NJ Cops | Page 77

www.njcopsmagazine.com ■ FEBRUARY 2015 CLOSING ARGUMENTS 77 Negative perception and the irony of the call for body cameras The recent groundswell of controversy and criticism throughout the country focusing on policing in America is not the product of an acute flash flood but is actually the product of a slow-moving tidal wave that began more than five years ago. It began with political rhetoric nationwide and then quickly moved on to the state level and ultimately to the local level. DR. DAVID A. PAPROTA The constant rhetoric revolved around public employees and the perceived negative impact of union contracts, pensions and benefits, and salaries on the overall economy. The general vilification of public employees that occurred as economic conditions worsened was palpable. The constant anti-public employee rhetoric quickly began