My late father was a police officer. My late uncle was a police officer. My brother is a correction officer. I grew up with police officers. I am not, and have never been, a police officer. But I am a U.S. Navy veteran. Consequently, I do not have any anxiety when I am in the presence of a uniformed police officer.

I think what you are getting at is what I call "performance anxiety." This is the type of anxiety that some people experience when speaking in public. I read a poll that claimed that more people are afraid of public speaking than death. I'm serious.

It is true that a police officer has the legal authority to give you a ticket or arrest you, but the police officer is subject to laws.

Let me ask you this: If you were 100% certain that that a police officer would not harm you, would you be nervous in the presence of a uniformed police officer? I think not.

The vast majority of police officers are good people that have an extremely difficult job. They put their lives on the line every day. As you said, it's a noble profession. Are there some corrupt police officers? Yes. Is there police brutality? Yes. Does racial profiling exist? Yes. Do some police officers use excessive force that results in injury or death of citizens or residents? Yes. Those police officers should be subject to the law. (I am not going to get into the symbiotic relationship between prosecutors and police officers--that's another post.)

So, don't get nervous when you are in the presence of a uniformed police officer. He or she is there to protect and serve you.