I certainly do NOT see the police in this way. I have never had any experience that would make me feel this way. And I lived and worked in the inner city for more than a decade.
Cenedril_Gildinaur wrote: Feredir wonders why our profound distrust of police, why we see them as little better than the criminals they combat.
I have seen dedicated police officers, who work with children and young people. I have seen police officers be respectful and courteous when being spat upon and cursed at. I have seen police officers defuse situations that could easily become violent. I have seen police officers diligently working with community in order to make the city a better, safer place.
I have also come across mediocre officers who do the bare minimum and officers who just plain aren't that bright. I have come across officers who abuse their power and who think they are above the law.
But those have been in the minority. By far.
In NO way do I think police officers, as a whole are "little better than the criminals they combat."
In fact, I think such a statement is terribly inflammatory and smacks of stereotyping. What experiences have you had to back up such a broad-based statement?