Private Security in Colonial America

Before Americans had organized police forces, they had private security guards. In New England towns, men were hired to patrol the streets at night. Now how would you think these guardians were viewed by the colonists?

According to Robert J. Fisher in his Introduction to Security

Such watchmen were ... without training, had no legal authority, were either volunteers or were paid a pittance, and were generally held in low regard - circumstances that bear a remarkable similarity to observations in the RAND report on private security in 1971.

Why is it that we so often undervalue those who commit to protecting our lives and property?