My experience with S Wlaes Police was exactly the same as dk's; coppers were fantastic, I learned a lot and really came to appreciate the coppers. They are human and decent people.
One small point......you may have had trouble keeping up with that copper because you were behind him; those at the back on a rideout always have to go faster to keep up
One small note of caution; I don't want to dampen your enthusiasm but
poo can happen to the best of the best, so please don't get over-confident. Ride as they have taught you and you will be safer, though.