From VICE:

On more than one occasion the US Supreme court actually affirmed that contrary to popular belief, the police are not obligated to protect citizens (see DeShaney vs. Winnebago and Town of Castle Rock vs. Gonzales).  I don’t really know what the solution here is, when most police are just like you and I.. they do a job for a paycheck and want to live a nice long happy life.  Really makes a person appreciate those who decide to risk all of that, to save a bunch of people they’ve never even met.

Thoughts?