LMPD recruits learn value of community service

Not really.

The word has more meaning that the narrow definition you are apparently reading into it.

Any officer will grow in maturity (from at least a professional point of view) after they have a few years on.

I didn't mean to insinuate that there are just a bunch of babbling idiots in every recruit class until they get some time on (although it seems every class does have one of two of those).

I believe he meant maturing as a police officer.

Any officer with any amount of time knows what that means.

You may not agree with his opinion, but his logic is far from "stupid".

Personally, if the dept deems a person fit to be hired, then they are fit for the car. It's part of the job, like the gun.

New officers are expected to meet minimum standards, but maturing continues until you retire. If someone proves they don't meet those minimum standards by causing an accident while driving their cruiser 20 over or getting a DUI, then they should be fired. The department has always protected loyal idiots while hanging good officers for not getting along and going along. That's a big part of the reason the department has a bad name.