I have a couple of friends who are in the law enforcement community who do not meet the typical stereotype of cops. However:

the more robotic types with chips on their shoulders that unfortunately populate many police agencies

...

the law enforcement field is made up of individuals and, as such, does not lend itself to broad characterizations of the people who have chosen that vocation.

I think you contradict yourself. Not to say that all cops have a chip on their shoulders (as you put it), but many do. I think that that's a common mindset that leads people to the occupation of law enforcement. It' also may be one that develops dealing with scum, as I'm sure they deal with such types more often than the rest of us (or maybe not).

Out of curiosity, what was the size of your police force and the size of the municipality you served? And why are you a former Chief of Police?