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{{otheruses|Pig (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox Occupation
{{Redirect|Porcus|the catfish genus|Bagrus}}
| name= Police officer
{{Redirect|Sus||SUS}}
| image= [[Image:SA police force.jpg|250px]]
{{pp-semi-vandalism|small=yes}}
| caption= Police officers in [[South Australia]]

| official_names=
{{Taxobox
<!------------Details------------------->
| type=
| name = Pig
| image = Sow with piglet.jpg
| activity_sector= [[Law enforcement]]
| image_width = 250px
| competencies= Physical fitness, sense of justice
| image_caption = A domestic [[sow]] and her piglet.
| formation= Secondary or tertiary education
| regnum = [[Animal]]ia
| employment_field= Public areas
| phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]]
| related_occupation= [[Criminal]], [[gendarmerie]], [[military police]], [[security guard]], [[guard]]
| classis = [[Mammal]]ia
| average_salary=
| subclassis = [[Theria]]
| infraclassis = [[Eutheria]]
| ordo = [[Artiodactyla]]
| familia = [[Suidae]]
| subfamilia = [[Suinae]]
| genus = '''''Sus'''''
| genus_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|Linnaeus]], 1758
| subdivision_ranks = Species
| subdivision =
''[[Bearded Pig|Sus barbatus]]''<br />
''[[Sus bucculentus]]''<br />
''[[Visayan Warty Pig|Sus cebifrons]]''<br />
''[[Celebes Warty Pig|Sus celebensis]]''<br />
''[[Domestic pig|Sus domestica]]''<br />
†''[[Sus falconeri]]''<br />
†''[[Sus hysudricus]]''<br />
''[[Oliver's warty pig|Sus oliveri]]''<br />
''[[Sus philippensis]]''<br />
''[[Wild Boar|Sus scrofa]]''<br />
†''[[Sus strozzi]]''<br />
''[[Javan pig|Sus verrucosus]]''
}}
}}
{{wiktionary|Swine}}
{{wiktionary|pig}}
'''Pigs''', also called '''hogs''' or''' swine''', are a [[genus]] of [[even-toed ungulate]]s within the [[Family (biology)|family]] [[Suidae]]. The name pig, hog, or swine most commonly refers to the [[Domestic pig]] (''Sus domestica'') in everyday parlance, but technically encompasses several distinct species, including the [[Wild Boar]]. With around 2 billion on the planet, domestic pigs are also by far the most numerous pig species.<ref>[http://www.fas.usda.gov/psdonline/psdQuery.aspx Production, Supply and Distribution Online Query], [[United States Department of Agriculture]], [[Foreign Agricultural Service]]</ref><ref>[http://www.fas.usda.gov/psdonline/psdReport.aspx?hidReportRetrievalName=Swine+Summary+Selected+Countries&hidReportRetrievalID=1649&hidReportRetrievalTemplateID=7 Swine Summary Selected Countries ], United States Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service, (total number is Production (Pig Crop) plus Total Beginning Stocks</ref> Pigs are [[omnivore]]s, and despite their reputation for [[gluttony]], they are generally social and intelligent animals.


==Description and behavior==
[[Image:HH Polizeihauptmeister MZ.jpg|thumb|[[Germany|German]] [[Landespolizei|state police]] officer in [[Hamburg]]]]
{{Unreferencedsection|date=July 2008}}
[[Image:Mountie-on-Parliament-Hill.jpg|thumb|A [[Royal Canadian Mounted Police]] officer in the force's distinctive dress uniform.]]
A pig has a snout for a nose, small eyes, and a small tail, which may be curly, kinked, or straight. It has a thick body, short legs, and coarse hair. There are four toes on each foot, with the two large middle toes used for walking.

A '''police officer''' (also known as a '''policeman''' or '''policewoman''') is a [[Warrant (law)|warranted]] employee of a [[police force]]. Police officers are generally responsible for apprehending criminals, maintaining public order, and preventing and detecting crimes. Police officers are sworn to an [[Police oath|oath]], and are granted the power to arrest and imprison suspects, along with other practices.

Some police officers may also be trained in special duties such as; [[counter-terrorism]], [[surveillance]], [[child protection]], [[Very Important Person|VIP]] [[Protective security units|protection]], and investigation techniques into major crime, such as [[fraud]], [[rape]], [[murder]] or [[drug trafficking]].

==Work as a police officer ==

Responsibilities of a police officer are broad, changing from country to country. Common responsibilities include keeping of the peace, enforcement of the law, protection of the public and property, and the investigation of crimes. Officers are expected to be able to respond to a variety of situations that may arise while they are on duty. Rules and guidelines dictate how an officer should act towards the public and in the community, and some countries have restrictions placed on what the uniform officer wears. In some countries, [[rulemaking|rules and procedures]] dictate that a police officer is obliged to intervene in a criminal incident, even if they are off-duty. Police officers in most countries retain their lawful powers, while off duty.{{Fact|date=January 2008}}

==Function in the community==


Pigs are [[omnivore]]s, which means that they consume both plants and animals. Pigs will scavenge and have been known to eat any kind of food, including dead insects, worms, tree bark, rotting carcasses, garbage, and even other pigs. In the wild, they are foraging animals, primarily eating leaves, grasses, roots, fruits and flowers. Occasionally while in captivity, pigs may [[savaging|eat their own young]] if they become severely stressed.
In the majority of [[Western world|Western]] legal systems, the major role of the police is to maintain order, keeping the peace through the enforcement of the law. They also function to [[Deterrence (psychological)|discourage]] crimes through high-visibility policing, and most police forces have an investigative capability. Police have the legal authority of arrest, usually granted to them by magistrates. Police officers also respond to emergency calls, along with routine [[community policing]].
A typical pig has a large head with a long snout which is strengthened by a special prenasal bone and by a disk of [[cartilage]] in the tip. <ref>[http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Sus_scrofa.html ADW: Sus scrofa: Information]</ref> The snout is used to dig into the soil to find food and is a very sensitive sense organ.


Pigs have a full set of 44 [[teeth]]. The canine teeth, called tusks, grow continually and are sharpened by the lowers and uppers rubbing against each other.
Police are often used as an [[emergency service]] and may provide a public safety function at large gatherings, as well as in emergencies, [[Emergency preparedness|disasters]], and [[search and rescue]] situations, [[Car accident|Road Traffic Collisions]]. To provide a prompt response in emergencies, the police often coordinate their operations with [[firefighting|fire]] and [[emergency medical service]]s. In some countries, individuals serve jointly as police officers as well as firefighters (creating the role of [[Fire Police]]) or paramedics. In many countries there is a common [[emergency service number]] that allows the police, firefighters, or medical services to be summoned to an emergency. Some countries, such as the [[United Kingdom]] have outlined command procedures, for the use in major emergencies or disorder. The [[Gold Silver Bronze command structure]] is a system set up to improve communications between ground based officers and the control room, typically, Bronze Commander would be a senior officer on the ground, coordinating the efforts in the center of the emergency, Silver Commanders would be positioned in an 'Incident Control Room' erected to improve better communications at the scene, and a Gold Commander who would be in the Control Room.


Pigs that are allowed to forage may be watched by [[swineherd]]s. Because of their foraging abilities and excellent sense of smell, they are used to find [[Tuber (genus)|truffles]] in many European countries. [[Domestic pig|Domesticated pigs]] are commonly raised as [[livestock]] by [[farmers]] for [[meat]] (called [[pork]]), as well as for [[leather]]. Their bristly [[hair]]s are also used for [[brush]]es. Some breeds of pigs, such as the Asian [[pot-bellied pig]], are kept as [[pet]]s.
Police are also responsible for reprimanding minor offenders by issuing [[summons|citations]] which typically may result in the imposition of [[fines]], particularly for violations of [[traffic]] law. Traffic enforcement is often and effectively accomplished by police officers on [[motorcycles]] &mdash; called ''motor officers,'' these officers refer to the motorcycles they ride on duty as simply ''motors.'' Police are also trained to assist persons in distress, such motorists whose car has broken down and people experiencing a medical emergency. Police are typically trained in basic [[First aid]] such as [[CPR]].


Breeding occurs throughout the year in the tropics, but births peak around rainy seasons. A female pig can become pregnant at around 8-18 months of age. She will then go into [[Estrous cycle#Estrus|estrus]] every 21 days if not bred. Male pigs become sexually active at 8-10 months of age.<ref> The solitary adult males together and fight for the right to mate with a female. A single male usually wins control over 4 females on average.[http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Sus_scrofa.html ADW: Sus scrofa: Information<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> A litter of piglets typically contains between 6 and 12 piglets. After the young are weaned, two or more families may come together until the next mating season.
In addition, some [[park ranger]]s are commissioned as law enforcement officers and carry out a law-enforcement role within [[national park]]s and other back-country wilderness and recreational areas. Whereas [[Military police]] perform law enforcement functions within the military.


Pigs do not have functional [[sweat glands]],<ref>[http://www.depts.ttu.edu/porkindustryinstitute/research/MANAGING%20HEAT%20STRESS%20IN%20OUTDOOR%20PIGS.htm Managing Heat Stress In Outdoor Pigs<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> so pigs cool
== Qualifications ==
themselves using water or mud during hot weather. They also use mud as a form of sunscreen to protect their skin from [[sunburn]]. Mud also provides protection against flies and parasites.


== Species ==
In most countries, candidates for the police force must have completed some formal education. Increasing numbers of people are joining the police force who possess [[tertiary education]] and in response to this many police forces have developed a "fast-track" scheme whereby those with [[university degree]]s spend two to three years as a Police [[Constable]] before receiving promotion to higher ranks, such as [[Sergeant]]s or [[Inspector]]s. (Officers who work within investigative divisions or plainclothes are not necessarily of a higher rank but merely have different duties.) Police officers are also recruited from those with experience in the military or security services. Most law enforcement agencies now have measurable [[physical fitness]] requirements for officers. In the United States [[U.S. state|state]] laws may [[codification|codify]] state-wide qualification standards regarding age, education, criminal record, and training but in other places requirements are set by local police agencies.
* [[Bearded Pig]] (''Sus barbatus'')<ref>Müller, 1838</ref>
* [[Indo-chinese Warty Pig|Indo-chinese (or Vietnam) Warty Pig]] (''Sus bucculentus'').<ref>Heude, 1892</ref>
* [[Visayan Warty Pig]] (''Sus cebifrons'')<ref>Heude, 1888</ref>
* [[Celebes Warty Pig|Celebes (or Sulawesi) Warty Pig]] (''Sus celebensis'')<ref>Müller & Schlegel, 1843</ref>
* †''[[Sus falconeri]]''
* †''[[Sus hysudricus]]''
* [[Oliver's Warty Pig|Oliver's (or Mindoro) Warty Pig]] (''Sus oliveri'')<ref>Groves, 1997</ref>
* [[Philippine Warty Pig]] (''Sus philippensis'')<ref>Nehring, 1886</ref>
* [[Wild Boar]] (''Sus scrofa'')<ref name="Linnaeus, 1758">Linnaeus, 1758</ref>
** [[Domestic Pig]] (''Sus scrofa domestica'')<ref name="Linnaeus, 1758"/>
* †''[[Sus strozzi]]''
* [[Javan Warty Pig]] (''Sus verrucosus'')<ref>Müller, 1840</ref>


The [[Pygmy Hog]] is now in the [[monotypic]] genus ''Porcula'' again<ref>Funk ''et al.'' (2007)</ref>
Police agencies are usually semi-[[military]] in organization, so that with specified experience or training qualifications officers become eligible for promotion to a higher [[supervisor]]y rank, such as [[sergeant]]. Promotion is not automatic and usually requires the candidate to pass some kind of examination, interview board or other selection procedure. Although promotion normally includes an increase in [[salary]], it also brings with it an increase in responsibility and for most, an increase in administrative paperwork. Unlike military service, it is not unusual for police officers to remain or choose to remain at lower levels, choosing not to apply for promotion. There is no stigma attached to this, as experienced line patrol officers are highly regarded.
[[Image:Motor-officer.jpg|thumb|A ''motor officer'' patrolling in Arizona on a BMW motorcycle.]]
After completing a certain period of service, officers may also apply for specialist positions, such as [[detective]], [[police dog]] handler, [[mounted police]] officer, [[motorcycle officer]], [[water police]] officer, or [[firearms officer]] (in countries where police are not routinely armed).


==Domestic Pigs==
In some countries such as in [[Singapore]], police ranks may also be supplemented through [[conscription]], similar to [[national service]] in the military. Qualifications may thus be relaxed or enhanced depending on the target mix of conscripts. In Singapore, for example, conscripts face tougher physical requirements in areas such as eyesight, but are less stringent with minimum academic qualification requirements. Some police officers also join as volunteers, who again may do so via differing qualification requirements.
[[File:Pig USDA01c0116.jpg|thumb| 200px|Domestic pig ]]
{{-}}
[[File:Pigsinapen-usdavideo.ogg|right|200px|thumb|Pigs in a [[sty|pigpen]].]]


{{main|Domestic pig}}
== Dangers and rewards of the profession ==
Pigs have been [[domesticated]] since ancient times in the [[Old World]] and are known for their exceptional intelligence. Domestic Pigs are found across [[Europe]], the [[Middle East]] and extend into [[Asia]] as far as [[Indonesia]] and [[Japan]]. They were brought to southeastern [[North America]] from Europe by [[Hernando de Soto|De Soto]] and other early Spanish explorers. Pigs are particularly valued in China and on certain oceanic islands, where their self-sufficiency allows them to be turned loose, although the practice is not without its drawbacks (see [[Pig#environmental impacts|below]]).
{{Unreferencedsection|date=September 2008}}
Due to the unpredictable nature of law enforcement,police officers can encounter many dangerous situations in the course of their career. Officers face an increased risk of [[infectious disease]]s, physical injury or in some cases, death, as well as the potential for emotional disorder due to both the high stress and inherently adversarial nature of police work. These dangers are encountered in many different situations, such as the investigation, pursuit, and apprehension of criminals, motor [[vehicle]] stops, crimes, response to terrorism, intervention in domestic disputes, investigating traffic accidents, and directing [[traffic]]. The constant risk, uncertainty and tension inherent in law enforcement and the exposure to vast amounts of human suffering and violence can lead susceptible individuals to anxiety, depression, and alcoholism.


The Domestic Pig (''Sus scrofa domesticus'') is usually given the scientific name ''Sus scrofa'', although some authors call it ''S. domesticus'', reserving ''S. scrofa'' for the [[Wild boar]]. It was domesticated approximately 5,000 to 7,000 years ago. Their coats are coarse and bristly. They are born brownish colored and tend to turn more grayish colored with age. The upper [[Canine tooth|canines]] form sharp distinctive [[tusk]]s that curve outward and upward. Compared to other artiodactyles, their head is relatively long, pointed, and free of [[wart]]s. Their head and body length ranges from 900-1,800&nbsp;mm and can weigh 50-350&nbsp;kg.
Individuals are drawn to police work for many reasons. Among these often include a desire to protect the public and social order from criminals and danger; a desire to hold a position of respect and authority; a disdain for or antipathy towards criminals and rule breakers; the professional challenges of the work; the employment benefits that are provided with civil service jobs in many countries; the sense of camaraderie that often holds among police; or a family tradition of police work or civil service. An important task of the recruitment activity of police agencies in many countries is screening potential candidates to determine the fitness of their character and personality for the work, often through background investigations and consultation with a psychologist. Even though police work is very dangerous, police officers are still seen by most people as necessary to maintain order. As a result, police officers are generally held in high regard by the population they serve, although this can vary from country to country, depending on past experiences with the police or general national perception.


Pigs can be trained to perform numerous simple tasks and tricks. Recently, they have enjoyed a measure of popularity as house pets, particularly the dwarf breeds.
== Line of duty deaths ==


==Cultural references to pigs==
Line of duty deaths are deaths which occur while an officer is conducting his or her appointed duties. Despite the increased risk of being a victim of a homicide, automobile accidents are the most common cause of officer deaths. Officers are more likely to be involved in traffic accidents because of their large amount of time spent conducting vehicle patrols, or directing traffic, as well as their work outside their vehicles alongside or on the roadway, or in dangerous pursuits. Officers killed by suspects make up a smaller proportion of deaths. In the U.S. in 2005, 156 line of duty deaths were recorded of which 44% were from assaults on officers, 35% vehicle related (only 3% during vehicular pursuits) and the rest from other causes: heart attacks during arrests/foot pursuits, diseases contracted from suspects, accidental gun discharges, falls, and drownings.<ref>[http://www.odmp.org/year.php?year=2005 Honoring Officers Killed in the Year 2005]</ref>
{{main|Cultural references to pigs}}


Pigs are frequently referenced in culture and are a popular topic for idioms and famous quotes.
Police officers who die in the line of duty, especially those who die from the actions of suspects, are often given elaborate funerals, attended by large numbers of fellow officers. Their families may also be entitled to special pensions. Fallen officers are often remembered in public memorials, such as the [[National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial]] in the U.S., the [[National Police Memorial]] in the U.K. and the Scottish Police Memorial, at the [[Scottish Police College]].


==Pigs in religion==
18,838 law enforcement officers are known to have died in the line of duty in the [[United States]].{{when}} In [[Canada]], 809 law enforcement officers met a similar fate.{{when}} In the [[United Kingdom]], about 3,600 law enforcement officers are known to have died in the line of duty.{{when}} The [[Singapore Police Force]] registered [[List of Singapore police officers killed in the line of duty|just over 100 deaths]] in a century up to the year 2000. There have been 28 [[List of New Zealand police officers killed in the line of duty|New Zealand police officers killed]] by criminal act since 1890.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10531709|title=Policeman 28th killed in line of duty |date=11 September 2008|publisher=New Zealand Herald|accessdate=2009-01-15}}</ref> Despite perceived dangers, policing has never been listed among the top ten most dangerous jobs in America. In terms of deaths per capita, driver-sales work such as pizza delivery is a more dangerous profession than being a police officer.<ref>http://moneycentral.msn.com/content/invest/extra/P63405.asp</ref>
[[Image:Piero di Cosimo 025.jpg|thumb|Painting of Saint Anthony with pig in background by [[Piero di Cosimo]] c. 1480]]
*In Nordic Mythology, [[Gullinbursti]] ("Gold-Bristle" or "Gold-Mane") was [[Freyr]]'s golden boar, created by the dwarves Brokk and Sindri as part of a challenge. His shining fur is said to fill the sky, trees, and sea with light.
*In ancient Egypt pigs were associated with [[Set (mythology)|Set]], the rival to the sun god [[Horus]]. When Set fell into disfavor with the Egyptians, swineherds were forbidden to enter temples. According to [[Herodotus]], swineherds were a kind of separate sect or caste, which only married among themselves. Egyptians regarded pigs as unworthy sacrifices to their gods other than the Moon and [[Dionysos]], to whom pigs were offered on the day of the full Moon. Herodotus states that, though he knew the reason why Egyptians abominated swine at their other feasts but they sacrificed them at this one; however, it was to him "not a seemly one for me to tell" see [http://server.egypt.com/egypt/historyen/index.php/Ancient-Egypt-History/An-Acccount-of-Egypt-by-HERODOTUS/Sacrifice-Goats-female-or-male].
*In [[Hinduism]] the god [[Vishnu]] took the form of a boar in order to save the earth from a demon who had dragged it to the bottom of the sea.
*In ancient Greece, a sow was an appropriate [[sacrifice]] to [[Demeter]] and had been her favorite animal since she had been the Great Goddess of archaic times. Initiates at the [[Eleusinian Mysteries]] began by sacrificing a pig.
*The pig is one of the 12-year cycle of animals which appear in the [[Chinese zodiac]] related to the [[Chinese calendar]]. Believers in [[Chinese astrology]] associate each animal with certain personality traits. See: [[Pig (Zodiac)]].
*In keeping with [[Leviticus|Leviticus 11:7]], the dietary laws of [[Judaism]] ([[Kashrut]], adj. [[Kosher]]) forbid, among other kinds of meat, the eating of pork in any form, considering the pig to be an [[unclean animals|unclean animal]] (see [[taboo food and drink]]). From the strict reading to the relevant [[Torah]] passage, pork is as forbidden as the flesh of any other unclean animal, no more and no less; in practice, however, abhorrnace of pork is far stronger and emotional in traditonal Jewish culture than that of other forbidden foods.
*The eating of pork is also prohibited in [[Islam]] (see [[Halal]]), among [[Seventh-day Adventists]] and some other Christian denominations.
*In [[Catholicism]], [[Eastern Orthodoxy]] and other older Christian groups, pigs are associated with [[Anthony the Great|Saint Anthony the Great]], the [[patron saint]] of [[swineherds]].
*In [[Haitian Vodou]], [[Ezili Dantor]], the [[lwa]] of [[motherhood]], is associated with the black [[creole pig]] of [[Haiti]], her favorite [[animal sacrifice]].
*Pigs as a metaphor and terminology like pigging out, pork barrel spending, and pigs at the trough are all used to symbolize greed and excessive spending, for example in government.


== Equipment ==
== Environmental impacts ==
Domestic pigs that have escaped from farms or were allowed to forage in the wild, and in some cases wild boars which were introduced as prey for hunting, have given rise to large populations of feral pigs in North and South America, Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii and other areas where pigs are not native. Accidental or deliberate releases of pigs into countries or environments where they are an alien species have caused extensive environmental change. Their omnivorous diet, aggressive behaviour and their feeding method of rooting in the ground all combine to severely alter ecosystems unused to pigs. Pigs will even eat small animals and destroy nests of ground nesting birds.<ref>[http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Sus_scrofa.html ADW: Sus scrofa: Information<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> The [[Invasive Species Specialist Group]] lists feral pigs on the list of the world's 100 worst [[invasive species]] and says:<ref>[http://www.issg.org/database/species/ecology.asp?si=73&fr=1&sts=sss Ecology of Sus scrofa], Global Invasive Species Database, The [[Invasive Species Specialist Group]]</ref>
[[Image:Wild Pig KSC02pd0873.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Feral pigs ([[razorback]]s) in [[Florida, United States]]]]
{{cquote|Feral pigs like other introduced mammals are major drivers of extinction and ecosystem change. They have been introduced into many parts of the world, and will damage crops and home gardens as well as potentially spreading disease. They uproot large areas of land, eliminating native vegetation and spreading weeds. This results in habitat alteration, a change in plant succession and composition and a decrease in native fauna dependent on the original habitat.}}


==Health issues==
A typical police officer may carry various equipment on their [[Police duty belt|duty belt]], to assist them in performing their duties. Although this varies from country to country, the equipment normally carried includes some or all of the following:
Pigs harbour a range of [[parasite]]s and [[disease]]s that can be transmitted to humans. These include [[trichinosis]], ''[[Taenia solium]]'', [[cysticercosis]], and [[brucellosis]]. Pigs are also known to host large concentrations of parasitic [[ascaris|ascarid]] worms in their digestive tract.[1] The presence of these diseases and parasites is one of the reasons why pork meat should always be well cooked or cured before eating. Some religious groups that consider pork unclean refer to these issues as support for their views.[2]


Pigs are susceptible to [[bronchitis]] and [[pneumonia]]. They have small lungs in relation to body size; for this reason, bronchitis or pneumonia can kill a pig quickly{{Fact|date=February 2009}}.
* [[Handgun]] & [[Ammunition]] (Depending on country & role of Officer)
* [[Ballistic vest|Body armor]]
* [[Police radio|Radio or communications]] equipment and PDA.
* [[Baton (law enforcement)|Night stick]], truncheon or baton.
* Restraints: [[handcuffs]] or [[Plasticuffs]]
* [[Police notebook|Notebook]] for recording incident information, taking down statements, etc
* Pencil or pen
* [[Pepper spray]], PAVA Spray or [[CS gas]] (Depending on country)
* [[Firearm]]s, [[Electroshock weapon|tasers]] (Depending on role of officer, and country)
* [[Badge]], [[warrant card]] or ID
* [[Flashlight]]s
* Hi-visibility jacket or vest (doubles as a waterproof garment) (Worn or carried in vehicle)
* [[Medical gloves|latex gloves]]
* [[Pocket mask]] (for giving mouth to mouth first aid)


Pigs can be aggressive and pig-induced injuries are relatively common in areas where pigs are reared or where they form part of the wild or feral fauna.[3]
Vehicle-based officers may also typically carry additional equipment, as would those assigned to specialist units.
[[Image:Mounted police in Turku.jpg|thumb|Mounted police patrol an urban center in [[Finland]] by horseback.]]
[[Image:DSC 0161.JPG|thumb|A Chicago police officer patrolling on a [[Segway]]]]
Equipment carried on patrol vehicles might typically include:
* Barrier/hazard tape
* Industrial rubber gloves
* Evidence Bags
* [[Traffic cone]]s
* [[Megaphone]]
* [[First aid kit]]
* [[Breathalyzer|Breath alcohol meter]]
* [[Radar gun|Speed gun]]
* [[ProViDa|Video recording equipment]]
* Chalk, sand or spray paint
* Seatbelt cutter
* Rope or chain
* Hi-powered lamps, torch, flashlight
* Box-cutter
* Warning signs
* Firearms (Depending on role of officer, and country)


===Transport===
==See also==
*[[Babirusa]]
Police officers may patrol on foot, but most commonly have some form of transport.
*[[Boar]]
*[[Domestic pig]]
*[[Pot-bellied pig]]
*[[Fetal pig]]
*[[Hog-baiting]]
*[[Intensive pig farming]]
*[[List of pigs]]
*[[List of fictional pigs]]
*[[Pig Olympics]]
*[[Razorback]]
*[[Bacon]]
*[[Pork]]
*[[Ham]]
*[[Lard]]
*[[Hogzilla]]
*[[Unclean animals]]


==Footnotes==
* [[Police car]]s
{{Reflist|2}}
* [[Police motorcycle]]s or [[bicycle]]s: used everywhere, but especially useful in congested urban areas
* [[mounted police|Police horses]]: mounted police patrol parks, urban centers, and events such as parades
* [[Bicycle]]s: useful in urban centers, school campuses, and parks


==References==
==References==
* {{aut|Funk, Stephan M., Sunil Kumar Verma, Greger Larson, Kasturi Prasad, Lalji Singh, Goutam Narayan and John E. Fa}} (2007). [http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2007.08.007 The pygmy hog is a unique genus: 19th century taxonomists got it right first time round]. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, Volume 45, Pages 427-436
{{reflist}}


==See also ==
==External links==
{{Wikiquote|Pigs}}
{{commonscat|Police officers}}
{{Wikispecies|Sus}}
*[[Peace officer]]
{{Commons|Sus domesticus}}
*[[Military police]]
*[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/projects/genome/guide/pig/ Pig Genome Resources]
*[[:Category:Fictional police officers|Fictional police officers]].
*[http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/swine/ Swine Breeds, with pictures]
*[[Police brutality]]
*[[Cops (TV series)]]
*[[Police procedural]]
*President [[Grover Cleveland]]-former [[Sheriffs in the United States|Sheriff]] of [[Erie County, New York]]
*President [[Theodore Roosevelt]]-[[Deputy Sheriff]] in the [[Dakota territory]] and [[New York City Police Commissioner]].
*[[List of slang terms for police officers]]


{{Artiodactyla|S.}}
== External links ==
<!-- interwikis should be removed, they are the same as [[Domestic pig]]
* [http://www.met.police.uk/history/ Metropolitan Police history]
--[[ast:Gochu]]
* http://www.newscotlandyard.police.uk/foi/pdfs/other_information/corporate/operational_uniform_and_equipment.pdf
--[[bo:ཕག་པ།]]
* http://www.west-midlands.police.uk/publications/freedom-of-information/policy.asp?id=144
--[[br:Pemoc'h]]
* http://www.gmp.police.uk/mainsite/pages/pcsouniform.htm,ts=2
--[[ca:Porc]]
* http://www.policelink.com
--[[cr:ᑰᐦᑰᔥ]]
--[[cs:Prase domácí]]
--[[da:Svin]]
--[[pdc:Sau]]
--[[de:Hausschwein]]
--[[el:Γουρούνι]]
--[[es:Cerdo]]
--[[eo:Porko]]
--[[fr:Sus (genre)]]
--[[gd:Muc]]
--[[ko:돼지]]
--[[io:Porko]]
--[[id:Babi]]
--[[it:Maiale]]
--[[pam:Babi]]
--[[ku:Beraz]]
--[[ms:babi]]
--[[nl:Varken]]
--[[ja:ブタ]]
--[[no:Gris]]
--[[nds:Swien]]
--[[oc:Pòrc]]
--[[pl:Świnia domowa]]
--[[pt:Porco]]
--[[ro:Porc]]
--[[ru:Свинья домашняя]]
--[[sc:Mannàle]]
--[[scn:Porcu]]
--[[simple:Pig]]
--[[sr:Свиња]]
--[[fi:Sika]]
--[[sv:Tamsvin]]
--[[th:สุกร]]
--[[vi:Chi Lợn]]
--[[yi:שוויין]]
--[[zh:猪]]
-->


[[Category:Law enforcement occupations]]
[[Category:Even-toed ungulates]]
[[Category:People in law enforcement]]
[[Category:Pigs|*]]
[[Category:Law enforcement titles]]
[[Category:Pejorative terms for people]]


[[da:Politibetjent]]
[[af:Vark]]
[[ar:خنزير]]
[[de:Polizeivollzugsbeamter]]
[[fr:Policier]]
[[an:Sus]]
[[he:שוטר]]
[[arz:خنزير]]
[[zh-min-nan:Ti-sio̍k]]
[[nl:Agent (Nederlandse politie)]]
[[ja:警察官]]
[[cs:Prase]]
[[cy:Mochyn]]
[[simple:Police officer]]
[[sv:Polisman]]
[[de:Sus (Schweine)]]
[[es:Sus]]
[[fr:Sus (genre)]]
[[ga:Muc]]
[[gv:Muc]]
[[ko:멧돼지속]]
[[id:Babi]]
[[zu:Ingulube]]
[[it:Sus (zoologia)]]
[[he:חזיר]]
[[pam:Babi]]
[[sw:Nguruwe]]
[[la:Sus]]
[[ml:പന്നി]]
[[ms:Babi]]
[[nl:Echte zwijnen]]
[[no:Svin og griser]]
[[oc:Sus (genre)]]
[[pl:Sus (zwierzęta)]]
[[pt:Sus]]
[[ru:Кабаны]]
[[scn:Sus]]
[[sk:Sus (rod)]]
[[sr:Свиња]]
[[fi:Sika]]
[[sv:Svin]]
[[tl:Baboy]]
[[ta:பன்றி]]
[[te:పంది]]
[[vi:Chi Lợn]]
[[tg:Хук]]
[[tr:Yaban domuzu]]
[[uk:Свиня (рід)]]
[[wuu:猪猡]]
[[zh-yue:豬]]
[[zh:猪]]

Revision as of 00:43, 27 February 2009

Pig
A domestic sow and her piglet.
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Phylum:
Class:
Subclass:
Infraclass:
Order:
Family:
Subfamily:
Genus:
Sus

Linnaeus, 1758
Species

Sus barbatus
Sus bucculentus
Sus cebifrons
Sus celebensis
Sus domestica
Sus falconeri
Sus hysudricus
Sus oliveri
Sus philippensis
Sus scrofa
Sus strozzi
Sus verrucosus

Pigs, also called hogs or swine, are a genus of even-toed ungulates within the family Suidae. The name pig, hog, or swine most commonly refers to the Domestic pig (Sus domestica) in everyday parlance, but technically encompasses several distinct species, including the Wild Boar. With around 2 billion on the planet, domestic pigs are also by far the most numerous pig species.[1][2] Pigs are omnivores, and despite their reputation for gluttony, they are generally social and intelligent animals.

Description and behavior

A pig has a snout for a nose, small eyes, and a small tail, which may be curly, kinked, or straight. It has a thick body, short legs, and coarse hair. There are four toes on each foot, with the two large middle toes used for walking.

Pigs are omnivores, which means that they consume both plants and animals. Pigs will scavenge and have been known to eat any kind of food, including dead insects, worms, tree bark, rotting carcasses, garbage, and even other pigs. In the wild, they are foraging animals, primarily eating leaves, grasses, roots, fruits and flowers. Occasionally while in captivity, pigs may eat their own young if they become severely stressed. A typical pig has a large head with a long snout which is strengthened by a special prenasal bone and by a disk of cartilage in the tip. [3] The snout is used to dig into the soil to find food and is a very sensitive sense organ.

Pigs have a full set of 44 teeth. The canine teeth, called tusks, grow continually and are sharpened by the lowers and uppers rubbing against each other.

Pigs that are allowed to forage may be watched by swineherds. Because of their foraging abilities and excellent sense of smell, they are used to find truffles in many European countries. Domesticated pigs are commonly raised as livestock by farmers for meat (called pork), as well as for leather. Their bristly hairs are also used for brushes. Some breeds of pigs, such as the Asian pot-bellied pig, are kept as pets.

Breeding occurs throughout the year in the tropics, but births peak around rainy seasons. A female pig can become pregnant at around 8-18 months of age. She will then go into estrus every 21 days if not bred. Male pigs become sexually active at 8-10 months of age.[4] A litter of piglets typically contains between 6 and 12 piglets. After the young are weaned, two or more families may come together until the next mating season.

Pigs do not have functional sweat glands,[5] so pigs cool themselves using water or mud during hot weather. They also use mud as a form of sunscreen to protect their skin from sunburn. Mud also provides protection against flies and parasites.

Species

The Pygmy Hog is now in the monotypic genus Porcula again[14]

Domestic Pigs

Domestic pig
Pigs in a pigpen.

Pigs have been domesticated since ancient times in the Old World and are known for their exceptional intelligence. Domestic Pigs are found across Europe, the Middle East and extend into Asia as far as Indonesia and Japan. They were brought to southeastern North America from Europe by De Soto and other early Spanish explorers. Pigs are particularly valued in China and on certain oceanic islands, where their self-sufficiency allows them to be turned loose, although the practice is not without its drawbacks (see below).

The Domestic Pig (Sus scrofa domesticus) is usually given the scientific name Sus scrofa, although some authors call it S. domesticus, reserving S. scrofa for the Wild boar. It was domesticated approximately 5,000 to 7,000 years ago. Their coats are coarse and bristly. They are born brownish colored and tend to turn more grayish colored with age. The upper canines form sharp distinctive tusks that curve outward and upward. Compared to other artiodactyles, their head is relatively long, pointed, and free of warts. Their head and body length ranges from 900-1,800 mm and can weigh 50-350 kg.

Pigs can be trained to perform numerous simple tasks and tricks. Recently, they have enjoyed a measure of popularity as house pets, particularly the dwarf breeds.

Cultural references to pigs

Pigs are frequently referenced in culture and are a popular topic for idioms and famous quotes.

Pigs in religion

Painting of Saint Anthony with pig in background by Piero di Cosimo c. 1480
  • In Nordic Mythology, Gullinbursti ("Gold-Bristle" or "Gold-Mane") was Freyr's golden boar, created by the dwarves Brokk and Sindri as part of a challenge. His shining fur is said to fill the sky, trees, and sea with light.
  • In ancient Egypt pigs were associated with Set, the rival to the sun god Horus. When Set fell into disfavor with the Egyptians, swineherds were forbidden to enter temples. According to Herodotus, swineherds were a kind of separate sect or caste, which only married among themselves. Egyptians regarded pigs as unworthy sacrifices to their gods other than the Moon and Dionysos, to whom pigs were offered on the day of the full Moon. Herodotus states that, though he knew the reason why Egyptians abominated swine at their other feasts but they sacrificed them at this one; however, it was to him "not a seemly one for me to tell" see [1].
  • In Hinduism the god Vishnu took the form of a boar in order to save the earth from a demon who had dragged it to the bottom of the sea.
  • In ancient Greece, a sow was an appropriate sacrifice to Demeter and had been her favorite animal since she had been the Great Goddess of archaic times. Initiates at the Eleusinian Mysteries began by sacrificing a pig.
  • The pig is one of the 12-year cycle of animals which appear in the Chinese zodiac related to the Chinese calendar. Believers in Chinese astrology associate each animal with certain personality traits. See: Pig (Zodiac).
  • In keeping with Leviticus 11:7, the dietary laws of Judaism (Kashrut, adj. Kosher) forbid, among other kinds of meat, the eating of pork in any form, considering the pig to be an unclean animal (see taboo food and drink). From the strict reading to the relevant Torah passage, pork is as forbidden as the flesh of any other unclean animal, no more and no less; in practice, however, abhorrnace of pork is far stronger and emotional in traditonal Jewish culture than that of other forbidden foods.
  • The eating of pork is also prohibited in Islam (see Halal), among Seventh-day Adventists and some other Christian denominations.
  • In Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy and other older Christian groups, pigs are associated with Saint Anthony the Great, the patron saint of swineherds.
  • In Haitian Vodou, Ezili Dantor, the lwa of motherhood, is associated with the black creole pig of Haiti, her favorite animal sacrifice.
  • Pigs as a metaphor and terminology like pigging out, pork barrel spending, and pigs at the trough are all used to symbolize greed and excessive spending, for example in government.

Environmental impacts

Domestic pigs that have escaped from farms or were allowed to forage in the wild, and in some cases wild boars which were introduced as prey for hunting, have given rise to large populations of feral pigs in North and South America, Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii and other areas where pigs are not native. Accidental or deliberate releases of pigs into countries or environments where they are an alien species have caused extensive environmental change. Their omnivorous diet, aggressive behaviour and their feeding method of rooting in the ground all combine to severely alter ecosystems unused to pigs. Pigs will even eat small animals and destroy nests of ground nesting birds.[15] The Invasive Species Specialist Group lists feral pigs on the list of the world's 100 worst invasive species and says:[16]

Feral pigs (razorbacks) in Florida, United States

Feral pigs like other introduced mammals are major drivers of extinction and ecosystem change. They have been introduced into many parts of the world, and will damage crops and home gardens as well as potentially spreading disease. They uproot large areas of land, eliminating native vegetation and spreading weeds. This results in habitat alteration, a change in plant succession and composition and a decrease in native fauna dependent on the original habitat.

Health issues

Pigs harbour a range of parasites and diseases that can be transmitted to humans. These include trichinosis, Taenia solium, cysticercosis, and brucellosis. Pigs are also known to host large concentrations of parasitic ascarid worms in their digestive tract.[1] The presence of these diseases and parasites is one of the reasons why pork meat should always be well cooked or cured before eating. Some religious groups that consider pork unclean refer to these issues as support for their views.[2]

Pigs are susceptible to bronchitis and pneumonia. They have small lungs in relation to body size; for this reason, bronchitis or pneumonia can kill a pig quickly[citation needed].

Pigs can be aggressive and pig-induced injuries are relatively common in areas where pigs are reared or where they form part of the wild or feral fauna.[3]

See also

Footnotes

  1. ^ Production, Supply and Distribution Online Query, United States Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service
  2. ^ Swine Summary Selected Countries , United States Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service, (total number is Production (Pig Crop) plus Total Beginning Stocks
  3. ^ ADW: Sus scrofa: Information
  4. ^ The solitary adult males together and fight for the right to mate with a female. A single male usually wins control over 4 females on average.ADW: Sus scrofa: Information
  5. ^ Managing Heat Stress In Outdoor Pigs
  6. ^ Müller, 1838
  7. ^ Heude, 1892
  8. ^ Heude, 1888
  9. ^ Müller & Schlegel, 1843
  10. ^ Groves, 1997
  11. ^ Nehring, 1886
  12. ^ a b Linnaeus, 1758
  13. ^ Müller, 1840
  14. ^ Funk et al. (2007)
  15. ^ ADW: Sus scrofa: Information
  16. ^ Ecology of Sus scrofa, Global Invasive Species Database, The Invasive Species Specialist Group

References