sorry, meant to say that if you are too poor, brown, or queer, the police are not there to protect you from others. which is not to say that that's right (it ain't). just that that's the historical truth.
this truly is a sad story, but i am afraid that the suggestion that the police are here to 'protect people from violence' begs the question: which people? a quick review of the history of pretty much any police force will tell you that if you are too poor, brown, or queer, the police really are there to protect you so much as to protect others from you. in any case, this clearly sounds like harassment. and nothing puts an end to harassment like standing up against it!