This article presents a troubling view into the mind of someone within the system. His first statements essentially tell the reader that the public is his vict

This article presents a troubling view into the mind of someone within the system. His first statements essentially tell the reader that the public is his victim ("Don’t argue with me, don’t call me names, don’t tell me that I can’t stop you, don’t say I’m a racist pig, don’t threaten that you’ll sue me and take away my badge."). He follows this up by admitting that he, in fact, does not have any of these powers in general ("And you don’t have to submit to an illegal stop or search. You can refuse consent to search your car or home if there’s no warrant (though a pat-down is still allowed if there is cause for suspicion). Always ask the officer whether you are under detention or are free to leave."). This amazing cognitive disconnect is one of the main problems with the police nowadays. They think that their fears give them carte blanche to "control every encounter" and that the public should bend to their will. This is not the way of the world and, as the government in Missouri has found out, this approach to control ends in violence. If the community does not trust the police then the badge means nothing and, once the badge means nothing, the police are just a gang.