From: Jasper
Date: 2/16/01
Time: 8:21:14 PM
I can't believe that the problem has much to do with a lack of knowledge about the kinds of people who are attracted to the police force. A given percentage of these guys are bound to be power freaks. However, in 100 percent of the cases where a nazi, a megalomaniac or a trigger-happy wacko gets out on the street with a gun and a badge, there was somebody in the system who said the guy should be there. Police and politicians are no better at admitting when they've screwed up really big than people in other organizations.
Once they're in, a whole array of social forces go to work to sweep the bad cops under the rug - friendships, loyalties, fear of stepping on the wrong toes or getting labeled a snitch (yeah, he's a jerk but he's our jerk). Breaking the "truth barrier" is what we're talking about here. Breaking bricks with your nose sounds like it might be easier to do. -Jasper