"defenders of freedom"?
This idea is corrupt at its core by the simple fact that 'the Police' do not defend freedom, but the status quo.
I've lived in places where 'The Police' believe in what they're doing and in places where 'The Police' believe what they're doing is 'right' (or as they believe, their job with all the quirks and benefits is right).
The only difference is to what degree do the 'privileged citizens' maintain the state of affairs.
You want real defenders of freedom?
How about people who actually want freedom and are willing to fight for it and when the time finally comes, to lay their arms down in 'the end'?
And so the cycle repeats.