So many good cops; why so many bad?

Why did a Chicago cop pump 17 slugs into Laquan McDonald, who was a potential but not an imminent threat to anyone at the time? Why did a Minneapolis cop kneel on prostrate George Floyd's neck for two minutes till he was dead? Most recently, why did two Kenosha cops shoot down unarmed Jacob Blake getting into his car inches from his three boys?

With ubiquitous video, we see these scenes play out on a virtual endless loop, igniting violent protests.

I've always revered both law officers and law enforcement. Every year, they save untold thousands of lives, bring untold thousands to justice, saving potential victims from truly evil persons. But it remains inexplicable there could be so many police who perform their sacred duty with incompetence and/or criminality.

Why didn't their training work to protect the public? Where was the intervention needed to identify and separate these bad cops from the competent and decent?

Both series of questions remain unanswered. But with a million cops, just 1% who disgrace the profession means 10,000 put citizens at risk. At 5%, it's 50,000. At 10%, 100,000 are poised to set off the next civil disturbance after needless injuring or killing an unarmed, non-threatening citizen.

Why so many bad cops? Inquiring minds would like to know.

Walt Zlotow

Glen Ellyn