Gang Infiltration in Law Enforcement?

The consequences of lowered standards in policing

It’s a statistical probability. Fewer applicants inevitably results in diminished quality applicant pools. In law enforcement, severe police officer shortages have forced departments across the country to lower the bar to entry - including via tweaked education, work, and physical fitness requirements.

As a retired NYPD detective and current professor at John Jay College recently said in a New York Post article,

“Loosening the required qualifications however means that the department is ultimately getting “less desirable” job candidates.”

Given that law enforcement has been in the midst of a recruitment crisis for the past few years, this scenario was predictable (and preventable) to anyone paying attention. Here in Madison, our PD received more than 1,500 applicants in 2012. Fast forward to last year’s applicant pool - the Department received about 288 applicants. This scenario isn’t an outlier. My hometown of Chicago, for example, used to receive in the ballpark of 20 thousand candidates; that number has since dwindled to a paltry 3,800.

Instead of recognizing the looming crisis, critics and politicians -coupled with assistance from media and well-funded allies- doubled down on their outrage. People, many of whom don’t understand policing and who are unwilling to budge, continued to push the Cops are barbarians narratives and hastily called for universal reforms that may or may not be necessary or effective.

They forged ahead without understanding (or caring) that their incessant criticisms would cause good men and women to leave policing. They thought cops would want to remain in a profession that could result in indictments or being fired simply for doing their job.

And they did this as police leaders offered a smile and nod and apologies for their profession; and as police unions (exceptions like NYC PBA & FOP noted) and people who know better stood silent.

That silence has cost us dearly. It’s strengthened the opposition’s fight to obliterate policing and sow chaos in our nation. And it’s made attracting honorable men and women to the profession that much more difficult.

Worse, policing may be attracting the criminal element.

In their intelligence report, the National Gang Intelligence Center was aware of gang members infiltrating law enforcement at least since 2010. This was way before Ferguson and the 2020 riots lead to the current crisis. Given the pinch police departments are now in to hire, it’s not a stretch to wonder what’s passing these days as qualified police applicants.

Lowering education and physical fitness standards may just be the start if the current trajectory holds. In their haste to hire cops, will police departments inadvertently hire criminals?

If this happens, our nation will fail. A major key to public safety and wellbeing is the presence of well-staffed police departments comprised of qualified honorable men and women who have a desire to serve. Yet we’ve moved even further away from this goal.

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For the Blue is a solutions-based initiative. I’m just an American patriot asking questions. I don’t work with any political party and I answer to nobody. For me, the health of the nation, due process (including for police officers), the rule of law, and respect for individual liberties, will always transcend party affiliation. I welcome your thoughts, even if you disagree; though personal attacks will be ignored. You can reach me at fortheblue@substack.com.