John, you’re a good guy and I don’t want to come across as attacking you, but to answer your question, people do fear the police.
My parents love the show “Cops” on Fox, and I have to leave the room when it comes on because it makes my blood boil at the way the police treat people (beat on the bad guys all you want, but everybody seems to deserve to be treated like a criminal in the eyes of a typical police officer). I have strong feelings about freedom and justice, and if peaceful behavior between consenting adults in private wasn’t illegal, there would be a lot less hatred of cops by the public. I know you say you’re just doing your job and you don’t write the laws, but I’m just answering your question.
In fact, I recall one time driving through New Jersey. Two cops were standing by a control box at a traffic light and made it turn yellow just before I entered the intersection. A moment later, a cruiser pulled me over and asked me if I know why I was stopped. I said I didn’t know (I tend to be a cautious driver [I really do stop for yellow lights if I can], and I know I was driving below the speed limit, so I really didn’t have any idea why I was stopped). He told me I went through a red light. I said it turned yellow as I went through it, and he said, “Tell it to the judge.” It’s that sort of lying and corruption right here in the USA in this day and age that makes a lot of people mad as h311 against the police.
Again, you’re a good guy and I don’t want to seem like I’m attacking you, but I’m just answering your question :-)