Showing your age there Ranga, that saying goes back to the late '60's and '70's.
Back in my day amongst other sayings they used to call us the "brown bombers" mainly because of the khaki uniform.:)
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Like many nicks or slang names that are now considered politically incorrect, the offence is in the intent rather than the noun. To my great annoyance, abo is now considered offensive. My belief is that it should be taken as a badge of honour and acceptance, as are Simmo for Simpson, Gazza for Gary et al. It's just the Australian way.
NSW Police became a "service" back in 1988 and about 2004/2005 changed to just to the NSW Police before changing again formally back to the Police Force.
I was in for just over twenty years and always referred to myself being a "copper" or being "in the cops". Never had a problem with it compared to other names we were called!
I think a lot of these answers have answered your questions:)
Mrs hh:angel:
Hubby is an ex 'cop'.. and he refers to friends who are still in the force as coppers without offence at all.. :)
Norman T. W. Allan (Commissioner 1962-72) had the number plate COP 777, on a Rambler Classic and I think a Rambler Rebel. His successor Fred Hanson may have had the plate for a while but he may have been the last. Under Fred the newly created Highway Patrol had HWP and HWY prefixes, also LAW I think. Far more creative and less politically correct in those days!
Bob