I have lived in Houston, Dallas, Florida, California, Wyoming.
I get the impression when it comes to traffic enforcement, Dallas cops are the laziest unless you are in a smaller town like Plano, Richardson, Farmers Branch, Irving, Carrollton, Addison - then in those places they get you for everything.
My nephew when he first started driving at 16 got a ticket in Plano for going 2 miles over and it was not a school zone.
I was pulled over in Richardson once for making a U-Turn on a 4 lanes street (2 lanes in each direction with center grass covered median):
I was looking to make a U-Turn but there was a sign that showed no U-Turn, left turn only right before the last opening between the median.
So I drove about 1/2 mile until I saw the next opening between the median and there wasn't a no U-Turn sign, left turn only sign.
I made a U-Turn and this cop came out of nowhere, stopped me and told me I made an illegal U-Turn.
I told him that there wasn't a No U-Turn sign there unlike the break about 1/2 mile before it and he said there is
No U-Turn allowed anywhere in Richardson, regardless whether there is a sign or not.
He also added:
everyone knows that!!
I asked: everyone? So every person on planet earth, billions of them, know there is no U-Turn in Richardson?
I told him write me a ticket but I will fight you in court.
He went back to his car and as soon as he did, I got out of my car to take photos.
He saw me taking photos, got out of his car and told me to get back in the car.
I told him I have evidence now and I will show them to the judge.
He went back to his car and ran me on the MDT and I have nothing on my record and he gave me a warning and let me go.
I hate cops who are ignorant to the laws they swore to uphold and I hate cops who think because they have that uniform and badge and a gun, they think they are always in the right and know everything when they don't.
Most Police Departments in Texas and across the country requires you to have at least 60 hours college and your law enforcement license from the State you live in (in Texas it's called a TCOLE and it's issued by a State agency) befor you can apply to become a Police Officer.
If you don't have that license at the time of your job application, most department either have their own Academy class that lasts 6 months that you have to successfully complete or they send you to join an Academy class held by another city or to a college that has a law enforcement criminal justice program that lasts about 2 years.
Not Richardson.
You just need a High School diploma and you learn to be a cop on the job training.
APPRENTICE POLICE OFFICER
https://discovery.cor.gov/public/hr/...rev%206-09.pdf
Nothing in the above job posting mention that they will send you to an Academy class or that you have to get your TCOLE within a certain period of time after being hired.
In the job description it also indicate you have to be able to shoot a handgun or a shotgun.
Sure! Give a firearm to someone who is in their 20's who have no law enforcement Academy training and give him the power of a Peace Officer.