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I admire you as a policeman, particularly your adherence to violence as a necessary adjunct to the job.
— Captain Dudley Smith ‧ L.A. Confidential
Behind the line May contain spoilers.
Our reading
An editorial interpretation.
The speaker singles out violence as the feature of someone's police work that deserves admiration. That makes the praise unsettling: force is presented as a necessary part of the role rather than an unfortunate exception. The formal wording lends a respectable sound to the approval being expressed.
Context reviewed