Meh. I am generally considered “anti-cop”. I’ve actually been banned from other forums for making statements that are too derogatory of police. It’s only here that I get backed into defending the police. In this case, those “nonviolent situations” have recently featured Antifa thugs throwing bottles of urine at the police. Given that, I don’t fault them at all for donning helmets, shields, and gas masks before showing up to work.
It would be better for everyone if people on all sides were actually nonviolent and respectful of their political opponents and the people paid to show up and keep the peace, but as recent events have shown, things can turn violent in the blink of an eye, and it’s not unreasonable for the police to be prepared for that potential outcome.