Using a compass, contour map and finding a 10 digit coordinate is a readily learned skill. Not that difficult.
#9 | POSTED BY MATTM
Indeed. It's middle-school level geometry applied to the field. I did a great deal of land nav and route planning in the Army. In Honduras in the late 80s I was on the team which charted the course for the transcontinental highway the engineers were building. All done with map and compass. I really had a knack for it.
When my kids were in Boy Scouts, one of the merit badges I taught was Orienteering. The 11-12 year old kids seemed to pick up on it pretty quickly, at that age they're still fascinated by a lensatic compass and contour map. I'd set up about a 12-15 point nav course covering about 2 miles or so, teach them how to do it solo or as a 3-man team. At the end of it I'd dig a hole and bury a box of MRE's for their lunch. They all loved it, it was one of their favorite merit badges.
I'd hate to try to teach it to an 18 year old who is frustrated by anything they can't do with a smartphone.
I figure the cops are just burned out after awhile and lose it.
#30 | POSTED BY BILLJOHNSON
The five officers had between 2 and 6 years on the force. Burned out? More likely unfit for duty in the first place.