The main problem in the application of law by civil police forces at the moment, is the sinister amount of political influence on the command structure of such forces.
Policing is carried out to a budget, by commanders who are more likely to pay attention to budget constraints, than the need to combat ordinary everyday crime. That, together with health and safety concerns, crime statistics and target rates and political sensitivity, means that most people are not getting the level of service they need and deserve.
This will not change. Forget about PC Dixon - look out for the paramilitary officer of the near future. The application of law will be done remotely via technology or by proxy through sparsely trained community officers and, when necessary, highly trained well armed officers will be deployed to keep the great unwashed in check.
Debs, we are not heading towards a police state - we are there.
I have been of the beast, and that which I have seen, troubles me greatly.
I now need two fingers of Makers Mark over ice to calm down!