It Ain't Mayberry

When I saw this DUI checkpoint video that went viral, I was shocked to discover it occurred in Tennessee.  I guess considering my age, I just want to maintain a friendlier image of law enforcement, although I know that is not reality.  Reality is, Andy Taylor of Mayberry wasn't reality, either!  This article is not to say, all law enforcement is frightening, but the reality is, just like with any human beings, you simply don't know who to trust.  The difference is; not so terribly long ago, a badge indicated we could trust them for safety.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=600492619983397

I've included two links regarding the next situation.  I guess, considering her age and a Sunday School teacher in a church or school parking lot, it really affected me, personally.  The fact that there was a witness, truly made me glad, that although it didn't bring her back, the cop's story didn't stand.  There was truly no reason for what transpired.  Shooting someone in the back is questionable enough, but more than once when there is no threat of bodily harm, I would call murder.
http://beforeitsnews.com/blogging-citizen-journalism/2013/07/cop-shoots-and-kills-sunday-school-teacher-in-church-parking-lot-for-rolling-up-car-window-says-witness-2448340.html?utm_campaign=&utm_source=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2F&utm_medium=facebook-post&utm_content=awesm-publisher&utm_term=http%3A%2F%2Fb4in.info%2FbAO2

http://reason.com/blog/2013/05/03/culpeper-cop-who-shot-and-killed-patrici

Woman arrested for drunk driving, ended up hand cuffed, then with serious injuries, and although the officer was fired, he wasn't criminally charged because the recording was turned off through the incident, in his words, according to his attorney, the officer turned off the tape according to normal practice and the woman fell and injured herself . . .
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyv4CCEArs4

The there's the truck driver who was clearly had difficulty with the language, was injured so badly for not signing the ticket he was trying to read at the time, he's now unable to work.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lcYTJx9Y1c

This poor guy was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. 
http://www.ksdk.com/news/world/article/386216/28/3-million-settlement-for-man-shot-16-times-by-police-

Perhaps this next link addressing the reason one man wasn't hired, and the hiring practice explains some of the problem.
http://abcnews.go.com/US/court-oks-barring-high-iqs-cops/story?id=95836#.Ud9zBUE3tVN


  In only two cases of internal investigation, it was determined that officers had acted inappropriately for the circumstances.  The one who killed the woman got three years, and the one that turned off the camera was fired, but he's appealing.  No criminal charges were filed him against him, however.

Let me be clear.  I am not saying all officers behave this way, but all citizens are not dangerous criminals, either, and therefore should not be treated as such.  If based upon isolated incidents, an officer feels he must presume everyone could be a threat to him, then perhaps law enforcement shouldn't be a career choice.  Many citizens are becoming increasingly alarmed about the perception of law enforcement that is gaining momentum.

I think the most disturbing fact about so many of these internal affairs investigations, have found the officer was not acting inappropriately or using excessive force.  The fact that policy is in place that people can be treated with such violence by "peace officers" tells me, in our society, peace has been redefined.