The police job can be demanding. Lower ranks are not that well paid. They take risks with their lives sometimes.

None of that justifies brutality to those in their custody.

And as for "If a cop talks to you as though you might be a threat - it's probably 'cos he's met someone like you that was a threat" - a pretty classic definition of prejudice.

Also, nothing in it alters my perception that most of those going into police work enjoy wielding authority, they like the feeling of power that it gives them. A niece of mine recently married a policeman and the police at the wedding seemed very "tough bloke" in ethos. That includes the policewomen there too!