Academic

CHANGE: Tight budgets lead to more civilians used for policing. ?Police agencies across the countr?

By Glenn Reynolds

CHANGE: Tight budgets lead to more civilians used for policing. “Police agencies across the country are recruiting thousands of civilians for a growing number of duties previously performed by uniformed cops, in an unusual concession to local budget cuts. . . . The chief opponents of the movement are police union leaders who believe cash-strapped agencies are lowering standards and undermining professionalism in the ranks. In some cases, the civilian positions circumvent pay and benefit obligations outlined in hard-fought labor contracts.”

UPDATE: Reader Mark Andrade writes: “It’s not just happening with the police. However, one issue in common seems to be that public employee unions are having issues with volunteerism.”

He sends a link to this story: Library Help Irks Union Pros. “The regional school system cut librarians from the budget in order to keep more teachers on staff. Parents stepped up to volunteer at the libraries so students could keep studying. . . . The unions cracked their knuckles, and these soccer moms and do-gooder dads fled. As for the kids, they?re still without a library, but the teacher?s union insists it?s for a good cause.”

Full post as published by Instapundit.com on October 13, 2010 (boomark / email).