"How concerned would you be about your own privacy if U.S. law enforcement starts using unmanned drones with high tech cameras and recording equipment? Would you be very concerned, somewhat concerned, only a little concerned, or not at all concerned?"
Very concerned Somewhat concerned Only a little concerned Not at all concerned Unsure
7/25-30/13 49% 20% 15% 14% 2%
(Not disagreeing with your point, mind you)It would be interesting to see the numbers broken down by jurisdiction and demographic. This is just speculation, but I would guess that some jurisdictions and demographics are policed by consent but that many are not.
The rise of the police was a consequence of economics peculiar to 19th century capitalism, the first public police force was created in Boston only when merchants convinced the public that the expense should be born by all for the common good, and in the South the public police force evolved from slave patrols as a necessity of maintaining the slavery system.
The public police force continued to spread throughout America, particularly in the West, in 19th century only as businessmen began to fear labour activism and required a militant police force to end strikes.
The public police force before the 1930s was not only a new idea, but it was entirely a weapon of political power and terror: police forces were chosen by the leader of the ward's winning political party, and would ignore that political leader's own street gangs as they intimidated rival voters. It wasn't until 1929, after the Wickersham Commission, which noted such gems as "the inflicting of pain, physical or mental, to extract confessions or statements... is widespread throughout the country", that a push for professionalism and the independence of the police force began in America.
The consent the average citizen has given to be policed and the satisfaction she should have with the current system is very debatable.
Would the night watch have enforced the war on drugs to such a violent end?
Do we really need to have squad cars looking for speeders, or can citizens just report dangerous drivers to the DMV?
Was it not easier to pay off erstwhile thieves a wage to 'guard the property'?
Perhaps our consent to the police is just a manufactured consent, as our economic system was only able to survive by creating a force capable of quelling our collective dissent?
"Do you approve or disapprove of the way the police in the United States are doing their job?"
65% say yes, vs 26% no. https://www.pollingreport.com/crime.htm