I think with you background you will already have somewhat of assessment skills, that will help you. It is never to late to switch careers. If you can find an ADN program it will only take two years. You can work part time doing it. You already have had a high stress job, so you are already accustomed to it. I think you can handle it. Just remember you will be a student, and you will have to report actions to an instructor, you will have to put being a police officer on the back burner when at clinical. You should do it we need more male nurses!