But cops will be cops, and they tend to get carried away..

Uh-huh.

Is that like 'boys will be boys', Joe?

Urban Dictionary
BOYS WILL BE BOYS

What soccer moms say when their son has just done something AWFUL. This statement implies that any negative behavior should be excused on the grounds that boys are always doing things that are wrong, and need to be treated with a degree of leniency that borders on insanity.

Bystander: Oh my God, that kid is raping a nun!!
Soccer Mom: (Fake Laugh] Oh, well, you know. Boys will be boys. I'm sure he just had a hard day at school.