Determined coppers ever antagonising detainees (11)

I believe the answer is:

perseverant

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'determined' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are adjectives.
Maybe there's an association between them I don't understand?

'coppers ever antagonising detainees' is the wordplay.
'PERSEVERANT' is hidden in amongst the letters.
However, I am uncertain how this is indicated.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for perseverant that I've seen is " Steadfast".)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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