https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/15/nyregion/nypd-champagne-theft-music-festival.html
Great moments in NYPD detective work! But the champagne-guzzling cops have several defenses they could put up:
They thought the champagne was subject to asset forfeiture.
They were assigned to stop “drug-related activity.” Alcohol is a drug! By consuming it themselves, the cops saved civilians from potentially getting drunk. The detectives here were just following orders the best way they knew how.
If all else fails, there’s always qualified immunity.