This explains much of what's going on with people's perception of law enforcement

[PCIntern]

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1CNnLmrdC7/?mibextid=wwXIfr

In it, author Jason Pargin discusses the most popular archetype in America: the “rogue” cop. It is an excellent primer for those whose wonder how “these things can happen” and in my mind, refutes the ridiculous assertion that “this is not who we are”.

This is in fact, EXACTLY who we are and I’ll give you an example close to home. My family, as I have described before, were intellectual progressives in the best sense. They would have fit in perfectly here on DU and my mom for one might well be somewhat to the left of many here, my dad was more pragmatic since he was a combat veteran who better understood where many Americans are “coming from” and was less of an idealist, but a true progressive nonetheless.

I came home from college for a vacation and since we were a movie family, went to a “picture” as we used to call it. The film playing was Dirty Harry with Clint Eastwood. My parents watched the film, shaking their heads at many points but afterwards were clearly impressed and entertained by the dramatic presentation of “good” vs pure evil. On the one hand, they were mildly appalled but on the other hand, well, this villain had to die. There was a head shaking acceptance and you understand, these people were civil rights activists. Can you imagine what this film, these people Lethal Weapon films, Stallone and all the rest did to average American consciousness? Incalculable.

The link provides an excellent overview and as I always say, if you don’t click FB links, I don’t care.

[Srkdqltr]

1. A lot of comments reference movies or tv shows. We live in that sort of world.

There are those who watch movies over and over. If you ask how many times someone watched Dirty Harry or Lethel Weapon there are those who watched multiple times. And the Stallone movies, and gangster movies. The more action the better. Shoot 'em ups.
Not only movies but TV also. Now video games as well
No suprise.

[sop]

2. A useful plot device seen in movies glorifying the violent treatment of suspects at the hands of police:

In such movies the "good rogue cop" doesn't really know whodunit, they're just relying on their street smarts and coply gut instinct, while the audience has already solved the mystery, having been allowed to watch the suspect commit the heinous crime. The audience then willingly goes along with the harsh reality that good rogue cops have to beat, torture and violate a suspect's civil rights to solve crimes and maintain law and order.