Police Use Violent Threats, Legalized Bribery To Dodge Oversight

Cops Use Thuggery to Intimidate Elected Officials

Photo by Sean Lee (UnSplash)

Several years ago, I watched a documentary on the portrayal of police in film on HBO. A police officer interviewed in the movie said that he was so disgusted by “Training Day” that he walked out of the theater. However, director Antoine Fuqua said the movie was based on his experiences growing up in South Central where he had encountered many cops like “Alonzo,” played in the movie by Denzel Washington.

“Training Day” was a clear case of art imitating life. And as in most cases with movies, the real-life version is much worse. Alonzo might have robbed drug dealers and sold drugs, criminal acts that real police officers have done, but he never threatened city council members who are supposed to oversee the police force. But this has happened.

Gangster Cops

Last week, during an interview on “Background Briefing,” independent journalist Spencer Sunshine stated that a friend who served on a city council was…