Why are people so down on the police?

I think you'll find that there's very, very, little praise given (one of those threads about a new anti bike theft intiative ran to a whole 7 or so posts),

21 posts, and it was started yesterday - but that is nitpicking

if any and often only by the person who has directly benefitted. In direct contrast to the deluge of braying and bile when they fuck up. What I'm saying is it's too easy, it's counter-productive, and it's pretty childish.

But surely that is to be expected? After all, police, who's duty is the protection of our civil liberties and rights, should not fuck up - their fuck ups results in more than just someone suffering a little injustice or an unfair beating but in the undermining of a system which is meant to keep both our rights and ourselves safe.

I disagree that stating dissatisfaction at police fuck ups (which in my opinion happen way too often) is childish or counter-productive in the slightest - the ways in which we can genuinely complain against police who do a poor job are few and far between, therefore we take advantage of any means available including ranting on the internet.

I agree that when police do a good job - an above average job - they deserve commendation. It just so happens that the standards of what constitutes a good job in public perception are set quite high; or better yet, they have not fallen together with the falling standards of what an 'average job' is.

Finally, it is hardly a surprise that good performance is often (and sometimes only) applauded by those who benefit them - especially when most people are still affected by poor service. When your waiter fucks up your service but the table across from you gets the best waiter in the world you don't stand up and write a review about how great the waiters were in Restaurant Chez Pig.