Frank Serpico has penned some thoughts for the New York Daily News. Very much worth a read. Check out the link and an excerpt below the fold.
Serpico: Incidents like Eric Garner's death drive wedge between police and society
Was I surprised by the Staten Island grand jury? Of course not. When was the last time a police officer was indicted?
This is the use of excessive force for no apparent reason on a guy who is selling loosie cigarettes; what is the threat to your well-being? If a police officer's life is in danger, he has every right to use every force in his means to defend himself.
In the old days, they used to put a gun or a knife on somebody after a shooting. Now they don't even bother.
But today, we have cops crying wolf all the time. They testify "I was in fear of my life," the grand jury buys it, the DA winks and nods, and there's no indictment.