choose to be a cop. Nobody chooses their sexual orientation … you just are.

      It also increasingly sounds like you’re a cop yourself, trying to defend the indefensible.

      • Coolbeanschilly
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        1
        arrow-down
        4
        ·
        3 days ago

        Then if you find the cops bad, why not become one, despite your distaste for the profession? Someone needs to do the work, better a conscientious individual such as yourself.

        Alternatively, create a better system of crime mitigation on a local level and lead by example. It would be better for society as a whole for people to stop being so complacent, and change things in their local community.

        • HellsBelle@sh.itjust.worksOP
          link
          fedilink
          English
          arrow-up
          2
          ·
          3 days ago

          Like just about everything in the world the adage that change comes from within only works on a personal level, never at institutional level.

          Besides, I’m over 65 so a bit late to move to the dark side.

          • Coolbeanschilly
            link
            fedilink
            arrow-up
            1
            arrow-down
            1
            ·
            3 days ago

            But you can still be involved! Get on the community oversight boards, or volunteer.

        • BrainInABox@lemmy.ml
          link
          fedilink
          English
          arrow-up
          1
          ·
          3 days ago

          Then if you find the cops bad, why not become one, despite your distaste for the profession?

          “If you don’t like concentration camps, why not sign up to be a guard there!”

    • AbidanYre@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      4
      arrow-down
      1
      ·
      3 days ago

      How is demonizing someone for their profession any better than demonizing someone for their sexual orientation?

      Seriously? One of those things is a choice, the other isn’t.

      • Coolbeanschilly
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        1
        arrow-down
        4
        ·
        3 days ago

        The two have in common the fact that a part of their identity (regardless of choice), is being attacked for no other reason than that. Demonizing people is demonizing people.

        Are you going to demonize or mock someone who has chosen to be a cleaner or a fast food worker? Are you going to demonize or mock someone who believes in God, and is living peacefully with their neighbours?