Even as Violent Crime Falls, Killing of Officers Rises

[jtuck004]

2. Another facet to this is the militarization of police departments.

Did you know the cops you grew up with? I knew a few, at least by sight. It's MUCH harder to shoot someone when you know their name. The cops are completely divorced from the community, except in a few university towns where they actually sit at a diner counter with you.

Now try and approach a police car with a question - they stop you by broadcast 10 feet away and want your hands out. I understand, but that's not how one treats people with respect. And I am quite sure they are not safer because of their amped up profile.

They seem to be involved in a lot of arrests where they kill nice dogs, shoot old men and women that may not even hear them, beat up, spray and tase people with little or no provocation. And now they want to be safe?

I have trouble believing they are this ignorant, but I see it all the time, especially the arrogant young assholes. It's like they couldn't be a bully in civvies, but give a uniform they can get away with anything. They are reaping exactly what they are sowing. As this country has turned more war-like, the police have been adopting the same tactics, when what they (and the military) should be adopting more "policing" tactics, getting out and becoming a neighbor who is actually there to serve, not to shoot straight.