I have seen all aspects of the police and police work, from working with them up to CC level.
Some I greatly admired, some Policewomen are extremely capable, some much more intelligent than their male counterparts- I have seen some that are not and some who actively ignore their senior police officers. I know some have to behave in certain ways when faced everyday with real horror and may seem uncaring as a result.
Some however, are like boy scouts, but to call anyone who criticises the Police a bigot, is more illuminating of the person calling the names not those who question and abhor some police who abuse their position.
Carl is right, I suspect the percentage of wrong -uns is less than the general public but so it should be. Those in a position of trust should never abuse that trust, a weightier sentence needs must follow, if and when anyone is found guilty.
Closer to home and stalking (deer) has anyone had an overbearing FEO who didnt know the rules, I have ? That, in my view is an abuse we all generally know more, those who 'control' us and what we are allowed to do should never be in a position of opinion only - only facts or HOG or passing on a CC's view, assuming he's/she's entitled to hold it.
I have also read the Police internal 'Best Value' reviews of their services and did not recognise the reports conclusions about the services I was involved with. Police and introspection are sometimes distant strangers Any Public Service who cannot allow fair oversight without protectionism is doing something wrong.