First of all, "you don't know me" is appropriate in this situation. I grew up far from a cocoon, well below poverty level, frequently living in shit areas with bad influence. However, I put myself through school, and now make enough money that I am comfortable and can support myself and my girlfriend.
Second of all, my point is not to compare my job to a police officer, but to point out: If you can't handle the job, you should not be doing it. I'm friends with a few cops, some of them do it for the money (some of them make upwards of 60,000-70,000 a year; which is damn good for not having a degree). Some of them do it because they love the work. None of them behave this way. If your temper or mental state doesn't allow you to do a job with the professionalism due the position, you shouldn't be doing it.
Police officers also have authority, firearms, and a rather large fraternity. They should be held to a standard that does those privileges honor, not disgrace.
