Not at all.

Quite the contrary statements, Lol.

If you are unsure you may say the wrong thing, don't answer questions.

Not really. It’s two different places. Voluntary statement of admission got someone convicted and sent to prison.
Refusing to speak with him, although their right, (with other factors and evidence) got cases filed and them arrested and put in jail. Maybe later they weren’t ultimately convicted. Maybe they were.

My wife is a detective. A good example is this case she recently worked. I don’t know the details but basically a female came in and made a report of physical assault against her bf or ex bf. She was bruised up, etc. Signs of injury without question. My wife tried for a few weeks to set up an interview with the guy. He refused to cooperate. Totally his right. But what is she supposed to do? Just drop the case? For all she knows, the guy was out of the country during the assault and had a perfectly good alibi. But he refused to cooperate. So the case is filed, a warrant is issued, he goes to jail, and now has the headache that all that comes with. He may or may not be convicted later. That’s how the Justice system works.
Remember the burden of proof is not on the police, just probable cause.

All ntx is saying is that had this guy simply said yeah that couldn’t have been me, I was in Mexico (or whatever) that could save a big hassle.

No, I think most people on this forum who dislike police do it for that reason, not the general public.

I think the general backlash against police is because criminals got angry that police shoot criminals. Throw in the occasional mistaken bad shoot and a very rare vindictive POS who wants to show a suspect how tough he is, and there are a lot of things to point out as being wrong. People are angry with cops, which puts cops on edge that they will be attacked. For someone who carries a gun, that feeling can have bad results real quick. Police are in the position of making split second decisions about who gets to live or die. Make the wrong call and their life is over, one way or the other. They deserve our respect and gratitude.

Well, I'll be danged.... Somebody, finally gets it. !!!