Yes, they are a younger bunch. In addition to that I have a problem with the whole law enforcement philosophy seemingly changing. It starts with the training of new recruits. It seems all predicated on protecting themselves and their colleagues rather than serving the public. Much of it is exercises concerning fire or don’t fire with realistic simulations. That seems innocent enough in itself but when you see traffic stops with a passive perp laying on the ground and six cops around him with guns drawn and pointed directly at the passive perp you wonder why the shrill attitude and why they consider the perp a threat. It is a wonder more innocent people don
t get killed by guns being accidentally discharged..
That breeds an attitude of “me above you”.
That is the main point so no need to bring up exceptions to dispute what I say. I am talking specifically about an attitude of us above the public which is being instilled through training.
give it a couple more generations...once the current classes get to be the mentors, those new youngins will be very scary indeed...
“...predicated on protecting themselves and their colleagues rather than serving the public.”
YES!!! Exactly so. Columbine was a prime example of this. I used to bitch at the training staff about their incessant chant about how going home at the end of the day was the ultimate goal. Perhaps I had an effect as they began training all officers in “active shooter” responses. More likely the embarrassment of Columbine spurred them. When I was a sergeant I taught my men that they were paid to take calculated risks. They seemed eager to grasp that concept and apply it.