I used to read an awful lot of military history and my impression was that the police generally go along with whoever is in charge, I either didn’t see, or didn’t notice the new conquerors having to replace the police forces, and we know that in America the police are not known for rebelling against unjust laws or policies during their history, although they do strongly enforce union demands of their own.
My impression is that for the most part, the police will never be a wall of defense for the citizenry, they just aren’t wired that way.
Whether they will obey orders or not is one thing but personal feelings on the issue is another.
“My impression is that for the most part, the police will never be a wall of defense for the citizenry, they just aren’t wired that way.”
The “to serve and protect” line is basically not true; they exist to uphold the law, and people may indirectly benefit or simply be collateral damage during that process.