[uberman]

Just to be clear, they "resigned" from the special unit not the police force. None of them is going to resign from the force.

The article suggests that these additional officers "resigned in disgust because of the treatment of officers who were simply executing orders".

I have to ask, what orders were those exactly.

I'm sure they were tasked with clearing the area. I'm also certain they were not tasked with critically injuring a citizen (let a lone a senior citizen) while doing so. Those officers were not suspended for "simply executing orders", but how they did so and perhaps more importantly how they were susceptible to the peer pressure inappropriately applied by uninvolved officers egging them on. This was 50+ officers vs one 75 year old guy asking questions. They have all taken a public oath.

I was a military dog handler, I have family in state police. My closest cousin wears a police ring as his wedding band. I have the up most respect for law enforcement in general and feel that the overwhelming majority of officers act heroically in the face of daily uncertainty.

However, this entire group of officers needs retraining. Officers who are susceptible to peer pressure (either applying or receiving) need to be retrained or discharged. This not an appropriate career path for those not confident enough to resist being bullies or cowards.