That is because the police are community proxies.
They are our protectors and law enforcers.
They are an integral and essential part of what makes a peaceful and effectively functioning society.
As such, we all have a fundamental interest in them, their work and their safety.
What then can be done about increasing violence against police officers, brought into focus by three violent assaults last weekend?
In South Auckland on Friday, an off-duty officer was beaten unconscious by a group of youths after he tried to break up a fight.
On Saturday, near Whangarei, an officer's lip was chewed off by a suspected drunk driver.
And on Sunday night, an Oamaru police officer was knocked to the ground and repeatedly kicked by a carload of people after the vehicle's driver failed a breath test.
The latter incident shows just how close to home such brutality is.
In other southern centres, too, police have been subject to violence and disrespect, both by individuals and mobs of youths.
Drug and alcohol abuse often trigger out-of-control behaviour, and the battle on these fronts is relentless.
Violence, one way or another, has always been part of New Zealand culture, but it has veered towards the more nasty in the public sphere.
Decency, respect and community responsibility have weakened and the police are suffering because of that.
It is a long and difficult road to strengthen conscience and concern.
Police Minister Judith Collins proclaims that respect and fear for the law is needed.
She says she will look at harsher penalties for those who attack police officers.
With the backing of the Prime Minister, penalties against those who assault police will be reassessed, including whether it should be mandatory that such attacks be an aggravating factor in sentencing.
The law at present gives judges discretion on whether that should be the case.
At first reading, the proposals seem sensible.
Everything practical should be done to protect the men and woman in blue, and the proposals do need considering - even the idea that assaults on police officers come under the three strikes policy.
But New Zealand has a chequered record of emotional and knee-jerk reaction to law change.
It is easy to make law in haste in a charged atmosphere propelled by public momentum.
A wiser course is to to wait just a little and cogitate on the sense of measures away from the furore, especially because this country lacks a second chamber to slow the sometimes hurtling progress of legislation.
All sorts of other matters to ponder might arise once cooler heads are at work.
Should, for example, such a law apply only to the police? What about ambulance officers or firemen? Would stiffer penalties really make any deterrent difference? Would the penalties apply to off-duty or undercover police when their status might be unknown?
The lot of a police officer is dealing with the drug-crazed, the hardened criminals and law breakers of all sorts.
That must take its toll, and it is little wonder they feel under siege at times.
Not surprisingly, an insular culture, an "us and them" and even an insidious arrogance can be fostered.
Somehow, officers must guard against those threats.
New Zealand police, despite blows in recent years to their reputation, are among the very best, and the least corrupt, anywhere in the world.
They, and we, can be proud of that.
Authority in its many forms, including the police, receives less deference and awe these days.
Citizens are taught and encouraged to think and question and that is often to the good.
Scrutiny of the police is in order and any "they can do no wrong" approach would be naive, damaging and dangerous.
Nonetheless, everyone needs to recognise the vital role police play on our behalf - and everyone needs to give our police officers respect, help and support whenever and wherever possible.
