Bad cops are the fruits of a country at war

[RicROC]

I feel that bad cops are the fruits of a country which is constantly at war.
(Despite being constantly maligned, Jimmy Carter's term was one of few respites of conflict in the US 250 years of existence.)

The training of warrior solders include instilling the mindset of we vs. them, we crusaders vs. the enemy. Many cops were part of the military and carry that instilled attitude into the American streets. if they were not in the military, they were trained at the Academy by retired military who use military techniques. Moreover, excess military equipment now becomes 'basic & essential' battle gear for patrolling American towns and cities. No wonder the call has come for cutting the funding of local police budgets.

But the way produce good fruit is to create a new peaceful mindset. That is, to trim this military-industrial complex and that means, no more war. Search for peace.
No more 18 years of war in a backward country. No more linking economic wars with 'protecting our freedoms.'

[Zoonart]

1. THIS!

I understand the concept of hiring vets as a priority for local police depts., but as you stated, this results in a sort of "Mission creep" from serve and protect to us v. them. Also those vets have been trained to shoot first and ask questions later and when that becomes your default position, it is not difficult to see how that plays out in confrontative situations in the streets of America which is not "in country".

My cousin's kid was 98th percentile in the police academy, but he had not served and has a degree in elementary school ed.
He has languished as a prison guard for ten years, because he can't get a job with any local forces near his home, they are hiring all veterans. Now, he probably never Weill, because he is aging out of the profile. This is an example of how qualified community oriented men are frozen out of service.