There are cultural changes within the law enforcement community. The manner in which both the law enforcement community and the non-law enforcement community view themselves and each other has changed, IMO, in the last twenty years and has accelerated since 9/11.
Part of the problem is exacerbated by the fact that at least in the northeast and elsewhere in this country, a majority of LEOs (esp in large urban departments) come from just several ethnic groups, nepotism seems is a way of life, with so many children following their father or mother's footsteps by becoming police officers. I realize that there are both historical and cultural reasons for this which are way beyond the scope of this forum with regard to any serious discussion. What we have created, is in effect, a police caste or class that perpetuates itself generation after generation. One does not bite the hand that feeds it, so to speak. On the face of it there would appear to be several good arguments that refute that. One being that affirmative action programs have dramatically changed the face of law enforcement and law enforcement draws many minorities and females into the profession. There is no denying that there is some truth to that, but it could also be argued, I think, that the majority of LEOs are still male and, have relatives on the Job and are from several ethnic groups (at least in this neck of the woods). In the applicant process, which on paper tries to create a level playing field, there are ways (primarily the interview and background check) to ensure that only "pre-selected" candidates" make the cut. What about affirmative action, you say? Well, a certain number of those candidates are going to be admitted because, not to do so would bring upon the displeasure of the government that supports the police. This is just one part of the issue. We have today, a police class in society. Nepotism regardless of geographical locale seems to be the order of day even when ethnicity is not a factor (which it isn't in some parts of the country). This police class views itself as being above and not from the citizens that it is sworn to protect and serve.
From the other side of the street, so to speak, the police are increasingly being tasked with enforcing laws and policies that are beyond the scope of their traditional roles, and are further hampered by a legal system that is more of a "game" that maintains the fiction of seeking truth and punishing only the guilty. Too often the police have become the front line mental health workers in this country since the 1970's when the powers to be decided that most of the mentally ill should not be institutionalized and were dumped on the streets. The police are increasingly becoming the school disciplinarians because administrators cannot or do not know how to execute this, and seem at times to be totally lacking common sense. Then, there is the War on Drugs, which never ends and for which victory will never come. Drug use, IMO is a social problem, a health issue which IMHO should be addressed outside of the criminal justice system. I favor the legalization of most drugs, but that it unlikely to happen simply because too many people make too much money off of them, and that money gets filtered many times removed into the coffers of the rich and powerful.
Back in the 1970's an LAPD Sergeant, Joseph Wambaugh, wrote a novel entitled "The New Centurions" where he outlined a lot of things that have come to pass because of the changes in society. His title referred to the Roman Soldiers who presided over the decline of the Roman Empire, and the police like those Roman soldiers found themselves in the middle between a society that was increasingly alienated towards them as social norms broke down, and a government became increasingly venal , corrupt and inefficient with the police in the middle.
I believe that a lot of egregious police behavior today is focused on people who would not have even come on a police officer's radar screen at one time. These people are easy targets and I think sometimes that the police overreact towards them as a way of venting their frustration. Overreaction becomes a form of venting. They do it because they can.
There is another dynamic in this too, as I think many police officers must deal with incompetent leadership. Many police administrators gain their rank because of their ability to take a written test, not because of their leadership abilities. Those who are in high rank and are in appointed positions, are in many cases, politicians in uniform and are going to direct and administer policies that the politicians over them want. All too often the cop that tries to do the right thing becomes a victim in his or her own right.
This post is already too long and I'll give you a rep point if you can finish reading it
![[grin]](/xen/styles/default/xenforo/smilies.vb/041.gif "Grin [grin]")
...but IMHO it underscores and barely scratches the surface of a large and I think increasingly complex social issue for which, sadly, I see no resolution in sight.
Perception is truth and unfortunately there are misconceptions on both sides: citizen and sworn, but there is also veritas or real truth on both sides as well. Trying to separate the real truth from the perceived truth is the challenge and one that I do not think either side will be able to do. Sadly, I believe that the rift will continue and only get worse, and for those that would like to see the United States return to the world of 1793, that's not going to happen either. Remember this though: when only the police have guns, it's a police state.
Mark L.
![[hmmm]](/xen/styles/default/xenforo/smilies.vb/009.gif "Hmm [hmmm]")
