Correct. Right now the law supports the police rationalizing any outcome from a quantum catalogue of options, if the choice they take is within that catalogue i

Correct. Right now the law supports the police rationalizing any outcome from a quantum catalogue of options, if the choice they take is within that catalogue it is considered "justified". People then use the mere word justified to determine if it matches their predisposition. Most of that comes from an appeal to authority, if an organization they respect (the district attorney, mayor, etc) gives them a confirmation that it was justified, then they feel comfortable in their world view. Despite not really knowing that the legal term justified is not universal or predictable, and just comes down to an officer choosing from a catalogue of available options, instead of being judged on which option they chose like a civilian would.