I think, a big issue with police in America (besides racism) is the fact that police officers increasingly see themselves as an occupying force in hostile territory. Or as a sainted brotherhood of valorous paladins out to protect the realm of men from animalistic hordes.
This is an attitude constantly reinforced by frenzied rhetoric from the right and from inside law enforcement community. From "the [insert city name] finest" to the "thin blue line" flag: all these signals just feed the harmful and dangerous narrative that distorts police's role.
Crowning all this is the legitimate fear police officers have, having to work in a society armed to the teeth. So, instead of just having folks we have hired to enforce our societal norms, we have jumpy, scared, aggressive narcissists with delusions of superiority.
The way a normal, healthy nation would approach this is with a two-pronged reform initiative: severely curbing gun ownership and instituting far-reaching police reform.
The way we will approach it is by becoming more aggressive, more armed and more polarized.
Good luck to us.
The way we will approach it is by becoming more aggressive, more armed and more polarized.
Good luck to us.
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