I have nothing but respect for the police and the job they do - Most of the worst will be weeded out during the two years intensive training and monitoring they have to go through before they are allowed out on patrol on their own.
You will always get people who let the power go to their heads, whether carrying out a voluntary job or paid employment. Unfortunately the role of a police officer is not a happy one these days - as we all know society, manners and behaviour are changing for the worse and these officers are permanently at risk of abuse and bodily harm - and if they even so much as swear at anybody they're arresting they could be disciplined.
Granted that exchange with Joe A sounded very uncivil and perhaps out of proportion to the offence, but there is a slight chance that this particular officer has seen nasty accidents or people maimed or killed caused by vehicles parked too near to crossings.
All this sounds biased - and I admit I am. I worked for the police for 18 years and have seen the nice side of the job - and the nasty side. I can see both sides of the coin - but before anybody criticises too much (as they always will because being a publicly funded body the police are an easy target) - walk a mile in their shoes, and just think - if you are ever in trouble - who are you going to call and expect them to sort things out?
And before the general sniping at me starts - this is my opinion and I reserve the right to express it.