--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The police seem to be learning the hard…" description: "\"“The police seem to be learning the hard way that the more abusive they are to people, the less people will cooperate with them.”\" — Steven Magee" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6de/steven-magee-129_abuse_the-police-seem-to-be-learning-the-hard_2580316.jpg" --- # The police seem to be learning the hard way that the more… ![“The police seem to be learning the hard way that the more abusive they are to people, the less people will cooperate with them.” quote by Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6de/steven-magee-129_abuse_the-police-seem-to-be-learning-the-hard_2580316.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6de/steven-magee-129_abuse_the-police-seem-to-be-learning-the-hard_2580316.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6de/steven-magee-129_abuse_the-police-seem-to-be-learning-the-hard_2580316.jpg) > ““The police seem to be learning the hard way that the more abusive they are to people, the less people will cooperate with them.”” [Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Abusive policing reduces public cooperation, teaching a hard lesson. **In simple terms:** Abuse erodes trust. Key Takeaway Build trust, not fear. Themes law enforcement trust cooperation Mood critical hopeful Type political ethical When to use this quote - policy reform - public safety - civil rights Key Concepts community policing accountability Questions to Reflect On - How can police earn community trust? - What reforms are most effective? A Different Perspective Systemic change is slow. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Abuse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abuse/) [Brutality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brutality/) [Cooperation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cooperation/) [Law](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/law/) [Learning the hard way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/learning-the-hard-way/) [Police](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/police/) [Sheriff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sheriff/) ## Related quotes > [The Internet works because a lot of people cooperate to do things together.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-postel/the-internet-works-because-a-lot-of-people-cooperate-to-do-things/) [Jon Postel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-postel/) > [People do not cooperate under the division of labor because they love or should love one another. They cooperate because this best serves their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludwig-von-mises/people-do-not-cooperate-under-the-division-of-labor-because-they-love/) [Ludwig von Mises](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludwig-von-mises/) > [The only way that has ever been discovered to have a lot of people cooperate together voluntarily is through the free market. And that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milton-friedman/the-only-way-that-has-ever-been-discovered-to-have-a-lot-of-people/) [Milton Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milton-friedman/) > [I like kindness. Who doesn't? 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