> much more incisive and dangerous to the government.
Why the "government"? I don't think the police automatically defend the interests of the currently-elected politicians. In the absence of distinguishing evidence, I assign much higher priors to them defending their own interests.
>>wizzwi+(OP)
In many areas, rural and urban, with corruption and machine politics, police, sherrifs, and their unions are one of the blocs mayors and councilmembers avoid being on the opposite side of.
>>wizzwi+(OP)
"the government" is much more than simply the currently-elected politicians. The currently elected politicians simply operate certain positions within the government.