They feed on each other. No accountability means they can be bad actors. Being bad actors encourages them to lobby (directly or through spokesmen in political office or media) for a reduction of accountability.
I'd like to think that most officers really do want to make a positive impact, so I don't necessarily agree with your 'no accountability means they can be bad actors' statement...it makes it seem like the officers have malicious intent. I think it has more to do with the general population and the police community being on different pages when it comes to acceptable behavior. When there is an officer involved shooting, the general population wants the officer to be held accountable for their actions (sometimes), but if the officer followed protocol then there is no case to be made. We need training reform
