Today, I read an article by Roger Roots that points out many of the flaws of government-run police, and even speculates that government-run police may be unconstitutional. I recommend giving the well-written and well-cited article a read.
Although the government supposedly creates police with the intention of protecting people, the police have failed at protecting us from victimization–shown by rape rates, murder rates, etcetera. Then, those same police victimize us by using victimless crimes as an excuse.
Angry police on a power trip often attack non-violent people. Psychological studies have frequently shown that power corrupts people and that it makes them sadistic and aggressive. Take for example Dr. Phil Zimbardo’s famous Stanford Prison Experiment, in which they had to end the experiment early because students playing mock-guards became too sadistic and violent.
This reminds me of the following video which contains a few clips of police brutality. Before watching it, I warn you that it contains excessive profanity, in addition to real violence:
Not only do the police fail to protect us, but they also attack us. Now we not only need protection from criminal thugs, but also from badged thugs.
What do you think?
Saturday, October 13th 2007 at 7:08 am
The Stanford Experiment was really an interesting, just the like Princeton one. I also remember a study back in the early 1970’s about the Chicago PD. The study showed that the exact type of people who wanted to be police where exactly the kind who shouldn’t be.
Monday, October 1st 2007 at 12:47 am
I couldn’t agree with you more and I look forward to reading Roger Root’s article more in depth (it is quite long). You might find Zimbardo’s most recent book, “The Lucifer Effect” very interesting, as he delves deep into the causes of evil, as well as heroism, and gives much more insight than what was reported regarding the Stanford prison experiment.
Sunday, September 30th 2007 at 12:30 pm
I don’t know, they do seem to have overstepped their boundary. Think about it, police work for the city…cities are incorporated. In a way, cops are corporate employees.
Friday, September 21st 2007 at 11:19 am
Angry police on a power trip, not only do the police fail to protect us, but they also attack us. Are the police the new criminals??
I refer you to the case of Owen Bull, the osteopath set up by a police woman who claimed he fondled her breast, but no evidence to show for it. This man is at present in prison for crimes he did not commit. Without the evidence of the policewoman, the case would not have reached the court. Don’t be a hypocrite Scott, you attack an innocent man who is the victim of the police and then lambast the police for the very behaviour that put Owen Bull in jail. I agree with you entirely, the police are out of control. They should be brought to account.