Riley24

This car used them. In the credits they're listed as "Can lights". Obviously that's not a make and model, but might be a good reference point.

Its an interesting argument, I just don't think it applies when you look at the broader American landscape. Its certainty an argument for why criminals specifically dislike the police, but the vast majority of people with an unfavorable view of the police are not criminals. You have to factor in the disastrous war on drugs, and post-9/11 police militarization. Those events were major turning points in the public's perception of the police. In essence, the mindset of police partly shifted from protecting the community to cracking down on and scrutinizing citizens. In that corner store robbery scenario you mentioned, its obvious why that criminal or his family may dislike the police. But if that police department was hauling away dozens of members of the community for smoking a joint, its fairly obvious why that community might not like their local cops. Now obviously cops don't write laws, they just enforce them. But their attitude towards enforcement is their responsibility. We also always used to trust the word of the police, but now that video is so prevalent, we've learned not to. This is a post-Rodney King society we're living in. This reminds me of when Democrats screamed at other Democrats for not liking Hilary Clinton. There was endless talk about what was wrong with the Sanders wing of the party, and no one stopped to think 'Maybe they don't like Hilary Clinton because of Hilary Clinton'. End the drug war, improve training, increase accountability, and humanize the badge. Those four things alone would be far more effective than demanding respect from the public on memorial day.

Not always. Ferguson, Chicago, and Baltimore are clear examples where the police are at fault for that poor relationship (as proven by DOJ investigations). In terms of other departments where there isn't broad abuse of power and discrimination, I'll just say this: Disrespecting cops doesn't come from nowhere. We don't disrespect firefighters or EMTs. Policing as an institution has earned the reputation nationwide of being aggressive, punitive, and many many more adjectives. You can disagree with that perception, but it doesn't change the police's responsibility to fix it, if they really do want to earn respect back instead of demanding it.

Thats not the relationship that many departments have with their communities, however...

Glad I read the end of your post first. I shared an MLK quote about love and unity, man. I wasn't advancing an agenda. You're the one that went off about Islam.