Too Many Cops Are Told They’re Soldiers Fighting a War. How Did We Get Here?
Crime is at an all-time low yet spending on police is near an all-time high.  (Those factors could have a causal relationship, but I doubt it's the primary cause based on reading "The Better Angels of Our Nature".)  http://www.usgovernmentspending.com/spending_chart_1950_2010...Having big budgets but less crime means these swollen budgets end up being wasted on a lot of "fun" things like military gear.  (Did you know that Wisconsin has two anti-terrorism centers?  One in Madison and one in Milwaukee.)I think this has something to do with politicians being unable to touch the budgets of first responders.Tangentially, due to stringent building codes, the number and severity of fires has been dropping dramatically over time.  Yet spending on fire protection only goes one way: up.   http://www.usgovernmentspending.com/spending_chart_1950_2010...Today in the US, if you call 911 about an emergency medical condition, they will often send a fire engine along with an ambulance and a cop.  It makes me wonder if firemen and firewomen are so underutilized they've ended up with mostly make-work.