I'd agree LEO'S may stretch the rules at times but I haven't seen it for purposes other than attempting to perform a task that benefits the community. I also see them ignore other drones if not causing disruption in events.
An example, my Wife & I traveled to attend the Kansas City Plaza Lights 2021... an annual event turning on all the holiday lights in the Plaza section on Thanksgiving... if in the area you should visit. This was our 1st time and we'll likely return.. since kids have other holiday plans.
Knowing it would be a heavy crowd filling the streets, I didn't bother taking a small drone to event. We walked down from hotel and it was a major event (very cold too)... about a 6 block length of packed spectator streets. At one end a stage in intersection, with several little events of dancing & music.
Prior to getting dark, I noticed the top of parking ramps with ample spectators... and spotted several drones being "played with".
When it got dark, I noticed a minimum of 6 Matrice (M210 -M300) sized crafts hovering or slowly moving about 200-250 Ft Altitude. They'd occasionally cross the street going over the crowds, but mainly stayed above the buildings overlooking the crowds in street. I chatted with a small LEO K9 Team on street... they did confirm it was their observation drones... I asked if using thermal & cameras and they concured. I asked if an individual could fly a drone or was there a TFR or city ordinance... they stated there was a city ordinance (I don't argue city ordinance... I just respect the intent). I saw 1 Matrice return to location a block off main event for a battery swap... a short walk visually confirmed it was the ground station... and questionable if location provided VLOS with all the structures... maybe, sky view was sufficient.
At the same time, I noticed a minimum of 4-6 drones being home based from parking ramp roofs... running with no lights. Hard to notice unless you saw pass by a light source... they appeared to be
M2P sized & shape. A few had the LED landing light active on battery returns. They were flying 80-120 ft above crowds, often flying right down the center of street up to stage event and back to parking ramps. No lights, either turned off or taped (1 looked taped... little light leakage). The loud music and spectator noise allowed them to fly basically silent & unnoticed by the majority of crowd. Occasionally you'd see someone point to one as it flew over.
My point, LEO was there to assist if needed with such a large crowd. They did fly over the main street, I didn't see them linger over crowd. They may not have had VLOS at all times, but they weren't abusing... more positional at times.
There were also helicopters above... I think mainly Media, but a few maybe LEO crafts. I also questioned a few helicopter's positions & altitudes... some hovered positional to the event stage that appeared above crowd and below 600 Ft.
I was mainly intrigued why LEO didn't take any action or have interest to discourage the hobbyist flyers. Actually had a little envious attitude of the beautiful shots they were getting compared to my grounded A7Riii. But I do think they were flying risky and for those that noticed, some will adopt the same activity next year or other event... probably resulting in an incident eventually. I also found it interesting how they all adopted the blackout flying... maybe a few groups all sharing recommended practices. Humorously, If I launched a drone... my luck, that's when a LEO would appear!
I felt the event was well monitored, and I was glad to see they were using Matrice series to help monitor activity... to provide more eyes on activities.