I have read that the UK does a better job at dividing police duties and health worker duties, makes sense for those types of calls. UK still issues firearms to special forces within their police departments, so armed force is always there when needed. But it has to be the training. The gear a new police officer receives in the UK compared to a senior officer is much different. They get smaller cars if allowed to drive, and are not allowed to be involved in certain calls, monitored closer, radio and a baton are standard issue, etc. Merica gives them a few weeks training, a gun and a dodge charger. Dumb. I also bet the psychological evaluations are different.
If over night, pepper spray and batons were all that was standing between Americans and every cash register, bank, home, etc, then we'd have a big fucking problem come morning.