I once had a conversation with an ex-cop. I argued that every time a police officer gives someone a speeding ticket, that the cop is being an immoral asshole because nothing bad actually happened. The rules got broken, and nothing more. I argued that if I was speeding and caused an accident, then I'd deserve a ticket. The police are obviously cherry picking when and where to uphold the law. If a major company did something illegal that stole from thousands of people, the cops wouldn't do anything until after the trial.

His counter-argument was this. "But if I stop them speeding, and just let them off with a warning, and then they go on to get into an accident, I am now liable."

I told him, but the person still didn't actually do anything wrong. Breaking rules is not wrong. Doing something wrong is wrong. If the cop gets in trouble, that's on him and the shitty system.

He had no response. Looked at me for a while, and then nodded in agreement.

Police officer, btw, is very very high on Dr. Robert Hare's list of the most common professions adopted by psychopaths.

There are decent people that are cops. I am friends with some. But I also believe that it's a profession that brings out the bad in people more than the good.