Being a cop is all fun and games until the @#$@%'ing convenience store owner refuses to erase the surveillance tape. Even better are all the super-macho Fark comments about how this particular policeman should be a) suspended, b) fired, and c) shot.

Sorry, folks, it doesn't work that way. He kept his job because he's union, and if unions are good for anything it's making it essentially impossible to fire anyone easily, no matter how justified it is. The lady sat in jail while the cop roamed free because thousands of sh-theads accuse cops of doing all sorts of awful things every day, and it's too expensive to believe (and investigate) them all.

The truly brave person in the story is the store owner, who if nothing else now faces the prospect of a store with no police protection whatsoever. At best.

Unfortunately this is the only way it can work. Freedom of the press doesn't just keep the feds from tossing us in jail for no reason, it also keeps the local cops from doing the same. Sometimes. When it's interesting, at any rate.

Is it consistent? No. Is it perfect? No. The sad truth is, however, that this is the only system proven to be compatible with human nature. We are imperfect beings, and least-worst is often the very best anyone can hope for.

One only has to compare what police are like in more "enlightened" states to see just how good "least worst" can be.