Police Officers In A Very Bad Light - Are We Hiring Mentally Ill Officers?

As I write this I'm watching CNN's presentation of a terrible image of a White Maile police officer arresting, then spraying, and punching a young Black woman who was all of 90 pounds. Regardless of the explaination, it's obvious that it was an application of excessive force.

Then there was the other police officer -- again White and Male -- who's repeatedly tazering a young woman -- time after time.

Then there was the student at the John Kerry panel even in Florida -- a young man who like anyone else just wanted to have his say.

Then there's the Black preacher who wanted to get into the Iraq War Hearing and was wrestled to the ground and arrested -- even as others were allowed to pass him by.

Then there's the officer who went off and killed his girlfriend and others just a few days ago.

I could go on and on.

This is happening all too often and so the question must be asked "Are we hiring police officers who may be mentally ill?" What I mean is that the "modern" officer is one that uses force first, and not reason and does this all too often and all too quickly. Plus, the officers seem to do this more often with Blacks and other people of color.

Why?

Perhaps it's the kind of people who are attracted to the job, combined with the lack of screening to keep people who may be racist, sexist, or have anger management problems.

Moreover, why do police officers have to be male? Why not have more female officers?

Whatever the case, it's clear America needs to reform its law enforcement system, and before it's too late.