The police have a job to do
The post-dictatorship period has nurtured a profound spilt-personality syndrome in the public mind in regards to the role of the police. When police forces do not intervene in a protest or a riot, their abstinence is criticized by all. When they are forced to pursue violent hooded demonstrators, they are accused of using too much tear gas and strong-armed methods. When they erect metal fences in order to curb the physical contact between the riot police and demonstrators, you hear complaints that they are using excessive measures.
There comes a moment, however, when conventional wisdom must finally prevail in this country.
Clearly the police should not resort to extreme actions, such as vindictive beatings. But for as long as the phenomenon of blind violence committed by thugs persists, the police force will have to do its job, which is that of safeguarding the public and its property by using the means and methods employed by police forces around the world.
