According to https://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/pdf/rpa11.pdf , approximately 8.2% were "reported crime emergency". So, in effect, 91.8% of all police contact with the public is something other than apprehending criminals at all.

> I suppose it could work if 95% of the police were engaged in something other than apprehending violent criminals...

I would be surprised if apprehending violent criminals was more that 5% of the job, personally. Wouldn't you?

To the downvoters; it is your right to do so, but think about it - Police are on patrol, taking reports of crimes that happened previously, they guard things, they help keep order at sporting events, they're on hand for political events. They're being traffic cops, white collar cops, they appear in court, all sorts of activities. And there's paperwork.

I would be very surprised if at any one time more than 5% of cops, or for a cop on average, more than 5% of their time was directly "apprehending violent criminals". It's important they do so, of course.

It's even lower than that in most of the US where cops are basically waiting around for something to happen most of the time. But the narrative is bullets flying every time they enter the war zone of placid suburbia.

Cop work is exceedingly boring. If you ever do a ride-along, you'll see how boring. And with a ride-along, they try to show you the exciting stuff since it's a recruitment method. Lots of driving around, lots of running tags, lots of looking for something meaningful to do when it's dark and not much is happening. Idle hands are the Devil's workshop etc etc.

https://medium.com/@OfcrACab/confessions-of-a-former-bastard...

There’s absolutely no benefit to shooting an officer as a criminal. You instantly become added to America’s most wanted list and the courts will throw the book at you.

That might not be a marginal deterrent if the criminal has already committed significant crimes.

[murder suspect] + [doesn't fight] = [life in prison], [no chance of escaping]

[murder suspect] + [does fight] = [life in prison], [non-zero chance of escaping]

This is actually a reason we might want to reduce sentences for some crimes. 'Tough on crime' laws make criminals more brazen.

Some crimes, sure. I don't think (intentional) murderers should be getting released back into the public very quickly though

Criminals committing acts of violence often are not acting based on rational reasoning. Often it based on emotion/fear /anger.

You don't need to draw and shoot a gun if merely having one visible makes the cops get out your way and await backup.

Which is good. It means we can avoid violence, collect evidence for an easy conviction (such as videoing a firearms violation) and apprehend criminals safely using trained SWAT forces.

Nah, cops will just gun you down if they "think" you have any sort of firearm.

Watch this video. The cops don't see a gun, they think he has one because of the call, but they don't see one. The minute his hand goes towards his waste, they blast him...

https://www.abqjournal.com/1380152/apd-man-shot-by-officers-...