Someone once explained to me that most of those that want to be LEOs shouldn’t while those who don’t make the best. If one would shoot my Spike they would be treated as if they shoot my son.
Right now, in much of the country, small town cops and sherriff's deputies get their certification at community colleges, and anyone can get the certification (subject to background checks and whatnot, I assume.)
Your comment is on the money. The present system results in way too many Barney's: No where near enough Andy's.
We need all LEO candidates to be rigorously screened before attending traditional style police academies.
The community college model results in people getting the all access Billy Bad Ass license before they have ever been screened for their suitability as LEO's.