Rethinking the Hero Complex

Americans are totally obsessed with Heroes; We make hundreds of superhero films, praise the "heroic" efforts of the military, put up monuments for fallen war "heroes".  The world is split between good and evil, thus when it comes to policing, we need "New York's Bravest" to keep us in check.  The nicknames for the Police and Fire Departments originated around the Civil War, derived from phrases already in use to praise the valor of soldiers.  

So it's no wonder that the police have access to millions of dollars of surplus combat equipment because we have been equating the police with solders.  When army troops are pulled from actual war torn countries, the same equipment used to fight Al-Qaeda and Boko Haram are being used against 75 year old peace activists in Buffalo NY.  This is why we need to demilitarize the police. They are not patrolling a war zone as they are trained to believe. 

The police motto in most states is something akin to "Protect and Serve" and with this another line should be added- "do no harm". 

Taking our obsession with superheroes, we need to revamp the police and take all that money saved by making cops wear superhero outfits.  They need to look more like protectors and less like military.

So let's look at some fictional figures that protect: 

Spiderman 

Dr. Strange

Iron Man

Jessica Jones

Captain America

Ninja Turtles

Superman

Batman

Wonder Woman

Black Panther

Robin Hood

Captain Underpants.

to name a few....

It only makes sense to take off the blue military uniforms and make them dress in tights and onsies with a flowing cape.  They could get Marvel to sponsor them instead of taking the money from tax payers.