I was also raised to respect cops, and generally do.
However, it seems that cop misbehavior is increasing.
My (then 20 year-old) son has a long-time "friend" who is constantly getting into trouble (of his own free will). I'll call him "D". A local cop is looking for "D", and stops a group of 20-ish year old guys that includes "D". When asked, "D" (knowing they're looking for him for "questioning") gives my kid's name and claims not to be carrying ID. My kid's at work in another city. Cops leaves, guys go on their way.
Quickly, the word about "D" getting one over on this cop gets around (small town, little crime, not much to do). Cop is embarrassed.
Cop decides to target my kid, so that he will deliver "D" to him. He explains that since "D" used his name, he's now part of the problem (cop won't why he wants to talk to "D"). Cops starts pulling son over 2-3 times a week. Tickets for "rolling stops", "parked too far from curb", 35 in a 30 zone, and my favorite "not stopping before exiting a driveway". All same cop. Each time he asks my son where "D" is - son answers (truthfully) that he doesn't know - he lives on people's couches and drifts around college towns.
Kid's car insurance goes up, based on tickets (even though judge started knocking them all down to "impeding traffic"/minimum fine/no costs after seeing number and same officer on each.
I talk to cop and get explanation that since "D" used my kid's name, he's now "an accessory" to something that he can't explain ("active investigation"). Cop then runs intimidation game on me (steps very close to show he's larger, put sunglasses on while talking, raises voice and gestures aggressively, etc...). Next day wife gets pulled over on way to work (same cop) and questioned about dark windows in truck (factory) and contents of boxes in truck (she's a hospice nurse). I get stopped (same cop) on bike to "verify my helmet is DOT approved" and see if I have an endorsement. Come to see same cop photographing my Jeep parked in driveway ('there's been some vandalism with an offroad vehicle").
I talk to Township Supervisor and Police Chief. Police Chief weasels around and tries to defend cop's actions.
Respect for cops? Severely damaged, all because of one abusing the position and being defended by leadership.