I think your theory has the best fit for now. Maybe the guilt drove him too it.
That and the fact he has been fighting a war with a bunch of evil bastards trying to burn the city and he’s not even allowed to arm his officers. It appears that all they are allowed to do is put out the fires and apologize to the SOB’s who set them. Who would want that job? What’s even more scary is that if the left had it’s way, we would be in the same position right now