[elkfersupper]

if the police officers on the scene perceive an action, such as photographing undercover officers, as a threat, they will respond to neutralize that threat. They may be polite about it, as by requesting the photographer to erase a given shot; they might be more technical, such as siezing the camera/cell phone for evidence; or they might be purely forceful, such as just smashing any cameras or phone they come across.

I was wondering what happened to the motto "To Protect and Serve".

Now I know.

[VietVet]

I think you have to take into account the question of serving whom by protectiong them from whom else?