Another thought.
By far the single greatest asset the police can possibly have on their side is a general perception by the public that their exercise of authority is legitimate. That they are honest and “on my side.”
While we all know there are good and bad cops, as in every other group, my default position has always been that cops are the good guys. I’ve slipped a lot more towards a neutral position in that regard due to things that have happened over the last few years.
Shortcuts involving violence and dishonesty are of course appealing, but by their very nature they whittle away at the true foundation of the cops’ authority and ability to do their job well.
Witness the black community, where the default assumption is cops are the bad guys. Is this all the cops’ fault? Doubtful. Have they contributed? Most likely.
I lean toward those positions as well.
I remember when I was about five years old, I was traveling in the family car and my grandfather was pulled over.
Right there on the spot, my grandfather explained that you treat officers with respect. You follow their directions and do as requested.
I wonder sometimes what percent of the nation’s kids get this kind of instruction.
Society has become much more base. I’m sure every officer deals with jerks day in and day out. This has got to have an effect over time.