I know someone who was falsely accused by someone and all the accuser had to do was file a complaint with a local magistrate. It took 5 years to get the mess straightened out, and it was a scam by the accuser to get the innocent victim into a civil lawsuit. I think the District Attorney's office is corrupt, as well as some local police. I don't trust ANYONE in law enforcement in NC except for one State Trooper who attended church with me.
I've never dealt much with criminal law enforcement, although it is obvious that we could all benefit from better-paid and better-educated, more professional police.
I did happen to know this young fellow a few years back who was trying to get on with various small town (~very~ small town) police departments. He had managed to get through some tech school course and thought he was ready for the streets. I wouldn't have trusted him to collect my garbage if I were using a shredder.
I like to imagine that this piece of punktrash never got a badge anywhere, but I don't know. Those small towns pay very little and, I guess, get some pretty rough characters.
The Highway Patrol is definitely a cut above.