The Norman Rockwell image of the Policeman sitting at the dinner counter with the little runaway boy is no longer a true representation of law enforcement today. I no longer view most of our countries police force as being a part of a greater good for our society. I am appalled at the total disrespect that many police officers display towards our citizens, especially our youth. The motto, "To protect and serve" has been lost to a more sinister one of "To harass and arrest". Our media with the help of such web sites like Youtube has been exposing gross abuse and out and out criminal behavior by our police. I myself have witnessed Lewiston officers right here in the valley using very loud and profane language towards non threatening citizens. Police for the most part do not operate within the confines of the US constitution and use a dysfunctional if not criminal notion that the ends justifies the means. Just look at some of our so called finest, some fall right in to the negative stereo typical view, overweight donut eating buffoons. What has happened to the qualifications of being physically fit. There are some officers right here in the valley that are so morbidly obese as to preclude them from any type of physical rescue, thus endangering the public. For the most part the police answer to no one as they continue to police themselves as if the public was unaware of the code of silence that the police operate under. This is not to say that there is not good and honest police officers out there because there are, and it's up to them to step up and break the code of silence and rid our society of this non professional and criminal element. The public also needs to become more vigilant and report police abuse and demand from our city, county, state and federal leaders to have higher standards for our police. Physically fit, ethical, well trained, and well paid police is what the public expects.


Richard

www.MySpace.com/Richard732