good read - CJ professor becomes a police officer - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

Jesse H · 08-23-2007, 07:33 PM

http://www.policensw.com/info/history/kirkham1.html

gsh341 · 08-23-2007, 10:05 PM

That's a good article. I like the fact that the author "knew" certain things to be true until he learned otherwise. I often hear people second guessing police and military actions from the relaxed atmosphere of the armchair and criticizing, or even leveling charges against a cop or a soldier for action taken in a split second in reaction to an immediate threat. Those individuals, whether they are politicians or civilians always feel they know the correct response to any situation based on logic and the cold hard facts of the situation as described by a witness or a report.

I think that if those people were placed in the same situations as police and soldiers for a few months, they might have a different opinion about what they "knew" before. I'm glad this professor took the time to learn about the reality of police work and not just the theory.

aftershock · 08-24-2007, 06:54 AM

+1 great read.....

Ed 2001 SS · 08-24-2007, 08:15 AM

Although I found it interesting, the numerous errors in grammar and word choice throughout the piece lead me to question the credentials of the author. Maybe the expectation that an alleged PhD holder know the difference between affect and effect is a bit too much.

The Tengu · 08-26-2007, 05:43 AM

That was an interesting read. I also saw some grammatical errors, so I looked into Dr. Kirkham.

From what I can tell (based on 10 minutes of research) his story checks out, and he is also a published author.

CPES · 08-26-2007, 02:26 PM

Grammar and spelling aside, it was a wonderful read and a great story. I only wish that more people in our society would be willing to gain that kind of perspective. My hat is off to him for taking such a huge step toward really understanding what cops do, day in and day out - especially without ANY kind of compensation.

retired · 08-28-2007, 08:55 PM

In 1982, Peter Falk (Columbo fame) narrated a program called "Shoot, don't Shoot." Among other things, it featured various shoot, don't shoot scenarios. I don't recall how the man and woman were selected for the show, but they were very anti le. They both made statements how leos shoot too often, there were other alternatives available, etc., etc.

What they did was put them in front of a movie screen and gave them a simulated gun that was tied into the movie. The video showed various scenarios and they had to decide whether to shoot or not.

Well, after they shot a couple of innocent homeless people and were "killed" by what they thought was an innocent "housewife," they changed their tune and realized how little time a leo has to make a decision whether to shoot or not. It was actually a pretty good show.

In addition to these scenarios, it also did a a drawing reenactment of a shooting I was at while a cadet in the academy. During that time, we had to ride at various stations with a seasoned deputy. Unfortunately, unless you live in Pennsylvania and have access to their library, you can't watch it.

beakersloco · 08-29-2007, 12:08 AM

Its a very good read!

x_out86 · 08-29-2007, 09:40 AM

Excellent read. Its just nice every once in a while to see somebody have the proverbial "Light" come on.

08-23-2007, 07:33 PM	#1
Jesse H XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: The Great State of Texas Posts: 158	good read - CJ professor becomes a police officer http://www.policensw.com/info/history/kirkham1.html __________________ HS2000 gen 2 XD40SC XD45 "We’ll raise up our glasses against evil forces Singing whiskey for my men, beer for my horses" -Toby Keith

08-23-2007, 10:05 PM	#2
gsh341 XDTalk 2K Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Sioux Falls, SD Posts: 2,350	That's a good article. I like the fact that the author "knew" certain things to be true until he learned otherwise. I often hear people second guessing police and military actions from the relaxed atmosphere of the armchair and criticizing, or even leveling charges against a cop or a soldier for action taken in a split second in reaction to an immediate threat. Those individuals, whether they are politicians or civilians always feel they know the correct response to any situation based on logic and the cold hard facts of the situation as described by a witness or a report. I think that if those people were placed in the same situations as police and soldiers for a few months, they might have a different opinion about what they "knew" before. I'm glad this professor took the time to learn about the reality of police work and not just the theory. __________________ "For those of us who exercised our privilege to serve our country, I can honestly say we did it proudly and shared a common bond of patriotism that those who were unwilling to answer our country's call will never understand or appreciate." - Dennis Foell

08-24-2007, 08:15 AM	#4
Ed 2001 SS XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Miami Posts: 549	Although I found it interesting, the numerous errors in grammar and word choice throughout the piece lead me to question the credentials of the author. Maybe the expectation that an alleged PhD holder know the difference between affect and effect is a bit too much. __________________ Ed XD 40 Service XD9 SC Bi-tone Kel-Tec PF-9 S&W Mod 66-1 .357 Magnum

08-26-2007, 05:43 AM	#5
The Tengu XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 1,771	That was an interesting read. I also saw some grammatical errors, so I looked into Dr. Kirkham. From what I can tell (based on 10 minutes of research) his story checks out, and he is also a published author. __________________ The militia of the United States consists of all able-bodied males at least 17 years of age and, except as provided in section 313 of title 32, under 45 years of age who are, or who have made a declaration of intention to become, citizens of the United States and of female citizens of the United States who are members of the National Guard. United States Code, Title 10, section 311, paragraph (a)

08-26-2007, 02:26 PM	#6
CPES XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Castle Rock, CO Posts: 1,031	Grammar and spelling aside, it was a wonderful read and a great story. I only wish that more people in our society would be willing to gain that kind of perspective. My hat is off to him for taking such a huge step toward really understanding what cops do, day in and day out - especially without ANY kind of compensation. __________________ We must carry arms because we value our lives and those of our loved ones, because we will not be dealt with by force or threat of force, and do not live at the pleasure and discretion of the lawless. - Jeff Snyder Sig P226 9mm Glock 22 Mossberg 500 20" Persuader 12 Gauge 5.56mm AR15-A3 (being built)

08-24-2007, 06:54 AM	#3
aftershock XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Illinois Posts: 295	+1 great read.....

08-28-2007, 08:55 PM	#7
retired XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: S. Calif. Posts: 5,395	In 1982, Peter Falk (Columbo fame) narrated a program called "Shoot, don't Shoot." Among other things, it featured various shoot, don't shoot scenarios. I don't recall how the man and woman were selected for the show, but they were very anti le. They both made statements how leos shoot too often, there were other alternatives available, etc., etc. What they did was put them in front of a movie screen and gave them a simulated gun that was tied into the movie. The video showed various scenarios and they had to decide whether to shoot or not. Well, after they shot a couple of innocent homeless people and were "killed" by what they thought was an innocent "housewife," they changed their tune and realized how little time a leo has to make a decision whether to shoot or not. It was actually a pretty good show. In addition to these scenarios, it also did a a drawing reenactment of a shooting I was at while a cadet in the academy. During that time, we had to ride at various stations with a seasoned deputy. Unfortunately, unless you live in Pennsylvania and have access to their library, you can't watch it.

08-29-2007, 12:08 AM	#8
beakersloco XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Greenville NC Posts: 988	Its a very good read! __________________ \"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” (Edmund Burke)

08-29-2007, 09:40 AM	#9
x_out86 XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 542	Excellent read. Its just nice every once in a while to see somebody have the proverbial "Light" come on. __________________ Hellen Keller: I long to accomplish a great and noble tasks, but it is my chief duty to accomplish humble tasks as though they were great and noble. The world is moved along, not only by the mighty shoves of its heroes, but also by the aggregate of the tiny pushes of each honest worker. Bruce Lee: Showing off is the fool's idea of glory.

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