They perform a thankless job, deal with the worst of society's humans gone amok, and their lives are often at risk.
Unfortunately, far too many bad apples taint the bunch; and, too many characters with serious Napoleon/Dirty Harry complexes grab the headlines for all the wrong reasons.
Likewise, abusive behavior towards minority communities have become the norm (especially in the video age) -- they no longer shock us. But lo and behold, minorities are not the only targets of cops gone wild.
Just check out this unbelievable story from San Diego that occurred while firefighters were treating crash victims:
Chula Vista firefighter in handcuffs for refusing to move his truck while tending to victims of a car crash.
As he was being handcuffed on the side of the 805 Freeway near Orange County, the firefighter, 12-year veteran Jacob Gregoire, told reporters who had gathered, "I just want to let you all know he’s arresting me."
Later, according to CBS News 8, Gregoire told the arresting officer, whose name has not been released, "It’s unbelievable you guys have to treat us like this. We are trying to help you guys."
The officer replied, "We asked you to clear the road, you said ‘No.’ You are being arrested for not moving."
Gregoire was reportedly detained in the back of a highway patrol car for several minutes before being released. He was not charged.
Chula Vista Fire Chief Dave Hanneman told CBS, "To detain one of our firefighters in the middle of an incident is ridiculous." source
Dang, what happened to good ole fashion commonsense -- not that common...
Good cops (and I know a ton of good cops) please do not read any further.
To my bad boys in blue hiding behind a badge: Your foremost job is to protect and serve. Society is near a boiling point with rogue cops. We sometimes do not know who to fear more: Thug cops or street thugs?
More and more police departments will come under citizen review boards to put a stop to cops killing innocent and unarmed victims of car accidents or senselessly beating homeless victims to death. Call me naïve, but, I can see a national/political movement galvanizing behind an outcry to stop the abuse.
The optics of a police arresting a first responder (in the process of saving lives) is poster ready.
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