[Schmerika]

> compared to say, stopping the local drug-gangs from shoting their brains out

I'm guessing people have that impression from TV, but it doesn't seem to match reality.

> the data suggests that officers spend relatively little time responding to major violent crimes: 4%, 3.7% and 4.1% in the three locations, respectively.

- https://www.freethink.com/society/how-police-spend-their-tim...

[ryandrake]

Which raises the obvious question: If they're not responding to either violent crimes or nonviolent crimes, what are they doing all day?

[jq-r]

Just like that excellent Yes Minister episode about hospitals - I imagine they have more then enough internal busywork so they have no time for their customers. Which the older am I the more this seems true.

[prmoustache]

Anecdotal evidence but they spend a significant amount of time at the burger joint next to my place, while blocking the bicycle lane instead of parking legally.

[reaperducer]

If they're not responding to either violent crimes or nonviolent crimes, what are they doing all day?

According to a police administrator I once knew, filling out all the endless paperwork that makes the studies possible so people can complain about what little time cops spend fighting crime.

[eloisant]

The only times were cops were useful to me was to fill a theft report that I needed for an insurance claim.

[justin66]

Donuts don't just eat themselves.

[b00ty4breakfast]

administration; paperwork et al. Don't you just like the modern technical bureaucratic apparatus?