nationally by white supremacist groups. A lot of them were probably already racists, but a few outliers could push the culture of a department in that direction even if they weren't.

+1000. Exactly.

that militia groups and right wing extremist would encourage their members to enlist in the military. It was a way to gain weapons and tactical experience. They would join on the premise of know thy enemy as you know thyself.

So I don't doubt many of those same members transitioned into law enforcement. Especially, after the end of Clinton's terms and the beginning of W's term. I remember there were multiple news stories about the Army and Marines infiltrated by right wing extremist. There was a brief crackdown on those openly displaying the confederate flag for example. So the ones that were dismissed or left when they couldn't display confederate or nazi symbols had to have gone somewhere.

Seems like the common element here is white male racists with guns.

that police forces nationally have their klan/white militia contingents proudly 'serving and protecting' white people, harassing and murdering black people. Also I am going to have to see if I can find any reports about current racial strife within the military today, if there is a lot, it is kept exceedingly quiet. I know in my day, even in Vietnam there was racial/cultural division among the troops...confederate 'juicers' against the 'heads' and the soldiers of color....BUT the n word was not used by the ignorant as much because we were all armed.....