Reply #24: It started appearing in the larger cities during the '60s and '70s

[MadHound]

Probably as part of a police backlash against the anti-war, civil rights and other protests. It got a boost under Nixon from his tough law and order stance, and his initiation of the War on Drugs. But you're right, this attitude really took off under Reagan during the eighties, and has continued to grow ever since.

It has become a real problem, and this effort to blame it on a "few bad officers" simply doesn't hold water anymore. Sadly, it has become a systemic problem in police departments large and small across the country. If we don't address it, then this is simply going to continue and become worse. It will become a vicious circle that will wind up destroying law enforcement.