STANDARDS for POLICE

It's rare for me to feel reassured when the police are around. I've come to expect they'll find any excuse to interfere in my day.

They're like pirates, cruising around, looking for opportunity.

They don't really need a reason to create an interaction; your behaviour's suspicious, you fit the description, there's been a lot of break ins, or the classic "under the terrorism act".

But don't get annoyed, they can arrest you for saying a naughty word.

They often turn violent when their authority is challenged, and you daren't defend yourself because that's assaulting your superior. And some people have been arrested for resisting the arrest they are being arrested for.

It doesn't even have to be true, there's nothing you can do about it. And if you make a complaint, they'll investigate themselves and find no charge to answer.

Next time you see a police employee "leading beyond authority", ask yourself what'd happen if the roles were reversed.

Imagine you dragged a police woman from her car, smashed her face on the road and then tied her up because you didn't like her tone of voice.

Do you think you'd be let off, or sent to prison?

Why do the rules that apply to us, not also apply to petty, resentful control freaks wearing fancy dress?

Not everyone has our best interests at heart, but we give them the benefit of the doubt, trusting them with great power and immense responsibility.

And the results speak for themselves.