Should news anchors use slang words in their broadcasts?

I was watching a national news program yesterday and there was a story about a law enforcement award. The reporter ended the story by saying, “This is quite an honor as this award is only given to one cop every year.”

The use of the word “cop” sounded jarringly unprofessional to me. I know the word doesn’t have the same insulting meaning that it used to but it still comes across like street slang, especially in a context that should be respectful.

Am I nitpicking? Should on-air newscasters hold to a higher standard of communication than the average person?