[ASA Vet]

The uniformed police are a convenience to the public, acting as the day and night watch, collectors of evidence, and doggedly pursuing wanted suspects for the courts

You might add, that contrary to what they believe, police officers ARE civilians too. If they want to be military they should join the real military.

[yefragetuwrabrumuy]

It is true that they are civilians, but they have been given both special authority and much, much more responsibility than are other citizens.

A great example is that police are obligated to at least try and arrest those committing major violent felonies. But under generous rules, in many situations, ordinary citizens can just kill them.

Police are burdened with paperwork, redundant supervision and review of their actions, and need protection from their superiors with a union. But that is the price demanded of them by a distrustful public.