only serves to further the divide between the police and ordinary citizens.

Yes. Some police have committed terrible crimes and horrible acts. Yes. You should be guarded and avoid speaking outside the presence of counsel if police are treating you like a suspect.

But no, I don't agree you "should avoid police like the plague and assume they are out to get you." I cross paths with police officers every day. Two things you can do which will almost guarantee the police will leave you alone - don't commit a crime and give up the jackassery.

Doing these two things...or rather avoiding these two things...will pretty much guarantee you will be left alone. I think the better solution, rather than avoiding cops like the plague and assuming they are out to get you...is to assume they are actually decent people with families who just want to go home to them at night. Be cool to them, and they will be cool to you.