Walking the streets of our major towns and cities late at night would not encourage most people to join the Garda Síochána.
There must be, and there are, easier ways of making a living than dealing with drunks, violence, drug addicts, car thefts, or breaking news of a loved one's death on a doorstep late at night.
Carried out properly, as it is by so many, it is an honourable job, one that makes a vital contribution to life in the Republic.
Done badly, as it is, unfortunately, by a far from insignificant number of The Thin Blue Line, there are few other jobs that can have such a corrosive effect on society.
Few would wish Michael McDowell anything other than the best as he attempts to introduce reform into the ranks of the force at a time when public confidence is ebbing.
And it is ebbing away. In fact, some would argue that much of the reservoir of support built up over decades has evaporated as Donegal and Abbeylara have become shorthand catchphrases.
The Garda reacts badly to criticism. It always has. Critics, journalists or not, are simply "pinkos", lefties, or whatever.
Whatever else I am, a "pinko" leftie is not one of them. Like most people I want gardaí to be well-paid and well-treated. I do not expect them to solve all of society's ills, but I do expect the force to be effective in areas where it should be.
And I, like many others, believe it is increasingly failing that challenge for reasons entirely its own fault - and not just because there isn't enough money to pay overtime.
Unless the force quickly reforms itself it will be seen more and more as the enemy in tougher areas; and ever more redundant by those in wealthier spots.
Part of the problem lies with the spirit that exists inside the ranks. Those outside, i.e. everyone who is not a guard, or an ex-guard, are exactly that. Outsiders.
A strong esprit de corps is both necessary and understandable. If a garda is walking down Dame Street at 3 a.m. he or she needs to be damn sure that the officer standing beside them will indeed stand beside them if trouble erupts.
However, if the same officer on Dame Street refuses to identify a colleague guilty of the indiscriminate use of a baton then esprit de corps has gone too far.
The final shape of the Garda Inspectorate will not be known until the end of year. Mr McDowell promises that it will be "demonstrably independent" and powerful. It will be able to launch investigations on its own if a person dies in custody, or during a Garda operation, or if it receives a complaint.
It will be able to inquire into the Garda's "practices and policies" at the request of the Minister, but it will not be able to launch solo probes on any other grounds. Most of the time that will probably not make much difference. If the inspectorate discovers that there is a problem it will most likely do so from a complaint.
However, it is not yet clear if the inspectorate could act on the basis of an anonymous tip-off. Such a power is necessary.
Nobody wants indiscriminate inquiries on the basis of unsupported rumour since they would have a corrosive effect on ordinary gardaí. But some element of anonymity will be necessary in some cases. Few people want to tangle with the Garda. Even Leinster House politicians shy away from it, as they will admit privately.
Inevitably, the Minister's plans will be compared to the Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman, Ms Nuala O'Loan, who has 120 staff, a £10 million budget and draconian powers.
By that yardstick, he is on a loser. His plans are more modest. Nevertheless, the Minister is justified in saying that a one-size model does not have to fit all. The Republic is not Northern Ireland. Few here will question the Garda's right to exist. The Minister does not need to be as radical.
However, there are issues that have to be dealt with quickly.
Significant numbers of gardaí have other occupations, often more lucrative than their full-time job.
But why should anyone look a gift horse in the mouth? Everyone should have the right to do extra work if they have the energy and the work ethic to want to provide more for their families. But it must be cleared by superiors. Politicians tell stories that can be measured by the yard about the guard who is a builder, a plasterer, a painter or a landlord.
Too often the jobs are secured by guards because they are guards, on a current of unspoken favours or worse. And that is where the line of acceptability is crossed.
Last year, the last Garda commissioner, Mr Pat Byrne, during an appearance before the Oireachtas Justice Committee, denied that double-jobbing even happened.
Sadly, that says more about his powers of observation than anything else. Everyone in life must be accountable, even the Garda Síochána. For its own sake most of all.