Kohlberg would say the officer is thinking in the stage.

      The officer is thinking of the stage four: Law and order orientation, from Level two:  Conventional morality.

       From this point of view, the officer surely believes that his duty as an authority that must act to keep the order cannot be spotted by any kind of subborn.

       This stage regards to the respect for the authorities and to follow the law and rules, does not matter the circunstances.

we both have laws and checks and balances.