I agree that the whole “Jack Bauer bends the rules and the terrorists are thwarted—therefore the end justifies the means” trope is harmful. But this isn’t what’s wrong with general day-to-day policing today. Focusing enforcement on (profiling) black people and shooting everything in sight without accountability aren’t examples of bending the rules. They are standard procedure, sanctioned and supported by police chiefs, DA’s and judges. This isn’t cops taking shortcuts like Jack Bauer, it’s cops doing exactly what is encouraged and rewarded.