Your explanation, EEE, really resonates with me. And is it a stretch to think that many who are drawn to law enforcement have authoritarian leanings in the first place? And that given enough time on the job dealing with knuckleheads, some of whom are really dangerous, those authoritarian leanings harden into something more unsavory, and in some cases, fascistic? I don't want to be unfair, or paint with a broad brush, but are there that many reflective, self-critical cops out there? I mean, I don't think the general public is all that reflective and self-critical either! 

Peter T.