would people with aspergers be good cops

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RRguy
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23 Aug 2007, 10:07 pm

exactly what the topic says.



username88
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23 Aug 2007, 10:08 pm

No.



iceb
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23 Aug 2007, 11:47 pm

Police work requires many different people with many different skills.

Needs investigation?


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gwenevyn
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24 Aug 2007, 12:08 am

There are certain obvious strengths, but speaking as someone who has been a crime victim, I think that police officers need to know how to be at least a little sensitive. I much preferred certain officers over others, out of the all the ones who worked on documenting the case and bringing the perpetrator into custody.



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24 Aug 2007, 12:42 am

gwenevyn wrote:
There are certain obvious strengths, but speaking as someone who has been a crime victim, I think that police officers need to know how to be at least a little sensitive. I much preferred certain officers over others, out of the all the ones who worked on documenting the case and bringing the perpetrator into custody.


Exactly, they might be good in a bad neighborhood if they are the right type of aspie but otherwise no.


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24 Aug 2007, 12:53 am

I think that it is possible with a LOT of training and behavior modification, as well as cognitive-behavioral therapy. I, however, would not recommend that anyone with AS should try to be a cop. It is a very stressful and dangerous environment to cope with, even for Neurotypicals. However, there are strengths that one with AS could offer - detailed reports, knowledge of the rules...but a cop requires people skills, and a lot of it. My answer to summarize is that it is possible, but not recommended.



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24 Aug 2007, 4:31 am

It depends I think.

As a 'bobby on the beat' so to speak then I think probably not. I certainly can't see myself chasing hardened criminals down the streets.

But as a Detective, who generally does a bit more deducing (for those who have seen the BBC drama 'Waking The Dead' then that is quite a good example) I think it may work quite well, as the Aspie habit of looking closely at details and viewing things in a different perspective to an NT could be quite an advantage.


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Flagg
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24 Aug 2007, 4:34 am

Mr_Winston wrote:
It depends I think.

As a 'bobby on the beat' so to speak then I think probably not. I certainly can't see myself chasing hardened criminals down the streets.

But as a Detective, who generally does a bit more deducing (for those who have seen the BBC drama 'Waking The Dead' then that is quite a good example) I think it may work quite well, as the Aspie habit of looking closely at details and viewing things in a different perspective to an NT could be quite an advantage.


I see whatcha mean about the detective.


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ion
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24 Aug 2007, 5:07 am

Maybe when it comes to investigation but probably not when it comes to interrogation.



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24 Aug 2007, 11:05 am

It depends on the individual, of course! Simply saying "No" is offensive in my book.



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24 Aug 2007, 8:22 pm

For the investigation / detective end of it, I wouldn't discount it being Aspie-compatible.

But for all that other stuff with the politics, fitting-in with all the other cops, etc... and also, I find the line of work distasteful by nature; no, I could never see myself being there.


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gwenevyn
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24 Aug 2007, 8:33 pm

Flagg wrote:
Mr_Winston wrote:
It depends I think.

As a 'bobby on the beat' so to speak then I think probably not. I certainly can't see myself chasing hardened criminals down the streets.

But as a Detective, who generally does a bit more deducing (for those who have seen the BBC drama 'Waking The Dead' then that is quite a good example) I think it may work quite well, as the Aspie habit of looking closely at details and viewing things in a different perspective to an NT could be quite an advantage.


I see whatcha mean about the detective.


Interestingly, the detective who worked on my case once it was in court was a very quirky woman. I am not sure how to describe her mannerisms, but it would not surprise me if she was AS. She also managed to be very no-nonsense and detail oriented without sacrificing compassion. We got along splendidly and I was incredibly grateful to her.



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24 Aug 2007, 10:52 pm

With being a police officer...you would have to deal with a lot of different call outs...
eg; speeding cars, domestic violence, suicide threats, unruly drunks, robberies etc.

It would not be an easy job for anyone, especially for an Aspie.

Sometimes you'd have to deal with people who are aggressive, which i personally could not take that. Then there would be other times where you would have to console others who have just been victims of assult or other things similar. Also times where you would have to be assertive, a fast runner. And one of the most important aspects of the job, excellent communication.

Also there is the social side of things. Having a "partner" when you are out on duty and having good team work skills. And the fact that police officers socialise quite a bit while on duty at the station, would obviously be quite hard.

I am saying in other words that aspies may find it more difficult than NT's to be in the police force, but it would not be impossible.


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24 Aug 2007, 11:41 pm

I won't speak for other Aspies, but I would be a lousy cop. Somehow I think sensory overload resulting from police work + loaded handgun at my belt might be pre-wired for trouble... Plus there is no predictable pattern or routine. And you have to deal with people. Not just regular NTs either (which are bad enough already) but with the lowest class of scum known to civilization. Well, second-lowest, if we count politicians. Also you have to be well-coordinated and ready to fight if needed. Not strong suits of many Aspies. But again, I can not speak for all.


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25 Aug 2007, 1:12 pm

I would be a terrible police officer. I always give people the benefit of the doubt, long past when I should; even as a detective, I wouldn't be able to put the pieces together and make them add up to someone's guilt.

Aspies would probably be good CSIs or forensics people, though: attention to impersonal detail would certianly be a strong skill in that area.



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25 Aug 2007, 2:15 pm

Aspies would make awesome CSIs or forensics investigators, but as a cop?
Hell no!
Because of the social aspect of cophood, sensory overload would occur & Officer Aspie would be seen as being OCD than social in a very negative way.


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