@BVBgamer88I didn't say anything about the ability to play as a cop other than in NFS Heat, but you're very right! I tend to overlook High Stakes, but I'm aware of it and Hot Pursuit 1, 2, 2010. I didn't like HP2010 much due to it's handling and I would've loved to have backup units in that game, but no, so I can see why HS and previous HP games would be far superior in terms of gameplay.
Not being able to play as a cop since Rivals annoys me, but I'm fine as long as they give us the tools to play as a cop, such as with Payback. That Crown Victoria ended up being the reason why I even bought that abomination. Nonetheless, it's great playing as a cop with friends and others!
So if they won't give us a "be the cop" mode, we'll make them. If that doesn't work, we'll get them to add police vehicles. And if even that fails, we can always fall back on custom cop car wraps!