When you work for a Police Dept or Public safety Office, when you are called you go, and leave your family behind. This is what separates those that are responsible and are willing to do that job and the ones that just punch a time card. If you fail to come to work, you are terminated or suspended. Before you report for duty you take care of your personal matters (evacuating family and securing your home) and do your duty. there are hardship cases that are evaluated on an individual basis , but when you are in those type jobs your rights come after the Public safety. I am not sure if people are aware of this, but the Offices involved in every aspect of public Safety are notified long before the General Public is notified that the Hurricane will be directly affecting your area. The State EOC notifies every County that will be involved, and the race is on after that.
I would also "excuse" the loss of composure (not looting, but suicide, despair, etc.) of more than usual, given the enormity.
What I won't excuse is the reality denial by the mayor and state officials that civil order was lost, and that they needed help, that their forces were in way over their heads. They didn't do any gap analysis.