That’s simply how cops refer to life if you’re not on the force. One of the problems with the job, particularly since the 1970s, is that the police almost have to live a separate life - or be under attack. The “village policeman” model was destroyed by terrorism and attacks long ago.
Most people I know in LE end up socializing or going out with only other people in that world, since everybody else will come up to them (literally, at a party) and either insult them or ask them what was their goriest and most gruesome case.
First they unionized, then they started seeing themselves as separate, terrorism did not drive them to do that, for one thing they still live among us. They do it themselves and it is becoming a serious problem as they take over our city governments.
More and more they dictate to us what they will do, and how they will do it.
When you see them calling us civilians, call them on it.