Not to disagree with you, but to add a data point (or rather an anecdote) - I heard a few people from Moscow claiming that they're more afraid of cops than criminals.
(Of course, even if it's not an exaggeration and even if it reflects the actual probabilities of getting hurt by cops and criminals there, it does not follow that things wouldn't be even worse without a police force.)
(Of course, even if it's not an exaggeration and even if it reflects the actual probabilities of getting hurt by cops and criminals there, it does not follow that things wouldn't be even worse without a police force.)