John Moskos : Many police see themselves as a ` ` Thin Blue Line '' populated by Democrats , liberals . Police tend to be conservative , but no evidence Democrats are worse for police , he says . Blame politicians for idiotic laws ; blame society for racial injustice ; blame the war on drugs for mass incarceration ; blame a violent gun culture ; blame poverty . An officer on the thin blue line is perceived as a personal and existential threat , Moskos says . Moskos : Police should accept criticism from citizens , officials and others beyond blue line .
John Moskos : Many police see themselves as a ` ` Thin Blue Line '' populated by Democrats , liberals . Police tend to be conservative , but no evidence Democrats are worse for police , he says . An officer on the thin blue line is perceived as a personal and existential threat , Moskos says . Moskos : Police should accept criticism from citizens , officials and others beyond blue line .