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I know of police departments I absolutely trust (Fargo, ND) and ones that I absolutely distrust (Medford, OR). I know of departments where I trust the beat cops and not the leadership (Seattle, WA).

So, it’s a mixed bag out there. I pay close attention to the quality of the policing I see.

I want to see bad police departments like Medford held to account. That one has decided that they are going to be the baddest gang in town. They just happen to drive in fancier cars and operate under the color of authority. I view them as just as dangerous as the local Hispanic Gangs. They scare the crap out of me.

I wish the good beat cops in Seattle had worthy leadership. Those are some great guys lead by some of the biggest weenies in the world. I watched the WTO Riots unfold below my office. I talked to lots of the cops. They’re great guys. But the leadership left the perps. to occupy vacant buildings, and never allowed them to be arrested.

Fargo is interesting. When I was there, it was lead by “The Gay Mafia”, which is to say, it had a bunch of homosexuals on the force (including the Chief), and everyone knew it. They were by-the-book, completely reasonable, nice, effective police. Everyone thought they were spectacularly good at their jobs.

LAPD and other departments in this case did not seem to acquit themselves professionally, in my opinion (shooting at random trucks, etc.) I do not like the precedence set by burning down a cabin in what appears at first glance to be an extra-judicial murder. I hope there is a solid investigation so that rogue cops who fail to follow appropriate procedure are drummed out.

The unquestioning support of the police here is disappointing. Oughtn’t we expect a thorough review of this rather suspect death at the hands of the police? Lots of folks just want to declare the bad guy bad, and worthy of street justice.

I’m more in favor of, “Attempt to capture him using all the tools at your disposal,” then let Due Process take care of the rest. If in that attempt he leaves you no option but to shoot him, then shoot. I listen to the tapes, and I do not hear any reasonable attempt. They wanted to kill him. That’s what my ears hear.

That puts those cops at the level of the Medford police in my book. Not trustworthy until proven otherwise.