The whole affair was, plain and simple, just another case of murder/suicide perpetrated by one deranged eastern felon in possession of a firearm against another easterner who was in possession of a cop suit.

The infamous examples of outlanders coming here to murder one another are too numerous to mention in one response.

BPD response might be a tad too much, what with all the ‘self-deployed’ vehicles arriving at once.

Geez, if I did a piece under my complete name like Michael Murphy did here, then “they” will have “MY license number”.
Like YOU said, Edtitor I hope they don’t get that. What up with that?

yesterday I observed a person, gender unknown, individual wandering around the Mall, spacey-eyed, etc. This went on for 2 hours.

I called the official Mall phone number, pushed ‘1’ for security, and got a recording that said ‘that extension was not available’. And not a security officer to be seen anywhere inside. They run arouind the parking lot in their goofy white Jeep with yellow lights.

This scenario is ripe for another problem.

The POST Certification is an alternative to college education.
15 credits is NOT an education.
A cop can get Intermediate after the Basic plus hours on the job or additional POST training.
A degree is not required. An Associates in Basket-weaving helps the pay-scale but it is not required. No where in Idaho is a full college degree required to be a cop. Idaho IDAPA Rules govern the topic. The proof is in written. Apparently good grooming standards is not required either. Beards, wrinkles, and lack of uniformity is fine for BPD.

Fact- no college (degree) required.

Who is WRONG Editor? And not posting my other follow-up comments? The ‘guardian’ is more concerned with the Mayor taking an economic development trip instead of the costs and output of police/fire. Maybe Michael Murphy could do some Critical Cop Theory writing and show why the BPD has the shortcomings he claims and needs increased training according to The Guardian.

Again what type of person wants to be a cop?

EDITOR NOTE–We are splitting hairs here. You said “no college.” They require 60 credits which is more than “no college.” We can spend all day debating what constitutes “accredited institution.” We are not siding up with BPD or You. You are certainly welcome to voice an opinion that it is a sub standard department. If you wish to post an opinion piece under your real name we will gladly oblige.

As to grooming, I am told the beard issue is one of taste. Same goes for tattoos. Times are achanging. Having used marijuana is no longer a disqualifier–lying about
the use is. Remember the President who “didn’t inhale?”

The former includes cosmetology schools and various proprietary (profit-making) institutions of dubious character.

The latter includes more traditional colleges and universities with real academic degrees.

Let’s see- no college required. great pay scale. one of the best health insurance programs. Days off schedule. PERSI. union benefits. early retirement. easy to decide what to wear to work. some cake assignments. drive around town at taxpayer cost. donuts! a whole lotta standing around while getting paid to be at events. etc.
vs dealing with the public.

EDITOR NOTE–WRONG about education. You also better hope they don’t have your license number.