Not much longer than a year ago in my city, officers were regularly suiting up in armor, grabbing a shield and a club and taking to the streets to beat and arrest people. In the most egregious event, the officers took up a marching chant and worked to surround people and then assault them indiscriminately. A reporter, a couple walking their dog, a congressman and even an undercover officer were assaulted and arrested that night. Finally charges have been brought against some of the officers involved. Given the past I don't expect they will be convicted, but it's a step in the right direction.
And that congressman? He finally got some video footage of police assaulting him at a demonstration in 2014. This isn't a new problem. Police brutality and corruption in St Louis is at epidemic levels.
I attended several of these events, and you could smell when the officers were itching for a beat down. Maybe being held accountable will help change future behavior. And hopefully, the mastermind behind it all, Jeff Roorda, will see charges against him next. As long as he is free, citizens of St Louis must live in fear. At least the bastard lost his election this year, he was attempting to pivot into politics as the county executive of a suburb of St Louis city.