I dunno, but my interpretation of the bible is that God can makes good things happen from bad situations, but doesn't make bad things happen (which is actually the result of sinful men making bad decisions.) Yes, he hardened pharoah's heart in the old testament, but that was the OT, a different era. It just seems so much more consistent with the bible to view it as satan is sometimes allowed to do things (using people, their decisions, and temptation to entice their decisions), but God doesn't make it happen.
I didnt say He made it happen, either. For instance, God used satan's trials against Job for a greater good. Job ended up with more than he had before after the trial. I think that God can use this situation to bring about good, in some form. Whether it be the Atlanta PD shrugging off PC reforms in favor of crime fighting that gets results, or Nichols being a witness in jail, or something else that none of us can even predict at this juncture, good will come of it.