This is what happens when a society places too many constraints on those we hire to protect us. You wind up with people who are either too inept to do their job, so scared to do their job, or view their job solely as a paycheck.
Consider the law enforcement in New Orleans who abandoned the city after Katrina. Those who fled, taking new cars with them were hired back on the force. Those who were video taped pushing shopping carts through WalMart and looting are again back on the force. The few who remained at their posts are treated neither better, or worse, than those who abused the privileges afforded them by the citizens of New Orleans.
I would think that like a ‘Good Samaritan Law’ that protects a citizen making a good faith effort to save another; there be a comparable law allowing the Law Officers (and anyone else who is armed) to take out the bad guys, with ‘reasonable’ immunity from personal and property damage. That means that if you can take a head shot at a bad guy, but graze Grandma- you won't be sued by Grandma for her inconvenience and pain. This makes the whole ‘human shield’ tactic kind of meaningless - because every sharpshooter will kill the hostage taker to send a very clear message. The scum can run, but they can't hide.
“Heaven help the police officer who returns fire, against a terrorist, and accidentally grazes a civilian with a richote, or from debris. The policeman will be vilified and have his career destroyed.”
Any policeman who doesn’t engage a killer should be immediately sacked.