The Police (no, not the band)

Saw this article:

http://autos.aol.com/article/cops-on-video/

which discusses the practice of videotaping traffic stops. Police are quoted saying it's unnecessary because they have mounted cameras on their own cars that videotape the stop. lol, sure, but when it gets "lost" or altered because it's in your favor, it doesn't do you any good.

Then I saw this:

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/04/13/earlyshow/main6391498.shtml

which shows police clubbing a U of Maryland student for apparently nothing. It's in the news because the police lied about beating him, said he attacked first, and that his injuries came from"kicking their horses." The video was filmed by another student from across the street (sweet). I also found it interesting that the city had to "identify the officers" before they could take action. Why did that take so long?

I hope that kid ends up with big bucks out of this. The city can dip into the police retirement system to pay for it, for all I care.

First, I consider policing a very heroic and dangerous job. Like any dangerous work, it draws a variety of people; some do not meet my ideal of a police officer. However, I have known many officers lately for whom I have immense respect.

All that aside, there is a bond among officers to protect their own. It sometimes goes to the extreme and requires intervention.