Well it kind of depends on where you live and what language you're speaking as to whether or not we're referring to the same group (or if your country even has a proper analog).

For example, France has both the police and the gendarme, the latter of which (to my understanding) is more militarized, allowing the former to often be much better liaisons to the public in situations that might not require force.

They also didn't completely abandon all spirit of comradarie as a nation after their revolution.

Police in the US help landlords forcibly evict tenants. It's literally one of the job responsibilities.