re: Why did the cops give up the advantage

I get it on the fear thing. But now there is a dead a-hole and at least 2 cops who will probably lose their jobs over this. Whereas if they had been a little rough with the guy, they would have filled out paperwork and
gone home

Still don't get why they let that guy walk around the car while they had their weapons drawn....a British cop would have at least taken out his baton and bashed you.