In a gentler, kinder age we were always taught to seek the help of a policeman if we were in trouble ! Today, the sight of a blue uniform instills fear into many citizens. There is an expectation that if the police decide to use unreasonable force or open fire with deadly intent - they will get away with it unpunished.
The death of a young black man in Ferguson in the United States provoked riots in many cities - and remains unexplained. Somehow this unarmed youth got into a confrontation with a white police officer, resulting in the cop firing twelve rounds from his service pistol - with six hits resulting in death. That police officer claims he was fearful for his own life and an investigation has cleared him of any wrongdoing. It is hard to see the danger posed by an unarmed person that would require a trained police officer to respond by firing almost the entire magazine of his weapon.
We have seen pictures on television from New York where a man illegally selling untaxed cigarettes was confronted by police. He threw no punches and was simply trying to negotiate when a white police officer moved in from behind and applied a choke hold. Other officers then forced this black man to the ground and the choke hold was maintained - and the offender died at the scene. It has since been reported that no charges will be laid.
Here in Sydney we remember a wild chase in the city CDB when eleven police chased a Brazilian student accused of stealing biscuits from a store. Amazingly, this unarmed offender was tazered fifteen times - and died at the scene. An enquiry absolved police from blame.
The latest "police incident "shows a vivid scene of police wrestling a young woman to the ground because of a dispute over a cab fare. She is beaten with a police baton - and clearly shows the marks of assault. It seems that this can be the outcome of even the mildest resistance to the police.
This seems to be a world wide phenomenon. In America the cops are predominantly white and they seem predisposed to stop and search people with black skin. Here in Australia, Indigenous citizens are grossly over represented in our prison population. Whenever an "incident "occurs there seems to be an automatic denial of any police culpability - and the usual outcome is police investigating fellow police - and bringing in a not guilty verdict.
We are seeing our police becoming more "militarized ". They are now equipped with "Bearcats "- basically a light armoured tank and some units carry automatic weapons. Police are now more aggressive and this stance seems to have government backing. It seems that the government is fearful of it's own citizens - and looks to the police to shield it from their wrath, and all this is compounded by the police union.
Some wit once observed that when it comes to criminal gang activity - the police were usually the biggest gang in the city. By their very nature and size, they hold enormous power and they use this to dictate to the government. The biggest fear - is that of a police strike. Behind the scenes, the police union makes it's demands known and few administrations are prepared to risk confrontation.
The outcome is that police have become harsher in their policing - and bolder. They never admit they were wrong and they never apologise for their actions. In many countries, the police have become the essential safeguard between the government and those governed - and they must be kept on side at all costs.
There is no doubt that police have a tough job to do and they face constant danger. Drugs make some offenders vastly more aggressive, but we are seeing an attitudinal change that is disturbing. It seems that the police do not trust the courts to administer justice - and are taking on the role of judge, jury - and sometimes - executioner !
That will only continue to expand while the power of the police union shields those using excessive force from any form of being brought to account !
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