Yes, I can imagine that worked out very well!

Everybody knows the police and what authorities they represent. Private security, in particular armed private security, is an unknown variable. In a setting where I would not expect any trouble or reasons for security personnel, I'd react with shock and grief to the presence of either (what have the world come to and all..) - but I'd be MUCH more comfortable with the presence of a police officer than some unknown guy from an unknown private security company. I trust the training and integrity of police officers, whereas some private security companies may or may not train adequately (and some will hire just about anyone with enough brains to fill in their application form).


That being said, the U.S. has a much higher level of police being present and visible than my home turf. When in the U.S, it seems like almost every road block is guarded by a patrol car. At home, if I see the police doing anything else than driving past it means something serious is happening. The presence of a police officer is a very serious danger sign because they are there for a very specific and probably nasty reason.