“I really don’t buy the excuses that “it’s just a few bad cops” anymore. There are systemic issues going on here, because we see the same problems over and over again, in departments across the country. “
I completely concur with everything you’ve posted here. Too many of them see the Constitution as a “hindrance to doing their jobs.” I might even be persuaded that “too many” should be changed to “most.” The lesson here today though, is that the fight should begin in court, because if you give a cop ANY reason to abuse you, he’s going to do it and you’ll be lucky if you survive. BTW, in my view, the other piece of this “unholy alliance,” are the district attorneys, but their abuse is more subtle. I see the mounting use of cameras by citizens as a good thing. The cops now need to get the message that their actions are quite likely to be recorded as is the case here.
You know what’s funny? I’ve been posting on this thread regarding the what’s “reasonable” and “possible” and “evidential.” I do this because we, as a country, have been taught to jump to conclusions before all the facts are in (*cough* Martin/Brown *cough* university rape claims *cough*).
BUT...
I also believe that cops are generally high on their own power. They operate as if they are all double-O agents in her majesty’s secret service.