[richlevy]

I don't think we can disarm US police, but I do see a downside to having armed police. As a law enforcement officer, the officer represents authority and needs to maintain control of the situation. This is perfectly acceptable as long as professionalism is maintained. Unfortunately, for some officers this devolves into a non-sexual (or maybe not) game of dominance and submission with the civilian. The local cops in my township would concentrate their policing on teenagers driving at night. While some of this was legal, some of it was 'proactive', with police essentially engaging in mild harassment to keep everyone 'in line'. I much prefer police officers who treat a traffic stop the same way a clerk at a coffee shop handles a transaction. "License. Registration. Ticket.". Public safety lectures, fashion tips, life coaching, and other off-topic rants to what is literally a captive audience are not appreciated. Maybe without the gun a cop might consider his words and demeanor more carefully and avoid conflict.