it sounds like total chaos. the officers who did stay, apparantely did so out of a sense of personal responsiblity. but the command structure had collapsed, so other officers who did not have such a sense of personal responsibility - just took care of their own interests or just took off.
I agree ..there was a total breakdown in command and communication.
NO PD Chief just remarked that the city has been destoyed. No kidding.
NOPD chief - "this city has been destroyed".
I will never find the link now, but the other day I read in an article a bit about one of the policemen, who was just about ready for retirement, and was going to fill out his papers to do so.
But then when this disaster hit, he changed his mind -- he remarked "I wouldn't be much of a man if I did that now."