Well, every decade or two, the US seems to go through some sort of upheaval. Currently, the hot issues seem to be growing gap between rich and poor, the left/right radicalization of the government, and perhaps issues about religion... But what it always comes down to is people without power agitating against people with power. And, of course, the police always end up in the middle, and therefore bear the brunt of discontent.

I don't know anything about Ian Murdock's circumstances, but right now the US is a land awash with angry people carrying personal firearms. Which means it's a dangerous time to be a policeman. I can understand why they may be overreacting to some situations...