In our rural community a good cop makes a big positive difference and is appreciated by almost everyone. The sheriffs tend to be approachable regular guys who don't assume you are the scum of the earth and act like they really care even if they are just doing a job.
The department that patrols the city i drive to for work has a whole different feel to it. They obviously spend more time with jerks and scum and assume you probably fall in that category unless they know you. Oh and about every month there is a scandal regarding coerced sex by one of the bad cops in the city. I wouldn't think that would be a good place to work most of the time.
