COP (kop)

In A.D. 2050, in one of the larger cities of the United States, most city functions and commercial endeavors have been decentralized. The monetary system automatically attracts and compensates volunteer employees for their efforts, individually and in teams, including a fairly complex system of checks and balances.
In this system of government and administration, the vocation of COP, or Certified Official Protector, is one job which not just anyone can do. It takes a certain type of person with a determined personality and a love of truth and justice.
After an initial training period, and with routine refresher training and advanced training classes (using another decentralized system that connects journeyman COPs with highly experienced retired ones willing to share their skills and experiences) a person can earn a badge which identifies them as the local authority, able to use a combination of flattery, force, and an array of impressive gadgets to enforce the necessary laws, control hazards, investigate mysteries, and serve the public wherever things are just not going smoothly.
The open network of electronic security systems, easy availability of advanced education, and the elimination of poverty, or at least elimination of the worst repercussions of poverty, has led to a reduction of local crime in the city to almost none, leaving COPs to focus on helping law-abiding citizens most of their day, with only a fair amount of time dedicated to patrolling for unlawful activity and applying appropriate corrections.
The personal values of an individual COP have to match the values of the city to maintain a long career in this vocation. People with more flexible morals or just a lack of understanding of the letter and the spirit of the law wash out pretty quickly and find other pursuits to be more personally profitable.
In the story of "The Adventures of Zoot and Buff", Zoot is a pair of COPs, local volunteer police investigators, fraternal twins, brother and sister, who casually patrol the large city in their iconic 1930's zoot suits, always ready whenever there is a call for help. They both have that heroic call to work hard for justice for all, and an understanding and unshakable faith in the law, and the determination to put themselves in harm's way if necessary to protect others. Fortunately, they also have pretty good skill at organizing and motivating local citizenry to help keep order and keep the vast amount of freedom that each person in the city displays on a daily basis.

Type

Public Services