A viral Twitter thread by a man who became a police officer, only to quit after 10 days is shocking readers as he delineates his training experiences.
Working in any type of job that puts you in situations where you're constantly having to de-escalate scenarios is emotionally draining, which is a big chunk of the kind of what law enforcement requires.
Having to maintain equanimity when individuals are at their most angry, depressed, violent, despondent, drunk, etc. is extremely difficult, especially when you hear horror stories of officers being gunned down by suspects during routine traffic stops.
However, de-escalation training has proven to be an effective tool in not only minimizing violence but further charges for the individual in question. If police officers are able to calm a scenario down, that's a powerful skill to have. As of 2021, 21 US states still don't require police departments to implement de-escalation training as part of their curriculum.
And according to Justin-Brown Woods, a former police officer+current teacher, he said that his police training program demonstrated an almost schizophrenic view on handling pressurized situations. In a now-viral Twitter thread, he delineates his reasons for becoming a police officer, and why he ultimately decided to get out of that game after only 10 days.
I was a cop for 10 days. 10 days and then I quit. I don’t think I’ve ever explained, so here I go.
Buckle up, this could be long.
I originally wanted to go into juvenile probation. I got my bachelors in criminology and was an intern for 3 years at probation.
(1/24)
For Justin, pursuing a career in law enforcement was a way for him to connect with juveniles and help direct them on paths/practices that were more conducive to their long-term goals/dreams.
I thought I would actually be able to help some kids before it got too bad. But, I have a friend who convinced me to try law enforcement. I thought “hmmm maybe I can truly help people by being a cop.”
So, get hired by a department and put into the academy.
Paid to train. (2/24)
After applying he decided to do as much studying as possible, checking out episodes of Live PD (before it was taken off air) and studied as many materials pertaining to officer protocol and local laws as possible.
Justin was hopeful that his new career path would ultimately make a difference in the lives of his community.
I started April 10th and was immediately “wrapped in”
Watched Live PD constantly to try and learn. Had guys over to practice. Studied like crazy.
I thought “yes, I’m going to make a difference.”
(3/24)
However, he felt that the tactics taught by his superiors were deceptive, dishonest, and designed to entrap individuals into being criminals, as opposed to helping them out.
But throughout the academy, little things started to not make sense. Some of the tactics felt gross, and like pure trickery to simply manifest crime. And, like, dumb stuff. Instructors would celebrate the dumbest things they’d ever been able to pin on someone.
(4/24)
He highlighted the milk crate example as a "probable cause gateway" into searching potential suspects for...well...just because.
A chief of police who was retiring that year taught us about the misdemeanor of owning a milk crate. If you spotted someone with one, you now had probable cause to contact them for more. Like…who does that…
But recruits ate it up, and I did too, so I could fit in.
(5/24)
So we go through the academy and we hit scenario day. I’m struggling to juggle it all internally at this point, and I absolutely get hemmed up in a scenario. A local cop is screaming in my face, putting hands on me, etc.
First sign of “oh I never want to be like that guy”
(6/24)
He goes on to talk about the experiences he has with superiors in Academy. The screaming, and physical contact he endured during a scenario re-enactment left him with one big lesson: that he never wanted to act or sound like the "local cop" he referred to in the tweet.
I have to redo a scenario (domestic violence) and the investigator who watched the redo was from county program to help women. Told me “if that’s how everyone does it, then you’ll be a fine cop.”
But, I just showed compassion and listened. So, it didn’t add up to me still.
(7/24)
Nonetheless, we get to graduation day (August 25th) and I win an award for my ethics and morals. All the folks in the academy voted me as the kindest and most respectful recruit. I was really freaking proud. It validated my existence as a human and not a future cop.
(8/24)
Just went on to rattle off all of the acts of kindness he performed while in Academy, and that he made quite the impression on fellow recruits and individuals from external programs. For Justin, he didn't think he did much: he just tried to be compassionate.
Mind you - I was writing tests for guys in the academy to study/practice so they could pass. I talked to everyone, supported everyone, helped everyone. I truly thought that generosity and kindness was the tool to being a good cop.
(9/24)
So, I graduate and get the weekend to relax before starting in the dept. It’s dual service, so the cops get trained as firefighters and they all respond to stuff per rotation. I figured it was a bit better than being just a cop.
(10/24)
He ends up getting hired by a dual-service department, with shift rotations between being a firefighter and police officer. And at first, everything seems great, until he starts getting taught defensive tactics.
Day 1 in the dept is swearing in and defensive tactics. Day 1 we’re working on being violent. How do I know? The trainer told us “every action has a more violent reaction.”
Whew…Okie dokie.
(11/24)
We also were threatened by a sergeant that if we let something happen to his family in town, he’d kill us. I mean, I get the sentiment, but why are you saying that to new recruits day 1?
Oh, and that guy? Sued in federal court - no longer a cop. Stealing drugs and money.
(12/24)
He also couldn't believe the violent rhetoric that was being relayed to new recruits and pointed out that one of the more aggressive personalities on the force ended up being sued in a court of law for stealing money and drugs.
Day 2 I was told by another sergeant that he wanted me fired after that scenario shake up with the local cop. Said he didn’t trust me because I don’t listen to veterans. I’m the only one in the car with him, and we’re going to go certify as shooters. That guy sucked.
(13/24)
Day 3 is our county tour. 2 new sergeants taking us (3 graduate recruits) around.
Content warning: transphobia
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We’re in a different town, and we pull up to a light. Car on our right pulls alongside.
Passenger turns to driver “dude, was that two trannies?”
(14/24)
Justin also couldn't reconcile his personality with the "boys club" attitude he encountered from many of the police officers, like the one officer who told him he didn't trust him as he wouldn't "listen to veterans."
He also highlighted instances where cops would abuse their power for personal sordid entertainment.
Car makes an illegal move so they are hyped to pull them over. They do, and then return to the car after no ticket.
They brag about using the birth assigned pronouns for both of them. They call the woman “dude/man” and the male “lady”
Disgusting.
(15/24)
So, day 4 on the job and I’m struggling. But, today is an easy day because it’s just systems of management with the tech lady, so overall an easy day
Go home for the weekend. That weekend I propose to my wife. Mention being a hero cop in the proposal (I was an idiot)
(16/24)
On the fifth day of his new job, he had to get tasered, which he describes as "not fun" as well as listen to discriminatory comments about Latino drive whose car had an expired registration.
Day 5 on the job - taser day. I am burned out. Watched a sergeant struggle to put the taser cartridge in because his hands were shaking so bad. He was 30. I do not want to live like that.
Get tased. Not fun. I have the video, maybe I’ll show someday.
(17/24)
Day 6 - first day out with training officer. I’m feeling deflated/defeated.
I spot a car with expired registration driving. He says “who was the driver?”
I tell him a Latino male.
“Okay - we’ll check Walmart or the casino. That’s the only place they’d be in this town.”
(18/24)
It was at this point that Justin was really struggling with the idea of being a cop full-time. He called up his family members and discussed the prospect of quitting. He thought he'd be able to "act" his way through it but couldn't.
End the day - I’m like…I think I’m going to quit. Call mom. Talk to her. Can’t remember if I called my brother. We had talked throughout the week about my struggles. I’m an actor, so I tried to convince myself I could “act” like a cop for the job.
Nope - can’t do it.
(19/24)
I go home and write my notice. I’m done after tomorrow. If tomorrow sucks, that’s it.
Newsflash: it sucked. Cruised around with training officer. Final call was to help supervise people unloading their car about to be towed. We arrive and the guys there are laughing.
(20/24)
He went home and prepped his notice and vowed that if the following day was just as bad as the rest, he would submit it and quit the department.
He responded to a tow truck situation involving a former relationship between one of the officers and a woman who was having her car towed.
Justin said the officer displayed "zero class" throughout the debacle.
One of the guys has slept with the girl who he now was kicking out of her car, and he was laughing at her and her boyfriend on the side of the road. Called them every name under the sun for folks struggling with drug addiction. It was the most heartless thing. Zero class.
(21/24)
I went to my commander at 4pm and turned in my gun and badge. He asked why, I told him I was struggling with it all and couldn’t do it. He respected that and wished me well
Another commander was a dick about it. People don’t forget, Commander Johnson.
(22/24)
Justin decided enough was enough, he turned in his gun and badge and said that he didn't want to be a police officer anymore and received a classy response from one commander and a not-so-classy response from another.
I went home and told my wife I wasn’t going back. She told me I should start to sub when I was recovered from it all. I did, and then realized how much better being a teacher is. I actually do impact and change lives for the better. It was everything I wanted.
(23/24)
I have lots to unpack as I think back to who I was/wanted to be. I’m not particularly proud of it, but I’m proud I got out. There’s a lot more micro-stuff that I remember randomly that’s gross. It’s hard to think about some days. But, I know I’m doing the right work now.
(24/24)
After quitting the force, Justin immediately started substitute teaching as a stop-gap solution, but ended up discovering that being a teacher is everything he's wanted to do. He said that he feels as if he's making an actual change in his profession.
This is getting bigger than imagined, so apologies if I don’t get to your comment. I appreciate the support ♥️
Nothing to plug, so go donate to a cause that matters to your heart - maybe one that supports the Black community or gun safety for all. Together we can make change.
— Justin Brown-Woods (@jbrownwoods) May 31, 2022 Source: Twitter | @jbrownwoodsHis Twitter thread received tens of thousands of interactions and people were shocked to see some of the behavior exhibited by the officers Justin spoke of.
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