> they get to treat people like they did ants on the playground or freshman on the football team with impunity

I've never seen this. Instead I see cops taking abuse more often than not. Crazy person in the street screaming at the cop and the cops just waiting to see if he starts attacking someone. Seeing them navigate literal drugged out zombies and decide whether they really want to call the medics this time as it's a monthly occurrence with this exact individual. Things like that.

I feel like you get your impression of police from TV show and movies rather than real life.