This viewpoint isn’t just mine alone and I doubt few of those reading this opinion will disagree. People have a right to assemble and protest what they perceive as an inequity or differing opinion. However, that right does not extend to violating our rights to go where we want, to conduct business on our own property, or to feel safe doing either of those.

A few police have gone well past where they should have gone, but they are only human and the protests, especially violent ones, create an “us” against “them” feeling. A few years ago Chicago had large protests that were managed and controlled by the police. They had undercover cops and informants in the crowds and in the small violence-causing groups allowing the undercover cops to stop violence before it manifested itself.

Many years ago I was meeting with a client when a Will County Deputy came into their office. He was a large man. He was made even larger by his vest under his shirt. After he left, my client mentioned how fun-loving the deputy is when not in uniform. That’s when it struck me how quickly normal people change when they put on the vest and gun belt. At that moment they realize they could be the next cop killed. Then again, I doubt we want Mayberry’s Sheriff Andy and Barney to patrol our streets and to come when we call for help.

Over the years I have talked with rookies to police chiefs and I believe the longer they wear the badge the more callous they become. The more their assigned area involves a high crime area, the more biased a cop is against that population. It didn’t matter whether they are the same race or ethnic as those in the high crime area, they learned to distrust those people. Putting on the badge must change people if they can do their job. Some just let their naturally bad character take over.