The police in this area (and others)have become militarised. Who ever and what ever is to blame, the fact still remains. The military and now Law enforcement, requires that officers use protocols to a handle situations. Logic and common sense be damned. It is the law. I am only following orders.
I like the old bromide " If you would pay me more, I would do a better job." The chant you would think you would hear from a minimal wage earner. But my job is dangerous, I fear for my life every day, they say. In many polls Their job doesn't even make the top 10 in dangerous jobs in the United states. These same officers chose the profession(?) fully knowing all the facts, pay, dangers, duties,Etc, about the job. It is their choice.
They are not scape goats. Scapegoating (from the verb "to scapegoat") is the practice of singling out any party for unmerited negative treatment or blame as a scapegoat They merit the criticism for their poor actions.
In my area they choose not to engage the citizens in any dialogue and limit their inter actions with us. They ride around in large SUVs, tinted glass, and rarely answer a call with a single vehicle. It is always a show of force and projection of fear. They talk a good game about community interaction but their action proves different.
Why should I as a former employee, make such statements? I longer trust them to do the right thing. Their negative persona is not undeserved. The system has failed. We have major issues.
But until our society really gives a damn, nothing will happen.