I’m glad you pointed out the word “civilian.”
I’m tired of reading police threads here on FR where the word “civilian” is used. Unless you’re active duty military, you are a civilian.
The police are civilians, just like the non-police members of the public. However, I don’t mind when non-police members of the public are called “citizens.”
How about replacing the word “citizens”, with denizen, or subject? Ring any bells, with ya?