It’s Time to Stop Saying – “But Cops Have a Dangerous Job”

Earlier today, I mentioned that I couldn’t muster the energy to write more words about the police murder of Philando Castile. Things have changed.
As is often the case, it was a series of tweets I composed that provided the inspiration for this piece. One tweet in particular really set things off:

Stop saying, “cops have a dangerous job.” That’s what they signed up for. “Protect and serve.” The public, not themselves. #PhilandoCastile
— Michael Krieger (@LibertyBlitz) July 7, 2016

I wasn’t expecting the enormous reaction this tweet generated, but I was happy to see that it really connected with so many people who had never heard of me and never read my stuff before. I continued with my tweet storm until most of my angst was out, and then realized I needed to put these thoughts into a post. So let’s start with the title of this post.
One of the tiresome things I often hear immediately after one of these inhumane police executions is that “cops have a dangerous job.” So what’s your point?
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