Recently I wrote on what "the thin blue line" might mean to some people. Feeling as though a single post wouldn't quite sum up my thoughts on this here is part 2.
The thin blue line I have heard described by some as the brotherhood of those in law enforcement cops looking out for cops basically.
I understand in group preferences and how people often gravitate towards those they relate to whether it be ethnic, economic, or occupational. So this isn't surprising at all to see a fraternal aspect to a particular job.
I've seen the subtle head nod from a fellow craftsman who acknowledges that "you're one of us" as I'm pumping gas into my pickup wearing red wing work boots and a Carhart coat. Knowing full well I'd most likely not get the same "you're one of us" nod if I were wearing wingtips and pressed black pants while gassing up a BMW.
This thin blue line extends far beyond a brotherhood of this sort in many cases. It has extended to the case where outright criminal and immoral activity is not only ignored but excused and hidden from the light of day.
I hear how most cops are basically good guys/girls you just have "a few bad apples" that get all the press. While true that media is in it to sensationalize and get ratings and sponsorship dollars this doesn't explain the overwhelming evidence against the "few bad apples" excuse. That's what it is, an excuse.
Just do a web search for police acting like total psychopaths and you'll find plenty of it. What always amazes me is there might be one bad actor beating somebody like a piñata, and yet what are the other officers doing? Standing there watching if not joining in...
Where are all these virtuous whistle blowers stepping in to do the right thing in the name of justice? All these "good cops."
It just hardly ever happens. When it does there are consequences most people aren't prepared for like ostracism, losing your job, being demoted, even death threats.
I was recently speaking with a friend who is a former LEO and I was stating how I suspected there were two types of people who become cops.
-Those who genuinely sought to do good in an evil world, and saw this as an opportunity to make positive impact.
-Those with psychopathic tendencies who saw it as an opportunity to insulate themselves from consequences of acting out such psychopathy.
He sort of laughed and said. "Well I'd say there's a 50/50 split with those two personality types in law enforcement and that's probably being a bit generous."
Not my words, his.
If 50% of police are psychopaths and 50% are good where is the video evidence of half of these cops stopping the other half when they lose it?
If it existed I'm sure it would be there. There are no shortages of "shop with a cop" pictures and hats off for "protecting and serving" when they're helping a stranded motorist change a tire on dangerous stretch of road.
Given the evidence especially with the prevalence of camera phones it is becoming more obvious that the thin blue line acts as much like a gang of thugs as any other gang.
If contrary evidence exists please, by all means prove me wrong. (Preferably with video evidence of "good cops" stepping in and stopping the atrocious behaviors of their brothers in blue.)
Selah