My brother told me about the time he was in a bar and fell into conversation with a man who turned out to be a cop.
In the course of the conversation my brother asked the cop if the police were worried about the recent huge growth and spread of a certain dangerous gang (of which I don’t recall the name) in the area.
The cop replied very seriously and with a bit of bravado, “No. We are not afraid of them. OUR gang is bigger.”
Police mentality in a nutshell, unfortunately.
I hope the police department pays this poor woman, big time.
Bravado? Sure. But would your brother felt better if the cop had said "Yep, they terrify us. In fact, we avoid all calls on their turf and run, hide, and wet our pants if they knock on our doors."