I was not offended, just disappointed. It’s the whole “us v them” mindset I was calling out. Referring to a fellow citizen as a civilian implies a separate status.
Para-military model or not, thinking one’s organization is something it is not is poisonous in the long run.
Police forces are a citizen’s group, not a military one, no matter the organizational structure.
A large part of the alienization between law enforcement and the public is exactly this (your own words) para-military setup.
I have no real beef with the police as a group, indeed I have many friends and acquaintances that are current and former badge wearers. I just really get annoyed by the implications and separations caused by inaccurate terminology, especially when the writer knows better.
Thank you for being one of the sheepdogs, I’ll watch for you in the fold <;-)
With all due respect, have you read some of the comments on this thread? The us vs. them mentality goes both ways. Your disappointment is equally shared by those of us who are constantly painted with a broad brush. It’s the equivalent of castigating every auto worker for a bad vehicle. I will be the first to admit that there are some officers who do not deserve to wear the badge. But the vast majority are honest, hard working men and women who are not just worried about their paycheck or pension and try to serve their fellow citizens daily.