How about “citizens”? ? ? ?
How about “your employer”?
How about “the ones who slave away to pay your salary, pension, and health care benes”?
How about “our customers”?
How about “any of those would sound stupid in a conversation?”
Again - cops are not military, they are not rock stars, they are not overlords, they are not masters, they are not wardens of a jail.
Cops are supposed to serve the public who pays their salaries, benes, pensions, etc., nothing more, nothing less.
Citizens would be fine. But, I’m not one who has a big problem with civilians. I’m not sure it doesn’t describe just as well - after all, the cops don’t know if the person they’re talking about are citizens.