"But there’s also a much more pernicious effect of exaggerating the
threats faced by law enforcement. When cops are constantly told that
they’re under constant fire, or that every interaction with a citizen
could be their last, or that they’re fortunate each time they come home
from the job in one piece, it’s absolute poison for police-community
relations. That kind of reminder on a regular basis would put anyone
on edge. We’re putting police officers in a perpetually combative
mindset that psychologically isolates them from the communities they
serve. Incessantly telling cops that they’re under fire can condition
them to see the people with whom they interact not as citizens with
rights, but as potential threats. That not only means more animosity,
anger and confrontation, it can also be a barrier to building
relationships with people in the community — the sorts of relationships
that help police officers solve crimes and keep communities safe."
