system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
ELI5:Why don't those with authority (such as police officers) face the same penalties as ordinary citizens for crimes?

I'm just curious because everyday I hear about injustices to citizens from police offers, however they only get measly penalties such as being fired, whereas a normal person would be jailed, fined heavily, etc.
gpt
Officers are put into legally problematic positions as part of their jobs. For example it is the duty of an officer to use their service weapon to stop an armed criminal before they can injure or kill others. But if the officer makes a mistake the officer could injure or kill innocent bystanders. A regular person could avoid the whole issue by not firing at all, but an officer has a duty to fire; the reduced punishment in the event of a mistake is acknowledgment of the dissimilar circumstances.