As a former real-life cop that's the last job I'd want in Night City.
To many psychos, druggies, and corporate shenanigans to have a decent probability of living long enough to collect your underwhelming retirement benefits.
I think that's what would attract some players, or where some would see the challenge. Of course I'm now mostly speaking about a detached view from a "gamer" or someone entering said risky scenario without any hard or real risks. The power of reload, so to speak.
Let's (try to) assume it was real or rather let's try to look at it from a more immersed or real perspective: I think corruption would be high, the state would mostly just try to hold it all together while the corps and other actors have the "true" power, or at least notable power, and the average city cop might indeed have to expect a low(er) life expectancy or always ponder about whether they reach a natural retirement stage.
Makes me wonder about the motivation people taking such roles in that society would have, assuming that violence and so on would be known by people. Are some (likely the few) idealists, or maybe sadists trying to use the power in select cases? Perhaps they just do it to get by, kind of "forced", accepting the risks. Perhaps some have specific agendas or just want the "thrill".
Hard to tell. I did not really look into the "old" Cyberpunk and can't relate to quirks of the setting, but this is what I would imagine it to be without knowing much from CP2020.
True to my name here, I'd be the first role or job to pick once given the possibility in the game, if so. Perhaps it might indeed be hard difficulty by in-game choices. But that's the fun I see, in trying to portray that role in such a society, against the odds.
But time will tell. Depending on how it all goes and how you start, perhaps I end up in another role. With the corps. Or just on a different track. While I am a fan of such gameplay related to law enforcement and such, I do not necessarily want to force any career choice on my first playthrough too much, as it could be fun to just roll with things as they unfold and see where you end up.
If it doesn't go according to plan, just try something else in a new playthrough, perhaps. Could be refreshing.
But alas, regardless of preferences, if any cop job is offered I can see many players pick up 'the trade' and share their experiences via social media and whatnot.
It'll be a blast. Literally.