That wouldn't work. Now imagine the officer is fired for arresting a local politician and a complaint is filed for excessive force. If the union could pick and

That wouldn't work. Now imagine the officer is fired for arresting a local politician and a complaint is filed for excessive force. If the union could pick and choose who to defend, they may court favors from the politician for not defending this guy. Now all protections he had are gone, and he has no recourse since his union won't argue on his behalf. Thats why they have to defend them always, you don't hate the public defender who has to defend the rapist/murder no matter how bad the crime, just the same as you can't hate the union for defending their member.