there are no cops on the Beat, they hide in the cars with the A/C on till the shift ends. When was the last time you saw a cop walking a Beat and interacting with people?
“When was the last time you saw a cop walking a Beat and interacting with people?”
_________________________________________________________
You are right. It was simply a figure of speech.
I do know that many are jack-booted thugs, even in small towns.
I say “now” reluctantly, as I have not been in the US since Jan 2005. They are probably much worse now, judging by the movies that I see on my cable TV. Every scene shows guys in flack jackets, ready to storm whatever.