I suspect they have a written policy from the higher-ups (and their attorneys) that specifically spell out what action they have to follow and when.

If they want to keep their job and have any future in the system then they have to follow those rules.

I don't know for a fact if that is why they took the action they did but it is consistent with other bureaucracies I've observed.

They're in a no-win situation because one time they follow common sense and don't call the cops and something bad happens then the press will be asking "why didn't you follow your own policies?".