Maybe he wasn't getting enough violence in his day job.

I believe the cop shows call it "accelerating," when a criminal's activities are starting to increase in frequency and intensity, or both. Usually in a violent way, like moving from assault to murder. In today's book, looks like that would apply to the cops, too. From 2099 1994, Punisher 2099 #22, "Sins of the Father" Written by Pat Mills and Tony Skinner, pencils by Simon Coleby, inks by Keith Williams.

Jake Gallows was the Punisher of the year 2099, and his day job was cop, for the Public Eye. I know I've read more than a few issues of this book, but off the top of my head, I can't recall why exactly he moonlighted as the Punisher. It didn't seem to be because of the death of his family, since his son was in this issue, robbing his bank account: Dean Gallows had been believed to be dead after a transporter accident, but instead gained powers and took the name Hotwire. He didn't seem to be close to his dad before, but kind of expected him to be there for the funeral. Hotwire jacks into cyberspace, but with a physical presence, to hack dear ol' dad's account. 

Meanwhile, Jake saves his tech guy Matt from a gang of "moonchildren," kids deported from the moon but not really adapted for life on earth, prone to alcoholism and agoraphobia. The moonies want earther skin to protect them from the acid rain (that apparently everyone else was just used to...) and try to harvest Matt, which just gives Jake permission to go to town on them. Jake is very obviously a sadist, and I don't think he goes after 'bad guys' to justify it as much as to feel like he's doing something constructive. If there was no crime and no criminals, he'd have to make up another reason to hurt people. Although, I guess Jake does just administer a half-strength beating, whereas Frank Castle would've gunned them down, so...

This issue does explain how, in a super-high-tech surveillance state, Jake isn't recognized: he gets an updated face scrambler, to protect his identity with "no sweaty mask." Being super-paranoid also pays off again, when the security measures Jake insisted the Punisher would need, drive Hotwire out of cyberspace at the bank, where he's greeted by the Punisher. With both masked, father and son aren't going to recognize each other; but I think it probably would've played out the same way. 

Jake is even less an aspirational figure than Frank (who is 100% not an aspirational figure) but even though his title was cancelled earlier, he still might be the most popular 2099 character after Spidey 2099. He's never had an action figure, though; but is a playable character in the Contest of Champions mobile game. He's a straight villain there, with HYDRA giving him the opportunity Doom 2099 did in the comics: to head up a "Ministry of Punishment" and scale up his campaign. But like other heroes Turbo, Doc Samson, and Hardware, his costume looks better on a woman. I also had the last issue of this at some point, and know the chickens come home to roost for Jake; wish I could find a cheap copy again.