There are few jobs tougher than being a police officer. Day in and day out, police see people at their worst. Every interaction they have with the public is a risk to their lives. Sure, the vast majority are non-violent, but a cop never knows which car they pull over houses an evil jack-in-the-box with a gun and a grudge. The job means long hours, high risk, low pay, and only a small part of the respect it deserves. Because police officers are so essential, and because they risk so much each and every day, we believe cops deserve everyone’s full and unwavering support.
Except… well, not all cops are good cops. We don’t mean an officer that’s had a long day and is rude to someone when issuing a ticket. We don’t even mean someone who kills someone in a split-second decision gone wrong; that’s an agonizing and unavoidable part of the job. But, there’s an increasing number of stories and videos of cops who are just being jerks, and sometimes dangerous or even deadly jerks. Here are links to just a few of the recent standouts from individual cops and entire agencies from across the country…
Philly Cop Stops Black Man, Tells Him ‘All You Do Is Weaken the F—ing Country’
When Did “Serve And Protect” Become “Seize and Profit”?
Border Patrol Will Continue Using Lethal Force on Rock-Throwers
Third New Mexico victim of humiliating cavity searches comes forward
Today’s Drug War Outrage: Man Dies In Jail Cell After Misdemeanor Pot Offense
Border Agents Probed Woman’s Vagina and Anus Without Consent In Fruitless Search For Narcotics
If our job is to make you Furious then these links should just about do it. But that’s not really all, because as bad as these cases (and too many more) are, they aren’t the end of the story. The most infuriating thing isn’t JUST that these wastes of skin are destroying public confidence, endangering citizens, and endangering their fellow officers. No, the worst part is that there isn’t an equivalent flood of police chiefs, mayors, or other front-line cops coming out to condemn them. Instead, we’re treated to stories like this one…
If the people with power to change it don’t condemn this cowardice and thuggery, then it is, by definition, acceptable. And a society settles for this level of malfeasance should rightly make you Furious.
