Police force is a business, when the riots etc where taking place at London. HMCTS (another public service) requested the police send extra forces to protect court buildings.
Their reply was "we can do so, but it will cost you as its our time"... The price they quoted was ridiculous considering they are there to protect the public as well as the government (which was there main goal that day).
Some off their responses make me laugh, like a bailiff had a warrant for a possession of a house, when the lock smith opened the doors it turned out to be a cannabis plant

He rang the police and told them, they where not a bit interested and told them to stay there for a few hours till they decide to turn up

His response was on the lines off "hell no, either you come here now or I'm going and leaving the door open"
But its like in any job or profession, you get your cowboys and good workers. Some officers I've had a good time and laugh with others are a bunch of c*nts.