It does protect them from civil suits, which have a lower bar for the burden of proof. When a citizen does manage to win damages in a civil case, it is paid by

It does protect them from civil suits, which have a lower bar for the burden of proof. When a citizen does manage to win damages in a civil case, it is paid by the city (aka the taxpayers). It should be paid from the police pension or an individual insurance similar to malpractice insurance.