There is a certain ring of truth to what you are saying tristate. There are so many prongs to the equation it is hard to balance it to please most people, which in a best case scenario is just being able to please most people while upholding the state and federal Constitutional Rights in every facet of the job.
I would be careful of using the word most though. At least regionally, I don't see it even close to breaching the most adjective. I really try hard to be objective on the issue which is hard to do with personal attachments on one side or the other.
I am a firm believer in the founding documents of this nation and the rights bestowed on The People and thwarting the crossover of an over reaching govt. Candidly, here are some of the issues that prevail and add fuel from both sides.
One, you have cops and citizens alike who don't know American history from a hole in the ground. I think as society we have completely neglected to instil patriotism, history, and allegiance into our youth for at least a couple generations and now it is coming home to roost. I find it despicable the disregard some cops, particularly administrators because of their far reaching influence, who have little to no understanding of rights, for example the Second Amendment and the right of self defence. Another example would be those who fuel draconian policies which are constitutionally contrary to the fundemental rights of due process. I find it also disturbing to see the same from a common voter....or one who should be a voter but does not give a big enough damn to cherish the blood that gave them the very right to cast a ballot and exercise that precious right. I find it disturbing that a cop or a citizen would not be able to recite something as elementary as The Pledge of Allegence. I know some who fit that boot on both sides. Pathetic.
Then you have the them versus us. Again, I will candidly point out there are some cops who don't understand who the real bad guy is. Sometimes they start that way, sometimes they become jaded and calloused and no longer care because of the recipricol of this behavior of some on the other side who without any knowledge or with malice of forethought, think every man or woman behind a badge is the devils spawn.
The blame can go around and around all day. I have found over the years that there is more good than bad in the world. Way more good. You can see it every day if we look hard enough. It is in cops, it is in iron workers, plumbers, clerks, kids, everywhere. Hell I have seen very few people who are downright evil. Do they exist? Absolutely and they come in many shapes and sizes. They are very rare and thank goodness they are. Even the average "bad guy" I have dealt with has a flicker flame of good in them if you look hard. Many are victims of unfortunate upbringing, hard times, opportunity and temptation at the wrong moment, you name it. Most, not all but most, if you can take the time to peer into them, you will see goodness....even if it has been temporarily bridled.
I tend to look at police work at times and think the visions of Norman Rockwell are simply from days gone by but upon close reflection I am not so sure with most. Most I know myself included get a big smile from helping out a kid, showing him the answers to a burning question, helping a mother of five in a mini van whose husband is overseas at war...change her flat tire and get them safely on their way. Chivalry is not dead. It needs a boost but it is not dead.
I have even learned from others in the profession to see the tender kindness that all to often goes unnoticed. There is a young man in my area who suffers from severe mental disabilities. He lives with his grandparents and loves anything and everything police. I saw with awe and humility as some younger cops made it a personal point to meet him on occasion at the station, let him hang out and feel important, boost his self esteem, take pictures with them...gear..cars...all so this young man who has not much to look forward to in life, can post picture of him and his cop friends on his Facebook account. The smile on this kids face is priceless ever time he comes around. Small token? Yes..but not to this kid. They could have blown him off in the beginning but to my astonishment they embraced it and took it as a personal challenge to be friends and mentors to this kid.
Are there exceptions to every rule? Yes. The world is largely human and to be human is to ere. Again regionally things are different and I am not going to pretend that any group is perfect but most groups are mostly good folks. Cops have a sacred obligation to go out of their way to keep it that wa because where much is given, much is expected...and rightfully so. A few bad apples and you know the rest. But we try...and most try pretty darn hard to fit the Rockwell mold. Sadly, part of the bad perception in any group is the poor behavior of a few..... Catholic Priests, teachers, used car salesmen, stock brokers, doctors, lawyers, cops, ect...I could go on for ever. They all maintain some level of trust endowed to them from people who trust them. Every solitary segment has those that falter, those who do misdeeds, those who get caught, those who don't, and a representative segment who breach criminal culpability and end up in the prison system. The vast majority of each however, have families, have love of country, and most importantly are good people and good neighbors who put on their pants all one leg at a time.
Some things that cause a public disdain...they are largely out of the hands of the police. The approachability as far as a cop being nice is not one. Some can be jerks. Some have bad days like everyone has bad days. Some of the militarization as they call it, I do not agree with all aspects of. I think as a general rule, they should be neatly groomed, wear a proper uniform, and frankly as cliche as it sounds, follow the mottos set forth by the scouting organization.
Other stuff is at times, appropriate as we face an ever changing obstacle of that very small segment that is wholey evil. Those who would go into schools and murder the most innocent among society, new and daily threats aren't limited to uncle Jake on a bender...they are dangerous, they are real, and departments would be doing themselves and those they protect a severe disservice if they were not prepared to meet the face of evil intentions with the appropriate hardware. Andy Griffith is a great idea in Mayberry. Sadly Mayberry doesn't exist or at least not in many locales. It is not Andy's fault. The bottom line is there is some virtue in nearly every complaint and compliment. There are however very few absolutes. Cleaning house is ongoing, worthwhile, and is prudent to be vigilant about absolutely. The police and those they serve alike, must not fall into the trap that "the other group" is mostly bad. It just isn't true and it is one component of the never ending circle we all despise. If either side truly loses sight of what is important, combined with certain sad truths a d realities, we ALL lose and evil triumphs. Please excuse the typos and crammer. Smart phones make bad editors.
