...We should increase the salaries( by several 100%) of LEO's and have a strenuous "vetting " of prospective officers...
Just ridiculous.
I don't know that "several 100%" is appropriate across the board and I'm guessing taxes would have to go up to pay the increased salaries, but I think it is a necessary first step.
I believe we would end up being better served with a lot fewer officers, but ones that were professionals in their attitude and actions.
One result might be forcing a solution to a problem Bluedreaux has mentioned: many of the small town Police Departments would cease to exist since they couldn't afford the increased wages.
Unless it has changed, a law in Texas requires that ALL County employees be on the same pay scale. The guy on the maintainer grading the road is paid on the same scale as the Deputies.
I know that my County would be much better off with fewer, but significantly better,Deputies.
We would not have to absorb ALL the increased cost of higher salaries by raising taxes.
