[maxerickson]

Police in the U.S. carry high capacity semi-automatic pistols as a matter of course. I think they also frequently wear bullet proof vests on normal duty. Swat teams wear more armor and typically carry submachine guns that are capable of fully automatic fire.

Part of protecting people that do not have a history of violence is giving them the benefit of the doubt. Sure, there need to be lines drawn that allow the police to protect themselves, but anyone choosing to be a cop is going to be aware of the fact that they will occasionally be placed in dangerous situations.