Well I think being a police officer is totally different from what it was just a few years ago. I don't think I would encourage anyone into going into it. Dealing with scum, evil, mental illness, dead bodies, fights and all the other crap can take a toll after a while.
It does change your perspective. I sit where I can see in restaurants, I have driven past my house more than once when driving home because someone may have been following me, putting my gun on just to walk out and get the mail.
Last year we decided to make a big change and we left Houston. Now we live on a farm and the stress levels have gone way down.
I am always up for connecting with people.
Your gun should be on your body all the time anyway even while in your home. :)
I hate double standards and special protections. All police functions should be privatized. PI's already do investigative work, there are security companies already, etc.
You were wise to move out of an urban area. Things here are only going to continue getting worse and worse. I've been telling friends to leave urban areas for years. Most have ignored me unfortunately.