Oh? 50 years ago, the Lakewood, Colorado, police were called the "blue blazers" because they dressed with jacket and tie. I never heard they were better thought of locally.

I believe this was tried somewhere in California, too

Menlo Park, green blazers, I believe. I recall a 99% Invisible episode about them.

I'm only 42.... police in the UK got their perpetual guns and SWAT outfits post 'war on terror' iirc. I remember clearly seeing the first 'bobby on the beat' in my home town wearing a stab vest over his white shirt and tie. He had traditional dark blue trousers and shoes (rather than combat boots). It is a rural town. I never heard of a knife crime. We thought it was health and safety nonsense. This would be mid 2000s.

I told a policemen friend (non uniform) that i didn't like that they moved someone after to black polo shirts. He said it was because sweat made the colour run from the stab vests into their white shirts...

Given the off-duty soldiers and off-duty police I've interacted with, I'd prefer a soldier over a police officer any day. I know you mean 'a soldier in enemy territory' but it's worth highlighting.

Hah, here the cops get a choice of that black, or a camo-green style uniform that is very Army-eque (not full blown camo, but from not much of a distance you'd assume they were military, not LE).

> we shouldn't be suprised if they act like one

I'd love it if cops were held to the same rules of engagement as the military.

You, as a civilian, are expected to remain calm while LE is aggressive and shouting at you.

You're expected to remain unafraid with guns pointing at you, but a cop can "fear for his life"...