Dirty cops

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110608/us_nm/us_newyork_nypdsentence

There's something interesting when hearing about dirty cops.  It's not the fact that it simply deals with a crime, but more importantly a question of infrastructure.  Police serve a function for the public that is in a position of unique authority: the ability to personally limit one's liberty when necessary.  Such authority is kept in check by protocol and such, but it's really the acceptance by society that the job deserves our faith.  Unfortunately, taking advantage of this good faith is what allows an abuse of power.




I find it interesting because these bad cops are still a big part of the justice system.  For every bad cop brought out in the open there's surely 10 more still working in the shadows.  I say this because I'm sure a bad cop can still do good things, it's obviously how they can continue to stay "under the radar".

It's also intriguing to think of the support system necessary for a police officer of the law to go sour.  Starting like a seed and growing deeper in the roots rather than away from the soil, corruption requires nurturing of.  But to blame the system is rather futile.  Do you blame your motor for the engine seizing? A system, any "infrastructural" system, depends on functionality, not necessarily efficiency.  Sadly our common sense gets the best of us: if it works, most people don't think to fix it.