I think the odds of white, blue collar working class folk getting careers in policing after the age of 35 is slim to non.
Getting
anybody into a career after 35 is risky - while they may be more mature, they're less physically fit (on average) they will give you fewer years of service before retirement.
The hiring model needs to change. Hiring the same type of target selection doesn't work. Applications should be considered individually and on a case by case basis.
They are. It's not like there's a person in recruiting who's like, "white, white, white" and tossing files in the garbage.
I understand the preference for the university educated, but I know lots of idiots graduating with degrees that are... well idiots.
True, but at the very least, a university degree SHOULD be indicative of some intellect, an ability to persevere towards a long-term goal, and an ability to interact with others in a moderately respectful way. Obviously, there's isn't a perfect correlation, but it does weed out the nitwits who couldn't manage to sit through the joke that is high school these days.
And suicide rates amongst police where lower in the 1950-1980s before targeted selection and preference to post secondary.
Cite your source. Also, society has changed a great deal over the last 40-70 years. My FIL is retired OPP who split his career between patrol and accident reconstruction in Eastern Ontario. He used to drink like a fish and we attribute that to in part the culture where the sergeant was expected to offer you a slug of whisky after attending a bad scene.
Also I think life experience isn't considered as much as it should be.
No, life experience in the form of volunteer experiences, community involvement, team sports at the school/community/national level are given a lot of weight. It shows the ability to interact with people and exposure to people who are likely not like you: the root of empathy.
also I think giving guys and girls that have records a chance should be considered. without a suspension.
No, the state should not give authority and the firearms to enforce that authority to people who lack the judgement, maturity or self-control to avoid a criminal record.
I get the credibility thing in the court realm but something needs to be done, Policing should reflect society.
No it should not. Society has rapists, alcoholics and drug addicts, the mentally ill, the homeless, the ill-tempered, bullies, child abusers, and people who are emotionally reactive and explosive.
RCMP is where it is really for policing. Do more with less, by ones self, its very rugged type policing. I wish they weren't on the liberal dicc so much or id apply again.
Ahhhh, there it is. Sour grapes.