Being a police officer was once regarded as - dare we say - a badge of honour. Kids were taught to look up to police officers, and the general public viewed cops as trustworthy and steadfast.
In fact, a 1997 Angus Reid poll found that more than 80 per cent of Canadians expressed confidence in police. Fast forward to 2012, when the latest poll shows that just 27 per cent of B.C. residents have faith in the RCMP, while only 28 per cent have confidence in their municipal police forces.
Now, to be fair, the public used to express a lot more respect and confidence for journalists - and that's certainly dropped. And, in fact, even doctors have diminished in the public's view.
But the police have probably done more to earn this loss of respect.
One only has to follow the current inquiry into the missing women goings on to have one's faith shaken to one's core. It's pretty clear that many police officers viewed missing sex trade workers as simply not worth their time.
And then there was the Dziekanski Tasering, where a show of unnecessary force led to an innocent man's death.
And, to top it off, police lied about it.
Headlines and allegations about sexual harassment in the RCMP - including a class-action suit - have added yet another tawdry layer of misbehaviour to its record.
Yes, we know, the majority of police officers are good folks.
But you can't blame the public for wondering where are all these good officers when wrongdoing is happening in their workplaces?
