This was 2008, things have moved on a bit and hopefully everyone is a little more savvy. I think give them the benefit of doubt and hopefully things are a little more intelligent now...
Having a 2008-tech-savvy cop in 2008 is just common sense. If the description is accurate, the two guys who came to confiscate the computers were completely clueless and would be easily fooled by anyone reasonably knowledgeable with computers.