What are police for? Security of the rich? Enforcement of laws?

The role of the Constable in Middle Ages Britain was to ensure that those summoned to court duly appeared, to raise a 'hue and cry' to hunt down robbers and cattle-thieves, and to 'keep the King's peace'. Investigation of crimes short of murder was the responsibility of the victim, who might employ a professional 'thief-taker'. A Coroner could direct the Constable to search for or detain a person suspected of murder. It was the London magistrate and novelist Henry Fielding who first attempted to combine the role of Constable and thief-taker in his Bow Street Runners. Sir Robert Peel expanded the role and numbers of Constables because he did not approve of the custom of calling up the Yeomanry (militia) to maintain public order. Eventually the concepts behind the Bow Street Runners gave rise to the notion of a detective branch (CID), which was assimilated into the Constabulary. That's more or less how it stands today. Far from perfect, but with a lot less lead flying!

American police forces, on the other hand, are municipally-funded alternatives to the private armed forces kept by wealthy people to protect their property and interests. They are paramilitary and focused more on enforcement than detection. on taking down visible offenders rather than investigation. Keeping the peace does not seem to feature in their role.

I don't recommend defunding or abolition. I do recommend demilitarisation and a shift in focus. Gun control would also be helpful.