the fact you're unwilling to even reveal your alternate suggestion, I don't think you have one.

That's not really how it works. Sometimes, it just feels fruitless to try to have a conversation when I already know anything I say will be downvoted/shouted down. Just a bit disheartening. Why have a conversation when I know the responses will involve insults and condescension.

If police generally do not carry guns, they would not need to worry about someone grabbing their gun and using it against them, as other people have mentioned.

You put "reliable" less lethal too, so I am assuming you consider tasers unreliable. Pepper spray generally seems effective. Alternate bullets like rubber bullets, wax bullets, taser rounds or beanbag rounds. Directed energy weapons can immobilize.

I honestly feel like we could find a ton of ways to incapacitate people without resorting to lethal responses.

Hell, I'm pretty sure the whole thing would have gone more smoothly if the cop waited a couple minutes for backup. The guy was walking around and wouldn't have gotten too far.