When they first started putting video cameras in
police cars, there was an incident where a policeman
killed a dog. The family, on a trip, was pulled over
on an interstate. There was a wide shoulder, and the
dog jumped out when the mother of the family opened the
passenger side door. The angular, well proportioned,
fit police officer tracked the playful dog for just a
moment and drew his gun to shoot him. The children
were horrified.
The officer paused just long enough to indicate
that his action was a response rather than premeditated
as a viewerr would surmise. You could only imagine he
was waiting for a marginal opportunity just like this
to express his dissatisfaction. The smirk on his face
gave away his vindictiveness.
The police officer knew the boundaries of the law
and that there was nothing on the books about shooting
a dog. Interviews later with him relayed his sharp
intellect as he said little, knowing full well his job
was safe if he could just ride out this 'thrill' he
created for himself that generated a media storm.
This incident demonstrated vindictiveness. This
type of behavior is apparent in most work environments
and is exercised by people who are intelligent enough
to go against the natural flow of productivity and
still maintain their innocence. Fellow employees
generally demonstrate communication barriers with these
employees. The vindictive employee's negative effect
can not be measured, but it is destructive to moral and
while provides them with feedback only they can
understand.
