You behave more like an occupying force than an organization whose job it is to serve and protect.
You’re unapproachable. The days of the friendly law enforcement officer who was known to everyone and could be approached by anyone are over.
You carry military-grade weapons, and use them with little-or even no-provocation.
You shoot dogs that are understandably aggressive because you’ve walked into thier yard. A dog is territorial and they protect their home. You’ve just walked into their yard and you’re a stranger. You have no warrant, no probable cause, or anything even approaching reasonable suspicion. And you’re too stupid to just slowly back up and exit the yard out of the same gate you just walked through. Easier to just pull your gun and shoot the dog.
You go to the lethal force option right away, without evening bothering to try to find a nonviolent or nonlethal solution. You use lethal force against unarmed men, some of whom are already restrained and in handcuffs. You lie about the situation, your fellow officers back up your lies and cover up for you. You turn off body cameras or claim the footage has been destroyed, and also confiscate video camera footage that might prove your guilt. You confiscate this film in violation of all our 4th Amendments protections and will arrest anyone who rightfully tries to stop you.
The police unions close ranks behind even the guiltiest of you, and make every effort to ensure that bad cops, corrupt cops, insane cops, and homicidal cops keep their guns and badges and continue to walk the streets, victimizing those they are supposed to be serving.
You are no longer law enforcement officers or peace officers. You have become the muscle for an increasingly fascist government that seeks to revoke all our Constitutional rights and will use you as the jackboot-wearing thugs whose function is to eliminate anyone who stands in their way.
A police officer used to use every tool at their disposal to keep their gun in its holster. Now the weapon coming out of the holster is the first option.
Constitutionally guaranteed rights of citizens are something you regard as an impedance to doing your job.
Case in point. I live in Maryland, a state where every law enforcement agency from the State Police on down to the smallest sheriff’s department is openly and unashamedly hostile to the United States Constitution. Corruption is rampant. Police falsify evidence and swear that their lies are true in a court of law, despite being under oath. Cops who drink and drive are allowed to return to work without even a slap on the wrist, when anyone else would be facing severe jail time.
How bad is it in Maryland? I used to be a police officer in Frederick, Maryland. Our first day at the police academy, a senior member of the department walked in, looked us over, and said one thing before walking out: “We don’t ticket cops.” What was implied but left unsaid is that cops are not to be arrested or charged either.
Maryland law enforcement agencies despise the 2nd Amendment and want an unarmed and defenseless population. I once asked a Maryland State Trooper a question. I told him I was a retired 25 year military officer, a disabled combat veteran, holder of a Top Secret security clearance, an ex-cop, and had a clean criminal record. I asked him what he would do if I told him that I had a .357 magnum Glock in my glove compartment. Possessing and carrying that gun is my right under the Constitution, but that is a right Maryland refuses to recognize. He replied that he would arrest me and charge me right on the spot, and that my record of service to my country, being an ex-cop, being a disabled combat veteran, and having no criminal record meant nothing to him.
These are the reasons why you are not trusted. We can’t trust you.
The View From The Trenches 