Bingo -- this is exactly it. I have made the same observation in my dealing with the police. And as we all know, this assumed respect does not exist in many cases, and at that point it's down to pure muscle and fighting capability. Politically correct? No. Painful reality? Yes.
These fools can argue against the basic laws of nature all they like, but nature isn't listening.
I guess you just can't count on criminals to have good parents who teach respect for the law and for women.