Also a lot of places police work pays a really nice wage with opportunities for nearly unlimited overtime.
My local metro PD has what’s called “secondary work” where various (large) venues will hire off-duty officers to essentially stand around and be present. Those jobs regularly pay $50/hr and you get to see events for free. These guys rack up insane amounts of “secondary work.” It’s a total racket, a few years ago there was as scandal with a guy working secondary work *while on duty," it’s wildly open to abuse and the police hierarchy protects everyone at every step.
I have first-hand knowledge of the workings of my local metro PD is the only reason I referenced them but you make a valid point that they don’t all like each other. In my local PD at least (and I imagine a lot of others) it’s hyper political. People try very hard to attach themselves to up-and-coming command officers to try to become a sort of right hand or assistant (while still being badge carrying LEO) to them.
It’s extremely hierarchical, it’s not uncommon for peoples parents and grandparents to have been cops and institutions like that definitely have a memory. People spend decades finding their little niches and if you step on the wrong toes you may get screwed over before you understand what’s happening, it’s an extremely toxic place filled with assholes and psychopaths lol.