Canada

You can take aim at Harper for many issues, but blaming Harper for the action of the Toronto Police Service is no different than blaming Chief Bill Blair for the actions of the Canadian military. That isn't his mandate nor something he would deal with. In Toronto taking aim at the police for wrongdoings is a life sentence for any politician so the impetus for change simply doesn't exist.

I imagine the TPS would be better off without Blair at the helm (depending on who his replacement would be), just as the RCMP is much better off without Zarccardelli. Some "leaders" don't understand that their responsibility is to serve the public, uphold laws and the Charter, not operate in an insulated environment that allows for zero accountability. Police "instincts" shouldn't superseed the law and due process except in obvious situations, such as a person yelling for help in their home after having made a call to the police, police shouldn't wait for a warrant in such circumstances.

Certainly uniformed police have a difficult job, and like anyone in society they can fall prey to stereotypes and pressure from the higher ups (as the ex-cop insinuated). I can't imagine that being asked to card people is an enjoyable task for many in the police, and rightfully so. I have met some very good cops in my lifetime, none of them were operating undercover by the way...