Watching the stomach-churning coverage of the violent situation in Ferguson, Missouri (scenes reminiscent of "Troubles" era Belfast- yeah, still on that SLF kick, or "intifada-era Gaza), I have to wonder if much of the overly aggressive police response can be attributed to 'roid rage. Sources as divergent as Police Chief Magazine and the Think Steroids website cite a 1991 article from the FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin concerning the abuse of anabolic steroids by police officers, the takeaway quote being:
“Anabolic steroid abuse by police officers is a serious problem that merits greater awareness by departments across the country.”
A simple Google search of the FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin archives reveals a bunch of items concerning police abuse of anabolic steroids.
I've always been fascinated by the topic of performance enhancement drugs, and I recall a conversation with an athlete who flat-out stated that everybody who reached a certain level of competition is using them. In the case of police use of performance enhancers, one reason oft cited is an escalating competition with "juiced" criminals (weight lifting in prisons is common enough to have passed into popular awareness, and itself is a result of escalating competition with other inmates for security)- prison inmates lift weights in order to intimidate and defend against other inmates, cops lift weights in order to defend against ex-cons. It could be likened to an arms (literally) race, if it were true... prison free weight gyms are largely a thing of the past, though the use of calisthenics and improvised weights still occur.
Another reason for anabolic steroid use is to bulk up to intimidating proportions in a quick, efficient manner (damn the consequences!). It's a lot easier to intimidate another individual when you're built along the lines of Gutboy Barrelhouse.
The links between anabolic steroid use and aggression need further study, and their synergistic effects of other drugs need to be explored as well.
That being said, every police officer involved in an act of aggression against an unarmed individual should immediately be placed on leave and testing for anabolic steroids should be conducted. The cost of random testing for anabolic steroids is prohibitive, but the cost of a post-incident test is warranted. If we can test guys who hit balls with clubs for steroid use, why can't we test guys who hit skulls with clubs?
Since I'm still on a Stiff Little Fingers kick, how about an appropriate song?
Law and order, they don't do what they oughta.
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9 comments:
Mikey would agree w/ you on this as well. I ran a photo of some muscular ossifers lounging in front of a 7-Eleven® & he had an experience or two to recount.
I've been pretty lucky in all of my run-ins with the 5-0. I think it's because I have a coppish look about me.
On the subject of performance enhancers, I've never even been tempted to try them, but I am fascinated with them nonetheless. The very idea of none-too-bright guys performing medical experiments on themselves is crazy.
YOU WON'T LIKE HULK WHEN HE'S ANGRY!
~
I agree, but I don't think you take it far enough. They should also be tested for alcohol and commonly abused drugs. Why should police officers not have to endure the same scrutiny as someone who put their pickup in the ditch at 2:30 AM on a Sunday morning?
If the testing were to happen and showed that steroids were frequently involved I'd be careful in automatically declaring steroids as the reason. I suspect a majority of the people who feel the need to take steroids simply to be more intimidating probably come equipped with a certain amount of rage already built in.
SLF? How about a little Black 47, "Time To Go"?
Imma seeing them at Irish Fest on Saturday night...
YOU WON'T LIKE HULK WHEN HE'S ANGRY!
Especially when the green wall of silence protects his ass.
I agree, but I don't think you take it far enough. They should also be tested for alcohol and commonly abused drugs. Why should police officers not have to endure the same scrutiny as someone who put their pickup in the ditch at 2:30 AM on a Sunday morning?
I don't disagree with this, I also think that all members of Congress should be drug tested once a month. What's good for the goose...
I suspect a majority of the people who feel the need to take steroids simply to be more intimidating probably come equipped with a certain amount of rage already built in.
Yeah, I imagine there's a synergy at work, but the steroids are illegal to use outside of narrow parameters, so additional penalties can be levied.
SLF? How about a little Black 47, "Time To Go"?
Imma seeing them at Irish Fest on Saturday night...
Cool! I hope you get an opportunity to hang out with Larry- he's a really great guy.
Cool! I hope you get an opportunity to hang out with Larry- he's a really great guy.
Doubtful- he's gonna be hanging out with 40,000 of his closest friends.
Doubtful- he's gonna be hanging out with 40,000 of his closest friends.
Ever the optimist! Who else is on the bill?
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