I shared some of this with a friend the other day regarding police who "appear" to trigger easily. I mentioned that it's an occupational hazard. Like the military with PTSD. They join to help but can become hardened or damaged over time with what they see or hear everyday on the job. And, sadly, it's getting worse. If a law enforcement officer is agitated, (or starts becoming agitated) we shouldn't make it worse with our own bad attitude. Those that do, do so at a risk.
Keep in mind, we don't know if they just left the scene of a horrendous crime; possibly a child murdered by a drive by shooter or some mass murder. We don't know if they just witnessed a police friend killed in the line of duty or if they just helped with an accident where a family were all killed by a DUI driver. We don't know what transpired before.
They also don't know if someone is a hardened criminal waiting to take their life. They don't know what may happen, even with just a traffic stop, which keeps them on guard, making them easily triggered. However, this doesn't justify anyone breaking the law ... including them.
If we are polite and respectful as possible, hopefully we won't get sucked into any of their hidden emotional trauma. Our calmness will help them remain calm. Yes, there are some who are just a**holes but not all. Maybe some counseling or meditating, while off duty, might help them, but it all boils down to survival on the street and that's the main thing that will be triggered within them, because they all want to make it home safely to their loved ones.
For every picture of police brutality on the internet, there are many pictures of police helping others. Let's keep things in perspective. Not everything we see or hear is what it is. It's not always police on power trips but possibly working off of someone's disrespect and bad attitude ... day in and day out. Is it no wonder things can escalate because of it?
I've personally witnessed this with a family member who wouldn't shut up. And ... this family member would be the first to yell police brutality. Can't imagine why. Can you?
Also, there are those who want to incite riots. Sometimes, pictures are shared by those who choose to twist or corrupt the truth. You can look at this blog picture and wonder if it's bad or good law enforcement situation (bad or good all being relative that is). It's actually from this article (link) where they're practicing for emergency situations. Yes, practicing for bad stuff to happen from bad people. Get it?
Remember, that's their job. Those who make it more difficult for them, do this at their own peril. Let's remember this when pointing fingers. The life they save could be yours. Unless they're taping off your house from a home invasion murder.
http://www.pressherald.com/2014/08/09/simulated-emergency-fabulously-instructive/
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