I agree with you, Freedom. I think it starts with police unions and with the training of the officers. The emphasis seems to have gone from Serve and Protect to Make Sure I get Home Safe at all Cost.
Most all law abiding citizens like and support Law Enforcement. We, too, want to make sure they get home safely but much of what we see now is outright gangsterism. How often do you see a traffic stop and the officers shouting angrily for the driver to get down on the ground and make sure I can see your hands? How often is one non-resisting person surrounded by officers all with guns drawn and pointed at the person on the ground. They are all shouting and are so excited that I am surprised that more people aren’t accidentally shot by officers. We do hear about many of them being unnecessarily beaten for “resisting” when resisting may just be not acting fast enough for the officers liking.
Officers know when they sign up that the job can be dangerous. That is why they are issued guns, batons, tear gas, pepper spray, tasters, bullet proof vests, etc. However, some of them seem determined to put all that gear to use some how, some way. From what we see on the news and the cop shows we know often a person is subdued when they could have been taken into custody a much simpler way and calmer way. A few calm words would often do the trick but the officer insists on total obedience at the very instance they issue a command. That leads to bad feelings from the general public and unnecessary violence in others.
I also see on the news situations where a swat team was dispatched when the potential danger seems minimal. Why? To protect the officers at all costs. That often invites a dangerous situation where none existed.
I have never been in trouble but I have gotten traffic tickets and I have seen officers lie in court. I have even gotten mean stares from officers simply because I had the temerity to challenge the ticket I got.
I used to be selected for jury duty often and I was normally named the Foremen of the jury. However, the last few times I was called where it was an I said, He said situation, I was never selected because I told the prosecutors and the defense lawyers that I was able to reach a fair decision after hearing all the facts but that the state was going to have to prove their case because I have had bad experiences with the state. The defense lawyers always wanted me but the prosecutors always cut me.
Oh, yeah. Recently I was watching a cop show and the officers were approaching a man in his front yard. The man was sitting quietly and there was a dog, a Rottweiler, laying peacefully about 20 feet away. The officer told the man that if that dog as much as stood up he was going to kill him. Thankfully, the dog didn’t move or wag his tail or anything. Do they only hire people who have an irrational fear of dogs?
“I agree with you, Freedom. I think it starts with police unions and with the training of the officers. The emphasis seems to have gone from Serve and Protect to Make Sure I get Home Safe at all Cost.”
There certainly seems to be a shift in the training officers receive in the academy. One has to wonder if Peelian principles are even taught any longer, or if they get a passing mention, then are glossed over.
I think the job title of officers being changed from “peace officer” to “law enforcement officer” attracted people to the job who could never have been good peace officers.
Good post. I agree with everything.
I am pro-cop. I have always been pro-cop. I don’t understand the current police culture.
Being perfectly honest, I see such a tiny amount of police activity, I certainly don’t want to pretend that I really see and know how every officer acts. We tend to see the bad apples caught on videos. The good ones would be boring to watch say “Ma’am I won’t ticket you, please drive slower next time.” or “Please pour out the beer and behave next time”.
I think most cops are A-OK, I just see an increasing trend toward police militarization and I know that as they become more combat oriented in their thinking, they are going to be shooting first and asking questions later. It really is a disturbing trend and I don’t see it changing.
Sad really.