Cops behaving badly, Midwest version. And we pay for it

Here are a few headlines for the last few days in the Midwest.

US police and public officials donated to Kyle Rittenhouse, data breach reveals https://t.co/l02GVYTIO7

— The Guardian (@guardian) April 16, 2021

Rittenhouse, who became a cause célèbre across conservative media throughout late 2020, and was even supported by then president Donald Trump, held a fundraiser on GiveSendGo billed as a contribution to his legal defense. According to data from the site, he raised $586,940 between 27 August last year and 7 January.

Among the donors were several associated with email addresses traceable to police and other public officials.

One donation for $25, made on 3 September last year, was made anonymously, but associated with the official email address for Sgt William Kelly, who currently serves as the executive officer of internal affairs in the Norfolk police department in Virginia.

That donation also carried a comment, reading: “God bless. Thank you for your courage. Keep your head up. You’ve done nothing wrong.”

The comment continued: “Every rank and file police officer supports you. Don’t be discouraged by actions of the political class of law enforcement leadership.”

Even after these police departments are caught on camera murdering and abusing people, their attitude seems to be "what are you going to do about it?"

@AFPphoto journalist @EleonoreSens and another member of the press is maced by Minnesota Police after an unlawful assembly is declared in Brooklyn Center, MN pic.twitter.com/WD2fC0KwvO

— Alex Kent (@AlexKentTN) April 17, 2021

Brooklyn Center bans police from using tear gas. And they used it 15 minutes later anyway https://t.co/yY5MVAv2ld

— The Daily Beast (@thedailybeast) April 13, 2021

And if these bad cops ever face justice for doing bad things, many of them can lean on their buddies in the prosecutor's office to bury key details.

Interesting, if I lied in court it would be called perjury. https://t.co/QxwDzgdK8e

— Puff the Magic Hater (@MsKellyMHayes) April 15, 2021

Often any accountabilty that comes is through civil suits, which puts taxpayers on the hook for when police abuse their power. In Milwaukee alone, Channel 12 noted that $40 million had to be paid out in the last 10 years.

I remember when conservatives used to believe in cost-effective solutions to issues. But when it comes to cops and their authority, apparently any price is worth paying, no matter how awful the outcome. And without accountability for this agent of the government.

Well, as long as it's cops beating on THOSE PEOPLE anyway, and not the "real 'Murikans.

I'm so sick of the impunity in this country. And not just for bad cops.

PS- And add this one to the list.

“Our guys are very experienced. We have active-duty law enforcement in our organization that are helping to train us. We can blend in with our law enforcement,” says a member of the Oath Keepers, a far-right militia group. https://t.co/7fOee4i1gd pic.twitter.com/JT2sGCMOIL

— 60 Minutes (@60Minutes) April 18, 2021