[obviouslygreen]

Coming from a law enforcement family, it's really hard to see things like this. It becomes very hard to tell people their negative preconceptions about police are unjustified in the face of apparently stupid and violent things like this.

It's just like anything else: Most cops are not bad or stupid people, but sometimes bad or stupid people are cops. Unfortunately, when bad or stupid people are cops, it's a bigger problem than in most other occupations.

[wnight]

No, that's not the problem. It's not that there are bad police, or that they can cause more damage, it's that the "good" police protect and enable them.

When the thin blue line works the other way and expels anyone who ever hurts those in their power, police as whole can start to mend their reputation.