Authoritarian personalities often become cops, prison guards, soldiers; they get weapons, uniforms, badges, legal support and concession which only facilitates their bullying. If they rise into leadership positions in law enforcement or paramilitary units, they infect rookies and their subordinates, establishing closed cultures of mutual support and deceit to cover up their crimes (the Blue Wall). This is why it is so important to maintain procedures, discipline and oversight in these organizations. And that comes from the top.

Upper leadership does not need to issue direct orders or permission to break the law or violate suspect rights. It does not even need to praise or give disguised permission. The slightest hint or appearance of management collusion, approval or encouragement is seized upon by these people, they are constantly looking for excuses to exceed their legal mandate and eagerly seize upon any action or policy which they can interpret as tacit permission to unleash their own violence and pathology. Even if the majority of the officers reject this behavior, it is difficult to go against the group dynamic and culture in an environment where it is essential all the officers trust each other and support one another uncritically.

In a high stress environment filled with genuine dangers, like on our southern border or on urban streets, it quickly becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. Breakdowns in discipline are always the fault of command, not the troops. Unless active and aggressive steps are taken to root out and punish this behavior, it will only spread and get worse. Remember the police riots at the Democratic Convention in Chicago? The shootings at Kent State? Abu Ghraib and waterboarding? Remember Lt Calley at My Lai?