Initially, yes. In a situation where there's an actual, widespread breakdown in the social order, the police will be more likely to retreat and exit the area. Look at the Rodney King riots, or New Orleans during Katrina.
The police get the advantage when they are able to concentrate overwhelming force on relatively small and isolated incidents. In a large and widespread situation, where they may find themselves outnumbered and with no backup likely (because their backup is already engaged dealing with situations elsewhere), they are likely to run away and let the situation deal with itself without them.
However much the feds have tried to militarize the police, they mostly remain with the mentality of unionized public employees. They will be very unwilling to get into firefights with what might effectively be an army.
However much the feds have tried to militarize the police, they mostly remain with the mentality of unionized public employees. They will be very unwilling to get into firefights with what might effectively be an army.
You really nailed it here. No mater how well armed and how much the cops like to refer to the general population as “civilians” the cops are NOT the military, do not have the training, are not subject to the UCMJ, and can walk away as they choose.
A shooting range is a dangerous place when most cops are shooting. There are some cops that take their job seriously, and shoot like pros, and there are the ex military that went to the police force, but they are the exceptions to the general bunch. I have a lot more respect for our volunteer firefighters.
Jack