This incident actually does a great job of illustrating one of the many problems with policing in America. The cops do something that on its face, to literally anyone watching, is incredibly embarrassing, and that any reasonable person would say was obviously the fault of the police. Instead of profusely apologizing and immediately determining how to make restitution, they turn it around and dehumanize and arrest the victim. They’re so suspicious, afraid, and spiteful of the people they are sworn to protect, that taking the least bit of personal responsibility and showing genuine respect for anyone but themselves is seen as weakness, when in fact it would be the ultimate show of strength to admit when they’ve done something wrong and to immediately try to make it right.

And they wonder why no one trusts them. Respect breeds respect. Show me genuine respect, and I’ll show it right back to you. That’s how human relationships work. But crash into my business with your patrol car, shoot my dog during a no-knock raid on the wrong address, detain me without trial in inhumane and tortuous conditions, pull over every single one of my black friends for literally nothing, all without due process or cause, and you don’t deserve my respect. You deserve my unfiltered rage, and that’s what you’ll continue to get until you show us some goddamn decency. Or quit. Just fucking quit. No one is forcing you to be a cop.