OP here. I'm sensing some generalized anti-police sentiment. Many cities allow residents to "ride along" in a police car for a shift. (In the front!) It's not a bad thing to do.
Anti-police sentiment exists here because police abuse their power systematically, and notably so in places with strong tech communities like New York City and the Bay Area (specifically Oakland), residents of which are over-represented on HN.
And even the dumbest, most corrupt cop isn't going to do anything scandalous while you're sitting right there. And the flatfoot giving you a ride has probably been told it's his job to babysit you for the night, while they tell you bs about what an unflinching view of the mean streets you're getting.
Personally, I don't really feel an anti-police sentiment on an individual level. I get that it's a hard job, and I've met some respectable officers.
But collectively, the seemingly total lack of accountability drives me nuts.