Let's say they "let him go" and he later rams someone else, shoots them, robs them, or does some other heinous or criminal act? This is a question law enforcement is asked all the time ... and when they let someone go, and they prey on more victims - even killing them - the police are not praised for their brave decision to "de-escalate", but chastised for not doing their job.

The NON-police are great at second-guessing those that actually do the job.