What police can be

The reason people can be so hard on police is because we know what they can do better. This Thai cop illustrates the point.

(For anyone who can’t watch the video: On June 17 a man enters a Thai police station holding a knife to his neck. Rather than react with force, the officer present, Senior Sgt. Maj. Anirut Malee, leans back and talks to the man. The man explains he’s an out-of-work musician who has a new job but hasn’t been paid in three days, amongst other problems. Sgt. Malee soon convinces the man to hand him the knife, after which Malee approaches the man and hugs him. The man breaks down in tears and apologizes, saying he never meant to hurt anyone. The cops sit the man in a chair and continue talking to him peacefully.)

No charges were filed. Good. This isn’t the act of a violent criminal who deserves a prison sentence, but of a desperate man who just needed help.

Contrast that with the US, where kids are shot dead over toy guns.

(via @wangjckson; RT by @jk_rowling)