[Tenhundfeld]

Yeah, I think it's fairly normal to have an officer outside of or at the entrance to a polling location. They're not actually in the room with poll watchers, etc., and certainly nowhere near the private voting booths.

It has never felt inappropriate to me – maybe because I typically vote at a public school, where it's normal to see a crossing guard or public safety officer outside.

[estebank]

Seeing cops in public schools is also weird to people outside the US.

[GekkePrutser]

Also metal detectors at schools. Very weird and unimaginable in Europe

[wavefunction]

It's not normal. In fact there was a police officer from Florida if I recall correctly who was reprimanded for voting in their uniform. It's considered potential voter intimidation to have a police officer standing around at a polling place.