General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Cops have a very dangerous job at times, but let's be clear: [View all]WhiteAndNerdy
(365 posts)I am afraid that incidents like the one in New York this weekend are only going to make at least some LEOs feel even more justified in using extreme methods, including lethal force, in dealing with members of the public. It's not rational -- this incident does not actually mean that the average person is a threat to officers -- but that is how some will feel, and it sets us back in solving the problem of police aggression. This incident is actually a distraction from the real problems, which are that (1.) aggressive people are attracted to police work, and applicants are not being properly screened for possible psych issues or other warning signs that they're not suitable for the job; and (2.) the militarization of the police, which encourages the us-vs.-them mentality of some officers. We need to make sure that people stay focused on the real issues or we're never going to find a solution to these problems.