4 ms·

Nothing compels them. It is who they are. And they are not alone in being like this. The better question is, why are so many people in positions of authority l

Nothing compels them. It is who they are. And they are not alone in being like this. The better question is, why are so many people in positions of authority like this?

non-entity 6y ago
I believe the positions naturally draws people who are bullies. Not that all of them are, but the power over, and respect from the general population is probably very attractive to people who get a kick out of being asshole. Also, while I can't confirm the prevalence, there's a ton of anecdotes you here about shady hiring practices. There's the now popular story about a department refusing to hire people who had too high an IQ, and a friend told me how a department in a large city was attempting to recruit his cousin, despite him being diagnosed bipolar.
- rorykoehler 6y ago
  That is way beyond what I would consider bullying or asshole behaviour.
- tribby 6y ago
  > Also, while I can't confirm the prevalence, there's a ton of anecdotes you here about shady hiring practices. There's the now popular story about a department refusing to hire people who had too high an IQ this is not just anecdotal, and has even been tested in court[0]. 0. https://abcnews.go.com/US/court-oks-barring-high-iqs-cops/story?id=95836 https://abcnews.go.com/US/court-oks-barring-high-iqs-cops/st...
ashtonkem 6y ago
Another police department got caught bending down the notches on their police badges as a way of signifying how many kills a given officer had, and even had a ceremony for officers first kill. Reports say at least 25% of the precinct participated, probably most knew. American police live in what we call a “siege” mentality; they believe that they’re the only thing protecting society from chaos and crime. This results in a belief that their actions are inherently just, and that any criticism risks exposure of society to the chaos they’re barely holding back. It’s not a convincing pitch when viewed in the light of blatant police brutality, but it appears to be what they believe.

Nothing compels them. It is who they are. And they are not alone in being like this. The better question is, why are so many people in positions of authority like this?

non-entity 6y ago

I believe the positions naturally draws people who are bullies. Not that all of them are, but the power over, and respect from the general population is probably very attractive to people who get a kick out of being asshole. Also, while I can't confirm the prevalence, there's a ton of anecdotes you here about shady hiring practices. There's the now popular story about a department refusing to hire people who had too high an IQ, and a friend told me how a department in a large city was attempting to recruit his cousin, despite him being diagnosed bipolar.

rorykoehler 6y ago
That is way beyond what I would consider bullying or asshole behaviour.
tribby 6y ago
> Also, while I can't confirm the prevalence, there's a ton of anecdotes you here about shady hiring practices. There's the now popular story about a department refusing to hire people who had too high an IQ this is not just anecdotal, and has even been tested in court[0]. 0. https://abcnews.go.com/US/court-oks-barring-high-iqs-cops/story?id=95836 https://abcnews.go.com/US/court-oks-barring-high-iqs-cops/st...

ashtonkem 6y ago

Another police department got caught bending down the notches on their police badges as a way of signifying how many kills a given officer had, and even had a ceremony for officers first kill. Reports say at least 25% of the precinct participated, probably most knew. American police live in what we call a “siege” mentality; they believe that they’re the only thing protecting society from chaos and crime. This results in a belief that their actions are inherently just, and that any criticism risks exposure of society to the chaos they’re barely holding back. It’s not a convincing pitch when viewed in the light of blatant police brutality, but it appears to be what they believe.